LC Supports Foundation and Wilderness Foundation Africa conclude Siyazenzela course
Aug. 30, 2021
LC Packaging South Africa, LC Supports Foundation (LCSF) and Wilderness Foundation Africa (WFA) worked together on empowering vulnerable young people from African communities in which LC Packaging (in)directly operates with skills to help them with pathways to various livelihood opportunities. This summer, the Siyazenzela training course was concluded, including content for which LC Packaging colleagues took part.
Course overview
The course commenced with an Orientation & Selection Day after which 15 of the 35 participants who were best suited for the training were selected. During two and a half weeks, they followed 3 traditional Siyazenzela themes:
- Emotional & Social Wellness
- Occupational & Financial Wellness
- Physical & Environmental Wellness
Additionally, this particular course also included the theme ‘Recycling and Waste Management’. The aim was to introduce and promote the concept and encourage the youngsters to partake in recycling initiatives in their communities. The topics covered included: The importance of recycling; Recyclable materials; Reuse, Reduce & Recycle; Recycling and Business; and Waste Management Solutions. They also visited Flowe-Pack and LC Packaging production facility LC Shankar to become more familiar with the use of recyclable materials.
Finally, the 15 Siyazenzela learners, accompanied by some LC Packaging representatives, attended a one-day wilderness nature trail. The goal was to introduce them to the beauty and healing power of the local wilderness areas while also conveying key conservation and environmental awareness messages. The outing allowed the students to reconnect with nature and hopefully inspired them to conserve what is theirs.
LC colleagues as tutors
LC Packaging and LC Shankar staff members were involved in the training course and outings, with some even testing their hand at facilitation.
In this manner, LC Shankar General Manager, Bheki Qoma-Thukwane facilitated a section on the Basic Conditions of Employment, and Darryl Cowan, LC Packaging South Africa Financial Manager, a lesson on Financial Wellness.
Darryl: “I really enjoyed spending time with the candidates teaching them about the world of finance and I look forward to doing it again in the future”. Bheki strongly agrees adding: “It was an amazing experience to be part of such a great initiative. The students looked excited and energised to face the world with the skilled acquired from the two weeks training.”
Student feedback
Siyazenzela means “we are doing it for ourselves” and it is heart-warming to see that is exactly what was achieved during this training. Some of the feedback we received:
- “I got to understand myself better. I started to believe in myself and now know I am worth all the dreams I have.”
- “I am now willing to take a big step forward in order to accomplish my dreams.”
- “I have found myself.”
- “I feel more confident and willing to change for a better future, create my best future.”
- “Siyazenzela has changed my life by showing / teaching me to be patient that my day to shine is coming.”
About LC Supports Foundation
The LC Supports Foundation contributes to improving the welfare and environment of communities where LC Packaging is directly or indirectly present. LCSA does so by participating in projects in these regions - such as local charitable initiatives - by providing financial or material support, training or physical participation or by donating to registered charitable organisations abroad that (almost) exclusively serve the public benefit.