Hi! My name is Brianna Raymes and I am studying abroad in South Africa at the University of Cape Town for the semester. I am apart of a service-learning program that combines community engagement with academics to help address pervasive impoverished conditions that are faced by many South Africans. The community that I work with is Ned Doman High School and it is made up of students from all over the city who come from low-income households. I chose to work in this school because education in South Africa is extremely important to the status and empowerment of individuals. If a South African obtains their matric (high school diploma), it can fast track you to success. Ned Doman has numerous students who are smart, dedicated, and full of potential, however the system lacks some key tools to help them succeed. I believe that a peer support/self-empowerment program can be created to inspire individuals and help them recognize their untapped capabilities.

To make this program possible, I am trying to raise the funds that would be put towards the support of an existing organization that facilitates training sessions for students. The training sessions will first help encourage students to pursue their dreams. It will also include coaching, designed to support the concept that if they are dedicated to change, they will then see the possibilities that can help make their dreams become reality. Moreover, they will be able to take what they’ve learned and share it with their peers in class. Peer empowerment is a very effective and powerful technique to affect change. It is my belief and hope that starting up this program will enable a sustainable peer support and empowerment program that will last for years to come.

With the implementation of this program at Ned Doman High School, the overall sense of community will increase. Learners throughout the school will be given a new outlet of friends and peers to confide in about anything that may be going on in their lives. Please help me turn this program into a success, with the potential to have a lasting impact at the school!