STUDENTS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT NEWSLETTER

They know enough who know how to learn Henry Brooks Adams, American, 1838 - 1918
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear.

Vision Community engagement at UNIVEN endeavour to be the global hub for best practices in Higher Education Community Engagement programmes Mission The Directorate of Community Engagement drives community engagement as a core value for Teaching and Learning, Research and Innovation in the rural development work of the

December 2013, Issue 1

Celebrating the 5th of December an international Volunteer day: A Tribute to President Nelson Mandela

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

A Tribute to Nelson Mandela..2 International Volunteer Day 2013 celebration ..3 -Mvelaphanda Youth Development Centre..4 -Mulisa Wa Ndele Drop-in Centre..4 -United Nations Association of South Africa Univen Chapter.5 -Amplifying Community Voices Students Association...5 Davha Agricultural Development Agency contributes positively to social development ...6 A Holistic Approach to Learner Development ...7 Positive story on volunteerism.7

Lufuno Ramabulana, speaks during International Volunteer Day

Vhamanndafhadzi team preparing to go to Makakavhale Secondary school

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela

A TRIBUTE TO TATA MADIBA

This was indeed an opportune issue for us to pay tribute to our departed hero the former Statesman President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela whose life entrenched on us ambitions to play big and serve the world, to be educated and to be in charge of our destiny. We are indebted to our hero, the global icon and the epitome of Ubuntu. This issue consists of activities of students volunteer group who formed part of the celebration of the International Volunteer day, the 5th of December 2013 at the Senate chamber. It was on the eve of this day when President Mandela departed. We will dearly miss him.

STUDENTS ORGANIZATIONS
The first portrait in this issue is of Davha Agricultural Development Agency. Lufuno Ramabulana, a UNIVEN MA student volunteer his time to transfer skills and encourage Agricultural innovation starting from Nzhelele with the hope of rolling out to the whole of South Africa one day. In his volunteering commitment he saw the need to help the youth with computer skills that he acquired from University of Venda as a student. He worked with the community with how to write business plan. Women who participated in his Programme are now able to write business plans, send and receive emails, etc. His organisation received funding support from government departments and other organizations. The CE directorate provided other forms of support , mentoring and encouragement. On page six, Vhamanndafhadzi Foundation, a Non-Profit Organization which aimed on bridging the educational gap between rural schools and their urban counterparts outline their journey and aspirations Third in this issue is a portrait of the Amplifying Community Voices Students Association. A student-based organization established to promote democracy in rural community development through adhering to the principles and philosophy of the ACVOSA articulated in the latters Charter of Positive Values.

Scholarship Opportunities..9

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST SAMP initiative Scholarships Opportunities

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY 2013 CELEBRATION

Save That Child presented about the importance of childhood education and the value of books. Save that Child, is the group of students aiming on developing the reading and vocabulary of the leaners from the childhood throw creating a- students library sort of by changing the unused facilities sort of classrooms and change it into the usable facilities the main aim is to make sure they know the use of the book and care about books and also the value of the book, our motto also says the information is always valuable even if the book is Old. Enactus also contributed positively on presentations with the notion of how volunteerism has helped them personally and collectively as a group. To be young and willing to help other takes courage and kindness. As an African proverb goes he who leans, teaches. Enactus take a better road to educate and empower the local communities with entrepreneurial skills. . Enactus is a Non-profit organization that brings students, academic and business leaders who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. Volunteerism gives someone a meaning, focus and a purpose at the same time enjoying life to the fullest. Learning and working with others one discovers the pleasure of learning and working with others and be a life-long learner. It may also help one find a career they never expected through volunteerism. It also helps one to learn to serve by the unselfish acts of participating on the work that benefit others hence a good way of discovering joy and emotional liberty. Through committed students, voluntarily facilitating business workshops for local vendors to gain eco -business skills with the help from the Thulamela Municipality, The Univen staff and Small enterprise development Agency (SEDA) and the students.

Receiving prize gifts is the active member of Enactus for participating in the celebration of IVD 2013

Students who assisted to facilitate the presentations during the event.

