The children at Girls & Boys Town (GBT) in Macassar were visited by national trainers of iconic kitchen and bathroom fittings supplier Cobra on Thursday 17 February, as part of a skills empowerment programme aimed at community upliftment.
The youths were handed hygiene packs shortly after a motivational talk by the Cobra trainers, who will now present a host of workshops throughout the year, focusing on plumbing skills, business management and problem-solving.
GBT is a national non-profit organisation that runs proven and successful programmes to strengthen vulnerable youth, with a core focus to remove the obstacles and barriers that prevent children from finding their light, and helping them to shine.
According to GBT’s Noorul Hoda Smith, with the steady approach of two years living in the Covid-19 pandemic that resulted in many people losing their jobs through retrenchment, the introduction of the skills development programme couldn’t come at a more appropriate time, especially when it is introduced at school level.
“As soon as we heard of the free Introduction to Basic Plumbing Workshop, we immediately reached out and contacted Cobra, and we are so pleased at their eagerness to come out and assist our children,” she said.
For the past four years, the Cobra Here for You programme has been an official partner of provincial Department of Water and Sanitation, teaming up with government to bolster community upliftment through skills development.
“The workshop started on Saturday 29 January and forms part of a two-phased workshop designed to empower the children and aimed to activate entrepreneurship,” said Igsaan Hugo, one of the Cobra trainers.
He envisions creating an army of water-saving ambassadors who will upskill the community on responsible use of this precious resource.
“The youths will be taught how to repair a leaking tap and toilet cistern, the steps of registering a business and how to design a business plan,” Hugo added. “Our approach is to provide an holistic way of thinking to give the youths a better understanding of not just problem-solving around plumbing, but also how to actually turn those skills into a business,” said Hugo.
Robbie Webb, also of Cobra, pointed out that the company provides a platform for workshops, with the aim of touching lives and inspiring leaders of tomorrow. “Everyone deserves a chance and we’re here to break down barriers and teach the youth that if you put you’re mind to it, you can make it.”
