MaAfrika Tikkun and Deutsche Bank have worked together on three youth dialogue events (called The Big Talk) in the last two years that have involved giving Grade 10 learners the opportunity to discuss their challenges and celebrate their ability to identify possible solutions to these issues. These events were all attended by officials from the Department of Education from provinces of Gauteng and/or the Western Cape.

From the previous events it has become apparent that although the youth uncovered the same issues each time, including teenage pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, peer pressure and low self esteem, when it came for the youth to attempt to lessen the impacts of these in their schools and communities, they felt overwhelmed and intimidated and therefore stopped trying to be change agents.

Therefore, this year’s Youth Citizens Action Programme is linked with the National and Provincial Department of Education's Race and Values Directorate and has been tailored to provide step-by-step guidelines on how to initiate change to help the participants to first grasp the background of what it takes to be a good citizen, and then to embody that by acting responsibly and making a change in their schools to improve their situations. The scope of the learners’ projects will be practical and implementable within their frame of reference and environment to effect change for the better.

Gullan&Gullan had a novel idea for Christmas 2009: Instead of giving their clients corporate gifts, they donated presents to the Phutaditjaba Community Centre in Alexandra. We thank the team for their generous support!

Visit their website and watch the video here .

MaAfrika Tikkun Annual Sports Day and Mini-Olympics took place on Saturday 21 November 2009 at The Johannesburg Stadium.

Over 700 children from our four ECD and Youth Centres in Gauteng articipated in this event and the previous week's rain cleared up for us
thankfully!

On Saturday 1st August Belron® employees from around the world will take part in the London Triathlon to raise money for MaAfrika Tikkun.

Belron®, the world’s largest vehicle glass repair and replacement business, is sponsoring a team of youth interns from MaAfrika Tikkun’s Orange Farm township community centre, to participate in the London Triathlon with their staff. This is the world’s largest triathlon attracting over 8 000 participants each year.

This year our aim is to raise over €500,000. You too can help save the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in townships.
Donate now!

The Chairman of MaAfrika Tikkun, Bertie Lubner featured in the Wits Business School journal, issue 17, 2009.

"My father would say, if you want to do something, you will know in your heart whether it is right or wrong. If it is right, you know."

The youth development programme caters for 7 to 19 year olds. The youths come to our centres after school and thereby avoid becoming influenced by gangs, becoming addicted to drugs and participating in crime.

In 2009, a formalised Youth Development Programme consisting of 5 key pillars is being formulated and 2 of the 5 pillars are being implemented at each site this year:

• Computer Skills - Training in Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet
• Literacy - Library usage and reading encouragement
• Environment - Recycling, anti-pollution training
• Arts and Culture - Traditional dance, art, drama, singing etc
• Sports and Wellness - Karate, Yoga, Soccer etc