Celebrating 2017 Trailblazer Impact

2017-18 Trailblazer Program Celebration Events

This May we celebrated 209 Trailblazers that started their Trailblazer journey in July 2017 at our Free State and Limpopo Intakes. The enke: Trailblazer Program Celebration Events were held in Bloemfontein (5 May) and Polokwane (12 May).The events started with a morning session where Trailblazers reflected on and shared their experience over the last 9 months and overall stories change. In the afternoon we had a certificate ceremony that was open to the public and where some Trailblazers shared their experience of the Program, their projects and impact.

Here is a photo story from the events.

2017 Trailblazer Program Impact (so far)

Part of our work is to create a community of young people who take action on social issues. We are so proud to add our 2017 Trailblazers to that community – here is a snapshot of the stats of their impact:

So what were 2017 Trailblazer Community Action Projects? Here’s links to read about a few of the over 100 projects started by this cohort of Trailblazers:

• Yamkela’s Beauty of Queens – Yamkela Ngubeni established dialogue sessions on sexual health and reproductive rights and also fundraised for sanitary pads for girls in her school. To date, her women empowerment project has benefited over 560 girls in her school and community.
• Musa Promoting Health in Hammanskraal – Musa Mahlangu organised and hosted a Health Fun Run in Hammanskraal proceeds from which were used to ensure that orphaned children have a healthy breakfast.
• Nqobile Creating Post-School Pathways – Ngobile Khanyile’s project focused on how she could do her part to curb school dropouts and equip current pupils with the best chance for academic and post-school success. She tutored 106 learners and secured 9 internship opportunities for herself and fellow pupils.
• Sithembiso’s Chess Club – Bothered by the lack of extra-curricular activites at his school, Sithembiso Ntuli, started a Chess Club. To date he has equipped 60 learners with chess skills and ensured that his project is sustainable by recruiting and training 9 people to continue the work.

Bloemfontein Trailblazer Celebration Event (5 May 2018)

Limpopo Trailblazer Celebration Event (12 May 2018)

In Limpopo we were joined by representatives from the European Commission – Deputy Ambassador Raul De Luzenberger and Aurelie Voix. Mr. De Luzenberger shared why the European Commission is investing in South African youth development, encouraged Trailblazers to continue their work and also helped with distributing Program Completion Certificates.

Thank you to our 2017 enke: Trailblazer Program Partners

Collaborative & Implementation Partners: Africa Accelerate, Batswana Commercial Secondary School, Bokamoso Secondary School, Dendron Secondary School, Derek Kobe Secondary School, Dikotsi Lengau, Ga-Mokaba Reading Room, George Tladi Technical High School, Glen Cowie Secondary School, Hodisa Secondary School, Hope2Educate (Sthembiso Ntuli), Junior Achievement South Africa, Kutlwanong Maths & Science Centres, Manoe Secondary School, Mr. Mashile Phalane, Nkarabeng Secondary School, Nokwanda Gule, Thokozani Zuke, UFS Schools Project.

Program Funding Partners (direct): Australian Volunteers International, Embassy of Finland Pretoria Local Cooperation Fund, European Commission, Investec, and Iqraa Trust.