Salesian Annual Report 2018

The Waves of Change Programme facilitated the following:
Medical examinations
SALESIAN INSTITUTE YOUTH PROJECTS ANNUAL REPORT 2018
Seafarers are required to undergo a medical examination to reduce risk to other crew members and for safe operation
of the ship, as well as to safeguard their personal health and safety. A total number of 201 clients obtained their medical
certificates.
Safety familiarisation training
The Shipping and Training College, South Africa (STC-SA), still generously provides pro bono Safety Familiarisation Training
(SFT) and can accommodate 20 students per course. This includes two days of training, lunch on the first day and practical
training in the pool. Our other training partners I&J, Sea Safety Training Group and the Academy of Medical Medicine have
assisted with those who are not accommodated by STC-SA. A total number of 140 clients went through the SFT.
Seaman’s record books
A seaman’s record book is regarded as a continuous record of a seaman’s service and so certifies a person as a seaman.
Waves of Change submitted 144 seaman’s books to SAMSA and 122 clients received their seaman’s book.
Employment
The finalisation of fishing quotas impacted on job placement. Vessels with permits for sharks and tuna were the only ones
in operation. From January 2018 to February 2019, 83 WOC clients (38%) were employed.
Life skills training remained a crucial component in graduates achieving economic self-sufficiency. Exposure levels
to workplace and interview skills were non-existent prior to training. Similarly, the behaviours required for acquiring,
retaining and developing in employment were absent. When acquiring entry-level employment, the interview and CV skills
of our WOC graduates were noted by employers, who were very impressed with the confidence, motivation, attitude and
behaviours of the youth being interviewed.
Waves of Change 2018 achievements
Annual targets YTD numbers achieved % achieved
200 youth completed the life skills course 216 108%
200 youth attended at least one seafarer training course 231 116%
100 youth received medical examinations 202 202%
100 youth submitted SAMSA applications 144 144%
100 youth received seaman’s record book 144 144%
60% of graduates were placed into jobs, on learnerships or
were studying further within nine months of year end
72 33%
Success
Story
Mandla Shopu
A future, an income and hope –
all thanks to Mr. Focus
Mandla Shopu is a determined
young man focused on making a
success of his life, despite the many
obstacles he has encountered.
When he completed high
school in 2008, he could not find
employment. Mandla then heard
from a friend that there might be a
job opportunity at the Waterfront in
construction.
Whilst at the Waterfront, he saw
some people sitting at the Viking
fishing facility and he thought to
himself: “Maybe I should try working
at sea”, and with that, he started
talking to the people, asking how he
could get into the industry and what
the requirements were.
Mandla was directed to the
Salesian Institute Youth Projects
where the Waves of Change
programme guided youth at risk in
preparation for working at sea.
He was told to contact Mr. Focus
(Abraham Lottering), the Waves of
Change programme facilitator.
This is where Mandla had to start
improvising plans that would bring
him to the Salesians and assist him
in his plans to secure employment
at sea. Mandla did not have any
transport money. What he did was to
“steal train”. This means that when
someone cannot afford a train ticket,
they get onto the train without
paying – hoping that security will not
catch and prosecute them.
Mandla had to find ways of
resolving transport difficulties
in order to get to the Salesian
Institute during his orientation
period and to return several times
over a five-month period to get all
his paperwork sorted out. He then
travelled to Cape Town to secure
employment. To get a job was his
primary focus. Growing up with an
absent father and a mother who
passed away at an early age, Mandla
wanted security more than anything.
That came in the form of a job
opportunity at Amsol. His patience
and perseverance finally paid off.
He secured a one-year contract
working in the engine room of a big
sea vessel laying telecommunication
cables on the ocean floor.
“This opportunity was worth more
than gold,” Mandla said. “I had a
future and an income. I now have
hope. This would not have been
possible without the assistance of
Mr. Focus and the Salesian Institute
Youth Projects.”
Mandla continues to work for
Amsol and will continue attending
training offered by them to further
his career with them. •
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