Youth House Renovation

It is an unfortunate reality that many youth of this generation grow up in families that are unstable or broken. YMS sees young people hurt from abuse, neglect or need on a regular basis. It is a value of YMS to see these young people rise above their situations and backgrounds. One of the ways YMS has been able to do this is through the YMS youth house.

The youth house, which is within the Refilwe premises, is home to YMS youth leaders and students (all male). This house serves as a safe place to stay for those who have fallen subject to an inhibited upbringing. We have seen the potential in these vulnerable students from the community and would like to not only give them a place to stay, but train them as YMS leaders to serve their community. It is important that all the students that stay in the house excel in all areas including school work because they are setting an example for those with whom they will be working.

The criteria for staying in the youth house:
• School attendance and/or
• Part of small enterprise development/skills development within Refilwe
• 18 years or older
• 12 young people, initially men
• Upkeep of the house
• Maintain a working food garden

YMS is very excited to announce that a company by the name of Satreno has offered their time and resources to completely renovate the youth house. The house was given to YMS in desperate need of repair, so we are truly blessed by this opportunity. The renovations range from a vegetable garden extension, new beds and bedding, a brand new kitchen, and more! Satreno, a business consulting company based in Pretoria, is bringing 30 staff from their office to assist in the all day renovation. The Satreno staff will be at Refilwe on 9 October to execute the project alongside YMS and the Refilwe children, as this will be a good opportunity for them to learn how to serve their community.

Satreno has made several visits to Refilwe to get the process started. They have already brought basins, poly filler, and other supplies for us to do all the prep work for the house before the big day.

At the moment, there are only three guys staying in the youth house, but after the renovation, we will be accepting applications for up to 12 young men!

YMS and the future students of the youth house are eternally grateful to Satreno for this incredible blessing.

YMS Tennis

Talking about Saturday Live and our youth is probably the most fun and relative to report on, but it isn't the only department under YMS. We wanted to give you a glimpse of the first half of our sports department: TENNIS, and Canny (pronounced like Kenny), lovingly referred to as "Coach" by the children

Canny Moyo came to Refilwe in November 2010 and began teaching tennis at the Refilwe primary school two days a week. For the first 8 months, Canny did not receive any remuneration for the skill he was teaching. Only recently has he been sponsored by Tennis Inc to teach the children in the Lanseria area.

The tennis began with only 7 children, and has grown to 26 children from Refilwe as well as the community in just a few short months. Canny reports that every child he works with has had no previous experience in tennis, but has improved greatly. The ages of the kids range from 5-19. Canny begins his days by working with the smallest children who are the least experienced, and even uses some of the older kids, from 11upwards, to help him teach. He rotates the youth and children in groups so that they receive equal practice time.

Canny uses the court 5 times a week. He teaches the Refilwe and community kids on Tuesday and Friday each week from 15:00-17:00. He also trains Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 15:00-17:30. In addition to personal tennis training, Canny is part of the YMS leadership team and attends leadership development each morning in order to further his leadership skills.

Canny can recall one 15-year old boy named Steve who came to him not even knowing how to hold a racket. Just since March of this year, he has become the most improved of all the children Canny works with.

A short term goal of the YMS tennis is to see the children improve on a daily basis and to get them prepared for tournaments as early as this year November. They have greatly improved in their techniques, backhand, and forehand swings, volley and they are currently working on their serves.

A long term goal of the tennis is to see these children take tennis seriously and advance even into the professionals. They have been given a unique opportunity to gain skills and we want to see them succeed in this way.