"If
you wish to take street children off the street, you may best be
advised to ask a reformed street-kid to do that for you. It takes one
to understand one, get through to one, and to influence one. This is a
simple concept, yet many people fail to understand it. Imagine.
Millions spent each year by people who think they can change others
through mere education and/or fear management. Yet many do not even
know, let alone understand, and never mind accept, the cause nor the
effect of their chosen intervention or campaign..." - Richard Yell
Imagine
a business that could reduce crime. Imagine that business had existed
for seven years, understanding the wild streets of South Africa and
identifying the cause. Imagine that business had a personal
relationship with crime gangs and knew their leaders. Imagine that
business had recruited those leaders to turn their back on crime and
instead face a future of healing, regeneration and employment. Imagine
these leaders then turning to the streets to recruit other youths to go
through the same process. Imagine those youths becoming pop stars,
artists, filmmakers and a chef in Fifteen, Jamie Oliver restaurant in
London. Imagine this process costing half of what it costs to keep a
child in detention – a crime recruitment programme.
Our Vision Children do not belong on the streets
The MylifE Project was established by
Linzi Thomas in June 2002 (who has spent seven years working with the
children/youth on the streets of South Africa) and has been run with
the full participation of ex-street youths for the past two years. The
project has proven, through the examples of the ex-street youth who
have participated in it, that with guidance and structure these youths
are able to rebuild a life for themselves away from the crime and
troubles of the street. Their direct experience of street life,
together with their insights and understanding, have been integral in
enabling the project to gain conceptual clarity for the planning and
design of appropriate and effective interventions. Giving young people
their own means of expression and enabling them to be seen and heard
culminates in a win-win situation for them and the communities in which
they now find themselves.
Institutionalisation (shelters, homes, prisons, places of safety, hospitals)
Addictions (alcohol, drugs, etc)
Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual)
Disease (e.g. TB and HIV/AIDS)
Violence (against and perpetrated by)
Gang culture and criminal activity. Varied levels of education
Dysfunctional family situations.
Wiseman Dinizulu
spent 12 years of his life in the street cycle. He has been working as
a technician in the film industry with international casts and crews
for the past two years. He now rents his own accommodation and is self
sufficient. He bought his first car in February 2004.
Sifiso Jezile
spent 12 years in the "cycle" known as street life. He is a co-founder
of the MylifE Project and now sits on its board of directors. He spent
two years working in the South African film industry where he met
Coolio and performed with him in Cape Town.
He wrote "Who am I" and is busy working on his second CD. He is currently studying Sound Engineering at City Varsity.
Damian Snyders
says: "At the age of eight years I made my way to the streets of Cape
Town feeling unloved, unwanted and in need of care. I got stuck in a
'hole' where I learnt crime in order to survive. I met up with the
Waterkant kid's gang and before I knew it I was breaking into cars and
my power on the streets was increasing. I had survived my 'initiation'.
My path lead me into reformatories, shelters, children's homes, prisons
and always back onto the street. I was now a 'wise' criminal and I took
crime to a different level, robbing tourists, operating with a knife,
breaking into houses and my life was now operating in the dark. The
more I hurt people to satisfy my addictions, the worst my life became
and I landed up in Polsmoor Prison. "Overnight my life was what I
visualized 'hell' to be and I learnt to be a man, a crook and a liar -
survival was taking on a new meaning. "I dream to work with the
government (mainly the justice system) to ensure that no child is ever
locked away and that diversion programmes are piloted based on
understanding. I lived many years on the streets and I know what is
needed to prevent children from being labelled 'street kids'." Damian
has worked in the film industry for the past two years and he became a
Director of the MylifE Project in February 2005.
Freda Darvel
lived on the streets for seven years. She has been out of the cycle for
two and a half years and is a hero and role model to all of us. Her
struggle was captured on film in 2002 in a documentary entitled
"Beneath the Stars." She says: "The children and youth on the streets
need love. They are living a life that is full of pain, destruction and
death and they are paying the price. People make a lot of promises to
us all the time, sometimes they come back to fulfil their promises,
most of the time we never see them again, so trust is something that is
hard to build. I spent time on the streets of Durban working with
six-year-old children who have no parents and are now called 'street
children'. It hurts me so much to see these little people struggling
with no one to support them. "My dream is to sing to the children so
that they can feel loved and supported. If I make money from my talent
I will make sure that the money is used to support my family and open
beautiful houses for my family on the streets around the world." Freda
will be releasing her first single in South Africa in 2005. Her voice
can be heard on the MylifE commercial and will soon be heard on the
MylifE single launching in 2005.
