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About Us EWET's story begins in 1991 with a community fast becoming unable to support the employment needs of their growing number of school leavers. Fewer than 10% are able to secure employment in the formal sector. Initiated in the north-eastern Free State province in South Africa, in Phuthaditjhaba - high country. Sheep and farming country where you drop down through the Drakensberg mountains on your way to Kwa-Zulu Natal. No heavy commerce or industry here. Just swirling morning mists and clear mountain air. Determined to find a way of helping the youth make more of their lives, a small group of dedicated teachers, community leaders and educationalists started a process of consultations and research. A trust (EWET) was formed, registered with tax exemption status and a national fund-raising number. Able to steer through the political mine field that came with the miraculous birth of South Africa's democracy and saw Nelson Mandela becoming President, the group designed, developed, pilot tested and launched what became known as the Youth Enterprise Society (YES) movement. Yes quickly became known as an answer for communities throughout South Africa that struggle with the question - " how can we empower our youth through enterprise to become the masters of their own destinies so that they become creators of their own jobs rather than job seekers?" Yes now operates in all nine South African provinces with further requests for EWET to also service other Southern African countries. YES became a foundation for the growth of EWET. Project management skills were acquired. Substantial Organization Development skills were gained through "learning by doing" and a lot of reading - in the development of EWET. A reputation for EWET's ability to execute funding contracts successfully with integrity was established. A solid Fund Accounting system is in operation. Beneficiaries participate with enthusiasm and are satisfied with delivery at grassroots level. EWET's strong adherence to transparency as well as the organization's ability to work in collaboration got in place. All these together with EWET's ability to find innovative solutions to pressing socio-economic development challengers - resulted in EWET securing and executing further major projects. The Partnerships for Development Models programme, Learning Enterprise (YES Print & Copy Shop and a Cyber Cafˇ), Business Assistance Services to existing and emerging entrepreneurs as well as the Business Now programme for the out-of-school and unemployed youth are further projects that evolved. Committed to retain only a core group of permanent staff with a broad base for volunteer's involvement in programme delivery, EWET source expertise from an extensive network of NGO's, Universities, Colleges, Associate Consultants and further development related experts. Constantly working towards being a learning organisation EWET pursue its mission to "enable communities through development assistance for them to become the masters of their own destinies." The
Education With Enterprise Trust |
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