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Visit to Salesians Institute Youth Projects with Alderman James Vos

A Morning of Productivity and Purpose at Salesians

On Friday, May 17, 2024, we had a highly productive morning at the Salesians Institute Youth Projects (SIYP) in Green Point, Cape Town.

Since August 2022, the Rotary Club of Waterfront, as a strategic partner, has been wholeheartedly dedicated to transforming Salesians Institute Youth Programmes’ offerings to align with the demands of the digital economy and modern society.

Empowering Youth with 21st-century Skills

L-R: Alderman James Vos, Piet Postema, and guests Lyndon Marescia of Adinga, (and  Founder of Corpchem), Saleem Mower of Sheraton and Spiro Mitchell at the Salesians Institute Youth Projects visit
Above; L-R: Alderman James Vos, Piet Postema, and guests Lyndon Marescia of Adinga, (and  Founder of Corpchem), Saleem Mower of Sheraton and Spiro Mitchell.

Along with our esteemed guests above, we delved into the heart of SIYP’s youth development programs.   These programs have been redesigned to equip youth with essential 21st-century skills and competencies, creating clear learning and career pathways within targeted local economic sectors.

We witnessed first-hand the remarkable success stories of the resilient students and their personal and academic growth was truly inspiring. The Rotary Club of Waterfront and Salesians Institute Youth Projects are committed to illuminating pathways to success for Cape Town’s youth through strong collaboration and partnership efforts.

Impactful Initiatives at Salesians Institute Youth Projects

Alderman James Vos visiting the Stitch Ahead Project.
Alderman James Vos visiting the Stitch Ahead Project. 

Salesians Institute Youth Projects’ initiatives, from its Entrepreneurship program to the Stitch Ahead initiative empowering unemployed women, and the graduates of the Learn to Live School of Skills, are actively shaping a workforce ready for local economic sectors. Alderman James Vos‘s commitment to fostering economic opportunities and enhancing employability was evident as he shared the strategic initiatives and work of the City’s SPVs to keep the three Ps – People, Place, and Product – in constant motion. Collaborating with industry leaders provides a strong foundation for expanding our economic and social impact.

Commitment to Economic Empowerment

Left:  Alderman James Vos, Lyndon Marescia (MD of Adinga), and Gabriel Hamuy (Manager and Digital Transformation lead at Salesians Institute Youth Projects) showcasing the entrepreneurship program, including the development of online profiles using the uLetktz platform. Right: Alderman James Vos and Salesian learners exploring the digital and literacy skills programs they are working on.

“SIYP’s commitment to empowering at-risk youth through skills development is inspiring and complementary to our mission of creating an enabling environment where Capetonians can lift themselves from poverty and actively participate in an inclusive economy”, said Alderman James Vos.

Above: L-R: Spiro Mitchell, Fatima Davids, founder of Corpchem and graduate of the RCW Entrepreneurship Mentorship Programme, with a Salesian learner who is now an employee at Corpchem, Alderman James Vos and Gabriel Hamuy.

Celebrating Success and Collaboration

Alderman James Vos engaging with learners who participated in the Rotary Club of Waterfront-funded “Yes I Can Do It” program, fostering their interest in careers within the hospitality industry.

As we concluded the visit with a taste of the local delicacy, the ‘koeksister,’ we celebrated the sweet rewards of our collective efforts. Thank you, Piet Postema, Spiro Mitchell, Robert Mogatsi, Michael Goldman, and visiting Rotarian Arnold Puzikcha from the Rotary Club of Essen, Germany for showcasing the magic of Rotary. A special thank you to the Rotary Club of Amersfoort, Netherlands for their commitment and support to the Stitch Ahead initiative.

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