Andrew Muir and Paul Marketos with five Umzi Wethu graduates
The Umzi Wethu Training Academy for Displaced Youth is a multifaceted intervention programme that uses nature to rescue orphans and vulnerable youths from a life of poverty and despair. The brainchild of South African conservationist Andrew Muir, Umzi Wethu attracted the attention of Bluekey because of its capacity to fundamentally change the well-being and life-path of its graduates.
“There are many organisations in South Africa which help to improve the lives of those South African children and orphans living below the poverty line,” explains Bluekey MD Paul Marketos. “What drew me to the Umzi Wethu programme was its holistic approach to caring for these vulnerable youths. Not only are students trained in a specific vocation – and on graduation are guaranteed a job - but they also live in a residence where they receive much-needed nurturing, as well as healthcare, wellness and psychological counselling in addition to their vocational training. Umzi Wethu helps these youths to develop positive social and critical-thinking skills which empowers them and sets them on a sustainable path to independence. At the same time, the graduates act as powerful role models to their friends and family, helping to engender pride back into their communities.”
South Africa has an estimated 88,000 child-headed households, and it is primarily these and other vulnerable youths that the Umzi Wethu programme targets. The pilot programme was launched in Port Elizabeth in 2006 and focuses on training within the hospitality industry, while the second training academy, located in Somerset East, was launched in 2008 and caters exclusively to the training of rangers and field workers. Potential students need to have graduated from secondary school, have demonstrated leadership potential and must be motivated. A key component of the programme is developing an affinity for nature amongst the students. As executive director of the Wilderness Foundation of South Africa (WFSA), Muir ensures that students participate on regular trail trips led by tribal elders who educate them about ecosystems, wildlife and indigenous traditions. “The healing capacity of nature is tremendous, and unparalleled,”
Muir hopes to place 10,000 youths in jobs over the next 10 years. To achieve this, the Umzi Wethu model needs to be embraced throughout the Southern African region. Marketos is convinced that Muir can achieve his goal. “Umzi Wethu offers a model intervention programme which can be adapted to suit a variety of industries. In fact, Umzi’s potency is the ease in which it can be duplicated and incorporated into existing programmes. The potential for Umzi Wethu to make a difference to the lives of South Africans is huge and Bluekey hopes to be able to contribute to helping make this difference.”
Bluekey has donated R45,000 to Umzi Wethu, marking the start of what Marketos hopes will be a long and rewarding relationship. For more information please visit www.wildernessfoundation.org.za or www.bluekey.co.za.
