Education is power and know one knows this more than the youth workers with the Life Skills programme run by the Domino Foundation.

They put a high premium on empowering pupils to make wise lifestyle choices.

Operating in two township primary schools, the team teaches the lessons the curriculum requires. They also offer one-on-one mentoring, leadership development training for the Grades 4 to 6 pupils to foster stronger peer accountability, as well as some extra-murals. Space for the various activities is always at a premium and just as the workers establish a ‘home’ for their programme, the school finds itself pressed for more space for the growing school population.

Thobile Msani, leader of the Life Skills team, said that the ideal would be for the programme to have its own dedicated space at the schools where the classes of up to 40 could be accommodated.

“We would then not need to give the school authorities the headache of having to give up space they desperately need. One school, Inanda Primary, needs a ‘safe space’ in the form of a container or pre-fabricated shed so confidential counselling can take place. If we could put down roots in a facility intended for Life Skills activities only, we could do the teaching of large groups. We could also give a good measure of privacy to pupils with challenges they need to talk about, and we would be able to safely store all our teaching aids and materials,” said Ms Msani.

She said her team had estimated that a six-metre container would work well for what they need to ensure the standard of teaching and interaction with the pupils remains at the level the children deserve. Space is critical, she said, but so is security and with Durban’s heat, air-conditioning would also be on their wish-list.

Domino Foundation is appealing to manufacturers of containers and pre-fabricated outhouses, shipping companies and any other well-wishers who are interested in helping solve the Life Skills’ challenge, to contact the foundation at Lifeskills@domino.org.za or the Domino offices on 031 110 7030 or admin@domino.org.za