The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) has announced the launch of the Lights on After School initiative for the month of October. The project aims to raise awareness about the crucial role that its After School Programmes play.
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First launched in October 2 000, the annual campaign provides learners with opportunities to broaden their horizons and unlock their potential to ensure that they have access to quality extended education enrichment opportunities.
The main message of the campaign is that millions more children need access to high-quality after-school programmes. Under the theme ‘Rally for After School Programmes’, the department hopes to highlight the impact that these programmes have on South African communities, particularly the Western Cape. Now in its fourth year, the department has collaborated with the Western Cape Learning Trust and Community Chest as coordinators of the campaign in South Africa.
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The Western Cape minister of cultural affairs and sport, Anroux Marais, invites everyone to join in the mission to show support for the After School Programmes (ASPs) throughout this month. This includes volunteering time, skills or donations to support these programmes, to share stories of their impact, and to ‘light up’ social media with the Lights On Light Bulb on profile pictures on 26 October, also known as Lights On Day. Supporters can also thank after-school practitioners for their role.
‘Additionally, I want to encourage mayors, political leaders, businesses and organisations to publically endorse After School Programmes and recognise the vital role they play in holistic learner development,’ says Marais.
‘The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport is at the forefront of creating opportunities for youth and children in the Western Cape. Our commitment to closing the opportunity gap is unwavering, and we offer a range of programmes to support the growth and development of our youth.’
The programme runs in tandem with several others, such as the Mass Participation; Opportunity and Access; Development and Growth (MOD) Programme, which provides school-going youth access to various fun-filled, play-based and modified activities in recreation, sports, the arts, and culture at 181 schools across the Western Cape.
Furthermore, the Neighbourhood School Programme extends these opportunities to 136 schools that neighbour the MOD centres.
In addition, the flagship Youth in Service programme, YearBeyond, provides people between the ages of 18 and 25 with a diverse range of quality, safe after-school activities and programmes at schools, libraries and community centres.
‘I invite everyone to stand together, and support After School Programmes, and be a part of this transformative movement during October as Lights On After School Month. Let us unite to ensure every child has the opportunity to shine and reach their full potential.’
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Picture: Santi Vedrí / Unsplash
