Youth group tackles poverty
A GROUP of university students who grew up in Elliotdale have taken on the mammoth task of tackling poverty and other social ills in the community.
The Bomvana Youth Foundation (BYF) was launched on Tuesday at Ganizulu High School at Ntlonyana Village in Elliotdale.
“BYF is an initiative to equip and empower youth from disadvantaged areas of Elliotdale by providing them with knowledge and tools to help fight not only hunger, but all challenges facing the youth and community of Elliotdale,” said chairwoman Nasizo Mndende.
“Our vision is to be a vibrant youth foundation that provides sustainable, inclusive and innovative programmes and services that improve individual societal, physical, mental and emotional well being of the youth.”
Mndende, 20, a third-year Fort Hare social work student, founded the organisation along with Lwando Didiza, a Walter Sisulu University business management student, and Mziyanda Siziba, a Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology (software development) graduate from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).
The trio were all pupils at local schools around Elliotdale.
“We have experienced hunger firsthand. We have seen teenage pregnancy and people dying of Aids right in front of us.
“We have seen talented youth throwing away their talent because they see it as useless,” said Mndende.
These experiences had led them to work together and start the foundation.
They have spent school holidays and weekends tutoring pupils from various high schools.
“We want to provide free mentorship, awareness, career guidance and motivation to the Grade 11 and 12 pupils and advise on subject choices for Grade 9s with the aim of not only improving matric pass rates, but assisting with career choices.”
They also plan to implement farming, entrepreneurship, sport and mentorship projects.