Nicholas Thandeki
says: "Individuals and organizations use 'street kids' to get filthy
rich whilst the kids stay on the streets or in the justice system. Some
of the many organizations working with the children that are funded by
government and businesses do not understand the children in their
organizations and the children face neglect, rejection and are never
'elected'. The kids resort to gangsterism on the streets and then
become a number in the prison gang system. "I am proud to say I have a
matric, have worked as a volunteer on Bush Radio and am computer
literate. My dream is to be a sound engineer and DJ so that my voice
can bring understanding and alternatives to free my brothers and
sisters on the streets." Nicholas started a sound engineering course at
City Varsity in February 2005.
Thabo King Kafiso Lebakeng
says: "I know the people of South Africa are doing their best to make
our country a better place and in their efforts it is not always
possible to reach communities where children are in trouble. With our
leadership we can reach the places that need assistance because of our
own experiences and the understanding we bring to the table. There is
no time like the present and the stand that our leadership needs to
take must be based on integrity and wisdom. We need to replace all the
anger with love for our people who are struggling. "I wish to stand in
my father's shoes, as I was in awe of him. He was a leader and a nation
builder and I will fulfil his dreams because they were the dreams that
have been shared by my 'grandfather' Madiba. I dream to sit with Madiba
and let him know that as the leaders of the future, we will fulfil his
dreams of a country that is proud because it looks after its children.
It is in God I trust and know that we will do his work on this earth."
Thabo has just completed a three month leadership development course at
Chrysalis Academy. He is currently assisting other NGOs working with
marginalised children and youth.
Thozamile Christopher Ganjana
says: "My greatest achievement is carrying a man who was hit by a car
in Claremont to hospital. I have also done woodwork, bricklaying and
leatherwork at the Salesians Institute. "Children run away from home
because they don't have anything at home and they don't get food. They
abuse each other on the streets. The big ones force the small ones to
do things they know will get them into hospital or prison. "My dream is
to play cricket and teach life skills to the youth and children who are
staying in shelters and homes and to assist children to survive."
Thozamile completed a film industry loaders course and is working as a
trainee on the film sets in Cape Town whilst bridging his education.
Mkhanyisele Leon Kapa
says: "I left home for the streets of Claremont after the death of my
brother in 1994. My path took me into shelters and children's homes and
eventually my mother found me and I was back home. My father died a
year later and I ran away again, feeling absolutely empty. "I survived
many years in this system; I even managed to get far in my schooling.
The poverty that my mother was living in drove me to find a job. I am a
father and work as a chef at a city restaurant. I am a rollerblading
enthusiast and have played roller hockey. "My dream is to provide a
safe and caring home for my son and all the children of the world that
are not being loved." Under the mentorship of Tony Elvin, Mkhanyisele
travelled to London earlier this year to work in the 15 Restaurant
(Jamie Oliver).
Khayalethu Marepula says: "In
helping myself off the streets I can now be an example to others. I
have done the skills workshops at Salesians Institute and the Chrysalis
Academy where I have learnt to take responsibility. The MylifE project
has shown me that I have a future and everything to live for. I have
taken my understanding to the film industry so that they can see that
the children on the streets need help. "The children are the future and
I aim to be a role model and friend to the 'street children' and give
them love, hope and happiness so that they do not give up. If they know
there is love they will survive their struggle. I would love to be a
camera operator in the film industry; an industry that has supported me
"off" the streets and given me the courage and understanding." Khaya is
working as a spark in the film industry after two years as an
apprentice. He is also assisting other NGOs working with marginalised
youth.
