Apprenticeship AGREEMENTS:

Part of our strength in the success of the Khayalethu Oliver House has been to align ourselves with reputable and caring businesses such as Ocean Divers International, Haenco Engineering, APS Connections, TNT Express, Parmalat, Total Shopfitters, and Atlas Security. It is imperative that companies build a relationship with Khayalethu over time in order for them to want to invest in the future of our young men at Khayalethu Oliver House. Companies such as those already mentioned give a hand up to these young men, rather than a handout – a much more important role in society! 

Our heartfelt thanks go out to Oliver Foundation and the businesses in Port Elizabeth, who are willing to invest of their time, training, resources and finances over as much as a three year apprenticeship training period.

It is our firm belief, that with the right education from caring businesses and individuals such as these, our young men will integrate and sustain themselves and their future families in a responsible and educated manner

MENTORING ROLES:

•    Monthly meetings with all of the above mentioned companies’ management to report and evaluate on the student’s progress and continuously re-evaluate options to uplift and improve on their education, broadening of their field of experience of life skills, business ethics and the like.

•    A once weekly Men’s Prayer Meeting and Mentor Programme with Khayalethu Oliver House students sees to their consistent emotional and spiritual nourishing as this is a confidential environment where local businessmen from the community interact, educate and pray for one another as they face the daily struggle that everyone faces. This teaches them the value of community, of prayer, of confiding and sharing past and present fears, hurts and disappointments in a constructive and positive manner.

KHAYALETHU OLIVER HOUSE STUDENT PROGRESS REPORT BACK :

Luvuyo is currently busy with a two year financial management diploma at Damelin and is making great progress.

Mbulelo is busy with training at an international courier service at the Nelson Mandela Bay Airport.  We are incredibly proud of his matric results especially the fact that he obtained an A in Business Economics.

The initial integration from Khayalethu Youth Centre to Khayalethu Oliver House proved a little problematic for the above young men at first and we had to transfer them back to Khayalethu Youth Centre for one month. Once they earned the trust of their fellow housemates and the management of Khayalethu, we were able transfer them back to Khayalethu Oliver House. We are happy to report that we have suffered no further disciplinary problems with either of them.

Luzuko is currently employed in an Apprenticeship as a Shopfitter with Total Shop Fitters. Initially he had a problem adjusting from a scholar mentality where everything is done for you as well as the shorter school days, to a full time worker with responsibilities.  Luzuko had a negative attitude and was slow in completing any given tasks. All the above have been addressed and Luzuko is now a well functioning apprentice!

Thabiso: Is one of our biggest success stories at Khayalethu, though his road has not been easy, he is making the most of his opportunities.  A chequered career so far, coloured with both highs and lows… The highs would certainly be to be the first in Khayalethu Youth Centre and Khayalethu Oliver House to obtain his Code 8 and Code 10 Drivers License (light motor vehicle and light truck), as well as his PDP.  He also obtained his first qualification as and internationally qualified Open Water Diver, certified to scuba dive anywhere in the world up to 18 meters (part of his apprenticeship to become as Scuba Diving Instructor). The lows were that in the first week of obtaining his license, Thabiso had two accidents in one week, several warnings and disciplinary enquiries due to being late, reckless driving and even lying. Ocean Divers International once again gave him another chance to redeem himself and prove his worth. He is a quiet student with insecurity issues, which may have caused the initial “big boy attitude”. Thabiso wrote a very sincere letter of apology and even came in to see the owner of Ocean Divers International to apologise in person. This showed a caring and character that endeared the owners of this company to him in the first place and they have high aspirations for him! Thabiso was suspended for two weeks from Khayalethu Oliver House and transferred to Khayalethu Youth Centre, as part of the disciplinary process. On Sunday this week, he will be able to re integrate back to Khayalethu Oliver House.
Thabiso’s self-esteem has grown incredibly since he first began and is currently aiming at achieving his skipper’s license.  According to the owner of Ocean Divers, Thabiso is an asset to the company and worth his weight in gold.  

Bulelani: Is a young man with incredible potential, though he has only recently begun working, he is enthusiastic and is proving himself to be a hard worker.  He recently received his EP colours for Karate and will represent the province in a national competition in Pretoria in July.