GEORGE NEWS - George libraries have worked with 54 Yeboneers and five IT cadets at the different libraries in the municipality's jurisdiction over the past six months.
According to the manager of libraries, Rachel Williams, the youngsters had a huge, positive effect on the library service.
YearBeyond is a youth service partnership between the Western Cape government, the Community Chest of the Western Cape, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, the Jobs Fund and various NGOs.
It aims to provide unemployed youth (18 to 25) with meaningful work experience and a pathway to further studies or work, while encouraging a culture of service in our communities.
The youngsters received certificates of completion this week from Brendon Adams, Portfolio Councillor for Community Services: Social Development, Libraries and Sport. The certificate is in recognition of their dedication to improving the lives of people in the different communities of George.
Yeboneers have done much for the communities through outreach programmes where they involved the communities in the constructive use of their time, energy and intellectual abilities.
This they have done using story hours, handcrafting, indigenous games, after-school activities, group bookings and group discussions, crèche visits, block loans, singing and dancing.
"They have also provided meaningful community service that contributed to social cohesion and nation building, and developed their skills and employability," said Williams.
The youngsters were involved in educational and current awareness programmes using live demonstrations and exhibitions which depicted gender-based violence, other social ills including illiteracy, HIV/AIDS, as well as other health issues.
"Using personal attention and care, they have developed and instilled a love for reading, books, sound, and interpersonal communication in the hearts of many young library patrons. Some of them walked many, many kilometres as they stayed focused on their cause of delivering books at different schools and crèches as well as involving the youngsters in different group activities," said Williams.
Bronwin Opperman receiving her certificate of completion from Clr Brendon Adams.
Clr Brendon Adams (right) hands over the certificate of completion to Gurshwin Damons.
Adriaan Junies receiving his certificate from Clr Brendon Adams at the event in the George Civic Centre.
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