Joy- This project has great potential. You have already demonstrated a clear impact on these students, both academically and socially. I realize, however, that I don't really understand what is in the "box"? Could you explain this more? It would be great to understand what makes this innovation so effective. Jenna
Many thanks for your comment, and apologies for only responding now. (We have been running our holiday programmes).
The "Box" contains how-to guides and templates for implementing our programmes. It describes how to, for example, set up and run a tutoring programme that leads to learners' academic improvement. It is a virtual space where ikamvanites can share their experiences and lessons learned, as well as access the tools to, for example, recruit volunteers or monitor learner achievement.
The Box will help other young people across South Africa to implement this innovation effectively.
- It equips young South Africans from 'previously' disadvantaged backgrounds to take their future into their own hands!
- The pupils who benefited from the tutoring become the future tutors - they are the best role-models for the kids and the project is (almost) self-sustainable!
- Costs are kept to a minimum through the use of public libraries and tutors volunteering their time.
As the Chairman of one of the organisations support this organization I can attest to the facts highlighted - this is a really great project with enthusiastic peopled involved in running it.
Who actually runs it - well there are one or tow at hte top, but it is also run by the strudents themselves so that they gain much more than academic knowledge from this programme - they gain a learning environment, friends, an education, information about HIV & AIDS, how to apply for scholarships and so much more.
The real proof of its success is that ex puplis come back to help run the programme on a volunterr basis!
Keep it up you Ikamvaites you really give us older folk hope for the future. You are all an inspiration.
I appreciate the "open source" manner in which IkamvaYouth operates. This box idea will make your innovations accessible to so many more learners. Keep thinking big and abundantly.
You know I felt very proud of your project when you told me about it in the US! I believe your project has a lot of impact on children and youth in South Africa, and I really hope you can take it to other areas in the world. You deserve to win :) good luck and wish to see you soon.
Wow......this is so amazing. You're doing such good work. I think the camp idea should be expanded for overseas students who want to do a exchange whether it skills, cultural etc. I will definitely be voting for you......great work.
Big ups to all the ikamva stakeholders without all of us and that women that started this organisation i dont know what i would be doing know. thanks for teaching us to give back.
ikamva is the place to be every saturdays you ROCK !!!!!!!!wowwwww
What an incredible idea - to enable youth to move from poverty into university. You are helping young people to help themselves and I appreciate how you incorporate the work of former participants and are so student-centered.
I believe having such amazing mentors when I was young helped me to achieve everything I have set my mind to. As a mentor and educator today I think about the profound ways in which my mentors continue to affect my life and I know that you are doing just that - Joy - you'll never know how much you have profoundly impacted these young people for the rest of their lives.
Keep up the inspiring work! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!!
I was involved briefly with Ikamva Youth in 2004 and watched it grow into the phenominal success it is today. There are so many good things to say about this organisation, but for me, what makes Ikamva Youth special is that it is an organisation of do-ers, not just talkers; and they've actually proven they make a difference. These are young, driven, committed people who make dicisions by group consensus and give up their spare time to help others just a few years younger realize their own potential. If only this sort of ethos could be adopted more widely in South Africa! Ikamva Youth has my vote as it genuinely shows young, disadvantaged South Africans that their "future is in their hands".
On July 28, 2009 the judges reviewed the entries for the Changemakers “Champions of Quality Education in Africa” competition and would like to pass on the following feedback (listed below) for your entry. Thank you for applying and for your hard work in the field. We are excited to archive your entry to serve as a leading solution for the worldwide community of innovators. We wish you continued luck with your innovative, sustainable, and socially impactful initiatives.
All the best, The Changemakers Team
“I was impressed. I think it’s a good way of taking what appears to be a highly effective model, to scale. From my experience in South Africa, getting students to pass matric has been challenging and this initiative is clearly having a big impact there. Moreover, it’s a low-cost and sustainable initiative, and that’s why I thought it was really exciting.”
“I found that the ability to leverage partners at libraries, businesses, and innovative youth at universities and then link them through the educational system was truly innovative. The transition from high school to university is particularly problematic for students, and allowing youth to become mentors and inspirational models is not only empowering but establishes a low-cost standardized process for alumni and future students. I would like to see how this initiative progresses. Well done!”
“I see this as the potential for systemic change. They’re building organizational capacity at a national level and using information in a coherent way to feed back and improve what they’re already doing. In other words, it’s a dynamic learning environment, and seems to be a replicable model.”
- Changemakers “Champions of Quality Education in Africa” Judges: Escuela Nueva, Center for International Education at the University of Massachusetts, Valentino Achak Deng Foundation, CARE (United States), African Leadership Academy, UNICEF
Comments
Joy- This project has great potential. You have already demonstrated a clear impact on these students, both academically and socially. I realize, however, that I don't really understand what is in the "box"? Could you explain this more? It would be great to understand what makes this innovation so effective. Jenna
Hi Jenna,
Many thanks for your comment, and apologies for only responding now. (We have been running our holiday programmes).
