{"id":55718,"date":"2022-03-09T06:05:08","date_gmt":"2022-03-09T04:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/npo-helps-youth-realise-dreams-20220308-2\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T19:45:24","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T17:45:24","slug":"npo-helps-youth-realise-dreams-20220308-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/npo-helps-youth-realise-dreams-20220308-2\/","title":{"rendered":"NPO helps youth realise dreams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To overthink things is to rob yourself of opportunities that come your way. Rather grab it with both hands and pursue it passionately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the message of Nostop (never overthink situations transfer opportunities passionately), a registered NPO in Kraaifontein that encourages and supports the dreams of children and youth in areas ravaged by poverty, substance abuse and gangsterism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you think too long about whether you should do something or not, you start doubting yourself and fear sets in,\u201d says founder and director of Nostop Charlene Miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miles started the NPO in the wake of the pandemic during 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI started collecting funds to supply needy people with food hampers when I was confronted with a big need for skills development and support for the children and youth in our local communities,\u201d says Miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NPO, that now operates from the offices of the Tabernacle Church, serves the areas of Scottsville, Scottsdene, Eikendal, Wallacedene and also provides a safe space and feeding programme for children in Belhar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese areas are rife with issues such as substance abuse, domestic violence and gangsterism. There are a lot of single parents in our community and a very high rate of unemployment, which leaves children traumatised,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe focus on youth development programmes and support, as well as the prevention of gender-based violence. As we do our research we identified many gaps on the community and focus on giving the youth hope for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NPO offers a free after-school programme, weekly art and guitar lessons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition the youth are offered free basic computer lessons and vision board workshops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo support the children we also provide workshops on life purpose, anxiety, feelings of loss and anger management.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its about life purpose feelings, anxiety, loss and trauma, and anger management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a background in human resources, Miles assists the youth with how to draw up a CV, job hunt and prepare for interviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe encourage the youth to grab any opportunities with passion without fear and doubt. Sometimes you think about it for too long,\u201d says Miles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NPO is currently engaged in research to identify other challenges school going children are facing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is important for NPOs to assist government in helping children to finish school. Too many children in our areas to not complete their schooling because of a lack of support in our areas,\u201d says Miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe want to grab these children before they drop out of school, take them out of the circle of abuse and provide them with vision and opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miles says it is heart-warming to already see the results from their music school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese kids could not read a single music note before starting lessons and can now read music and play guitar with their first performance coming up this month,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n