Mpumelelo Michael Mlindazwe says: "I
attended the Salesians Institute and learnt metalwork design and
woodwork. I am computer literate and have performed with my Kwaito
group "Loskops" and recorded my first song "Parlimente". I know there
is not a life on the streets and the communities need lots of help so
the children don't run away to the streets. I am a musician and I
believe that music is an incredible way of getting a positive message
to the youth and children. My music gives me the comfort to express
myself as an individual and tell my story to make sure that children
don't have to land up on the streets." Mpume is working as a trainee
spark in the film industry and busy with his first CD (Loskops).
Vusumsi Shu Shu says: "I am from the Transkei and understand how
children migrate from rural South Africa and land up in a community
where they learn to deal with the problems their extended family are
facing with poverty. The choice between starvation (physical, mental
and emotional) and life, leads them to the street for survival. "I have
survived the past 12 years I have spent on the streets and in the
justice system. I have played soccer for Western Province and worked at
Hotink printers. "My dream is to share my passion for sport with my
family on the streets. I see our leadership as a dedicated and talented
group of sportsmen, musicians, artists and caregivers that will make an
impact on the streets of South Africa and the world." Vusi is working
as a grip assistant in the film industry and busy recording his first
CD (Loskops).
Andile Appolis says: "I
completed grade 10 and the skills training workshops at the Salesians
Institute. I completed the "Facing the Future" course, which included
teamwork and co-operation, dealing with conflict, taking
responsibility, confidence building, community research and
entrepreneurship. "Society doesn't understand street life and so they
ignore the problem. By ignoring the problem, the people stuck in the
system on the streets feel that nobody cares. They hit back by breaking
into cars and being destructive without considering the car owner who
has to replace his window and belongings. This money is used for drugs.
"I have done drama classes and practised Kwaito music and believe that
through my talent I can reach the children of our world with positive
messages. My dream is to one day open a crèche to look after small
children." Andile performed live to 10 000 children at the Dance for
Life event and is currently recording with the Loskops. He is also
working on a life skills programme to take into the schools.
The
programmes that we are currently developing are in the creative fields
such as the media, music, restaurant, tourism and environmental
industries. These are also growing industries where opportunities for
employment are available. The skills training will be done in
conjunction with mentors and apprenticeships within the various
industries.
Workshops
will be run by individuals within the MylifE Project together with
outside experts. The young people will be encouraged to share their
valuable skills and knowledge with one another reinforcing their
position as role models for others.
The life skills programme
will comprise: Basic life skills Literacy and numeracy Budgeting and
money management Computer literacy Communication, facilitation and
counselling skills Driver's license Conflict resolution and mediation
Critical thinking and problem solving Social awareness: current
affairs, HIV/AIDS, politics, history, human rights Parenting
The skill development and apprenticeship programmes being researched include:
Filmmaking: script development, production, directing, camera work, lighting, gripping, sound, loading, editing.
Music: sound engineering, music technology, stage rigging, voice training, song writing Catering: nutrition, cooking, hosting.
Media: writing, photography, desktop publishing, journalism and radio Tourism: tour guiding, hospitality, hosting.
Life skills:
bridging educational and entrepreneurial skills, caregiving and
parenting Environment: fire fighters, lifesavers, farmers, mountain
guides, gardeners
Our strategy Mentors from each field will be
brought in to set up and run the courses and workshops. Networks are
being created of people from various industries that have offered their
support for the project.
Filmmaking:
Following on from the success of a similar project in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia (GEM TV), MylifE proposes setting up South Africa's first
youth film crew. Our youth leaders have spent the last two years
gaining knowledge and experience working with international and local
film and documentary production companies. They now have the tools to
express their own voices and opinions and share their understanding of
the problems faced by "street children."
In consultation with
the National Film and Video Foundation, the South African Commercial
Producer's Association, the Cape Town Film Commission and other
enthusiastic independent organizations, MylifE will build on the
experience of the leaders and bring in experts on a per project basis
to continue training and mentoring the crew so that they can tell their
stories which will in turn act as prevention for other children when
disseminated into the rural townships and communities.
Catering:
The leaders have identified the need to educate themselves on the
values of food and nutrition. MylifE is in discussion with the "15
Restaurant" project with Jamie Oliver. A project run along similar
lines in collaboration with the marginalized youth of Cape Town is in
the pipeline.
