Empowering Garden Route Youth: BIG Hearts Initiative Offers Vital Workplace Experience

The Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative, in a heartening partnership with the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), has once again illuminated the path for young South Africans seeking workplace experience. Seventeen determined youths from the scenic Garden Route are set to begin a transformative journey, armed with new skills and hope for the future.

Following a successful prior induction on July 18, a second group took part in an equally pivotal session on July 22, 2024. Operating under the wings of the BIG Hearts organization and GRDM's Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), these induction sessions are the prologue to a year-long narrative of learning and growth.

BIG Hearts, guided by the compassionate hand of Christine van Niekerk, directs these young minds toward not just understanding the logistics of the program but truly adopting the essence of their valuable year ahead. Contracts have been inked at the Garden Route District Municipality, signifying both a commitment and a welcome into the workforce.

The cast of supporters, including GRDM’s property development chairperson, Cllr Hilton Stroebel, and EPWP manager, Richard Dyantyi, stand by as pillars of encouragement. Stroebel’s words, brimming with motivation, serve to ignite a fire in the hearts of participants. The message is strong and clear: this is an invitation to grasp at a future bright with possibilities, to embody the hope that will shine as a beacon for others.

While these young members of society eagerly anticipate their deployment across GRDM and local municipalities like Knysna, Mossel Bay, and Ladismith, there is more than just work experience on the horizon. Key environmental concerns such as waste management will be prominent in their roles, ensuring that their impact is both socially and ecologically beneficial.

The initiative carries with it the promise of fair compensation, funded by public sectors, with GRDM taking charge of all administrative expenses. August 1, 2024, marks the outset of what is hoped to be an influential chapter in their careers and personal development.

The image capturing these young individuals, alongside GRDM’s EPWP representatives and Oudtshoorn Municipality, is a testament to a community united for youth empowerment. It represents a stride forward—a symbol of collaboration and investment in human capital for the betterment of society at large.