Youth Development Centre

As a result of the socio-economic problems facing poverty-stricken young people due to family disintegration, violence, abuse, gangsterism, alcoholism and numerous other social evils in our community, Cafda recognised the urgent need to take action in assisting youth.

Practical programmes are offered to young people at schools in our community. Through these programmes, young people are trained and encouraged to take responsibility in creating much needed opportunities for themselves.

More than 80 Grade 8 to 10 learners from a number of high schools in our catchment areas annually complete CAFDA’s Life Skills and Peer Counselling Training Programme.

Training focuses on:

• Support group facilitation/development – to address problems experienced by peers on an individual and collective basis
• Community-based facilitation – a knowledge base to aid youth to develop community support structures needed in their communities
• Child abuse protection skills – necessary steps and procedures to follow once abuse has been identified
• Resource mapping – resources within communities that can could be utilised to good effect
• Awareness promotion – focusing on issues such as HIV/AIDS, gangsterism and drug abuse

Student Assistant Groups (STAGs) are also formed at schools. The aim of the STAG is to assist pupils who struggle to cope socially and psychologically and to refer them to the relevant resources if necessary. The group will consist of pupils who have completed the Peer Counselling Course at CAFDA.

Workshops are arranged on Cafda’s premises to enable young people to handle the many problems and issues facing them. Topics covered include AIDS awareness, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, crime and violence and many others.

Dancing courses are conducted to enable young people to discover and nurture their talents, enhance self-confidence and improve communication skills. The arts is an ideal medium, through which young people can be equipped to counter social problems and create a better awareness in society.

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