Gold Award for Salesian Youth Projects

by Erin Carelse · December 22, 2017

Mbuyi Jongqo, YES project manager, with the Gold Award.

A Catholic youth project has been honoured by the Western Cape government for its skills-development programme.

The Department of Social Development presented the Salesian Institute Youth Projects (SIYP) with a Gold Award at its ministerial awards evening for “Opening Economic Opportunities & Facilitating Entrepreneurship”.

This prestigious award recognises outstanding organisations and individuals who have contributed towards youth excellence and best practice in their fields, and exceptional projects that solve public problems for youth development initiatives.

Youth Employment Skills Programme (YES)

The Gold Award was awarded to the SIYP for its Youth Employment Skills Programme (YES)

YES is an intensive eight-week course aimed at giving young people both the social and job skills they need to support themselves.

Each class starts with intensive group training in life skills where participants learn about personal development, the work environment, and the social challenges facing young people of today.

The programme provides vocational skills training such as sewing, computer literacy and office management, computer repairs and mobile app development, as well as courses in bricklaying and food preparation.

It also offers job search and placement services facilitated by strategic partnerships.

“Each course stresses hands-on learning, an ideal way to learn for many of these under-schooled youth. Upon graduation, students receive a certificate and ongoing help with job placement,” said Mbuyi Jongqo, YES project manager.

The Salesians

The Salesian Institute serves vulnerable children and youth at risk — regardless of religion, race, gender or nationality — and gives them the skills they need to stay out of danger, find good jobs and lead fruitful lives.

For more than a century it has been providing education, shelter and emotional support for at-risk young people, a mission which began in the 19th century in Turin, Italy, by Salesian order founder St John Bosco, who made it his life’s work to support children in need.

The Salesians in South Africa aim to live that mission today, adapted to the unique needs of South Africa’s 21st-century young people.

“Our commitment to enriching the lives of South Africa’s youth at risk is long-standing and long-term,” said Hilton Nyirenda, CEO of SIYP.

“We believe that every youth deserves a chance and we commit to enable that. This award is received with pride and commitment to continue the work SIYP is doing in Cape Town with the support of our donors.”

For further information about the Salesian Institute Youth Projects see www.salesianyouth.org.za