Earlier this year the Women’s Ministries department of Kuils River Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church embarked on a mission to teach young girls of 10 to 18 years life skills in the form of a 10-module course.
Women’ Ministries director Phumla Nteo from Bellville said the invitation for their “My sister, my friend programme” was extended internally, as well as externally to girls in the Sarepta area and Irista Primary School.
“The coursework was supported by SDA churches in our district – Kuils River, Belhar and Kalkfontein. The coursework was balanced with self-esteem, budgeting skills, discovering gifts and talents, leadership development and religion, amongst other topics.”
Around 40 girls regularly attended the course that was offered free of charge. There girls came from Kuils River, Sikhokele (Kalkfontein), Wesbank and Belhar SDA churches, as well as Irista and Kuils River primary schools.
Nteo said the aim of the programme was to help girls find their passion and purpose, to empower them as young women, and to gain essential skills that will help them meet challenges and opportunities in the future.
On Saturday 11 November the girls marched along with Pathfinders (scouts from the church) from Irista Primary to the Kuils River church for a graduation ceremony.
Officials from the Sarepta traffic department escorted the group to ensure everyone’s safety.
“This was a good collaborative between the church and the community. I hope we can encourage other institutions to do the same,’’ Nteo said.
