Barloworld Supports National Youth Development Programme to Mark National Youth Month - June

To mark National Youth Month, Barloworld has made a generous donation of R95,000 to The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment which operates on a national basis in prisons, community youth groups, residential youth facilities as well as in schools. This donation is over and above the significant in-kind support that the organisation receives from the company. “This is in support of the excellent work of The President’s Award with young people from a diversity of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds” say Jennifer Smith, the Head of Corporate Social Investment at Barloworld.

In activities organised by The President’s Award in the Eastern Cape, young people from schools in the Grahamstown area - under the theme “Celebrating Youth Day by Giving” - put their collective energies together to support local organisations in need.

June 16, 1976. However, we have to see passed the past … we each have to give back” was what Azola Javu, who serves on the local youth committee for The President’s Award, had to say. The youth committee with representatives from five Grahamstown Schools conducted a month-long drive collecting clothes, blankets, sports equipment and money for charity. In recognition of Youth Day, the Committees handed over collected items to four local youth charities – the Association for the Physically Disabled, Eluxolweni Shelter, GADRA and Noncedo Pre-School.

According to The President’s Award CEO, Mr Martin Scholtz, June 16 is a day when people are reminded of how much we value the input of young people. For Mncedi Conjwa, remembering June 16 is special and an appropriate day for young people in South Africa to do special things: “We have to try and do positive things … when youth give back to society we grow into better people”.

The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment has valued the consistent support that it receives from Barloworld enabling the young people that the organisation works with, to achieve and give back to the communities in which they live.

Information about The President’s Award:

The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, is affiliated to the International Award Association based in London and provides a framework that focuses on the development of youth aged 14 to 25 years. The Award Programme’s fundamental aim is to empower young people from all walks of life to believe in themselves, develop new skills, keep physically fit, be of service to others and to challenge themselves. As the youth integrate the values of the Programme in their lives they become empowered, believing that they can indeed turn their dreams into reality. Empowered youth can make informed choices and are less likely to compromise their future. The programme of activities that the youth engage in is facilitated by trained Adult Volunteers who are supported by Award staff from its national office in Grahamstown and regional offices in the Western Cape and Gauteng.

Abridged media release put out by The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment

For further information please contact Keith Govender, Communications and Development Officer, 046 6227273 / 083 388 3968 kg@presidentsaward.co.za

Jennifer Smith
Head: CSI
Barloworld Limited
Tel no: +27 11 445 1268
Fax no: +27 11 445 1581
Cell no: 082 808 5911

This page was updated on 7 August, 2007

Return to top