NPO aims to make things better for Plett youngsters

With winter approaching, the Bitou Youth and Young Team organisation is set on keeping children from disadvantaged communities warm and out of harm’s way by hosting a series of events.

The nonprofit organisation, formed in 2019, will host the first of at least three events tomorrow to raise funds for uniforms and other necessities for more than 350 young people they assist in Plettenberg Bay.

Princess Mtonjeni, one of the nine co-founders, said the NPO had been established to upskill the youth in several trade and educational programmes, as it could not sit idle and watch them continue to battle alcohol and drug abuse.

“We are hosting a fundraising event this Friday in the field next to the Kwanokuthula day clinic,” she said.

“We will have a variety of activities like drama, music, modelling and DJing demonstrations for the youth to enjoy.

“We want to ignite the love of arts and culture in the youth while demonstrating ubuntu by teaching the principle of giving back to their communities.”

Another member, Kamva Moshani, said they aimed to keep Plettenberg Bay youth out of trouble by offering dance, drama and modelling classes.

“We have people who can help them to master their skills in the fields we offer.

“We have other organisations and arts groups who work closely with us, and prominent people from the community who assist us,” he said.

Lukhanyo April, who recently matriculated from Murray High School, and has joined the NPO as a modelling instructor, said tomorrow’s event preceded a bigger one planned for April 27 at the Simunye Hall in Kwanokuthula, and others to be held throughout the year.