I Am, We Are (IAWA) is pleased to announce that National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) has made a generous contribution of $10,000 to directly support IAWA’s South African participants in the Morafe* Leadership Development Programme. The grant from NPCA’s Community Fund comes at a critical moment, as the COVID pandemic continues to affect young students. The recent return of South Africa to level four quarantine resulted in school program cancellations, thus affecting students' social and mental well-being.
Read MoreValues drive our everyday behaviors. Who do I welcome into my life? How do I manage my time? Why do I decide to keep the door open for a person behind me? The answers to these questions epitomize our values.
Read MoreWe’re now hiring part time Youth Wellbeing Advisors in Maryland and Rustenburg, Youth Program Managers in MD and Rustenburg, and a Digital Media Coordinator in South Africa! We are looking to fill these positions ASAP. Statements of interests and resumes are being received at info@iamweareyouth.org or apply for our South Africa positions on za.indeed.com and for the MD positions on indeed.com.
Read MoreWe are excited to share our newly launched “I Am” merch line, now available at iamweareyouth.org/merch. The shirts capture the power of “I Am…” statements. It is a declaration, an affirmation, or a negation over your life. IAWA youth learn that what you say is what you think, what you think is what you feel, and what you feel is what you become so words have power.
Read MoreThanks to you, our IAWA family, I Am Here, our 5th Annual Reception and Art Auction, I Am Here, on December 5,2020 was our most successful fundraiser ever! In the midst of a pandemic, our virtual celebration and art auction raised $15,000 more than last year! All proceeds will go towards launching our new leadership development program, Morafe, enabling high-school youth in our flagship program in South Africa to convene monthly with youth in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Read MoreIn February for Black History Month, we launched our We Are Black History project where we interview IAWA members, ambassadors, and supporters to share their stories of how they are living Black history. Often, we think of history as being only in the past, but we are all living history right now, so we want to share the stories of our amazing community members! Watch our first two videos of IAWA Founder Meisha Lerato Robinson and Ambassador Thembi.
Read MoreMorafe is an inaugural program we are launching in response to COVID-19 restrictions and how these changes impact our traditional 4-year program. Morafe will be a virtual, abbreviated version of our core curriculum serving 10th graders in South Africa and the United States of America for a unique, cross-cultural, immersive, virtual learning experience. The program will take place over a 6-month period, during which youth will meet two Saturdays a month for two hour sessions, youth will participate in 3 wellbeing workshops, parents will be invited to participate in a parent workshop, and youth will have one-on-one wellbeing advising throughout the program.
Read MoreBecause of your support, last year we surpassed our fundraising goal and had huge success with our Annual Reception and Art Auction. We are excited to use those funds to launch our new program, Morafe. Morafe will work with Laurel High School in Prince George's County, MD, USA and Mmanape High School in the Northwest Province, SA. We are also expanding our team to ensure we have ample resources to support the youth in the program. We recently brought on Erin McIlraith as our Digital Media Coordinator and Montana Marks as my Assistant. With their support, we are looking forward to better consistency in our communications and expanding our reach.
Read MoreAs people who exist in time, comprised of spirit, mind, and body, here are some wellbeing tips that speak to the many facets of our being.
Read MoreWe applaud the individual voices that are forming the screams we hear from the streets declaring, "no more." We hear you. We see you. We salute you. YOU are the heroes we have been waiting for. Change doesn't happen overnight. Yet, history proves that righteous anger, bold courage, and peaceful protest can topple systems of oppression.
Read MoreWhat do you think of the statement “Patience is virtue?” I always saw it as a cliché and never really understood it until I encountered lockdown this year. To me this lockdown feels like the entire nation or maybe the world is locked: no one is allowed to see anyone, services, schools and universities are closed, only essential workers like doctors are working and the normal day to day activities an individual is used to are no more. This time of lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic has been difficult for me and everyone I know across the globe.
Read MoreWorksheetCloud Live Lessons is offering FREE lessons for ALL South African learners during the national lockdown.
Read MoreIAWA is honored to welcome Jeanette Mahave to our team at this critical time. Jeanette is a teacher at Charora High School, where many of our Ambassadors are finishing their last year of high school.
Before South Africa entered lock-down to halt the spread of Covid-19, we are grateful that Jeanette went out of her way to make sure the Ambassadors had the materials and support they need to stay on track.
Read MoreMatric study resources for all subjects.
Read MoreTune into Ukhozi FM for Term 1 matric revision classes, 09h00 – 09h30, 15h00 – 15h30, and 21h00 – 22h00.
Read MoreFriends of South Africa recently partnered with I Am, We Are (IAWA) for the fourth annual benefit reception at the Embassy of South Africa in Washington, DC. The benefit theme, “I Am A Masterpiece,” celebrated the masterpiece in the making and work of art that is each of us while benefiting I Am, We Are. Friends of South Africa members volunteered time and donated items for the benefit auction.
Read MoreAfter four years, we are excited to announce our first group of Ambassadors have celebrated their graduation, and the completion of IAWA’s pilot program.
Hosted by Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, the ceremony took place at the Royal Marang Hotel, where parents and the Rustenburg community were on hand to witness the Ambassadors receiving their diplomas.
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