Councillor Eddie Andrews supports local youth with stationery donations
Councillor Eddie Andrews, pictured in the middle, along with the Decision Affects Destinies (DAD) youth ambassadors at the stationery handover.
Image: Supplied
Ward 73 councillor Eddie Andrews handed over stationery to participants in the Decision Affects Destinies (DAD) Youth Mentorship Programme on Wednesday, January 14.
The DAD Youth Mentorship Programme is a partnership between Mr Andrews and the Hillsong Africa Foundation (HAF), funded through his ward allocation grant.
The initiative aims to support children and youth through mentorship, leadership development, and structured academic and social support.
Ward 73 includes the areas of Bergvliet, Diep River, Plumstead, Constantia and Meadowridge.
Approximately 40 pupils living in Ward 73 each received a fully stocked school bag containing essential stationery, including exercise books, pens, pencils, colouring pencils, highlighters, mathematics sets and other learning materials.
According to Mr Andrews, this support aims to remove practical barriers to learning and ensure that pupils can start the school year with confidence and dignity.
“These learners have demonstrated commitment, discipline and personal growth throughout the year. By providing the tools they need at the start of the school year, we are creating an environment where they can focus on their education and on making positive decisions that shape their futures,” he said.
The DAD Youth Mentorship Programme follows a holistic development approach and offers activities such as homework hubs, tutoring programmes, educational excursions, hikes and an annual leadership camp.
HAF representative, Tanya Sampson, said her organisation also facilitates mentorship programmes with the youth of Ward 73.
She said they run life skills programmes and also take the youth on environmental excursions. "We believe that the stationery handover is an investment in the future of the children. Many of them come from difficult circumstances, and this atleast take this burden of buying stationery from their parents," she said.
Ms Sampson believes that this stationery will help the youth towards having a successful academic year.
The programme is open to children and youth residing in Ward 73. Parents who wish to register their children can do so by emailing Ward.73@capetown.gov.za.