The international volunteer crew from the Logos Hope Ship joined the The Blaqpearl Foundation during the school holidays to assist with some of their programmes.
Blaqpearl, a non-profit company, hosted sewing classes, self-defence workshops, fitness and wellness training and an arts and crafts collaboration programme during the June school holidays. They also took youth to the Logos Hope Ship to see te largest floating bookfair with more than 5 000 titles.
Blaqpearl, based at the Mitchell’s Plain Youth Café, on the corner of 1st and 7th Avenue, Block D on the first floor in Town Centre, host a variety of skills training programmes to help build a generation who can create their own wealth, said founder Janine Overmeyer.
Dezauhn Adams, 17, from Tafelsig, took part in the school holiday programme. He said the programme has helped him live a healthier lifestyle.
“I want a good life, one that I can succeed in. There are many challenges myself and my family face. My mother works hard to help us. I also want a good job and want to finish school with a great academic record,” he said.
Toegheedah Beukes, 30, from Tafelsig said the sewing, fitness and wellness and self-defence programmes has helped her.
She is living with her in-laws with her husband, who is unemployed, and their three children. Her eldest son has autism as well as ADHD and not everyone understands him, she said.
“I am now able to use what I have learned for opportunities that will help me and my family. I feel confident in myself and I’ve learned to look at things in a positive way,” she said.
Kashief Dunjana, 28, currently lives in Eastridge. He is originally from the Northern Cape where all his family still live. Kashief said he found a home with the people from the programme where he learned computer literacy.
“I’ve always wanted to learn more about computers. I’m a break dancer, the fitness and wellness workshop helped me with my body work and breathing,” he said.
Ms Overmeyer said some of their programmes are full but people can still apply for the introduction to small business marketing training, the arts and crafts workshop, self-defence training and the after-school programme on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
For more information, call 062 206 1310.