The "Box" contains how-to guides and templates for implementing our programmes. It describes how to, for example, set up and run a tutoring programme that leads to learners' academic improvement. It is a virtual space where ikamvanites can share their experiences and lessons learned, as well as access the tools to, for example, recruit volunteers or monitor learner achievement.
The Box will help other young people across South Africa to implement this innovation effectively.
Best,
Joy
Great work you are doing, and good result you have achieved regardless of the country pass gone down.
What I love about this project?
- It equips young South Africans from 'previously' disadvantaged backgrounds to take their future into their own hands!
- The pupils who benefited from the tutoring become the future tutors - they are the best role-models for the kids and the project is (almost) self-sustainable!
- Costs are kept to a minimum through the use of public libraries and tutors volunteering their time.
Keep it up Ikamva Youth!
As the Chairman of one of the organisations support this organization I can attest to the facts highlighted - this is a really great project with enthusiastic peopled involved in running it.
Who actually runs it - well there are one or tow at hte top, but it is also run by the strudents themselves so that they gain much more than academic knowledge from this programme - they gain a learning environment, friends, an education, information about HIV & AIDS, how to apply for scholarships and so much more.
The real proof of its success is that ex puplis come back to help run the programme on a volunterr basis!
Keep it up you Ikamvaites you really give us older folk hope for the future. You are all an inspiration.
I appreciate the "open source" manner in which IkamvaYouth operates. This box idea will make your innovations accessible to so many more learners. Keep thinking big and abundantly.
Hello Joy!
You know I felt very proud of your project when you told me about it in the US! I believe your project has a lot of impact on children and youth in South Africa, and I really hope you can take it to other areas in the world. You deserve to win :) good luck and wish to see you soon.
Learners are doing it for themselves! Awesome work, please keep it up!
Hi Joy.....
Wow......this is so amazing. You're doing such good work. I think the camp idea should be expanded for overseas students who want to do a exchange whether it skills, cultural etc. I will definitely be voting for you......great work.
Big ups to all the ikamva stakeholders without all of us and that women that started this organisation i dont know what i would be doing know. thanks for teaching us to give back.
ikamva is the place to be every saturdays you ROCK !!!!!!!!wowwwww
This inclusive approach you have is really creating dividends, well done!
You have a lot of supporters because of your brilliant and hard work.
What an incredible idea - to enable youth to move from poverty into university. You are helping young people to help themselves and I appreciate how you incorporate the work of former participants and are so student-centered.
I believe having such amazing mentors when I was young helped me to achieve everything I have set my mind to. As a mentor and educator today I think about the profound ways in which my mentors continue to affect my life and I know that you are doing just that - Joy - you'll never know how much you have profoundly impacted these young people for the rest of their lives.
Keep up the inspiring work! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!!
Hi Everyone,
I was involved briefly with Ikamva Youth in 2004 and watched it grow into the phenominal success it is today. There are so many good things to say about this organisation, but for me, what makes Ikamva Youth special is that it is an organisation of do-ers, not just talkers; and they've actually proven they make a difference. These are young, driven, committed people who make dicisions by group consensus and give up their spare time to help others just a few years younger realize their own potential. If only this sort of ethos could be adopted more widely in South Africa! Ikamva Youth has my vote as it genuinely shows young, disadvantaged South Africans that their "future is in their hands".
Jenni Huesler.
On July 28, 2009 the judges reviewed the entries for the Changemakers “Champions of Quality Education in Africa” competition and would like to pass on the following feedback (listed below) for your entry. Thank you for applying and for your hard work in the field. We are excited to archive your entry to serve as a leading solution for the worldwide community of innovators. We wish you continued luck with your innovative, sustainable, and socially impactful initiatives.
All the best, The Changemakers Team
“I was impressed. I think it’s a good way of taking what appears to be a highly effective model, to scale. From my experience in South Africa, getting students to pass matric has been challenging and this initiative is clearly having a big impact there. Moreover, it’s a low-cost and sustainable initiative, and that’s why I thought it was really exciting.”
“I found that the ability to leverage partners at libraries, businesses, and innovative youth at universities and then link them through the educational system was truly innovative. The transition from high school to university is particularly problematic for students, and allowing youth to become mentors and inspirational models is not only empowering but establishes a low-cost standardized process for alumni and future students. I would like to see how this initiative progresses. Well done!”
“I see this as the potential for systemic change. They’re building organizational capacity at a national level and using information in a coherent way to feed back and improve what they’re already doing. In other words, it’s a dynamic learning environment, and seems to be a replicable model.”
- Changemakers “Champions of Quality Education in Africa” Judges: Escuela Nueva, Center for International Education at the University of Massachusetts, Valentino Achak Deng Foundation, CARE (United States), African Leadership Academy, UNICEF
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