ADC upskills residents for school, work and life

By JOY HINYIKIWILE

Well over 100 residents have upskilled themselves with various courses at Joza’s Assumption Development Centre this year.

In September, 17 students received certificates for completing the centre’s Thabiso Life Skills (TLS) course – a three-week course aimed at helping people between the ages of 20 and 30 with skills to contribute positively to their communities. In the same month, the centre also awarded certificates to 12 community members for completing its Computer Skills Programme.

New ADC TLS and Computer Skills graduates were jubilant as they received their certificates of completion. Picture supplied.

According to ADC’s programme coordinator Madoda Mkalipi, ADC has had 37 TLS graduates and 54 Computer Skills graduates this year. The centre runs the programmes multiple times a year.

There is a TLS course currently underway. Ubunye Foundation’s Lima Badu recently helped to facilitate one of the TLS workshops. Other programmes include the Second Chance Matric programme, which helps former matriculants unhappy with their results re-write matric papers to improve their marks.

The second chance matriculants were recently treated to wellness workshops to help them prepare for the upcoming matric exams. Created by the centre’s intern counselling psychologist, Allison Simonse, the workshops focused on mental, physical and emotional health ahead of the exams and guided the students on creating reflective spaces.

ADC’s counselling psychologist, Allison Simonse, hosted Wellness Week to help second-chance matric candidates prepare for the final matric exam period. Picture supplied.

In partnership with Rhodes University, ADC also hosted information sessions to guide the second chance matriculants through tertiary education entry requirements and assisted 51 prospective students in applying to tertiary institutions. The prospective students included members of the public and matric learners from various high schools.

Prospective higher education students are assisted with applying to tertiary institutions. Picture supplied.

The centre also partnered with NPOs Inkululeko and Kamva Youth to create a series of workshops to help Grade 11 and 12 learners manage exam stress. Simonse facilitated the workshops.

In partnership with Kamva and Inkululeko, ADC’s counselling psychologist advises high school pupils on managing exam stress. Picture supplied.

Currently, ADC is running a Socio-Next programme to help participants start a business within five days with little to no capital.

The centre is also assisting 20 community members in preparing for and writing the Learners Licence test. Five community members who received help from ADC to obtain their Learners Licences last year are currently also receiving driving lessons and will be assisted in obtaining their driver’s licences. This is being done with former traffic officer and owner of MDs Paraffin Driving School, Mr Faltein.

Former traffic officer, Mr Faltein, partnered with ADC to assist community members in obtaining their Learner’s and Driver’s Licences. Picture supplied.

ADC is an NPO that aims to improve township economies around Makhanda by equipping community members with career, business and money-saving skills. The NPO offers a range of community projects that provide opportunities for growth to all community members. “Community members who use our services are guided through our various programmes to help them attain necessary skills and mentorship to advance in their careers or businesses,” said Mkalipi.