Education in Grahamstown is set to get a much-needed boost through a new initiative called the Inkululeko project, which plans to take on 15 youths and help them reach their dreams of getting into university.
Education in Grahamstown is set to get a much-needed boost through a new initiative called the Inkululeko project, which plans to take on 15 youths and help them reach their dreams of getting into university.
Programme directors Jason Torreano and Matt Kellen, who both hail from the United States and have extensive experience as volunteers in Grahamstown, recently outlined their plans to work closely with established schools and education programmes at a meeting attended by many local educational figures.
“You all live here, you work with the community. We want to learn from you so that we can succeed,” Kellen told the gathering, which included principal of Ntsika Secondary School, Madeleine Schoeman, Amasango Career School principal Jane Bradshaw, the President’s Award Programme Manager Roger Domingo and Upstart project manager Shireen Badat.
“We’ve spent most of this year getting all our ducks in a row,” he said, referring to the pile of paperwork they’ve had to complete. So far, Inkululeko has tax-exempt status in the United States – a status they are still pursuing here in South Africa. The project works closely with Syracuse University in New York and is looking to establish similar links with Rhodes University.
“We’re starting small,” Torreano said, explaining that smaller numbers allowed them to invest more heavily into individual learning. However, he added that Inkululeko will not be a free lunch. “We want resilient, driven youth and a consistent programme of accountability and full attendance. The kids we have met so far show that they have what it takes to succeed.
