ONE PAIR GOES A LONG WAY

In June and July this year we asked young people to GO BAREFOOT FOR THE DAY and DONATE SHOES to our SHOES 4 HOPE campaign. Young people took action, walked part of the day and some the entire day barefoot. Our SHOES 4 HOPE campaign challenged young people to put themself in someones else shoes and know how it feels like for some children who walk barefoot to school or can't go to school because they don't have shoes. With no education, their future does'nt look very bright. Having a pair of shoes will also help to play sport, fetch water and prevent them from soil-transmitted diseases. Local Pietermaritzburg schools such as TWC, Heritage Academy, Pietermaritzburg Girls High School, New England Primary, St Nicholas High School,  responded to our Call to Action and got their pupils involved and encourage their friends to get involve.

Through our partnership with CINDI NETWORK, Youth of Choice has handed over more than 1072 pairs of shoes to community based organizations which deals with vulnerable children, with a special focus on HIV and AIDS. We hope this shoe drive campaign will bring a sense of HOPE and DIGNITY to vulnerable children. As we would like to think, "ONE PAIR GOES A LONG WAY". Our CHAMPIONS 4 change in schools and our project management have done a great job running this campaign.  We need more CHAMPIONS 4 change to drive this campaign inside the schools next year and if you think you can TAKE ACTION and make a difference through this campaign, please contact our office at 033 342 2394 or email us at info@youthofchoice.org
 
About Youth of Choice

 

Youth of Choice is non-profit organization that inspires young people to take action and make a difference in their schools, campuses, communities and the world. Our aim is to be a leading global youth movement of choice by 2030 with at least 10 000 000 young people taking action, inspiring social change and driving positive impact. The young people TAKING ACTION and INSPIRING CHANGE to solve social challenges, we like to call them the "Youth of Choice". We target vibrant and dynamic young people between the ages of 14 and 24 years old who are passionate about social change. We use the power of online media platforms and popular youth culture to draw the attention of young people to take action. If they got an original idea about how to make change in their community or their school or their campus, Youth of Choice can help you to make it happen.

 

 

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Young Women Taking Action!

On 09 August 2011, South Africa commemorated the march of 1956 when women from across the racial spectrum protested against the carrying of pass books. Youth of Choice organized a Face 2 Face Seminar as part of their initiative on Women’s Day 2011 focused on giving young girls the platform to talk to one another about social challenges they see in their communities, issues that are affecting them as young women in society & inspire them to take action to tackle those issues.

 

“We as Youth of Choice we believe young women have the power to change the world and given the platform they can do greater things that can change the world”, says Jabulani Myeza the Founder of Youth of Choice.

 

Prominent issues that came out during the seminar, high levels of teenage pregnancy, peer pressure, sugar daddies, social justice and climate change.  These girls have made a choice to take action on some of these important issues through the creation of Youth of Choice Clubs which promotes the involvement of young people in community service in a fun, easy and meaningful way.

 

Youth of Choice is a non-profit organization that inspires young people to make a difference in their schools, campuses and communities.

 

 

What happen in Norway?

Tragedy struck in Norway this past weekend when the peaceful nation experienced a terrorist attack from a native Norwegian suspect Anders Behring Breivik who trained at a secret paramilitary field camp in Belarus earlier this year. At least 76 people were killed on July 22, 2011, when a Norwegian extremist bombed a government building in Oslo, the country’s capital, and later went on a shooting spree at a youth camp near the city. At least 65 of the victims were young people. Anders Behring Breivik, the alleged perpetrator of the Oslo terrorist attacks on Friday, as a Christian fundamentalist. His 1,500-page manifesto — 2083 A European Declaration of Independence — and an accompanying video reveal a more complex picture. Aside from his interest in Christianity, Breivik appears to have studied aspects of esotericism and neopaganism.

This is what South Africa and the world can learn from a german newspaper article: "Even in their deepest sorrow the Norwegians don't get hysterical. They resist the hate. It is amazing to see how politicians and the whole country reacts. They are sad to the deepest thread of their souls. They cry in dignity. But nobody swears to take revenge. Instead they want even more humanity and democracy. That is one of the most remarkable strengths of that little country."

GO BAREFOOT FOR THE DAY! And DONATE your old shoes to us...

Yes, you can make a difference.

