by marketing | Jan 24, 2024 | News @ ORT, Old News, Uncategorized
Celebrating International Education Day
We celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, different festivals, and many other occasions to mark special moments. International Education Day is equally important, though perhaps less recognized. A key factor that distinguishes humans from other mammals is our ability to learn, grow, and transfer skills and knowledge. More than this, we have the unique capacity to share this learning, impacting our families and communities.
ORT SA, an education-focused NGO, believes in the transformative power of education. Education exceeds the mere imparting of academic knowledge; it enables individuals to discover their potential, passion, and purpose in life, charting a course towards a better future.
ORT’s STEM, Coding, and Robotics programs in schools, along with our Skills Development courses and Enterprise Development initiatives, have demonstrated that education equips people with the capability and confidence to secure decent work, create enterprises, and contribute positively to their families and communities. Knowledge and skills are essential tools that can lift people out of poverty, increasing opportunities and fostering true empowerment.
However, we must ensure that the power of education reaches every corner. In South Africa, socioeconomic factors still prevent many from accessing quality education and using it as a force for positive change. This is why ORT SA partners with communities, corporates and stakeholders to break down these barriers through targeted programs. By establishing IT-related vocational training, digital skills programs, and entrepreneurship support, we pave the way for youth, women, and other groups to gain employment or start their own ventures.
On this International Day of Education, I call on governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to join hands in strengthening equitable, quality education throughout South Africa. Let’s collaborate to provide technology integration, teacher training, and inclusive education programs, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to our nation’s progress.
by marketing | Dec 12, 2023 | News @ ORT, Old News
Dear Friends, Stakeholders, and Supporters,
As the festive season of December draws near, a time filled with twinkling lights and warm gatherings, we are reminded of the theme of light that resonates so deeply with our diverse culture and our vision of lifelong education here at ORT SA.
In many cultures, light is a symbol of hope, guidance, and enlightenment. It pushes back the darkness and brings clarity to our paths. This metaphor beautifully aligns with the essence of education – learning is a way to dispel the shadows of ignorance and illuminate the road to knowledge, understanding, and empowerment.
This year, as we celebrate amongst the glow of festive lights, let’s think about the transformative power of education. The greatest gift anyone can receive is not wrapped in glittering paper or tied with a bow. It is the gift of learning, the key to unlocking potential and opening doors to new possibilities.
Our commitment at ORT SA has always been to ensure that this gift reaches as many minds as possible, especially those in the most previously disadvantaged communities. Education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about lighting a fire of curiosity, fostering a spirit of inquiry, and nurturing the ability to think critically and creatively.
As we move into the holiday season and look towards a new year, I am grateful for your support, passion, and belief in our mission. At ORT SA, we are not just teaching Coding, IT, Business, Math or Science; we are igniting the lights of change, with the hope for a brighter future for all.
May this festive season fill your homes with joy, your hearts with love, and your minds with the light of wisdom
Yours in Education,
Ariellah Rosenberg
by marketing | Nov 29, 2023 | News @ ORT
South African Students Represent ORT South Africa at Scholas Programme in São Paulo, Brazil
October 2023 – São Paulo, Brazil: Six exceptional King David High Schools students from South Africa embarked on a significant journey to São Paulo, Brazil, as representatives of ORT South Africa in the esteemed Scholas educational interfaith annual event and programme. Scholas, an international non-Profit was founded by Pope Francis working with schools and youth in 190 countries. This initiative, introduced by the Leo Werthein Foundation to World ORT, serves as a platform for ORT students and non ORT students from around the world to engage in discussions centered on understanding, tolerance, and sustainability.
The delegation, comprising bright minds from South Africa, had the opportunity to convene with peers from diverse backgrounds, fostering meaningful dialogue on crucial societal issues. Programme participant Hannah Duchen, expressed her gratitude, stating, “I had the most wonderful time meeting incredible people and learning invaluable lessons that will resonate with me for a lifetime.”
Our young scholars, will become ORT SA Youth Ambassadors as they are eager to leverage this experience to initiate new initiatives within their community. They are committed to collaborating and exploring possibilities for growth, learning, and impactful experiences. ORT South Africa is looking forward to be engaging with these six outstanding students as ORT SA Youth Ambassadors, leaders poised to catalyze positive change.
These young ambassadors, fueled by enthusiasm and a commitment to giving back, epitomize the spirit of youth empowerment and community service. ORT South Africa recognizes their dedication and anticipates witnessing their growth and impact as leaders within their generation.
by marketing | Nov 29, 2023 | News @ ORT
The remarkable strides made in coding education, the significant impact on gender equality, and the visionary projects that emerged from the Coding and Robotics initiative that has been made possible by the collaborative effort of Route Monitoring and ORT SA’s, was made clear at the Let Kidz Code year-end function for 2023.
In the course of the past year, the Route Monitoring (RM) project has made a profound impact, positively influencing the lives of 124 learners actively engaged in Coding Clubs across four primary schools in the Tsakane district. These clubs, skillfully overseen by a dedicated team of 24 teachers, receive unwavering support from ORT’s facilitators. Notably, an inspiring 70% of teachers and 52% of our learners in these coding clubs are female, marking a significant stride toward gender equality in technology-related careers.
A testament to female empowerment in STEM, the Let Kidz Code year-end function saw the group Water Saving from Funukukhanya Primary School claimed the top spot in the Judges Choice category. Comprising a team of intelligent young ladies, they presented an innovative project that utilizes sensory technology to promote water conservation, addressing the pressing issue of water shortage in South Africa. This initiative underscores ORT SA’s commitment to fostering solutions that align with the current challenges facing South African society.
The Let Kids Code project is ORT SA’s proactive response to the growing demand for ICT and STEM competencies in historically disadvantaged schools and communities. By delivering coding courses to these communities, our aim is to impart futuristic technological skills to both learners and teachers at the school level. Beyond nurturing 21st Century Skills, the project champions STEM education, empowering the Department of Education and school educators to infuse technology and innovation into their teaching methodologies.
Pooven Chetty, Information Systems & Strategic Planning from Gauteng East District calls for expansion of these programmes into South African high schools, “We need to expand, because just as ORT SA has planted the seed to grow in primary schools and you want to see the “STEM” grow. When I say “STEM” I’m talking about science, technology, engineering and math – physically as well as the stem of the seed that needs to grow, we need to see it happening at our high schools.”
Route Monitoring’s support has ensured that ORT SA can continue make a lasting impact on education, technology, and gender equality, ensuring a brighter future for our learners and communities
by marketing | Nov 1, 2023 | News @ ORT
As we step into November, it also marks the onset of ‘Movember’ – a global movement dedicated to raising awareness about men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. Movember is not just about growing a moustache. It’s about courage, conversations, and commitments that highlight and prompt life-altering actions.
At ORT SA, we understand the integral role that men play in our communities, as fathers, brothers, sons, partners, and friends. Our mission is rooted in creating employability and fostering employment opportunities, and we recognize that holistic health – both physical and mental – is essential to achieving this.
Men have traditionally been the silent bearers of burdens, often ignoring their health concerns to prioritize their families and jobs. This November, we encourage every individual to use Movember as a reminder to recognize the challenges faced by men, to have those critical health conversations, and to ensure that our men are provided with the resources and support they need.
We are committed to build a society where every individual, regardless of gender, has access to opportunities and health resources. This Movember, let us not only celebrate the moustaches that grow but also the resilience, strength, and vulnerability of men.
