Grade 11 – Personal Growth and Social Conscience Programme
The Gr. 11 year is aimed at creating spaces for youth to reflect on their personal identity within the context of their community and, based on this understanding, to provide assistance in acquiring organisational development skills and experience needed to increase local capacity for community-driven change.
Programme structure
The programme has two main components which run concurrently. The first is an in-depth topical (political, economic, social and cultural) exploration and the second is an organisational development component. Based on the learning, experiences and insights gained through the two programme components, Gr. 11’s will then organise a community conference to showcase what they have learned, to translate knowledge into action, and to mobilise community support for change.
A. Topical Exploration
This component is designed to encourage youth to gain a thorough and in-depth understanding of relevant topics through a process of Research, Reflection and Change. The focus topics for the year 2011 are a) HIV/Aids and b) Gender in the context of political, economic, social and cultural domains. Weekly facilitated contact sessions (2 hours per week, 40 weeks per year) provide the space for leaders and participants to jointly explore the relevant topics.
We also have a partnership with the Visual Arts faculty of the University of Stellenbosch where critical issues are jointly explored with the students through design and art. This In this way, both students and Vision K members are exposed to different worldviews, cultures and problem-solving techniques.
B. Organisational Development
This component is designed to support youth in their endeavours to establish community development organisations. This will be achieved through research regarding organisational development theory as well as the practical experience of active participation in community organisations. The principle outcome of this component is to ensure that youth are confident and capable of assessing existing community development organisations and establishing new initiatives in order to bring about change in their communities.
Activities related to this component are:
* The establishment of youth leadership and project management committees;
* Each participant is expected to conduct at least 60 hours of community service per year;
* Horizontal learning is encouraged through regular interaction with similar youth-based community organisations;
* Participating youth will become a mentor (socially, academically and culturally) for a minimum of 3 younger children in the community;
* Computer literacy and proficient usage
* Academic skills enhancement
C. Community Conference
Youth participating in the Personal Growth Social Conscience Programme will organise a community conference as a platform to discuss issues of Gender and HIV/Aids within the community’s social, economic, political and cultural context. In order to organise this conference, youth will have to draw on learning and experience of both the topical exploration and the organisational development components.