Put yourself in someones shoes...Do you know many times some children can't go to school because they don't have shoes. With no education, their future does'nt look very bright. Having a pair of shoes will also help to play sport, fetch water and prevent them from soil-transmitted diseases.

Let's change lives on 01 June 2011. We asked you to GO BAREFOOT FOR THE DAY and DONATE YOUR SHOES to us. These must be gently used shoes that someone else can use. You can walk part of the day or the entire day. Get your school involve and encourage your friends to get involve.

We hope this shoe drive campaign will bring a sense of HOPE, DIGNITY and CHANGE YOUR LIFE as well. As we would like to think, "ONE PAIR GOES A LONG WAY"

We need CHAMPIONS 4 CHANGE to drive this campaign inside the schools and if you think YOU CAN take up this challenge, please contact our office at 033 342 2394 or email us here http://www.youthofchoice.org/contact.php 

 

Together, we can make a difference. For more information, visit http://www.youthofchoice.org/shoes_hope.php

 

 

 

The soon to be launched YOC clothing brand

 

It's here, the new YOC clothing line. When you buy a YOC tee shirt, you are not just buying apparel; you are investing in a process that will help spread the movement of choice for social change and supporting the long-term sustainability YOC. YOC Apparel is about “aspire to inspire” change.

 

The look and feel good of the brand will be fresh, hip and edgy. It redefines street smart fashion and for starters it will have tee shirts, hoodies, beanies, vets and caps. The launch of a YOC clothing apparel brand should be in the fourth term of 2011.

 

This will be followed by elements of the range being made available through selected local independent retail outlets. International distribution is likely to start in 2015 with plans for business social partners and a roll-out strategy well underway. In addition, an e-shop (YOC SHOP ONLINE) element to a standalone website will allow individuals worldwide to purchase items from the range online.

 

“The launch of the YOC Apparel is a significant step in YOC pursuit of the sustainability needed to take forward our outreach projects, advocacy awareness and prevention campaigns. YOC has evolved to become much more than just an organization but an movement of choice inspiring “call to action” to address the broader social issues in our society facing young people. To do this effectively, YOC needs reliable and sustainable income generating streams, something we believe the YOC Apparel can significantly contribute to.” said Jabulani Myeza the founder of YOC.

 

We want the YOC Apparel to be a globally recognized and a brand of choice for smart young people. The YOC Apparel will appeal to cool, fresh and affluent young people around the world. Part of our commitment is to have a positive impact messages with our new clothing line and leverage on the fusion elements such as music, dance and fashion through popular hip culture. “We are very mindful of the social responsibility we have to balance the commercial aspect of the new clothing line and vision of Youth of Choice as an organization for positive social change,” added Jabulani.

 

In creating the YOC Apparel, YOC will create new division, YOC 4 LIFE, to ensure the integrity and values of YOC filters across the entire brand.

 

“The vision with YOC Apparel is to create a global fashion brand that can stand alongside international apparel brands. We are now working on putting together a part time creative design team to look at the range of tee shirts that will have some cool and fresh design elements that speak of YOC brand in an innovative and funky way”, said Jabulani.

 

Although the full launch range will be revealed sometime next year, a dedicated creative design team at YOC 4 LIFE will create fashion-forward thinking brand, yet truly wearable range that will find young admirers across a broad section of society rocking and rolling in YOC Apparel. The YOC Apparel range will stand out for its many unique design twists, which help underscore a cool and fresh, yet very exciting connection to the organization. In addition, we will invite guest designers – both national and international – will create specific items for the YOC Apparel.

 

Our organization is emerging powerful enough to try new concepts. We are saying to young people, you can still look cool, change the world and your community. Wearing YOC Apparel brand is part of a statement of making smart choices and be part of a movement of leaders of social change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We give HOPE! Why not join our amazing TEAM of VOLUNTEERS in making a difference?

We hope we inspired this young man to see a better future...Things are turf for him but ad least yesterday Youth of Choice reached out to give him hope. He had fun & enjoyed being at our coaching clinic and forgot about his hardships...He says "Being part of YOC is exciting & I like what they teaching us about life skills". He is seen here with our volunteer Vicky Zondi sharing a good moment after receiving some cool give aways from YOC...
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ENRICHING YOUNG PEOPLE, CHANGING LIVES & COMMUNITIES

Youth of Choice, Founder & Chairman reaching out to young people in #Sobantu township today...Doing what matters, inspire change and giving hope...Thanks to our amazing volunteers for a beautiful day...
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