New World Foundation Building a new world of hope, justice and peace

Children & Youth work

Early childhood and children development

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Youth work

New World Foundation in cooperation with the Greater Retreat Youth Forum (GRYF), the Department of Community and Safety and other stakeholders, conducted a survey amongst youth in Lavender Hill and surrounding areas in 2010. The survey showed that Lavender Hill has substantial problems with youth dropping out of school, because the youth are unable to meet the requirements of the curriculum of the high schools. One of the reasons is that some of them battle with problems regarding literacy and numeracy.

The most significant results of the survey were:

• There is a lack of after-school literacy support. Often at home there is also a lack of support from parents who are themselves not able to assist with homework because of the lack of literacy and numeracy.
• There are hardly any programmes and resources available for youth in the area (e.g. research facilities/libraries or a public youth center) to support them and give advice.
• Poverty, substance abuse and violence in families and in the communities contribute to the above-mentioned challenges.
• In addition, youth are affected by HIV/Aids, sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s), sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) and teenage pregnancy.
• Substance abuse, violence (muggings and theft and sometimes even murder and rape) are a part of daily life for many youths.
  

New World Foundation offers alternatives in the form of training programmes, advice and facilities, which can be utilized by youth and youth groups. NWF is cooperating in this regard with the Greater Retreat Youth Forum, which NWF helped to establish. Apart from afternoon programmes (such as the Aftercare programme and the Boys Club and Girls Club) and various training programmes, NWF offers in partnership with other groups recreational programmes in the late afternoon and evening. Youth groups are utilizing the facilities during this time for dance, drama, fitness, etc.