We are delighted to share our Annual Report 2012/13 with our network.
Foreword by SmilingOne Founder:
As a 16-year-old member of the Thug Life gang puts it, “gang life is like a religion to my family. My father and grandfather were in gangs and they have done time in jail – I will probably end up there as well. It is the way of life here; it is where you learn about respect and get status.”
Our year has been one of fine tuning our approach, merging deeper into the resource we are and walking each step true to our hearts. We are all shareholders in the wellbeing of our society – the SmilingOne Team takes this responsibility very seriously and we know how important our puzzle piece is!
What touches me deeply is that 9 million children (48%) are growing up with absent but living fathers! 3.3 million young people are not in education, training or employment. And as of March 2012: 32% of all inmates in SA prisons were under the age of 25. I experience youth in dire need of inspiration and direction!
We have harvested incredible results from our five years pro-active research! It has proven to us that a very effective way to prevent/divert our youth and youngsters from pursuing the path of crime is to shape positive Role Models who meet the youth at risk where they are at and inspire/guide them towards a different path. This is what the SmilingOne Team is deeply passionate about and invest in. We find and educate these potential Change Agents in some of the most challenged SA environments...
MORE IN THE REPORT!