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Connecting with South
Africa…
Jennifer Tallack, Executive Director, Dependable Strengths
in Johannesburg, South Africa provided the Center for Dependable
Strengths with a report on the tremendous DS work being done.
Here are some 2004 highlights:
- 45 participants of Dependable Strengths courses found
jobs by using the Job Magnet process. They mentioned that
they had felt confident and hopeful since going through
the Dependable Strengths process.
- A successful DS course was run for a church group of 13-15
year old youth.
- The Germiston Operating Group has been conducting regular
weekly DS courses at the Community Center for candidates
who participate in Computer Training Programs. In addition
they ran a project for Kwaze Kwaza which involved going
into three local townships, Katlehong, Vosloorus and Thokoza
and running the Discovery (Self Esteem and Team building
) Program. The project is aimed at getting the local community
members involved in developing income-generating schemes.
The main results of the DS training by the Germiston Group
were:
- A great enhancement of self awareness and self esteem
- An increase in self worth among Aids sufferers
- A realization that each person has a unique pattern
of strengths.
- Much of 2004 was spent on developing DS materials for
corporate/business courses. A one day Discovery and Team
Building course was successfully conducted in November for
Oticon.
- A one-day educators course was run for a local primary
school, for 6 educators all involved in Life Skills training.
We hope to work with them and develop DS in the curriculum
based on ‘Helping Kids’ and the Outcomes Based
Supplement.
- Educators from two secondary schools have agreed to integrate
DS into their curriculum.
- Rhodes University has run two courses this year.
- Ties with Rotary continue to grow. Rosebank Rotary part
sponsored two courses in Alexandra for the Johannesburg
Central College.
Durban Rotary sponsored a course and is looking to sponsor
another in 2005. There are several individual Rotarians
furthering the cause of DS.
- The Foundation received funding from Jean Haldane and
the New Settlers Foundation. Funds from the New Settlers
Foundation (R50,000) were used to sponsor courses for the
unemployed.
- The Board held five meetings in 2004. In addition a special
meeting was held with the business group in October.
The Annual General Meeting was held in July. The Executive
Committee held 10 meetings in 2004.
- The DS program in South Africa achieved institutional
accreditiation by the Services SETA (Sectoral Education
and Training Authorities).
Plans for 2005:
Jennifer also reports that the DS Foundation in South Africa
hopes to continue DS work with:
- SOS Children’s Villages
- Creative Minds – a training initiative in Port Elizabeth
- The Johannesburg Children’s Home which is developing
a complex for street children and adults who are unemployed
in Johannesburg.
- A community development in Johannesburg sponsored by
First National Bank and energized by Rotary.
- The SA Police Youth Desks
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