Activities offered at THF Youth Development:
Assistance with homework
THF has tutors who assist the kids with their daily homework and reading.
Sports coaching
The sport coaching we focus on at the moment are cricket, soccer, athletics, cross-country and netball. Not only do the sport activities improve the youth's quality of life, but it also assists in having positive socializing activities in the afternoon.
Feeding scheme
Each child attending after-school care (180 kids a day) gets a balanced meal in the afternoon and evening, which includes a protein (e.g. meat, beans, etc.), a starch (e.g. potatoes, rice, etc.) and a vegetable or fruit. This has a big impact on the healthy development and the concentration of the kids.
Kiddies Bible study
THF youth volunteers do Bible stories with the kids during the week. We have a specific curriculum we follow with them ("Let the little children come to me, My awesome adventure"). Being from Africa, we also sing a lot of worship songs.
Computer classes
THF has its own computer laboratory, where we teach the children and youth basic computer skills, thereby equipping them for the technological world we live in.
Quarterly birthday parties
THF celebrates the children's birthdays once a term with a birthday party. We really make an effort to make each child feel special and loved, thereby building their self-esteem.
Mentorship program
We mentor a group of 12-15 young adults annually and help them realize their dreams, e.g. starting internship at a company or referring them to an institution that empowers them in the direction they want to go. We also take them on camps in order to help them grow emotionally and spiritually. Our most recent project included retail training (sponsored by the JD Group) for 76 unemployed youth in Olievenhoutbosch. Through this training they received a certificate which will be very helpful in applying for a job at retail stores.
Camps for RCL leadership development
THF takes the Representative Council of Learners (RCL) high school members on a leadership camp where we develop their leadership skills e.g. how to be an effective leader and make a positive impact in my school.
Motivational youth camps
THF takes around 70 kids on a camp annually. These kids are the ones who are repeating their grades for the 2nd or 3rd time. We try to give them hope again. The main reason they fail so many times is social challenges, e.g. no support from parents, teenage pregnancy, poverty, etc.
Music classes
THF gives music lessons once a week. Our tutor for this inspires the children to play musical instruments and develop their musical skills.
Performance Arts (Musical and Choir)
THF has an annual concert where the teenagers perform a musical. THF takes one teenager's story and portray it on stage. It gives them a platform to develop their talents like singing, drama and dancing. This also introduces them to the world of the theatre.
Art classes
Two youth volunteers give art lessons to the kids one afternoon in the week. This gives the children an opportunity to express themselves through the medium of art and to develop their amazing talents.
Support group and outreach action
THF has a weekly session which the teenagers named HOP (Home of Peace), where we talk about how to stay hopeful and positive when everything around you seems so wrong, and how God and his people play an important role in bringing change into the community. We do outreaches as well, e.g. to give of our time to the disabled home.
School holiday program
Lots of the kids in the community are left unattended during school holidays. We therefore have a holiday program at school for these kids during school holidays. We include the teenagers of the community in this program, to help with the holiday program activities with the little kids. Not only does this provide opportunities to build positive relationships, but also keeps the youth busy in a positive manner during the holidays. (300+ kids)
Kid's Games
Every fortnight on a Saturday we have Kid's Games from 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock. On this Saturday we invite all the children from the community to come and participate. Through the Kid's Games we give the outside community opportunity to socialize and build relationships with the children of Olievenhoutbosch. The Kid's Games are developed in such a way that each game teaches a life lesson e.g. "Don't steal", "Listen carefully", etc. (300+ kids)
Soccer league
THF partners with schools to help and co-ordinate a soccer league in Olievenhoutbosch, and help find sponsors for these events.Career day
THF hosts a career day for the Grade 10-12's in Olievenhoutbosch. We invite technicons and companies to have a display during this day. This gives the teenagers exposure to different careers and opportunities in the world at large, and broaden their horizons.Ongoing Objectives
• Our vision includes the establishment of an Artisans & Skills Training Centre to impart skills and create opportunities for people in the community.• Building strategic partnerships to obtain and develop the facilities and cultivate the artisan programs.
• Nurture relationships with Businesses, Individuals and Trusts to create a Higher Education Fund to empower scholars to further their studies.
• Build and develop a Youth Centre with life skill information to mentor scholars in the community and prepare them for life.
• Create a sport culture in the community for mental stimulation, social integration and improve the general health of the community.
• Currently we are developing our computer facilities to offer opportunities to the broader community to obtain certification in Basic Computer Literacy.