Youth take up the challenge

ROB KNOWLES

FRIDAY morning last week saw the launch of the Sakhisizwe Youth Group in Nemato, which was formed by Nemato-based school children who want to help the poor and sick of the area by visiting them at home.

Sakhisizwe means "building the nation”.

WE WANT TO HELP TOO: Following the success of the youth training programme at the Ezibeleni Home Based Care, the youth decided to form their own group to help the poor and sick in Nemato. The Sakhisizwe Youth Group was officially launched at the African Gospel Church last Friday morning and comprises pupils from all the schools in the area Picture: ROB KNOWLES

Ezibeleni Home Based Care (HBC) is an organisation that offers home-based assistance to those in Nemato who require it. Ezibeleni began a programme to train the children of the area about disease and illness and caring for people.

Focusing on HIV/Aids, both dread diseases being prevalent in the area, the children learned about prevention as well as the physiological and psychological symptoms of the diseases and how to care for sufferers.

Zola Saul, the organiser of the launch event, said he was impressed the youth of the area had answered the call for help.

"They want to assist people,” said Saul. "We have even adopted a motto for Sakhisizwe, which is ‘the one with the good heart',” he said.

The event was officially opened by Reverend Mncedisi Vena of the African Gospel Church and Ezibeleni HBC.

"We are so happy that the youth, once they had finished their training, wanted to form a group of their own,” said Vena. "We were not expecting that, but what a good surprise.”

Saul also explained Sakhisizwe Youth Group was originally intended for the 14 to 18 year old age group but, as soon as it started the younger children of the area also wanted to take part and help.

"We could never have anticipated this,” said a proud Saul.

The morning was filled with excitement, with singing and traditional dancing and, after the certificates had been presented to members of Sakhisizwe for successfully completing their course, lunch was served to around 50 members and visitors.