SA-YES has adopted the ubuntu philosophy held by the communities with whom we work closely in South Africa. The concept of ubuntu emphasises the need for unity and a humanitarian ethic in decision-making.
SA-YES works with the youth in planning their individual development programmes and aims to bring them from a point of disenfranchisement to one of empowerment.
Mission Statement
Aiding the empowerment of marginalised children and young people in South Africa.
Background
South African Youth Education for Sustainability (SA-YES) was founded in the UK in 2008. SA-YES provides guidance and support for marginalised young people making the transition from living in residential care homes to living responsibly and independently in South Africa.
Young people in South Africa face a number of challenges, especially those who have lived in care without the support and guidance of loving families. While residential care homes provide much needed support for them as children, when they reach the age when they must leave care, many young people end up living on the streets. Ill-equipped to live by legitimate means, too often they end up in prison having fallen into a downward spiral of drug use and crime.
SA-YES has developed a programme to fill the gap between care and independent living. Each young person in the programme is matched carefully with a trained mentor who offers advice and assistance with housing, employment, education and skills training, personal development and support with family and community reintegration.
Our aim at SA-YES is to prevent young people leaving care from ending up on the streets by getting them into further education and training, so that they are employable and can sustain themselves. We source scholarships, bursaries and employment opportunities with corporate partners while at the same time facilitating and supporting them during their transition to respected, contributing members of their communities.