Nyara Youth Development (NYD) is a Nonprofit Company based in the Nyara Villages of rural Eastern Cape, that focuses on equalizing access to opportunities and giving rural youth access to 21st century learning, so that they too can be included in the South African economic stream. The ability to effectively participate in the digital economy is vital, especially in a post-pandemic world, where access to education and economic opportunity is increasingly linked to digital access and literacy.

The current education throughput levels in this area impede the communities’ ability to equitably participate in society and the greater economy. Therefore, we aim to change this narrative through the introduction of our LEAP Ladder Program which encompasses all of our projects and is designed to support youth through various stages of development, from early childhood to young adulthood, using a tiered approach represented by the LEAP Up High through WIFI Ladder Concept.

Each letter of LEAP UP High through WI-FI represents a stage in the ladder and it is split into Lower Rungs and Upper Rungs:

The Lower Rungs represent our After School Programme for ages 6-18:

Learn which we do through tutoring Math’s and English from Grade 1 to Matric.

Energize which we do through sport mainly focusing on physical education, netball and soccer.

Aid which we do through psycho-social support by creating mental health awareness, providing life skills workshops, teaching emotional intelligence, and access to counselling and trauma containment.

The Upper Rungs represent our Skills Development Program for ages 18-35:

Progress which is done through 21^st century skills & digital literacy training.

Uplift which we do through entrepreneurship and work readiness training.

Harvest which we do through agriculture training.

WI-FI represents:

Wireless connectivity for all,

Income generation for programs,

Facilitating digital learning,

Inclusive community access.

Other projects include GBV awareness &  Food Security by providing healthy meals, 6 days a week, to kids on our after-school program and on Saturdays for the soup kitchen. This is how we impact our rural community in a holistic and sustainable way and create hope for our future. We hope to use this as pilot program that can be rolled out into other rural communities in South Africa.