By Ken Giunta | Project Leader
BOKAMOSO LIFE CENTRE
April-July 2022 REPORT
APRIL 2022
The Bokamoso Life Centre organized a theatre-focused field trip excursion for Bokamoso Youth, interested in learning about lighting, technical and audience development. This program was led and developed by professional facilitators in concert with the Life Centre’s Arts Director to introduce students to theatre lighting and sound techniques. Students were also able to witness a performance with and without an audience, to witness how a show can strategically capture audience interest and attention throughout a performance.
MAY 2022
The Sechaba Research Centre visited the Bokamoso Life Centre where they conducted workshops for Bokamoso Youth about infectious diseases (e.g. COVID-19, HIV-AIDS, and STIs) and how to protect themselves from contracting such diseases as well as what to do and who to contact for help should they become infected or affected. Meals were provided
The South African Department of Social Development (Johannesburg Office) also conducted a workshop for Bokamoso Youth about reproductive health.
JUNE 2022
In June, the Centre was visited by the South African Department of Social Development (DSD-Pretoria Office). The purpose of this visit was to inform Bokamoso Youth about the dangers of substance abuse and human trafficking. DSD representatives also provided snacks for the youth attending these sessions.
Also in June, the Bokamoso Life Centre hosted a Career Expo Day, which is an annual event designed to inform Bokamoso Youth about career opportunities, choices and paths to career development. Several institutions of post-secondary educational institutions as well as those that offer vocational training participated in this workshop, including Pretoria University, Tshwane University of Technology, Tshwane South College, and Jozzman Security Services and Training.
On June 16, the Bokamoso Life Centre hosted an event on National Youth Day in South Africa. This is the day that the country reflects on the massacre of school children during the Soweto uprising in 1976. It was a day that began as a peaceful demonstration by students against Apartheid education practices.
JULY 2022
At present, a significant percentage of the funding for the programs at the Bokamoso Life Centre, are raised in the United States from individuals and church congregations in the Greater Washington D.C. area, where the Centre’s traditional U.S. based funding partners are located. Many of these U.S.-based donors are local church congregations and individuals affiliated with the Life Centre’s longstanding partner, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland. Historically, these funds are raised through ticketed events where Bokamoso Youth perform traditional South African songs and dances, during their annual cultural exchange program to the United States. Since the advent of COVID-19 and restrictions on international travel from South Africa, the Bokamoso Life Centre has had to adapt and be creative in its outreach to its U.S-based partners, while also diversifying its funding outreach to sources globally and in South Africa.
On July 17, the Bokamoso Life Centre participated in a live broadcast to Westminster Baptist Church in Maryland, where the youth provided live singing and dance performances, presented personal testimonials of their life journeys and experiences, and led the Westminster congregation in readings and in prayer.
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