Foundation’s future leaders graduate
Students and parents were delighted to enjoy their first graduation ceremony with Advance Edukos Foundation.
Advance Edukos Foundation provides a safe space for young people to make new friendships, build strong social and emotional skills and ignite a sense of hope for the future.
They’re only six months old and are already making a big impact in the lives of young people through their programmes.
Founder Wendy Abrahams said they aimed to ignite in the children a commitment to pursue their dreams and reach adulthood with a sense of accomplishment and happiness.
The group has graduated from various programmes with Advance Edukos Foundation, including soap making, jewellery making, among them 10 pupils who were selected to showcase their art at the Irma Stern Collection exhibition in Tokai, becoming the first child artists to have their work exhibited at the Norval Foundation art museum, (“Plain pupils exhibit their self portraits at Norval Foundation”, Plainsman, November 17).
Ms Abrahams said: “I feel blessed and honored to have journeyed with the youth, their parents, our volunteers and all our partners.
“Together we all accomplished this. I could not have done this without all those who were instrumental and offered support. I am so proud of the children and their achievements and we are looking forward to many more years of journeying with them.”
Ward 43 councillor Elton Jansen encouraged the community to support the work of the Advance Edukos Foundation.
“They can’t do this work on their own. The challenges we faced when we were younger may be different to this time, but we must come alongside their empowerment work,” he said.
“Thank you, parents for being a part of your children’s lives, especially seeing fathers present at the event. I encourage men to be a part of your child's life and encourage them to become strong leaders for the future,” said Mr Jansen.
Ms Abrahams said when she knocked on Mr Jansen’s door for assistance, he had donated funds from his own pocket.
Rodger Davids from Pelican Heights said he was happy with the work the Foundation was doing. “I see a change in my daughter, she has become more confident and not as shy as before. She opened up too,” he said.
“She didn’t really speak to us but since this programme has been a part of her life she’s opened up to us,” he said.
His daughter, Skyla Davids, said she had learned a lot from the foundation and looked up to Ms Abrahams.
“It was a hard year but Ms Abrahams helped me and my family through it. Thank you for being there through it all. We appreciate you,” she said.
Shirley-Ann Theys, 19, did the soap making sessions with the Foundation.
They used a melt-and-pour soap base, using different fragrances. They would set them in different moulds and used rubbing alcohol to ensure no bubbles were formed during the layering process.
“This was something I created for the first time from scratch. These lessons are something I can take with me for the rest of my life. This is also something someone can be gifted with,” she said.
Shameez Van Niekerk from Strandfontein said her daughter came out of her shell and socialised with other children because of this programme.
“I am very proud of my daughter. This programme allowed her to speak more, to engage more, to be more of herself,” she said.
Her daughter, Misha Van Niekerk, said she had been enjoying the programme.
“There are so many things to do here. I am also able to connect with my friends while being able to learn new things. I would encourage anyone to be a part of this programme,” she said.
For more information contact Ms Abrahams on 078 141 3183 or email them at admin@advanceedukos.org.za