International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, a day that is scheduled by the United Nations in 1985. This vital day is regarded as the day for recognition of tangible and positive contribution made by the volunteers throughout the world. Community Engagement Office organized an event to observe the day with other Non-Profit Organization, students organizations and individuals who are volunteering their precious time to community and around the campus. Several organizations were present to celebrate their work and to encourage others to take part in volunteering. Young people were encouraged to do presentations as a way to see how the volunteering is helping them on academic and personal level. Several groups presented about what they do and how volunteerism has helped them.

Khathutshelo Mukwevho presents about the significance of ruralisation of education

Tendo Maphume presents about the importance of volunteerism to vulnerable children.

Humbulani Kwinda presents about early childhood reading

MVELAPHANDA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

Mvelaphanda Youth Development Centre also delivered their presentation led by Masindi Charles, a young man who is eager to learn more about how to develop his community. Mvelaphanda Youth Development is responsible for promoting a holistic sustainable development of youth (18-35) and children (12-17), from Lamvi and the surrounding villages in all aspects/ areas of youth development, through information dissemination and skills development. The secondary objectives of Mvelaphanda Youth Development Centre include: to encourage youth in education; to provide youth with an access to technology; to promote healthy lifestyle to the youth; to equip youth to face and cope with personal/ social challenges as they come across them; to encourage youth to participate in a crime free society; to link youth to participate with employment opportunities; creating a sustainable environment; to promote physical fitness to the youth and to promote moral regeneration/vhavenda cultural practices
Charles Masindi presents about the challenges faced by the youth

MULISA WA NDELE DROP-IN CENTRE

Mulisa wa Ndele Drop-in Centre also played a vital role on the day by pointing out that volunteering time to children can give internal peace of mind. Mulisa wa Ndele Drop-in Centre is a NPO which has undertaken the responsibility to care for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) from the ages of five (5) to seventeen (17) years. The last census performed revealed that 76 children were under the care of the drop in Centre. As of March 2013 the organization has been trying to introduce a sustainability factor to its operations by brainstorming ways in which it can generate the necessary revenue while also skilling, up-skilling and re-skilling its volunteers for sustainable development. It seeks to be the model for sustainable of socio-economic development by means of applying multi-pronged solutions.

UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA

United Nations Association of South Africa Univen Chapter. Their primary focus is on creating awareness and a stable network between the university, the UN and the community at large. Project involves teaching high school kids how to debate using the United Nations format, the project involves training them on how the debate will run, how to research for the debate and how to prepare their information for their position papers. They then organize a Mini Model United Nations debate where they are given a topic and country to represent for the debate. The aim of this project is to help children have a better understanding of international relations, how decisions made by state leaders affect other states and the interactions between various countries while promoting the concept of a global village to them.

AMPLIFYING COMMUNITY VOICES STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

ACVOSA member receives a gift from Prof. V O Netshandama and Mrs. Mamugudubi

The Amplifying Community Voices Students Association (ACVOSA) delivered powerful PowerPoint presentation. ACVOSA is a voluntary/charitable, University of Venda (UNIVEN) student-based organization established to promote democracy in rural community development through adhering to the principles and philosophy of the Amplifying Community Voices Programme articulated in the latters Charter of Positive Values. In pursuit of these noble aims and objectives, the association shall not deny a person membership on the basis of race, colour, ethnicity, sex, gender, pregnancy, religion, creed, marital status, nationality, disability or any other legally protected status.

A UN volunteer shares her story on volunteerism.

DAVHA AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY CONTRIBUTES POSITIVELY TO SOCIAL DAVHA AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY CONTRIBFarming Youth Programme. They are in the pilot phase of this Programme. The Department of Education gave them permission to work with their schools. In April 2001 they piloted Shura Combined primary school until November 2011. The pilot results were very successful. The program is now rolled out to twenty one schools. Learners are the vital core in disseminating information to the community. All 21 schools are far apart from one another, they range from Tshiavha to Pfumbada Primary schools. Transport becomes a challenge and it hampers their volunteering activities. Sometimes they walk long distances. Depending on availability of funds, they would like to take the program to the provincial level. MASDT (Mobile Agricultural Skills Development Training) in Mpumalanga recognized their voluntary work with learners and helped them with some agricultural imputes . SABC 2 realized and recognized their volunteerism and they broadcasted their work on Living Land Programme last year. Garden Goods Company appreciated their passion as well and they provided them with legume seeds to improve soil structures.

