Youth Facilitators
Since two years the YEBO Foundation financially supports teh Youth Facilitator Program at Lugebhuta High school. Youth facilitator, Dan'sile Shongwe assists and supports the many vulnerable learners in this school.
We regularly recieve reports from our local partner Mamkhulu, who provides coaching/mentoring for YF. The reports show us the wide range of support she provides from counseling to home-visits, from teaching about drugs to taking girls to hospital and the police.
Dan’sile Nkosi
Dan'sile is the Youth Facilitator
YEBO has unconditionally supported the YF project financially for 10 years. Our policy is to let the partner take over the finances. This has gradually succeeded and since 2015 the support of the project has been in the hands of Lugebhuta High School.
Youth Facilitator Dan’sile Nkosi is a vital source of support for many students living in very difficult circumstances. Many have lost their parents and are caring for younger brothers and sisters. They are vulnerable and often have no income.
Dan’sile succeeds in being an active and compassionate listener while also providing practical help. With great creativity, she makes sure students receive school uniforms by collecting second-hand school clothes.
She accompanies students to the hospital, police station, and social services, and helps them take their medication for TB and HIV/AIDS. Many feel ashamed of their condition and do not want medication at home. At school, they can take it privately and without fear.
It is deeply impressive to see how she stands like a rock for so many children, fulfilling the role of mother, sister, and trusted confidante. She approaches every challenge with confidence, skill, and determination.
She is not only essential for the students, but also for the teachers. They see the struggles students face in the classroom but are often unable to help directly. They now refer students to Dan’sile, who supports them after school and talks through their problems with them.
We fund her salary as well as an allowance for her mentor.
The experiences:
Lilian Sifunda, nanny to the baby and mother to 14 year old Ntokozo, had beenwalking 5 km to come and telle us that "without Dan'sile's help her son would no longer be in school. He couldn't concentrate in school, performed badly, needed help. Dan'sile came to their home to investigate. "I was so relieved with her help." Both parents are not working, son had no shoes, bad uniform, not sufficient food. Dan'sile got him shoes and a shirt and makes sure that the left over school food is now distributed among the most needy.
Xolan Nkosi, 26 years old grade 12, lost parents 2 years ago. Started High School at 18. "Eversince sis Dan'sile has arrived there is a place where we can turn to for help"
Agreeneth Mamba, 16 years grade 10, lost her mother 19th february. Her father lost his job in December, now looking for work in Limpopo. Alone at home with younger brother. "Sis Dan"sile is always there for me when I need her, she means a lot. When my mother passed away my mind was disturbed, but she is always telling me things will get better, to concentrate on my schoolwork. That helps me a lot, when I think of that at home.
Mrs O.H. Mdluli, School Management Team & Teacher Afrikaans."As teachers we don't have time to check learners at home, Educators are more focused on the curriculum. Now that she is here I can send my learners to her ans I know she will assist ans very important, follows up. I can see the difference in the learner in class. She made a big difference in my life as a teacher. Without this programm we won't survive"
The YEBO Foundation is all for shared responsibility and participation. In that light I raised the matter of a gradually contribution by Lugebhuta High School to the cost of the YF Programm. She fully agree with the point of view and will certainly raise the matter in the SMT.
Mr P.M. Shongwe, member School Management Team. As a teacher he is concerned about the boys who are taking drugs near the toilets. He is impressed by the way Dan'sile adresses this topic and gives information and teaches the boys about the impact on their lives. He will also start thinking about a way to find sponsors for the YF Programm and tell the Circuit office about the programm.
Mrs. N Mdluli, Deputy Principal. Before Dan'sile was here, the problems of behaviour were hardly solved. The parents were not coming to school or there are no parents. We wouldn't know. The learners won't tell us the truth about there home situation. The are ashamed or shy to tell a teacher. Dan'sile is more like a friend, they trust her. She will get the correct information and report to Social Committee and to her mentor Sthembiso. If he is around he will go with her and meet the parents.
They know how to deal with the situation correctly, they are well trained. The social committee than understands the challenges of the learners and acts accordingly.
Mrs. N. Guebu, member School Governing Body
"In the culture the parents are not befriended with their childern, the elders are feared. The learners have befriended Dan'sile, they are open to her. That is why she can assist them. She understands, listens, gives advise. Motivates them to stay in school. Much better than running to friends and get the wrong advise.
Kate Nkosi & Nomcebo Sithole, Social workers. They work closely with the YF and are happy with her. Dan'sile knows all the orphans and now they can easily and monitor the ones with a grant.
Zandile Takude, Accounting, young teacher. "I had 2 boys in ghrade 9, they were struggling. Orphans alone at home. Dan'sile got them a uniform and a small piece job to help them. She follows up on them, that is one of her strenghts. It helped them to perform better at school. If she had not been here? This would never have happened. I cannot do it. She took one of my learners to hospital and she keeps on checking! Yes, the learners are helped a lot.
Mr. B.M. Mdaka, Principal. Before Dan'sile was here only 5% of the problems was revealed to us. Now 95% is known. Knowing learners with challenges relieves me from just guessing. The YF is touching positively and making an impact in the learners'life. That has improved performance. Asa Principal I am supposed to do home visits, unfortunately I have no time.
I am determined to keep this YF Programm in the school, although it might be a challenge to budget for it. I also like to have a male YF, the boys are smoking dagga behind the boys toilets, and there is fighting. We appreciate the support it has really made a huge difference in the school.