Youth Development Programme Business Plan
BUSINESS PLAN
Introduction
MensTrust Southern Africa has been running personal growth and development programmes for men and boys since 2001. The first event was a Gathering of Men held in November 2001. This Gathering was facilitated by a group of men from New Zealand and USA. The Group of men who participated in the Gathering decided to form MensTrust Southern Africa. After the second Gathering of Men it was decided to share and encourage men to co-create weekend experiences for men and boys on a regular basis.
MensTrust works on the principle that men spending time together in a supportive and empowering environment creates stronger, longer lasting friendships and produces lasting change. MensTrust encourages men to join by participating in a weekend workshop. At the completion of the workshop a support group is created that continues to meet on a regular basis. Several events initiated by other MensTrust support groups are also open to participants – thereby creating an inclusive and supportive men’s community. These workshops are co created by groups of men who wish to share their personal skills and knowledge with other men in a safe and trusting environment.
MensTrust Youth Development programme works on the principle of mentoring youth in developing their full potential through being mentored by men from their community. These programmes are facilitated by men who have participated in MensTrust weekend workshops and have received facilitation skills training.
MensTrust Youth Development Programme will be launched to train boys to become mentors and peer-educators in their schools to educate learners on peer pressure, crime, domestic violence and gender based violence, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. They will encourage the creation of peer support groups in their schools.
MensTrust aims to empower boys by:
Inviting boys from the selected schools to attend a series of weekly workshops on issue faced by youth in schools and in their community. The boys who attend these sessions will be invited to participate in a weekend workshop.
The weekend workshop will focus on building trust and team building, facing their fears, dealing with conflict and their anger, and provide tools to inspire and motivate the boys. This workshop contains a combination of fun and serious exercises that encourage them to explore themselves on a deeper level. These workshops are facilitated by men from the community who wish to share their skills and knowledge to mentor the boys to reach their full potential and to take responsibility for their actions.
These boys will be supported for 18 weeks after the weekend workshop by attending a facilitated meeting once a week in their school. Topics will include, communication skills, listening and empathizing, confrontation and conflict resolution, substance abuse and HIV/Aids.
On completion of the 18 weeks of training the boys will be offered training in facilitation, leadership and how to create a peer support group over 12 weeks.
These boys will form a core group of peer-educators who will be asked to create peer support groups in their school and educate learners on peer pressure, crime, domestic violence and gender based violence, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS.
MensTrust is aware that providing training for boys without ongoing supervision and support thereafter is not beneficial. Long term behaviour change happens through ongoing participation, support and monitoring from a programme.
Facilitators will attend monthly supervision sessions as well as receive advice and support when ever necessary. Additional training and upgrading of skills will also be offered. In this way a sustainable and accountable service will be made available and the goal of social reconstruction is responsibly addressed.
MensTrust is looking to employ a community worker in each of the schools to assist the implementation of the programme and provide support to the boys in schools .This community worker will also be expected to give talks and workshops on topics such as domestic violence, HIV/Aids, fatherhood and family issues. He will assist with the integration and transition groups after the event.