Group Members

[Virtual Presenter] We are thrilled to have everyone here for our meeting on enhancing educational prospects for students in disadvantaged communities. As an educator in higher education, I am proud to be part of this team and contribute to this vital mission. Collectively, we aim to tackle the challenges that students face, such as limited educational resources, substandard facilities, unstable living conditions, social influences, and family barriers. Through the establishment of community learning centers, mentorship and tutoring programs, nutrition and well-being support, and sustainability and long-term impact on learners, we hope to provide comprehensive support to students and foster their academic success. I am eager to collaborate with you all and eagerly anticipate our discussion on the following slide..

[Audio] We will discuss the key barriers faced by students in their academic journey. Malatja D.N, Mashaba L, Makuapane K.C, and Mathuba K are members of our group. Each brings a unique perspective to the discussion..

[Audio] We understand the challenges that our group members face when it comes to their living conditions. Malnutrition, frequent changes of residence, and poor living conditions at home can all impact their academic performance and their ability to learn effectively. Additionally, social influence and peer pressure can lead to school dropout and a lack of support from family can lead to unmotivated behavior. However, we are committed to providing our group members with the support and resources they need to overcome these challenges and succeed in their academic endeavors..

[Audio] Some of our group members may be facing family challenges that could impact their ability to participate actively in learning. We recognize that these challenges, such as divorces between parents, overwhelming workloads from home, abusive behaviors from parents, the passing of a breadwinner, can be challenging for learners and impact their confidence and ability to learn. We are here to support our group members and provide the resources and guidance they need to overcome these challenges..

[Audio] We have four members in our group, each with unique skills and experiences to contribute. Malatja is a student at X-Y-Z University and has established community learning centers and mentorship programs in the past. Mashaba is a student at A-B-C University and has worked with underused rooms at schools to establish community learning centers and mentorship programs. Makuapane has a background in business and is committed to supporting local businesses in establishing community learning centers and mentorship programs. Mathuba has a background in education and is passionate about providing mentorship and tutoring programs for community members. She has experience in working with volunteers to establish after-school programs, homework help sessions, and skill-building workshops..

Nutrition and Well-being Support Meals Program: Partner with local food banks and grocery stores to provide nutritious meals at the centres. Healthcare: Partner with local clinics for health check-ups and counselling. Parental and Community Involvement Workshops: Hold workshops for parents on how to help their child with their education, on financial planning, and on healthy living. Community Events: Hold community events that make them feel part of a belonging and create shared responsibility in the education of children..

[Audio] We present a strategy for mobilizing resources to create a sustained impact on learners. We discuss the ways in which we can secure funding from educational foundations and local government through grant writing. We also seek in-kind donations from local businesses, by appealing to businesses for the donation of supplies and services. We recognize the importance of time and skills in resource mobilization, which is why we have established volunteer networks to provide sustained support and expertise to our learners. Collaborative partnerships with schools and community organizations are another key aspect of our resource mobilization strategy, as they allow for resource sharing and coordination of efforts to create a more comprehensive and effective support system for our learners. Finally, we believe that the involvement of local government is essential to creating a sustained impact on our learners. By working with local government to develop policies and secure additional funding, we can ensure that our learners have access to the resources they need to succeed..

Monitoring and Evaluation Feedback Mechanism: Periodically collect feedback from the students, parents, and volunteers about the evaluation of the programs. Tracking Progress: Progress tracking involves observing academic performance as well as other selected wellness indicators in measuring the impact..