By Wilma Jakobsen | Project Leader
REPORT: Volmoed Youth Leadership Training Program (VYLTP)
September 2021
Covid-19 continues to disrupt our VYLTP plans, yet thankfully, we are able to continue and innovate to ensure our youth leadership training continues. In South Africa since the last report, we have been in a devastating third wave of the Covid-19 virus and some plans had to be canceled. We live in hope that in person training can return but for the moment that is not possible, as South Africa went back to lockdown level 4 and stricter regulations, now continuing in lockdown level 3. Rollout of the vaccine has been slow but increases most weeks, and it is making a difference, especially as young people between the ages of 18- 35, our VYLTP demographic, are now able to be vaccinated.
We gathered on June 16, the 45th anniversary of the Soweto youth uprisings. A smaller group of thirty young people came to Volmoed, focused on the theme, ‘Faith, Memory & Healing.’ Seven young people stayed over the night before in community building and helping to prepare for the day. They are now participating in the leadership of the next gathering. Music, singing, silent reflection and discussion groups focused the beginning and end of the day. Workshops focused on Gender Based Violence; Voting Rights and Responsibilities; Africa: Faith, Memory and Healing; and Developing Incorruptible Youth Leadership. This last workshop was online, an exciting partnership with youth leaders from national youth organisations around South Africa.
The high moment of the day was the celebration of our new VYLTP container classroom/office, which was finished just in time. It now houses six desktop computers, donated to us by the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation. We have installed internet/wifi and it will be used as an office space for members of the leadership team, and as a classroom for leadership training sessions. We are still brainstorming how best to use it, as we are restricted by lockdown regulations. It is an exciting development. Thanks to all our donors, we were able to increase the insulation in the walls and ceiling, as Volmoed is harshly cold during the winter months and very hot in summer. We were also able to add a couple of cupboards, a sink and tap, a coffee/tea station and bookshelves for resources.
We also completed a six week online module on Critical thinking and decolonising our sacred texts, with a select group of young leaders who benefited enormously from the excellent sessions led by staff of The Warehouse, an organization focused on issues of justice and peace. This will inform their community action and benefit their leadership skills and resources in faith based contexts.
Please do check out our website for more news: https://volmoedyouth.org.za
AS ALWAYS,
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR GENEROUS DONORS!
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