SHAWCO Education & Law Division

SHAWCO's Education and Law Divisions collectively strive to make a positive impact on underserved communities through education, awareness, and empowerment.

Together, these divisions exemplify SHAWCO's commitment to holistic community development. They actively engage with communities, provide valuable resources, and empower individuals to envision brighter futures. Through education and legal awareness, SHAWCO is working towards a more equitable and empowered society.

SHAWCO Health Projects 


Despite various challenges emanating from the pandemic and a tough financial landscape, we were able to achieve all the goals we set out for 2022. This year (2022), like many other societies, SHAWCO Health faced many challenges not only due to the Pandemic but also due to financial constraints. Despite these challenges, we could achieve the goals we had set out for the year. The achievements we are most proud of include the following:

 

SHAWCO EDUCATION 


Violence Prevention & Mentorship

SHAWCO Education's Mentorship and Mental Health Project have been one of our most fulfilling projects. We worked with several schools, namely Bulumko High School and Itlanganiso Secondary (both based in Khayelitsha); Kensington High School and worked with Imkava Youth, an organisation aimed at serving and supporting young people based in Gugulethu.

 

i-Matter

  • Educational Support: The program likely provides educational support and resources to learners in participating schools. This could include tutoring, workshops, or online training sessions to help students improve their academic performance.
  • Mentorship and Guidance: It appears that volunteers are involved, suggesting that the program may offer mentorship and guidance to students. Mentors and volunteers may serve as role models, offering advice and encouragement to help learners make informed decisions about their academic and personal development.
  • Community Engagement: The program seems to actively engage with the local community and schools, as mentioned in the text. Outreach activities, school visits, and communication with learners and their guardians are all part of building a strong community connection to ensure the success of the program and its goals.
1

Transport

3

Locations Served

40

Student Volunteers

200

Learners Impacted this year

Digital Literacy

  • Successful Engagement and Progress: The program has been highly successful in terms of engaging learners and helping them make significant progress in digital literacy. The level of engagement and understanding among the learners has been satisfying, indicating that the program is achieving its educational goals.
  • Challenges and Adaptation: The program has faced challenges such as load shedding and delays that disrupted the sessions. However, despite these obstacles, the program's organizers made efforts to adapt and ensure that learners still received valuable instruction. They engaged in informal discussions with the learners to understand their feedback, difficulties, and needs, which helped improve the program's effectiveness.
  • Expansion and Future Plans: The program is expanding its reach by involving volunteers, including Travis, in sessions with primary school learners. Additionally, there are plans for future sessions in the next semester, with a focus on being more proactive. A rough schedule for the curriculum in Semester 2 has been drafted, and there is consideration for a smooth handover in case Travis is not available for the entire semester. This indicates a commitment to ongoing improvement and sustainability of the program.
2

Transport

3

Locations Served

40

Student Volunteers

200

Learners Impacted this year

Law Literacy

 

  • Innovative Teaching Methods and Empowerment: The program introduced innovative teaching methods, including the use of Theatre and Public Speaking techniques, to make learning engaging and enjoyable for students. It emphasized a rights-focused curriculum, as evidenced by events like 'The Period Talk,' which empowered young female students by providing them with important information related to their right to healthcare and access to feminine hygiene products.
  • Volunteer Growth and Impact: The program highlighted the growth and positive impact of its volunteers, emphasizing their inspiring contributions. The relationships formed between students and volunteers were particularly valuable in enhancing the program's success.
  • Broadening Horizons: The program aimed to broaden students' perspectives beyond just Statute and Case Law, emphasizing that there is more to the field of law. It sought to inspire students, expanding their aspirations and instilling hope for a successful future. The program looks forward to the upcoming term and continuing its positive work with the students.
2

Transport

2

Locations Served

74

Student Volunteers

130

Learners Impacted this year

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Empowering Change


SHAWCO is dedicated to creating a positive impact in underserved communities, and we are committed to achieving even greater results in 2023. 

