Day 5 - Wednesday 16 December
It’s all happy… happiness!
The bus arrived on time today… but not everyone was ready! It has taken 3 days for Africa time to catch up with being on time… but as a local man once said… “It’s all happy… happiness!” As we arrived at the conference centre we hoped for a productive day of business planning.
Firstly, we reviewed the market research the students collected from the previous session; some had even done homework. We then delivered a lesson in SWOT analysis – some students found this harder than others. However, they did grasp it in the end. We then moved onto sessions in budgeting and risk assesements.
After dinner, which was fantastic as usual, we had a talk from a local man about financial planning – the students found this very useful and took plenty of notes. Afterwards, we then cracked on with the business plan. While the students were working independently, we took the opportunity to float around the room and take plenty photos.
We made friends with some Ugandans, as well as some local youths who were also attending the conference. We have exchanged email addresses with several people hoping to establish links for the future. We are really looking forward to being in contact with them when we get home.
So far the conference has been a great success and a very rewarding experience. It has been extremely hot and the sun shone bright all day and to top it all off, we spent the evening relaxing around the pool.
Lots of love,
Charlotte and Zoe
To see a presentation on youth co-operatives in Swaziland, given at the conference today, CLICK HERE
To see a presentation on youth co-operatives in South Africa, given at the conference today, CLICK HERE
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Back in Johannesburg...
On the day we arrived in South Africa we met members of the Alexandra Ex-Combatant Assocation. These veterans from the days of the struggle against apartheid now run a co-operative where they make jewellery, and learn other new skills.
Some of the Co-operative schools in England have been selling the jewellery for them and we were able to hand over $500 from the profits they have made.
The labels on the products tell their story: "The Alexandra Ex-Combatant Assocation proudy presens a product hand-craft by a former ex-combatant. The association is made up of former Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) and azanian people’s liberation Army (ALPA) members. By manufacturing and selling these items, we aim to rise capital to start a sustainable business, supported by the Alexandra renewal programme, the city of Joburg, and The Business Place. By purchasing one of these products, You will assist our group of 30 members to become self sustaining."
When we meet the war veterens and they made a speech on how thankful they were and how they wish to supply us with more stock that we will sell back in the UK. We will hopefully sell them at more than the usual prices so that we can take them more money to help them live a normal life.
Josh Gandy.
CLICK HERE to see some of the jewellery and buy it on-line from Sir Thomas Boughey Co-operative Business and Enterprise College.
Presenting the profit
With the Alexandra Ex-Combatants Association
