Dixie Youth Center, South Africa

All children should have a safe place to play, to learn, and to study. The village of Dixie, South Africa has a 30% rate of HIV/AIDS infection. The Dixie Youth Center will provide a safe place for HIV/AIDS orphans to improve their education and participate in confidence building activities. The center will offer employment opportunities for adults in the community. The facility is almost complete, but requires proper roofing, furniture, fencing, locks, and the construction of two recreational courts. Upon opening in October 2010, the Dixie Youth Center will serve more than 800 youth.

The Dixie Youth Center will empower the local community to address the growing problems of teen pregnancy, increased school dropout rate, and alcohol abuse. The after school programs will focus on teaching health and English classes, preserving the local Shangaan culture, and providing recreation programs to build youth confidence. The youth center will increase opportunities for employment by developing the next generation’s professional and leadership skills.

The total project budget, including building reconstruction, desks, school supplies and educational workshops is $12,000.

Mary Templeton, Think Impact Fellow, will live in South Africa for seven months while she works with the Dixie Youth Center committee to carry out this initiative. She can be contacted by email at: Mary@thinkimpact.org.