Tapping into the youthful dynamic

THURSDAY JUNE 01 2017

IN ITS second edition of the #16DaysForYouth initiative, HeartFM will once again make its way to a number of Western Cape communities in hopes of bringing people together to effect change in these communities. The radio station will embark on youth-focused projects across the province by broadcasting in its mobile studio for the first 16 days of June.

Last year Magda’s Soup Kitchen in Paarl benefited from the initiative as it saw an increase in the number of people being fed at the soup kitchen. It used to feed about 2 500 mouths every month and, through the help of HeartFM and its partners, it now feeds more than 20 000 mouths each month.

This year’s journey starts today in Hawston and will make its way to Grabouw, Kenilworth, Heideveld, Robertson, Worcester, Tulbagh, Malmesbury, Constantia, Mitchells Plain, Saldanha, Paternoster, Langebaan, Atlantis, ending in Klipheuwel on Youth Day (June 16).

This year’s initiative aims to be more than just fixing and painting, but to emphasise the challenges and sociology of each town while making a difference through handson projects.

HeartFM’s managing director Renee Redelinghuys said this was a very special project for everyone at the station.

“We get to go into our communities, meet them, listen to them and most importantly give them the opportunity to tell their stories.”

HeartFM’s programme manager Denver Apollus said they plan to make a difference through sharing resources and providing a team effort.

“We will sacrifice 16 days of our time to understand and live the lives of those less fortunate. While we are using the station as a platform to raise awareness, the campaign is about telling the stories of others and how they engage in projects that make a difference.”

Apollus hoped the rest of the country would adopt the initiative in order for it to carry on beyond the 16 days.