This project forms part of Government’s skills development plan and targets unemployed people.  The project forms part of the broader Expanded Public Works Programme where the aim is to equip people with skills and through various projects help unemployed people in particular gain enough skills to build up towards a qualification which could aid them in finding employment.  The value that Kolping brings to the SAAMSTAAN project is the KSA life skills course.  Even government recognises that students who complete a Kolping life skills course are more focused and goal orientated in any further training they may receive.  As Kolping we realise that government projects are not permanent and after participants complete their training with government over 6 months many of them would need to consider starting their own businesses.  We have encouraged trainees on the SAAMSTAAN project to complete government training and to try and get as much training as possible.  On top of this they are encouraged to also consider what self employment opportunities exist in their local communities.

The SAAMSTAAN project has seen KSA become involved in life skills training for over 100 participants.  KSA has trained community members from Bonteheuwel, Elsies River and Mfuleni in life skills.  These participants are currently working on upgrading local schools in their communities.  The success of this training has meant that the Departments of Labour and the Department of Transport has called on Kolping to do life skills training in other areas of the SAAMSTAAN project.  Over the months of November and December KSA has had the opportunity to train 46 participants in life skills from the Albertinia and Barrydale communities.  These participants are involved in the routine road maintenance arm of the SAAMSTAAN project.  From the 9 November to the 24 November 2006, KSA trained 24 participants in Albertinia.  The 12 day life skills course was run at the Theronsville community centre in Albertinia and covered all the aspects students would cover in WOP or KTC life skills training.  From the 20 November to the 5 December, KSA trained 22 participants in Barrydale.  The same 12 day life skills course was run at the Fortshaven Community Centre in Smithsville, Barrydale.  This project was a very interesting venture for KSA as it meant that facilitators were required to be away from home for up to 17 days in communities where Kolping had not operated before.  It is with great pride that we can report that the life skills training in both these communities were a great success.  Not only did KSA meet all the specific outcomes of the government programme but we managed to carry the philosophy of Blessed Adolph Kolping into communities in the Klein Karoo.  It must be said that the members of these training programmes opened their hearts and homes to the KSA training team.  More than one tear was shed when the time came to say our goodbyes. 

The local community development workers in the form of Elroy Terblanche (Albertinia) and Sudonia Europe (Barrydale) must be thanked for their high levels of commitment and support for the life skills training as well as the KSA training teams.  These two individuals served as our local contacts with the municipalities of Albertinia and Barrydale and were a true testament to the friendliness and hospitality of the people of the Klein Karoo.  A very big thank you from the entire KSA training team. 

A special thanks to the KSA staff who aided in anyway to ensure the success of the Klein Karoo life skills training.  At this point I would personally like to thank the KSA Klein Karoo training team consisting of Sandra Sunker, Theodore Motto, Basil Ellman and Arnelle Meyer.  Your personal sacrifice and commitment to the KSA life skills course has meant that the lives of the participants in Albertinia and Barrydale have changed for the better.  This wonderful but yet extremely hectic training venture has rounded off what has been a remarkable training year for KSA.

Yours in Education and Training

Charlton Ziervogel