SOUTH AFRICA: Teacher empowers students, showcases work as welder
Don Bosco Educational Projects holds graduation
SOUTH AFRICA
(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Educational Projects, located in Ennerdale, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa, recently held graduation for students finishing intensive courses in electricity, construction and merchandising. During the principal’s address, he urged students to help build their communities with their newly acquired skills. He also said that it was a real joy to educate youth and encouraged them to be grateful to their parents for the sacrifices they made to help them achieve their dreams.
While educating all students, the school also has a focus on empowering women who are studying in male–dominated fields. One teacher, Vilakazi, is also a woman welder.
Vilakazi loves her working environment at the Don Bosco school and enjoys encouraging her students. She explained, “I learn to appreciate these young people because they come from backgrounds that are tough and challenging. I learn to appreciate their talents and skills..”
In all of the work the Vilakazi does, at the heart is challenging her students to always do better and aim higher. She is proud of the work she has done in and out of the classroom. As a welder, she was involved in the construction of the 2010 World Cup Stadium and the construction of the famous Medupi Power Station.
Vilakazi has faced her share of discrimination and notes she is more prone to exploitation. She has had employers look at her resume and think because she is a woman, she can’t work as fast as a man or as hard as a man. She counters that argument by saying, “In actual truth, women are far better welders than men because it is a very delicate skill that requires precision. We live in a very superficial time where everyone wants to look pretty, have our nice nails and then you get girls like me who are welders.”
Poverty is extensive in South Africa with more than half the population and more than 63% percent of children living below the poverty line, according to UNICEF. A significant percentage of the population struggles to survive on less than $1 a day. The country is plagued by high crime rates and violence against women and girls, and it has been the hardest hit in the world by the HIV/AIDS crisis.
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Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
ANS – South Africa – Diploma Ceremony for students at the Don Bosco Educational Projects in Ennerdale
Salesian Missions – South Africa
UNICEF – South Africa
