Newsletter 8 - September 2010

Bussiness Skills

A bussiness skills course has been initiated to increase bussiness skills for Life Skills Graduates. This course is presented by Cobus Veldtman, a local specialist, and will be conducted over 12 weeks. Through the generous funding made available by Jenny Lenahan from JLP television, some seed capital will be available to this group to start micro enterprises with. The process of submitting a bussiness plan forms part of the curriculum and the submission of bussiness plans for approval will be a prerequisite for access to funding.

Extra Maths and Science classes

A need for high school children to receive extra maths and science tutorials was identified. Allan Cross, a local resident of the Magaliesberg area, spends two afternoons a week assisting teenagers with their maths and science. Already the positive effect of this intervention can be seen in improved results in these subjects.

Life Skills III

The third Life Skills course has been initiated at Masakhane. This course will be unique in that it is tailor made for illiterate participants. All course materials have been converted into pictures and verbal stories by Adult Educator, Sonja van der Vyver. The participants in this course will be compiling visual portfolios of their progress and are all very exited about their opportunity to take part in the Life Skills.

Computer Skills Training

The Life Skills I group has been for their second computer skills training session with Natasha Madhav, courtesy of SAB Ltd. and have come back full of enthusiasm. The participants have now covered Basic PC Skills and Excel. They will be attending a course in Word on the 8th of November. Computer litteracy was one of the main areas identified by the Life Skills II which has recently completed their Life Skills Training. Access more information on this intervention by clicking on 'Adult Development' in the side bar

Youth Programme

Kestrel Raik, Volunteer at Masakhane did some creative workshops with the youth at Masakhane. Recycled materials were gathered on a walk through the settlement and various items, such as beaded curtains and toys were made. See pictures by clicking on ''Children at Masakhane'

HIV testing and counselling

Voluntary testing and counselling was conducted by Sam Savage and the Masakhane HIV Drama group. A surprising number of people came to be tested. This is an ongoing intervention. A recent soccer finals event was used to promote the importance of testing. As a result the Masakhane soccer team has not only pledged their commitment to being tested for HIV, but have challenged other soccer teams to do the same. Contact has also been established with the NIKE Soccer Academy during a recent visit where Jenni Gillies from SAB introduced development practitioner, Sonja van der Vyver, Seune Phiri (Masakhane Soccer Captain)and some of the Masakhane soccer players to facilitators at the Academy. See

The Young Women's Programme

A programme focusing on marginalised young women in Masakhane is currently run by Social Worker, Sam Savage. This group of women have been identifiesd as vulnerable due to their social status and a lack of training. Following is an exerpt from the needs assessment conducted by Sam for this programme:

"According to the process of needs assessment and contact making that we have done, the greatest concerns of this group is not having jobs and battling to find gainful employment, as well as the issue of communication.
People hope for a better place to live in, they hope for more space and better services".

Creche Training

A qualified creche teacher, Motlalepule Mathikgwe is currently providing in house training to the trainee teachers at the Masakahne Creche. In addition to this, one of the trainee teachers, Daphne Maakwe has been selected for a government programme through which she will be going for intermittant sessions of more formal ECD training. Children are still receiving two meals per day at the creche and some gr.R materials have been purchased for tho older children who are getting ready to enter formal schooling next year. An improvement in the school readyness of children from Masakhane who go to his school has been reported By Joseph Kgang, headmaster of the nearby Rand Gold School.

Food Gardens

Extensive food gardens have been laid out and are being cultivated by the Masakhane Permaculture team under the guidance of Permaculture expert, Corrie van der Linde. Extra areas for cultivation have been cleared and fenced in as all the available space inside the Community Centre area has been taken up by beds of vegetables!