he activities here are focussed on bringing out the best in every child. Dizu Plaatjies, one of our Shaster Foundation directors, give weekly workshops where youth centre members learn drumming, traditional dance and singing, gumboot dancing, instrument making and performance preparation.

Music students from all around the world come to work with Dizu. We have a girls’ choir; a boys choir; a young girls dance group and a young boys gumboots group. They are all talented, enthusiastic and have fun performing.

Local artists run art workshops for all the members twice weekly.

There is an ongoing traditional storytelling competition which is open to all ages. The children learn the stories from their parents and grandparents, and tell them in the evenings to their friends. At the end of the year, the best storytellers will meet for the final where the winner will be awarded a new cell phone.

The youth centre members are also encouraged to volunteer in the community – helping people fix up their shacks, repairing holes in the road or tending to vegetable gardens.

Monthly outings have been arranged where all them members visit interesting or fun places such as Table Mountain, riding at Spier, the beach, theatres, the Waterfront, camp sites etc.

The Indlovu Youth Centre is perhaps the most popular part of the project for volunteers, students and interns. There are so many opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of our youth – teachers, actors, craft makers, artists and sportspeople can contribute towards the growth of underprivileged youth. Volunteering has never been so rewarding!