June Newsletter
The month of June has been nothing short of spectacular as we celebrated Youth Month. Here are the highlights from the month of June!
Khulani Schools Celebrate Youth Day with Inspiring Events
Our KSP schools, Siyabonga Secondary School and Willow Crescent Secondary School, commemorated Youth Day in meaningful ways. At Willow Crescent Secondary School, Grade 12 learners gathered for a special event hosted by Principal Miss Hill. The day included inspirational talks from motivational speaker and author Belincia George, focusing on empowerment and motivation for the girls, alongside a purity pledge ceremony. The boys were gifted with underarm spray from Axe.
Siyabonga Secondary School joined other secondary schools from the Braamfisherville community in honouring Youth Day. The day was marked by songs and heartfelt messages reflecting on the significance of the 1976 youth and their contributions. It was a collaborative effort that resonated deeply within their district, highlighting unity and remembrance.
Education Changemakers Cohort 1 Launch in East and Central Africa
The launch of the Education Changemakers Cohort 1 in East and Central Africa hosted at the Kenyatta University Conference centre (KUCC) was a resounding success. This event marked our fourth cohort overall, but it was our first in this region. To date, we have proudly produced 150 alumni from this program. This year, we are training 88 emerging young leaders in education from 14 countries in East and Central Africa. The selection process was designed to ensure a diverse and inclusive cohort, representative of the region's educational landscape.
Our program empowers young African leaders to bring real change and transformation to education in their communities. By providing educators with the tools and support they need, we're working together to create a brighter future for Africa's youth. This collaborative initiative is led by Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in partnership with Kenyatta University, USAID Kenya, and supported by the Oak Foundation.
We are also proud to share that our team members, Khuselwa Mxatule, Mzwandile Msimanga, and Olona Tywabi, were a part of the TNF delegation that travelled to Kenya to attend the launch of the cohort. Their presence and support were instrumental in making this event a success.
“It was an incredible opportunity to attend the Trevor Noah Education Changemakers programme launch in Kenya, and it was an amazing experience. The hospitality was impeccable, and the people were as warm as the weather. It was a wonderful chance to connect with colleagues, which I appreciated greatly.
One of my highlights was overcoming the "island" team-building exercise. I had shown this activity to the team before we left, and I said "andizi." Overcoming this challenge was a great metaphor for the work ahead. Another highlight was those small, fire-sparking moments with programme participants. Getting to know them and their projects was truly inspiring. Their selflessness and passion for educating the African child left a lasting impression on me.
– Mzwandile Msimanga (Special Projects & Partnerships Manager)
Please follow the Education Changemakers Program East & Central Africa Journey on our social media pages and visit our website blog page for more updates.
June Training on Self-Help Groups: An Overview
In June, our programmes team hosted Tearfund and Share Trust in South Africa. Experts from around the world gathered to train our team on Self-Help Groups (SHGs), which bring together individuals from the same community to support each other in achieving comprehensive development. This includes financial, emotional, physical, social, spiritual, psychological well-being, community development, and mutual affinity.
From the Share Trust, Imogen Bryson (Technical Lead), Sophia Abbasi (Communications Lead), and Collins Ayoo (Research Associate) were present. From Tearfund, Eprahiam Tsegay (Program Quality Team Leader) and Aaron Lewani (Program Director) contributed their expertise.
The workshop commenced by addressing key questions about the importance of SHG (Self-Help Group) numbers, outlining cost drivers with schools, defining SHG success, and post-goal scenarios. Participants engaged in group work to discuss definitions of poverty and SHGs, focusing on scarcity, mental capabilities, and community support.
Role-playing exercises helped them understand practical aspects of SHGs, such as savings, loan availability, meeting regularity, and member commitment. The workshop emphasized punctuality, equal participation, and minimizing distractions.
During the Discover Phase, strengths like income generation through recycling and challenges like low engagement and scarcity issues were identified. Expectations were set on community building, infrastructure projects, value-based leadership, and literacy initiatives. Teaching, training, facilitating, learning, and empowerment were explored to guide SHG implementation.
Community issues like poverty, unemployment, crime, and drug use were addressed, and examples of successful SHG initiatives highlighted their potential impact. Discussions on SHG concepts and principles covered regular meetings, financial management, self-assessment, capacity building, group management, and accountability.
Finally, participants practiced setting up SHGs, discussing goals, strategies, and common community actions through role play.
Key Takeaways:
SHGs offer a powerful platform for community members to support each other and address common challenges.
Regular, structured meetings and clear financial management are crucial for SHG success.
Effective SHGs require active participation, transparent operations, and strong leadership.
SHGs can facilitate significant community improvements, from financial stability to social cohesion.
Overall, the training provided valuable insights and practical strategies for integrating SHG principles into our existing programs, aiming to foster sustainable community development and empowerment.
Join Us for an Enlightening Webinar Featuring Our Managing Director this July!
We are excited to announce that our Managing Director, Shalane Yuen will be a guest speaker in an upcoming webinar hosted by Emergent Inquiry Consulting (EIC). This enlightening session will delve into the profound impact of transformative leadership on organizational success and team empowerment.
The webinar will be hosted by Tiffany Green, the founder and managing director of Emergent Inquiry Consulting.
This is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge from two visionary leaders in the industry. Their combined expertise promises to provide actionable takeaways that you can implement in your own leadership journey.
Don’t miss out on this chance to learn and grow with us!
Tune in to hear from our Managing Director and Tiffany Green.
Register now to secure your spot.
 | A guest post by
|