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Wave pp 01
Youth groups in South Africa are harnessing the power of sports to promote activism and drug awareness. Through events like Wave Green and social media platforms, these youth organizations aim to empower young people to create positive change in their communities by developing winning attitudes and taking action.
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Wave pp 01
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- 2. Harnessing the powerof Youth
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- 11. Winning AttitudesVia Action
- 12. Gauteng Wave onFacebookRussell Florence on Linkedin
Editor's Notes
- #2 Wave is a social organization that leverages the passion and power of youth to bring about Social Change in Society. WAVE focuses on building a strong sense of self-worth in people. We are primarily socio-entrepreneurs that focus on using organizational resources to empower youth. Our projects include working in areas where social challenges are acute. Last year on 01 December 2009, we launched our organization at the Eldorado Park stadium. Our theme for the day was celebrating life on World AIDS Day. The event was well attended (over 1500 people) and the day included a fashion show, hip hop and other fun activities. Our message to the youth on World AIDS Day was clear, in order to fight HIV/AIDS we all need to be unashamedly united with those who are infected and affected.
- #3 The Passion for WAVE comes from being involved in many civil society projects. Having worked for the council for the blind, showed anything conceived in the mind can manifest no matter what the obstacles or challenges. Working with Valued Citizens Initiative showed the vast number of youth in need of positive mentoring, being involved with skills development and mentoring unemployed graduates showed the vast possibilities for change. Wave has a musical workshop called the Winning Way, that works at the level of self-actualization, and emotional intelligence to assist bringing about Passion, Vision, Purpose and Destiny.
- #4 In 2009 the Eldorado Park community was shocked when a 23yr old man destroyed his entire family by petrol bombing their home. The fire killed his younger brother and his sister died in hospital a week later. His mom and dad sustained major injuries and are still recovering. What caused Markham to go on the rampage? He was under the influence of Crystal Meth (tik), a very popular drug in the area. There are many parents in communities that are burying their children or watching how they slowly destroy their lives. HIV/AIDS, suicide, drugs, violence and crime are sending many youth to an early grave or prison. Unemployment, poverty and lack opportunity contribute to our youth being vulnerable. WAVE addresses issues youth are facing by using the latent passion, talent and creativity that youth have. We work as activist in schools and communities assisting youth find their way.
- #5 Wave has a study skills program, whereby senior learners are taught how to teach other learners the rudiments of exam preparation. Our work also includes providing relevant information about substance abuse and it’s link with the very high new HIV infection rate. We use a peer education model, where youth are empowered to form groups and run their own workshops to instil life changing information. Our “activism” is not narrowed to one particular topic, so WAVE, includes citizenship and eco-activism, as a means to highlight a range of social challenges facing our country.
- #6 Our strategy is to use every kind of media to reach youth with a strong message to abstain from undesirable social behaviour. Our workshops, and media message assist youth to leverage their abilities, and fight the scourge of drugs and AIDS in their communities. Our events involves partnerships with other organizations to bring about shared objectives.
- #7 Youth Movers is a concept that users the power of fad to influence youth toward social change. The latest WAVE project involves placing preloaded, audio visual information that both interest and inspire youth. Our association with a local filming making company means that we are able speak into responsible social and moral standards, using high quality audio visual presentations. Wearing the USB flash disk bracelet is a way in which relevant information is quickly distributed amongst youth. These include, showcasing youth talent, this platform is then used to speak about, drugs, HIV/AIDS, Eco activism and the like.
- #8 WAVE Green Activism is about assisting youth to actively create awareness around energy and water conservation. We plan on partnering with business and government to assist us in bringing about behaviour change. Part of our activities will include the planting of trees, recycling and encouraging business to use less paper. We believe that the passion youth has to drive these initiatives is huge. We have a waterless carwash solutions to create employment for youth and to start them up, as eco-entrepreneurs. Other activities include having youth develop e-brochures, stickers and t-shirts.
- #9 Wave is association with Sporting bodies is a way in which we can direct the sporting talent of our youth.In 2009, we were greatly assisted by “The Goal” to host our launch. Being involved with sporting organizations creates a fantastic synergy, towards our shared objectives. Sports has the ability to pull in many spectators, as such WAVE is committed to being actively involved in Sports, as a medium for activism
- #10 Popular youth culture promotes the use of drugs and other risky social behaviour. Since our new democracy opened up our borders , we had an influx of illicit drugs in South Africa. Government is working hard in trying to curb the challenge, but at grassroots level, drugs are overtaking our youth. WAVE drug awareness will use social media, workshops, and our preloaded wristbands to speak into the dangers of drugs, as well as point users in the right direction to get help.
- #11 We successfully stopped Apartheid, it’s time to build this democracy through social action.Workshops will train youth to conduct their own workshops (each one teach one) – Website, material, equipment, venues, multimedia presentations, and transport is needed to effectively do this. WAVE has no current sponsors and depend on the goodwill of people to assist in this effort. Wave activist usb wristband will encourage youth to become computer literate, as well as present high quality presentations to reach their peers. Our vision is to give away 100 000 wristband in 2011. Wave Green ActivismIn order to create sustainability of our Organization, WAVE will have dry-wash car wash projects. We will assist unemployed Youth with their own WAVE Dry Wash franchise. We will provide the market and trained youth entrepreneurs will run projects, to empower themselves and communities.Wave Drug Awareness will provide specific information on pre-loaded wristband, youth will be encouraged to populate the information on their social networks. Workshops for educators and youth leadership in substance abuse will also be conducted.Seed Capital is needed to have our organization work as envisioned. We are in need of volunteers that will come on board that will plug in their skills and ideas to make WAVE a successful venture.You may choose any one of the projects highlighted above to pledge your commitment in time and finances.To get involved in this exciting venture e-mail : Wavingthegoal@gmail.comOr Contact Russell on 083 997 4027
- #12 Youth are vibrant and strong. By being involved in youth activism, you assist in leaving a positive legacy. WAVE wants to create direction for youth by having youth infiltrate teenage culture with a positive response to prevailing negativity. Being involved in activity that creates a better world builds character. Our response to negativity is to use the tools youth are familiar with like technology, hip hop, house music and the like. WAVE has a philosophy. Interest youth to have a platform to speak to them.
- #13 Social Entrepreneur and Activist Russell Florence grew up in Eldorado Park a township south of Johannesburg. He is passionate about Youth Development, and participated in a number of Social initiatives including:Optima Call Centre – The Council for the Blind – to train visually disabled people Contact Centre Skills (Learnership Manager)Valued Citizens Initiative – Trained and mentored Educators and School Managers on Citizenship Education in GautengHpi Private Public Partnership. A Presidential Project in Limpopo Province, with Mark Shuttleworth foundation trained and mentored unemployed youths and facilitated development in basic computer skills.UJ Vista – Thusanani Project, trained and mentored unemployed graduates with Presentation skills, Project Management, and Emotional Intelligence.Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) – Eastern Cape -Trained Municipal Councillors on Leadership and Emotional IntelligenceGDE – Trained Procurement Managers Team building and Emotional IntelligenceRussell also worked as the Skills Development Facilitator for BoE, was involved in Change Management Projects with Standard BankHe currently works as a free lance facilitator and internet Social Networking Marketer, he consults for Ordillar, an Early Childhood Development Agency.