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Founded in 2003, Ikamva Youth (Ikamva Lisezandleni Zethu - The Future is in Our Hands) works to ensure that participants are prepared academically for tertiary study or employment, and also that they: (1) have an understanding of available careers and how to qualify for them, (2) can access funding for educational opportunities, (3) can express themselves constructively and assertively, (4) have the skills to succeed in their post-secondary endeavours (e.g. computers and Internet skills, team work), and (5) know how to protect their health.

With EMpower support in 2008 and 2009, IY extended their weekly supplementary tutoring program, computer literacy training and winter holiday school to 260 participants in two Cape Town and Kwa-Zulu Natal townships and achieved a 87% pass rate (national average is 65%) for grade 12 graduates.

Building on past EMpower support, the current grant is continuing to build the organisational capacity of Ikamva Youth. By providing salaries for key staff positions, this grant is strengthening IY’s organisational structure which will enable the delivery of their core programmatic activities in Nyanga and Cato Manor to additional 160 students.