ufuno Ramabulana formed a Non-Profit Organization which is called Davha Agricultural Development Agency. Their vision is to empower communities through agricultural initiatives. Their Mission is to develop communities so that they improve and maintain healthy, not dependent lifestyles through the improvement in quality of life. The organizations main objectives are to provide community service to all the communities regarding Agricultural Development and other related Agricultural Support. They also want to bring back the culture of gardening in our schools and thus achieving food security in our schools. They intend to promote farming among the youth in order to develop future farmers and agriculturalist. The organisation's secondary objective is to work in collaboration with other organizations that deal with Agricultural Development At this time Davha Agricultural Development Agency has two programs: LEBATOGCA meaning Learners Back to Garden Campaign and their second Programme is called GoFaYo meaning Go

The lesson that I learned is that if you have fear, you are not going to be a successful volunteer. Remember that there is no remuneration or salary on what we are doing, we keep on telling our selves that our payments is when we see kids so excited and filled with joy in their school garden. The bonus part is when we see future farmers and Agriculturalist in the next ten years to come because that shows that the volunteering seed we planted has been grown said Lufuno.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO LEARNER DEVELOPMENT

POSITIVE STORY ON VOLUNTEERISM

A volunteer is someone who knows that it takes collective effort from both government and individuals to reach full social and economic development. A citizen must play his/her role. Just imagine a society made up by people who are keen to make change to other peoples lives. "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" John F Kennedy. Those sagacious words mean a lot to Vhutshilo. To help a group of grade 12 learners with information about bursaries, how to apply for varsity and motivate them, and never expect any reward, that's what Africa - needs in order to prosper. Though it sounds liberal its content sounds good to me. Personally I don't think here in Africa we have a leadership crisis, I think our biggest problem is that we have too many political analysts and very few volunteers. I am a solution-oriented and I have no interest in their analyses. Whenever I see a gap in development, I don't think about whose fault it is. I think of a potential solution and practical ways of implementing that solution. In that manner we still have to raise awareness to promote volunteerism in Africa. said Vhutshilo. He told himself that he will gather information and give back to his community. This makes him realized that people don't give because they have much but they do because its the moral thing to do. The information he gave to 567 grade 12 learners around Vhembe District contributed positively to social development. He believes that when a person has the fundamental knowledge and critical facts when addressing any situation in life, that person stands a very good chance of making a much more informed decision.

Vhamanndafhadzi team preparing to go to Makakavhale sec

Vhutshilo Makananise also known as Maluleke is a second year student at Univen, studying Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. He is also a volunteer at Vhamanndafhadzi Foundation. Vhamanndafhadzi foundation is a Non-Profit Organization that has been set up largely by university students. They intend on building and uplifting the conditions of rural-based learners who have the potential of furthering their studies. They therefore believe that they will be able to address challenges faced by the rural based schools through motivating learners to choose their preferred career paths, helping them apply for these paths at preferred institutions (of higher learning). Secondly they hope to tutor these identified learners so that they can achieve better results (academic excellence). As an advanced aspect they also intend on helping them adapt to student life once admitted into institutions of higher learning. The primary objectives of Vhamanndafhadzi Foundation include: career guidance; motivational talks; distribution of application forms; organizing advanced classes and tutoring and mentoring. Vhutshilo gained and learned many things just in short span of time by volunteering his time and efforts to rural education. He said that he came up with Vhamanndafhadzi Foundation concept as a vehicle to achieve full participation in volunteering. He understood the responsibilities and duties of a citizen. For our country to achieve great things it needs us as citizens to carry out the mandate as responsible citizens. While on the process of implementation, Vhutshilo met voluminous young and old progressive people who are anxious about the status quo. As a person who is eager to learn new things every time, he made it his personal ultimate goal to learn from experienced people like Prof. V O Netshandama and Mrs N. Nemadodzi, erudite and courageous women. Everyone needs a mentor!

FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

Apply Now
S A P
Who:
First Year Students 2014

tudent cademic rogram

Be The Best
Be one of 60 handpicked Univen first year students and challenge each other

M entoring

What:
Group work 2 days/week Sports Service Skill

How:
Apply in the Office of Community Engagement

Be More
Build skills every week to be ready for and to succeed in the world
To promote your student organization or students based projects contact Vhutshilo Makananise: vmakananise89@yahoo.com

Deadline:
29 January 2014

STRIVE TO DO YOUR BEST!!!! APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD) This Program offers scholarships for a full academic year of non-degree study in the United States to undergraduate emerging student leaders from underrepresented sectors of selected countries in different world regions. The program also includes community service activities and internships. Space usually is limited to a few slots. Applications close in March. TechWomen: Professional Mentorship and Exchange Program The TechWomen program will identify approximately 80 women who are emerging leaders and entrepreneurs working in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) from the Middle East & Africa for a fiveweek program in the fall of 2013, including mentorships and professional exchanges at leading companies in Silicon Valley, California, concluding with workshops, networking events and meetings in Washington, D.C. Applications Close in February. For more information and eligibility requirements please visit: http:// www.techwomen.org/how-toapply/

Take full advantage of these exciting opportunities to study abroad. For more information dont hesitate to visit Office of the Community Engagement and International Relations. Main Administration building Office No: 37 and 12.

The Abe Bailey tour in the UK has helped me to unleash my leadership potentials and skills. The program was an eye opener for me. I had the opportunity of engaging with a variety of individuals ranging from the field of politics, diplomacy, business and academic. These people were very motivating and inspiring. Through them I learnt the fundamental significance of strong leadership attributes and how they can build ones self esteem in striving for change. Most importantly, my engagement with these individuals helped me question my own intellectual capacity as a young South African. I also realized that leadership is not all about executive duties, but, rather, it is about making an impact and influencing people positively. In this way anyone can become a leader, if they are goal oriented and have a vision. I also learnt a lot from other students who represented South African Universities, who participated in the tour. From such South African student I have learnt that young people in south Radingoana Kholofelo (Abe Bailey Ambassador) Africa have so much potential in elevating and leading South Africa to be a better country regardless of colour, age or gender because, after all, South Africa belongs to all who live in it. For that reason, it is in our hands to make positive impacts on our surrounding societies. As part of the major highlight from the tour, I had the privilege to meet a variety of South African students who are pursuing their studies in universities found in the UK such as Oxford University. During our engagement, I was really inspired and highly motivated to see young South Africans who were so determined about pursuing their studies and meeting them has also helped consider my options of pursuing my studies in the UK as well. My message to UNIVEN students is that they should try by all means to unleash their potential and they will be astonished at what they are capable of. They should also take into consideration that, Potential which is unrealized can turn into pain. Robin Sharma.

CALL FOR APPLICATION: ABE BAILEY TRAVEL BURSARY 2014

The Trustees of the Abe Bailey Trust are calling for applications for the annual travel bursary to the United Kingdom. The Bursary is available for a suitable student or a junior academic member of the University. The main aim of the Abe Bailey Travel Bursary is leadership development towards nation building. Conditions for application: Senior students / junior lecturer (third year and above) South African national and must be in a position to obtain a valid South African passport. Applicants must be age 25 or less at the start of the tour. Applicants have strong academic record and has proven record of community participation/public service ethic Applicants must demonstrate all round of leadership qualities with a good track record not only on campus but also in a wider social context and who are able to function as part of a select and highly skilled group Requirements for Applications: - A completed application form - A current CV - A personal letter of motivation as to why you are applying for the bursary - Three letters of reference, none older than three years - Copies of ID, matric certificate and University academic record - Details of leadership roles in the community, at school and at the University For further enquiry and collection of the application forms please contact the office of the Deans and the School Community Engagement Representative or the following offices: Directorate of Community Engagement Office No.37, Main Admin Building Tel: 015 962 8236 Contact person. Ms. Naki Nemadodzi (nakisani.nemadodzi@univen.ac.za or nemadn@univen.ac.za)

Sources: Lufuno Ramabulana, Humbulani Kwinda, Thendo Mapume, Manner Tawanda Mukucha, Languta Matshebe, Charles Masindi and Radingoana Kholofelo Written by Vhutshilo Makananise aka Maluleke
If you have a community engagement article send it to: vmakananise89@yahoo.com

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