Your support can amplify this change



Career Day

  • Inclusive Educational Outreach: The Career Day program demonstrates SHAWCO's commitment to inclusive educational outreach. It extends invitations to all learners with whom SHAWCO has worked directly over the year, irrespective of their backgrounds or circumstances. This inclusivity ensures that a wide range of students have access to valuable information and opportunities.
  • Empowering Learners for the Future: Career Day is designed to empower learners by exposing them to the possibilities of tertiary education. It provides a platform for students to envision themselves at a tertiary institution, fostering their aspirations and helping them chart a course for their future careers. The provision of transport to and from their schools removes potential barriers to participation.
  • Inspiring Future Leaders: Through Career Day, SHAWCO aims to inspire future leaders by encouraging learners to explore their educational and career prospects. It is a day dedicated to discussing and planning for the future, instilling a sense of possibility and ambition in the students. This program aligns with SHAWCO's broader mission to make a positive impact on the lives of young individuals and their communities.
7

Transport

1

Locations Served

117

Student Volunteers

320

Children Impacted Yearly

Sisterhood Unite

  • Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Inequality: Sisterhood Unite is a program aimed at addressing the severe issue of gender-based violence and gender inequality in South Africa. It focuses on empowering young girls in high schools by providing them with knowledge, resources, and a sense of hope and agency to navigate challenges and combat gender-based violence.
  • Tailored Workshops and Positive Impact: The program conducts 10-week workshops covering various topics, including self-identity, mental health, and gender-based violence prevention. These workshops are tailored to the specific needs of Grade 8 learners, and they have a positive impact on the participants. Learners reported improvements in self-esteem, confidence, awareness of discrimination, and understanding of social norms and stereotypes.
  • Empowering Young Girls for a Better Future: The core objective of the Sisterhood Unite Project is to empower and educate young girls in underserved communities, equipping them with practical knowledge to promote positive change in society. The program's evaluation indicates that it has effectively achieved its goals, providing these young girls with a tangible pathway out of poverty and violence, and fostering their development as empowered and informed individuals who can contribute to society's advancement.
3

Social Worker Students

6

On Going Workshops

50

Student Volunteers

200

Learners Impacted this year

 Social Work

  • Transition from 4th-year students: The 4th-year students completed their field practice during the 1st semester and will not be returning for the next semester. This suggests the need for a plan to transition responsibilities and maintain the program's continuity without their presence.
  • 3rd-Year Social Work Students: The 3rd-year social work students were placed at various schools and began their casework during the semester. They are preparing to facilitate groupwork and community work in the next semester. The continuation of projects, such as "Sisterhood Unite," will be carried out by these 3rd-year students, ensuring the sustainability of ongoing initiatives.
  • Social Worker Engagement: The social worker based at SHAWCO has been actively involved in providing clinical services to patients at SHAWCO Health clinics. Additionally, they are fostering relationships with schools that host social work students by regularly communicating with school principals. This engagement with healthcare services and schools is vital for the overall success and sustainability of the program
SHAWCO EDUCATION 


Digital Literacy Programme

Our Digital Literacy Programme aims to promote computer literacy and equip young people with skills in an attempt to narrow the digital divide in South Africa.

SHAWCO EDUCATION 


Sisterhood United

The Sisterhood United initiative seeks to address social ills prevalent within society by supporting, empowering, and educating young girls to help them reach the highest version of themselves. The project is centred around womanhood in terms of envisioning young women taking autonomy and having confidence in themselves whilst instilling power in our young women of South Africa who reside in marginalised communities.

SHAWCO EDUCATION 


Afterschool Online Learning Project (AOLP)

AOLP sessions ran on Friday afternoons at Intlanganiso, Bulumko and Kensington High Schools, respectively. Our final session took place on Friday, 16 September 2022.

SHAWCO EDUCATION


Read Today Lead Tomorrow

This project aimed to promote and encourage the love of reading amongst high school learners through the FUNDZA Literacy Trust content to address reading culture in South Africa.

SHAWCO 


SHAWCO Law

SHAWCO Law had a very successful year. Through this sub-branch of SHAWCO Education, we ran 28 sessions at Bulumko Secondary School and The Leadership College respectfully.

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Making a difference


SHAWCO strives to make a difference for communities in need and promises to achieve more in 2023. 

This impact can be greater with your support.