Mziwovuyo Qhingana

My name is Mziwovuyo Qhingana. I just want to tell people how much IkamvaYouth has done for me and what knowledge I have obtained by being an IkamvaYouth learner.

First of all I would like to just quickly give you my definition of IkamvaYouth. It is a non-profit organisation which assists and helps learners to focus in their careers so that they could have a better understanding about them and have a brighter future. This means you learn free for your own future, but you have got to be serious and must work hard like me.

Last year I was attending computer classes here in the lab maybe with nine or ten other IkamvaYouth learners. At school I was too busy with school work but I managed to attend computer classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays because I knew that they were part of my future and my life. Some of the learners stopped coming in the classes saying that they were busy at school so there were only two of us left. We kept on attending the classes because we knew that we really needed the computer knowledge and IkamvaYouth paid for us so that was our chance. I had a very good attendance and never ever missed one day except there was a delay in the lab.

A few months after I'd finished the computer classes I was told that I was one of the three luckiest IkamvaYouth learners who will be going in a holiday programme to Durban. On the 1st of December 2007 just after the prize giving day of IkamvaYouth I saw myself in the airport and in the next two hours I was in Durban. What amazed me was that everything was paid by IkamvaYouth - (this organisation). The flight, food, and the University of KZN which we stayed at. Why? It's because we worked very hard and IkamvaYouth is appreciating that its learners are committed in their work. We combined there with other IkamvaYouth learners, some were from the rural areas of KZN and some were from Durban. It was great because we treated each other as family members and we were helping each other in the class activities because we were there to study. MATHS was one of the subjects which we did and the tutors from here (Cape Town) together with those in Durban helped us when we had problems in the subject.

We even had times to go out and see what was happening around Durban besides hanging all day in the residence after classes. We went to the Durban museum to see and hear about things we didn't know before. We also went to the science centre where we had great fun experiencing some of the things we didn't know that scientists could invent. After that we went in the beach of Durban where we had fun until I fall in the stairs and nearly lost my eye, my arm was also hurt. Remember if you lost your belongings or injured that was not the orgarnisation's responsibility, that was the agreement we signed. But listen to what happened after the director of the organisation Joy Olivier did after seeing that I was suffering from pains. She had a mercy for me and took me in Hospital and my bro Bongani bought me medication to heal me. I really appreciate that.

When the 15th of December arrived I was sad because it was a day of leaving in Durban and I was leaving my new family behind, which are the learners and tutors I met there. But I was grateful to know how big IkamvaYouth is.

As the organisation did before the bus tickets were already paid and we had a pocket money and sandwiches for lunch. Remember that was all free. So that was my trip to Durban and I would like to thank IkamvaYouth Organisation as well as its volunteers for helping learners while they don't get paid for the job. Everything is possible if you really work hard and that's why I was chosen to go to Durban, in fact I'm proud of being an IkamvaYouth leaner.

 

Olwethu Paphu

My trip to K.Z.N. was good and helped us at the same time. Going to K.Z.N. by an aeroplane was wonderful, but after the plane was in the air, l had a headache.

 

First, l was scared of what we are going to do when we get there. But on our first day we stayed at Julia's house and she helped us with everything. It was like, l was at home, the food was good, we were with love and respect.

 

The place we stayed at in the University of K.Z.N was good, we were comfortable, everyone there was treating us good. The rooms were clean and warm even the blankets.

 

Our first day at summer school was not good, because it was the first time we met other Ikamva learners. It was difficult to talk to each other first, because we are speaking different languages. But as the time went by we started to know each other and talked to each other.

 

The tutor in the summer school was very helpful to us very much especially in maths, because you need to listen and concentrate to understand Maths. Personally the trip to K.Z.N. helped me very much and the text books kept us are going and helped a lot.

 

Thank you to everyone who supports Ikamva it means so much to us. To all the supporters, keep up the good work.

 

Sinethemba Mbunje

 

I am a student at Ikamva youth, I was doing grade 11 last year in 2007. By the time I was told that I was chosen to participate at the Ikamva youth holiday programme, I was shocked and at the same time I was happy and proud of myself.

It was going to be my first time to be in plane and when I was in that plane I thought I was dreaming and I was scared but I enjoyed my flight.

I have learned a lot in the program, for an example isiZulu and more about Maths. I also learnt a lot about communicating with other people and speaking different languages, as well as self respect and more.

My best part in the programme was prize-giving, and the most important thing I have learned is that I must believe in myself. The thing I remember most is the day that we were at the beach/ Ethekwini and I had nice time at Durban. I wish to have the opportunity like this again next time.