Newsletter Jan 2010

JANUARY 2010 NEWS

Dear Friend of the Enspire Community Training Centres

Thank You!
Your sponsorship in time, thought, ideas, telephone calls, emails, and goods in kind, financial support and just your commitment to our vision are things that keep us going with the Enspire “Prepare for your job” Workplace Readiness and basic entry-level Computer Training at our Enspire Community Learning Centres. At “Enspire” our aim is to “enspire” learning, that is connecting people with who they are in their jobs and at home, enhancing careers, supporting and growing students towards business and entrepreneurial activities. In short we would like to help individuals “connect the dots” towards lifelong learning that builds human capital.

We are happy to report that since inception of our community based initiative in August 2008, we have assisted 150 unemployed students in igniting their inner potential and 115 of them successfully finding employment!

This is a 75% success rate to date!

Our first centre in Protea Glen (above) is still going strong and due to “word-of-mouth” marketing by our students we have opened our second centre in Soweto at the Hope Family Centre Church Complex, which is very centrally based and just off the Old Potchefstroom main road.

We have been privileged by excellent support from REVLON South Africa in terms of reaching out to our students in Soweto as well as in the Limpopo, and providing a morning workshop to each group on how to use make-up, which includes a REVLON gift back for every student. It’s amazing to see the transformation this has worked. Come join us for a Graduation Ceremony and you will see it first hand!

Our biggest thank you has to go to BIZMOD for their hands on support, advice and what it really comes down to – hard cash! Thanks for your financial support in 2009! WOW – you are amazing!

Bizmod Consulting is a modern company that believes in flexibility, balance and collaboration. The people that work there are diverse yet like-minded and believe in shaping the future. They are especially good at designing and implementing solutions that are customized to meet a client’s specific needs.

They specialize in services relating to:
· Business and Process Analysis
· Project Management
· Change Management

Their track record at MTN speaks for itself …

2010

We would like to use this opportunity to wish you an “Enspired” 2010 and to present our sincere thanks for your continued involvement in the Enspire Community Learning Centres.

The “Ripple Effect”

The philosophy of our community involvement has always been to make a difference within the community and this will always remain to be the key performance indicator of our learning programmes.

Community impact to date:
REVLON as sponsor entering the communities with knowledge, training and products to improve the appearance of students and their chances of making a good impression during interviews;
First training centre in Protea Glen build by community builders with material and labour from the community;
First tables designed and built by community-based carpenter with material and labour from the community;
Graduation gowns designed and made by a friend of the Enspire Trust;
Heritage Day celebrations in the community in 2008;
Painting and upgrade of the Emadwaleni High School Hall, used as venue for the first three Graduation events in Orlando Soweto;
Promotion of a student drama group “Youth with Vision” at Graduation events;
Promotion of a group of Sunday School children performing traditional dancing at Graduation events;
Setting up of a Spaza shop at each venue providing basic snacks, stationary and refreshments to the surrounding community and students attending the programme – profit used towards purchasing stationary for the facilitation team;
Set up of a Community Printing / Typing / Faxing / Email Shop in Soweto, where community members could have administrative needs met at affordable rates, something not very accessible or affordable at present. The only options open to the community are POSTNET and similar enterprises only found at the large Malls, etc.;
Planning setting up of a Community Printing / Typing / Faxing / Email Shop in Tshidzini, where community members could have administrative needs met at affordable rates, something not available to this village and its surrounding communities at present. The only options open to the community are in Thoyohandou, which involves significant traveling costs.; and
Initiating the Beading Project in Tshidzini. This project is set to increase the economic viability of this community.

Social Investment

We are planning to train a further 320 students in the year 1 March 2010 to 28 Feb 2011 at 5 different venues, 3 in Gauteng and 2 in Limpopo. Our projections indicate that our gravest capital expenditure needs in achieving this will be the following:

· IT Equipment R80,000
· Furniture and Equipment R20,000
· Decorations, garments, etc for Graduation Ceremonies R20,000
· Marketing banners, business cards, etc R15,000
· Travel – reliable second hand vehicle R60,000

Would you like to sponsor a specific student?

Please consider the opportunity to sponsor a specific student for the mere amount of R1,975 on one of our future programmes. In return we will share with you the specific personal situation of this individual, photographs of their family, personal contact details, etc. at commencement of the programme and then again at completion of the programme. You will be able to build a personal relationship with this individual and have something concrete to assist you in visualizing the financial support you offer!

Words of ‘enspiration’ from our students

“I have learnt about respect; to respect people so that they will also respect me… To be positive and strong in life and grow in confidence and always think ahead and use positive thinking in order to move forward.” Elizabeth Chitja – Aged 57 (the most mature student to date) – Soweto Group 4

“I learnt how to dress for different occasions including dress code, knowing which colours to wear and knowing the professional way of wearing make-up.” Rose Khorombi – Limpopo Student Group 1

“Enspire Community Learning Centre taught me that there is no such thing as a useless thought… After all I have the right to express myself in anyway as long as it does no offend or discriminate others.” Vhuawelo Marowe – Soweto Student Group 4

“The first day when I came to Enspire Community Learning Centre, is too hard for me because in my life there is no one day that I can represent myself in front of many people… I am too scared… but on that day I learn how to have a self confidence, because when I have self confidence I can not afford any trouble when I stay in front of people, because I can always know what supposed to do in front of many people.” Rabelani Mudau – Soweto Student Group 4

Words of encouragement from our friends

“It is wonderful to see how South Africans are making a difference in South Africa, here you are seeing people from here and not from America or Europe coming into our community and making a difference…” Pastor Mudau – Hope Family Centre Church – SOWETO”

“Our church and my house are open to you, you will always have a place to stay when you visit Tshidzini, thank you for what you are bringing to our community…” Pastor Mpanamana – Thidzini, Limpopo

“Girls – you are amazing, with so little you are making such a huge difference…” Mullerie Taljaard – CEO MullerieR conceptualizing interiors

“I grew up here in Soweto, actually right across from here at the Emadwaleni High School, how is it that you have come from out there and are making a difference here and I have not done so myself… “ Jessica Tandy – BIZMOD Consulting