Bringing hope through education!
Future Sparks is in its fifth year of existence now, and with some changes in the leadership team, continues to work with passion and faith as we support teens living in Westlake through their High School years, by providing an after-school tutoring and mentoring programme. This year we have added Grade 11! Please enjoy our newsletter as we bring you up to date on term 1 & 2 of 2024.
The team:
At the beginning of the year, because of the recruitment of our team leader and tutor-coordinator Nomaphelo, we welcomed 11 new tutors to our programme. We started off the new year gathering all the old and new tutors to remind them of the importance of their job, and ended the meeting with yummy pizza. Our new tutors got their police clearances done for them in May. This year we have started an exciting new initiative where we give our current tutors from Westlake the opportunity to shine as Junior Programme Managers. They assist the Programme Managers in preparing the academics for the High School learners and preparing the lesson of the day for the Grade 7s.
Leadership:
The leadership consists of Nomaphelo (Team leader), Paul, Anne Kristin and Thobelani. Paul, one of the co-founders of Future Sparks, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in April this year. Yet he continues to network and devise strategies to obtain funding and assistance (recruiting tutors, getting social workers to support us, obtaining food and stationery donations) by meeting with potential donors on social media or in person at ‘The Table’. The team meet weekly to plan and problem solve.
Outings!
Each of our High School grades got an educational outing to a place they would normally never have visited. The Grade 8’s went to Cape Point on the 16th of March. They learned about how the lighthouse came to be, and the history of the Point and a life lesson on how they can be lighthouses in their own community. The day wasn't complete without a snack pack.
On the 13th of April the Grade 9’s went to the South African Naval Museum in Simon’s Town. Our very own Paul, with a background in the navy, told the history of the navy on the tour. Caleb, a Canadian missionary, came and played volleyball with the learners on Seaforth Beach. Of course they could not resist the KFC.
The 11th of May it was the turn for the Grade 10’s to go to the Iziko Museum and Planetarium. The learners enjoyed seeing the animals, from near and far both in distance and time. Yummy chicken sandwiches, chocolate muffins and some fruit was the food of the day.
On June 8th it was finally the turn for the Grade 11’s to go to the District 6 museum, where they learned about how the coloured people were moved out of that area during the time of Apartheid. And they enjoyed a KFC meal.
Grade 7’s
Thobelani together with the team of tutors have breathed new life into the Westlake Primary School programme. It includes Life Skills, dancing, and lots of interaction. In January and February of this year it included teams from YWAM (Youth With a Mission).
Partnerships:
We are grateful for partnerships with people and organisations. One of the greatest partnerships we have is with the parents of the learners.
On May 7th we held a Parent’s meeting. We had a great time connecting with them and Nomaphelo shared our heart for their young ones. We introduced house visits where the parents can request Thobelani to come and talk to the parents and learners together. When issues occur, this means that the parents are not alone in it, and if necessary referrals to social workers can be made.
A quote from a stakeholder/ parent:
“Future Sparks has made a huge difference in Milani’s life, I always see a great change when he attends, his academics and behaviour improve. Keep up the good work Future Sparks Team.”
Other partnerships gave us the gift of Scientific Calculators. This invaluable device has been given to all the Grade 8 learners in our program, and to those in need in the other grades.
We have partnered with Youth with a Mission by having some teams come and prepare a time for the grade 7s, as well as attending a ministry fair at their premises.
Our partnership with the Connect Group has given us many training opportunities, both for the leadership and tutors. We also partnered with The Dignity Campaign, did the training and organised a Dignity/ Dare Day with the Grade 7s at Westlake Primary School. Dignity Campaign empowers and equips preteens/teens as they enter adolescence with a sense of belonging and purpose and with practical help with the challenges and pressures they face. Another great partnership we have is with Outliers. They organised training for our Tutors; this year the tutors have already been trained in Child Protection Policy.
Between Nomaphelo, Paul, and Lyn (Board member of Ubomi Charitable Trust) we have had wonderful conversations with financial partners who have been able to support us with significant donations. Old Mutual, WUCT, and Open Box Software and the Nussbaum Foundation, have generously made donations/grants to the Future Sparks programme during the first half of the year as well as the monthly donors who assist us financially.
AGM:
On the 25th of May we participated in the AGM as part of the Ubomi Charitable Trust to which we belong, together with Church of the Holy Spirit and the Life Centre. This was a time where we could showcase who we are to members of the church and community. It was a fun evening where we did an interview with one of the tutors on stage and Nomaphelo presented the 2023 Annual Report.
A Tutor’s Story:
I am Emmarencia Maarman, and I have been a tutor at Future Sparks for more than 4 years now.
I started in 2020 and mostly helped with languages, English and Afrikaans. That’s what I am passionate about. Helping students to enhance their English language capabilities and diving with them into the rich world of literature and exploring innovative teaching methods.
Being a tutor at Future Sparks has taught me that building relationships with the students is so important. Showing up and asking how they are is important. Walking with some of the learners from grade 7 up until 11 I have seen them change and grow, knowing what they want to do with their lives. Sometimes all a student needs are an ear to listen and a body that is present. This has shown me that the learning environment truly influences student success. That’s why I love what I do. I feel blessed to be part of the Future Sparks family.
Soccer at Future Sparks:
Every week Kevin Gaynor, with his coaches, trains learners who want to play soccer. The boys really love going to soccer and show up in big numbers. Kevin trains their bodies, as well as doing short Bible teaching every training. At the end of term 2 they had a match against Future Stars, based in Capricorn. A wonderful donation of soccer boots, organised by Paul, has enhanced their game.
Office space:
From the 1st of July we moved out of our Future Sparks office in the Life Centre and into the CHS Staff offices.
Thank you!
To all our supporters, those who have given freely of their time, expertise and resources, financial and all donations, we express our heartfelt thanks. We could not do this work without you! We can only continue doing this together as a community.
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