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NextAid is pleased to announce the completion of its premier sustainable development project with YWAV. The YWAV Community Center and Children’s Housing Village on a nine acre plot of land in rural Dennilton was started in July 2005 and through this four year partnership, we have completed a total of 12 earth-friendly buildings as well as numerous upgrades to the existing buildings and infrastructure.
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Youth With a Vision is a locally created and managed South African non-profit organization committed to making their community of Dennilton a more positive and safe place for youth. Dennilton is a poverty-stricken rural community in Limpopo Province, approximately two hours northeast of Johannesburg. YWAV began in 2000 with a group of teenagers, many of whom were orphaned by AIDS and envisioned a brighter future. These kids are determined to stop the spread of AIDS to their peers.
Through the efforts and talents of founder, Cynthia Nkosi, YWAV members use theater and music to teach AIDS awareness and other issues to their peers and neighbors. In its eight year history, YWAV has expanded into many different program areas to serve the needs of the community. Programs include:
- HIV/AIDS prevention education in schools and churches
- Soul Buddies (age 5-13) after-school enrichment
- Teen youth group for after-school and weekend recreation & activities
- Soup Kitchen after-school feeding program for 60+ kids
- Adult HIV/AIDS support group
- Vegetable gardening for subsistence and income generation
- Income generating businesses: bead crafts, sewing, baking cooperative, youth snack sales
- Home-based care for elderly, sick, and HIV/AIDS affected persons
- Family preservation counseling
- Women’s abuse and domestic violence counseling & seminars
- Community-wide seminars in Youth Empowerment, HIV/AIDS, and abuse
- Trainings & Workshops in conflict resolution, natural building, computer technology, public health, art, and organic gardening
Some of YWAV’s highlights over the years include:
| 2001 |
– Attained official NPO status by Department of Social Development |
| 2004 |
– Community envisioning workshops facilitated by NextAid consultants to begin the design process for the center |
| 2005 |
– Ground breaking of center and 4 full-time construction workers hired |
| 2006 |
– Awarded R20,000 community development grant by ABSA bank at Limpopo
Premier’s birthday celebration
– Seventeen teenagers from the youth group perform on main stage at the Soweto Festival |
| 2007 |
– Recipient of R1 million ($140,000) grant from the National Development Agency for food security, sustainable agriculture and micro-business project funding
– Launch of Soup Kitchen program |
| 2008 |
– YWAV Director, Cynthia Nkosi, featured in Real Magazine article |
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