March 5, 2020 – In the third week of February, the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative’s (WPDI) cohort of aspiring peacemakers in Cape Flats reached the six-month milestone in the one-year training to become community leaders. To ensure that they have the skills and knowledge required to operate in some of the most vulnerable communities in South Africa, they recently sat for a mid-term assessment to identify their strengths and weaknesses. We then asked a few of them to share their thoughts with us about what they have learned so far.
“This training has changed my life in so many ways. I don’t know where to start! The Business & Entrepreneurship classes have opened doors for me, and I’m happy to say that I plan to have my own future business. The ICT classes have given me new computer skills and taught me things I can teach to others to help people in need. I never thought that I could make a difference. Now, I have found peace within myself and will help others find peace themselves. I’m grateful for these life lessons,” – Tarhira, 19, told us.
Hillie, 23, reported that “Before I started training with WPDI, I feel like I wasn’t moving forward with my life. This training has given me hope and has helped me find direction. The courses have helped me gain skills that I never thought I would have. For example, I am already thinking of business ideas! I can’t wait to graduate from the program and start teaching others in my community all that I’ve learned here. Each of the training sessions have been pleasant and transformative. Before I started, I didn’t know much about the topics, and I have noticed a big change in my knowledge. I am now even considering opening my own small business after I finish training.”
David, 30, recognized how “Finding inner peace has been important to me, too. We are all surrounded by all sorts of conflict in our communities. But positive things happen there too. I have embraced this understanding in my own life and helped those close to me understand the opportunities out there.”
“Before I joined WPDI, I dropped out of high school and was homeless. As the mother of a baby boy, I have a difficult life. I remember my first WPDI training – I was immediately welcomed. I have built a real family here, and every time I walk into the WPDI Community Learning Center, I learn something new and know I will succeed. I want to be a better mom, to get my high school certificate, and maybe one day start my own business. I have learned about these things and gained confidence with WPDI,” said Jemima, 19.
WPDI’s 46-strong cohort of aspiring youth peacemakers in Cape Flats are being intensively trained for one year in Conflict Resolution Education, Information & Communications Technology, and Business & Entrepreneurship so that they will have the tools required to bring about transformative change in their communities. We are very impressed by all of them and the progress that they have, especially by their commitment to learn and their dedication to work for change. The cohort has incredible potential and we look forward to working with them as our partners at the grassroots level in the years to come.
