Since my years as a Toastmaster back in the 1990’s (and I was thrilled when Toastmasters recently started up again in Nelspruit, I am a proud charter member of Crocodile Toastmasters, although no longer a member of the Club), I have run Youth Communication & Leadership workshops in rural high schools. Teaching learners the art of public speaking and presenting themselves. Over an 8-week period, once a week, they learn to make speeches, think on their feet with Impromptu speaking and how to run effective meetings. I include role plays on the “Do’s and Don’ts of job interviews.

In 2014 I expanded my work with the black youth into ongoing mentoring and empowerment workshops, as well as one-on-one mentoring. Participants are challenged to move out of their comfort zones and to take the action to create their best life and realize their goals and dreams. I also run my “Power Within” workshop with them. Topics include fear; beliefs; forgiveness; goal setting; Vision Boards.

This work is currently self-funded as the participants are not in a position to pay and for now I consider it part of my community service and giving back. My vision is to develop a structured mentoring and empowerment program that will be of interest to corporate CSI projects/funding. Our young people are leaving school and entering a very challenging environment, very often with a school-leaving certificate that is of very little value. They are the work force of the future. I give them the tools to take control and to understand how they are 100% responsible for their attitude, their choices and how they respond to life.

Without a positive sense of self-esteem and self-worth, any individual will struggle to achieve their goals and dreams. Together we work at unpacking the negative core beliefs and fears that impact negatively on a person’s life.