Black Swan Community Development envisions an empowered civil society, within which individuals have an increased sense of self-worth, self-confidence and self-reliance and, consequently, a greater involvement in community life and development. Active citizens, we believe, can influence, shape and drive positive initiatives for prosperity and peace.
To this end, we partner with our network of social change-makers in business, community associations, non-governmental organisations and training professionals to identify skills deficits and support individuals and groups through targeted training courses, sustained mentorship and periodic evaluation and review of their progress.
As it strives to create a future worthy of our dreams, Black Swan works primarily amongst adults, particularly young adults, women, the disabled and unemployed. Learning interventions are grounded in sound experience, are well-planned, discussed with and supported by the communities and organisations involved. Small and large initiatives, accredited and non-accredited courses always integrate literacy and numeracy, personal financial competence, critical thinking, conflict resolution, team building and computer literacy in context.
Integrated English and End User Computing Skills presented in partnership with the Association for People with Disabilities.
The National Planning Committee, established in 2009 has identified the following problems (amongst others) facing South African Society:
- Poor education outcomes
- Unemployment
- Crumbling nfrastructure
- High disease burdens
- Poor public service
- Near-endemic corruption
- A resource intensive, value-locked economy
Women in under-resourced communities respond eagerly to entrepreneurial training, by controlling and using their limited assets to respond to shared needs such as small child care enterprises.
The Employability Enhancement Programme for senior school learners from under-resourced schools around Lanseria benefitted not only the participants, but also the young university students, who volunteered as tutors. Several learners were able to find work immediately after matriculating as trainees in various fields, including ICT, while volunteer tutors were surprised by the value employers placed on their involvement.
Local and international studies* measuring training outcomes in diverse communities have concluded that participants in training interventions, particularly women and young adults, display
on a personal level
- improved grasp of personal matters such as health, family planning and relationships
- enhanced confidence in their ability to express their feelings and share ideas
- increased involvement in household decision-making (women and young adults))
- greater domestic harmony, task sharing and familial cohesion
- a more determined commitment to uninterrupted children’s education, particularly that of girl children
on a social level
- greater awareness of social iniquities such as gender discrimination, sex-trafficking, etc.
- more extensive use of dominant technologies for communication and access to information
- decreased dependence on social security and greater self-reliance
- voluntary involvement in community and civic organisations
- steady formation of community initiatives such as micro-credit groups/savings and loans groups/stokvels, home food security support groups and health support visitors
- greater awareness of environmental issues and their personal impact on the environment
on an economic level
- self-sufficiency in home food production, particularly in rural areas
- involvement in municipal decisions particularly on water reticulation and sanitation
- involvement in income-generating activities such as poultry, honey or vegetable production
on a political level
- strengthened understanding of the rule of law
- amplified support of reforms and community development projects
- better understanding of good governance
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Contact Us:
Email: admin@blackswansa.org
Tell: 011 391 7886