Ikusasa Phambili

Ikusasa Phambili

Ikusasa Phambili loosely translated means "Future Ahead", but for those fortunate enough to be involved with this project, it means so much more. For the learners of district 10, Ikusasa Phambili means hope; for the volunteers involved, Ikusasa Phambili means growth; for the sponsors and partners of Ikusasa Phambili, it means opportunity.

Summary:

The aim of Ikusasa Phambili is to not only provide resources to the schools in the area and additional tutoring sessions every week for the top learners, but also to expose learners to the world outside of Zandspruit and Diepsloot - to inspire them to dream and work hard to achieve their dreams.

The Ikusasa Phambili intervention started four years ago and is a partnership between Mosaïek Church, Xstrata and the Gauteng Department of Education. 180 grade 10 to 12 learners from four schools near the Zandspruit and Diepsloot informal settlements attend tutoring classes in Mathematics, Science and Accounting on Saturdays during school terms.

A programme like this enables volunteers to interact with learners from an underprivileged background. It stimulates cross-cultural socialising and helps volunteers understand the diversities and difficulties of the learners' environments. Volunteers focus on transferring knowledge and motivating the learners to believe in themselves.

The average attendance rate of 73% is a valuable measure of the learners' continued commitment to a voluntary tutoring programme on Saturdays and hence of the programme's success and impact.

Costs incurred for 2007 :  Area of expenditure Costs (R)

• Text books, stationary etc 18,128

• Transport to Monash University 75,823

• Food 81,072

• Assistants 2,870

• Aptitude testing 3,435

Total 181,328

Ikusasa Phambili tutorship programme often generates feelings of humble adoration for God's kindness with people. One realises that you cannot boast about your contributions in any of the lives we have touched during the past 4 years, as the number of questions often outweigh the certainties. I have come to recognise that there is no winning formula when investing in people's lives and we cannot claim to have made a difference in all of the learner's futures. We are merely trying to influence and use God's mandate that we are His instruments. I am greatly inspired by learners who have decided to step up and acknowledge the fact that they can beat the claws of poverty. Wynand Kruger

Ikusasa Phambili Success Stories

• Both of Gugu Mabaso's parents died before he completed Grade 12. Gugu is now studying a commerce degree after receiving a scholarship from the Thuthuka bursary fund.

• Richard Motlaung is busy studying BCom (Econonmics) through the Univerity of Johannesburg, after receiving a bursary from Study Trust.

• Rodgers have finished a post matric year through the Edumap Academic Enrichment Programme and have received scholarships to go and study engineering.

• Philemon Makhuba has just finished a year of internal training and has accepted a full time position with a freight forwarding company.

These are just some of the stories we have heard over the past few years. The learner's enduring attitudes motivate me every day to never stop investing in people.

Together we can do more!