Music: The MylifE team has been
working with local and international artists and music producers to
make their voices heard. They are currently in studio recording their
first CD single under mentorship of Ryan Dalton, Street Level
recording, Vibrations Studios and DJ Caverra. City Varsity has opened
up opportunities for two of our leadership to complete a sound
engineering course by June 2005.
Outcomes:
Successful young people who are role models and mentors for other young
people. Young people who are aware of opportunities for employment and
able to grasp them. Proof that previously disadvantaged individuals are
marketable in the workplace and are an untapped work force.
Requirements for the MylifE houses:
It is essential that the Leaders are housed together as a unit and that
the caregivers have accommodation on the property. The caregivers will
be responsible for planning and overseeing the smooth running of the
home. They will be responsible for reporting back to the board, on a
monthly basis, on the progress in the house. It is necessary to provide
the house with transport so that the leaders can get to and from their
places of work.
Essential 'ingredients' of the house will be:
- A structured environment that will function with boundaries and consequences.
- Long-term sustainability where the people living in the house will become self- sufficient.
- A stable home that provides love, care and nurturing for the individual.
- The space and opportunity for learning life skills.
- A springboard for new projects.
- A hygienic environment which is completely crime and drug free.
- A place to set goals and purpose.
- A place where young people can develop strong relationships based on love and respect.
Freda Darvel
reached the finals of the Coca Cola Pop Stars 2002 which was the
catalyst for her leaving the streets. She has since written and
recorded her first single "Heart of Care" in collaboration with a
Scandinavian music producer, Theo van Rensburgh. Freda has spent three
months in Sweden doing school tours to raise awareness of the plight of
"street children" in South Africa.
Mpumelelo Mlindazwe, Vusumsi Shu Shu and Andile Appolis formed a Kwaito group, the 'Los Kops' and have written, recorded and produced their first single, "Parlimente'.
"Whatever you say...I am"
a 52min documentary which, due entirely to the hands-on participation
of the MylifE crew, has the most authentic access to the lives of Cape
Town's 'street children' and the root causes of their plight ever seen
on film.
"A Boy called Twist" an
internationally distributed feature about the Cape 'street children's'
reality – the African version of Oliver Twist. Three of the MylifE
leaders, Freda Darvel, Vusumsi Shu Shu and Andile Appolis worked as
consultants and translators for the 'street child' actors on set.
Andile
Appolis is a trainee facilitator with Red Zebra, a UK/SA/USA
organization which makes use of music and creativity in corporate and
community development. He co-facilitated 10,000 school children for the
first ever HIV/AIDS youth dance-athon (www.dance4life.com) in Cape Town
in November 2004.
"It's MylifE" the projects
first CD single will be launched locally and internationally in 2005,
featuring Freda Darvel, Sifiso Jezile, the Loskops and Brown. They
recently performed at the Youth Day concert in Johannesburg in front of
60,000 people
"It's MylifE" a music video and behind the scenes for the MylifE Single to be launched in 2005.
In
two years 20 young people have come off the streets, out of shelters
and/or prison and have been healing, working and developing as role
models.
We obtained out NGO status in May 2004 (Section 21 No:
2004/009512/08) MylifE has created strong support networks within the
film, music, tourism, catering and NGO sector.
MylifE has
facilitated skills development and created employment for the
leadership. They are a group of self-respecting individuals who are
developing their talents and skills as musicians, film makers and chefs
alongside professionals/mentors in these industries. They stand for
hope and the possibility of change and are an inspiration to South
Africa's youth and children.
MylifE has conducted comparative
research with other international projects through the interaction with
and understanding of a social worker and her work with the core
leaders. MylifE has actively involved the leaders in all levels of its
inception. This participative approach will remain an essential element
to the project's on-going research and development.
Our immediate funding needs concern the implementation
of the programmes: the purchase of accommodation for the youth; the
establishment of an office; administrative costs; payment for
wilderness programmes and life skills courses.
At present our
staff members are working without salaries. They are driven by their
passionate belief that the process works. However, we wish to bring the
best possible people on board to assist with our programmes. To attract
the best, people must be paid for their services.
Office (sponsored by Visual Kitchen on a temporary basis):
Tel: 27 21 488 7100
Fax: 27 21 422 4192
Postal:
P.O Box 1530
Cape Town
8000
Email: Linzee@mweb.co.za
