February 24, 2021 – In response to the continued threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of South Africa recently announced that the academic year for primary and secondary school students would not resume until February 15. Yet, many noticed that young people in vulnerable communities, including Cape Town’s Cape Flats neighborhood, were falling being in learning skills critical to becoming 21st century global citizens.
In response to this, Tarhira, one of our newly graduated Youth Peacemakers in Cape Flats, approached WPDI to organize Information & Communications Technology (ICT) trainings for 12 high school students in her community. She explained to us that she wanted “to keep them off the streets during the extended lockdown” and “teach them critical digital skills that they will need to find work and be successful.” Over a two-week period, Tarhira taught the students – who ranged from 15-19 years old – every afternoon, with the group learning the basics of how to use computers, conduct Internet searches, and how to use important tools like email and word processing.
The participants shared with us that the two weeks of ICT training was informative and a new experience for them. Malikah, who is graduating from high school this year, told us that “it’s impossible to find a job without having computer skills, and I hope to now be able to find one.” Zellistino, another student, told us that “this training was the first time I had used a computer. My school in Cape Flats doesn’t have a computer lab or offer any computer training. Now, I have some basic digital skills. I want to learn more!”
