From story time to the festival stage
On 22 October, learners gathered in the shape of a heart and called out “Switched on!” to celebrate Lights On After School. It was a joyful moment in a month that showed just how much happens after the school bell rings. In October, our partner New Breed Empowerment helped children build confidence as readers, brought young people together to explore their next steps, and gave local musicians a stage close to home.
Finding confidence in the classroom
At Stepping Stones Day Care Academy, children sat together on the floor, drawing pictures and sharing them with one another. Each time they picked up a crayon, they practised the grip and coordination they’ll use when they learn to write. Story time introduced new words, while counting activities and number lines helped older children get ready for Grade R and Grade 1.
The Aftercare team had good news to share. Every learner in the programme passed the previous term, and daily reading practice helped improve language marks. Two new learners from Wakkerstroom Wes joined the group, where afternoons made room for homework support, word puzzles and the occasional art project. This month, children painted and decorated their own masks and proudly held them up to show what they’d made.
WordWorks brought that same spirit of play to its final Newcross Street session. Children and caregivers used bottle caps, paper and stones to explore loud and soft sounds, while rhymes gave them a chance to practise counting and try out new words. At Lolla’s Daycare, children in the Little Stars programme used picture cards to tell stories of their own.
Making time for learning after school
Across De Villiers, Vergesig, Dagbreek and Klaasvoogds, 28 school-based YearBeyond volunteers, known as Yeboneers, ran 628 learner sessions and recorded 5,548 attendances in October. They read with learners, encouraged families to read together at home and helped out at school market days. During the holidays, around 120 children took part in morning and afternoon activities.
The Yeboneers made time for projects of their own, too. As part of the Social Innovation Leadership Challenge, five teams moved from researching issues in their communities to building prototypes for their proposed solutions.
Helping young people explore what comes next
On 26 October, Youth Connect brought young people together in Robertson. Speakers shared different routes into work, business and the arts. Among them was local artist Noemwoord, who spoke about his experience in music. The day also gave participants a chance to meet representatives from the University of the Western Cape, Langeberg Municipality and the Department of Social Development.
Back in Bonnievale, the Jobs & Skills Centre shared training options in areas such as administration, logistics and caregiving. The centre also passed along a local employer’s call for a welder, helping connect job seekers with an opportunity in their own town.
Local music and a day on the golf course
October saw two new releases from NBE Records. Youngin Liebo released his debut single, Waarvandaan Ek Kom, and Wake & Bake released Noemwoord. On 24 October, Street Breed, Nikite Louw, Marckus Kemp, Pablo and Noemwoord performed at the Bonnievale Blue Birds Music Festival at Happy Valley Sports Ground.
The month wrapped up on 31 October with New Breed Empowerment’s fundraising golf day at Bonnievale Golf Club. It was a chance for players, sponsors and supporters to spend a day together and back the organisation’s work.
Thank you to the New Breed Empowerment team and everyone who gave their time in October. The month’s highlights owe as much to the people who sat down to read with a child as to those who stepped onto a stage or helped bring the community together.
