ACVV Khayalethu Youth Centre began in 1996 after a definite need was seen for a permanent alternative for boys living on the street. Khayalethu means “our home” and that is precisely what the Centre tries to provide for the 24 former street boys that currently live at the Centre. The Centre aims at preparing these boys physically, emotionally, and intellectually to become responsible, functioning
members of society. The boys are taken off the street, away from a life of crime, abuse, and poverty, and given another chance to reach their full potential. Once they mature, the Khayalethu boys are placed in the Khayalethu Oliver House, a halfway house where the young students are given more freedom and responsibility. Once in this house, the focus is on work and life skills development. Students complete an apprenticeship which prepares them to be able to take care of themselves and contribute to the society as a whole. Khayalethu Youth Centre then offers these boys the opportunity to grow and mature through specific programs aimed at their overall development and growth. These programs include the following:
School Program…All our boys are every day in school. That is one of the biggest challenges, because some have never been in school or maby for a year or two. They are so far behind. To educate them is our FIRST goal.Some of the boys are so behind and in the futer we will have to also look at ABET. After School Program…The boys are aided on a daily basis with homework ad extra lessons in order that they may catch up with any missing school work. Due to the fact that all the boys at Khayalethu have previously been living on the street, they have missed out on a lot of school work, and have much catching up to do in order to bring them on an equal footing with their peers. The school program goes a long way to helping out in this regard. Community Service…Through which the boys learn the importance of giving back to their community, with this in mind the boys volunteer at Clinics, Old Age Homes, and even the Animal Welfare. Sport Involvement…All the boys are involved in sport, both at school and at the Centre. We are very proud of the achievements that our boys have reached, especially in the area of Karate, with most of our boys competing in the SA JKA Championships annually and almost always bringing medals home. Adventure Based Education…Outdoor activities and hikes teach the boys about nature, perseverance, and teamwork. Many of the boys’ hidden talents come to the fore during these mini adventures. The Phakamisa Program…This program is designed specifically to prepare the boys between the ages of 16 and 18 for the formal sector, giving them the tools they need to be self-sufficient citizens. The program includes aiding the boys in finding holiday and weekend employment, enrolling them in extra courses in order that they may learn a skill, as well as helping them to apply and study for their driver’s licenses. This program is invaluable in preparing the boys for life in the “outside” world. Each one of these former street boys was trapped in a cycle of poverty and abuse, and headed for a life of crime, Khayalethu has pointed them away from prison cells and towards a brighter future.
