Developing  skills  is  the  process  of  facilitating  learning  through  a  set  of  structured  activities.  It is intended to equip a child on the street with new or improved strategies for dealing with the daily life on the street and with specific situations that they are likely to experience. Many types of skills can help a child on the street to plan and carry out responsible and healthy choices. These include; life skills, practical skills, performance skills, vocational and livelihood skills.

Life skills are defined by ‘WHO’ as ‘abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal with the demands and challenges of everyday life’ (WHO, 1993). Some of these skills are mentioned below:

• Decision making and problem solving.
• Creative thinking and critical thinking.
• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self-awareness and empathy.
• Coping with emotions and stress.

Manpower’s Talent Shortage Survey has revealed that 35% of employers in South Africa are struggling to find qualified job candidates, particularly in the engineering, skilled trades and accounting and finance industry sectors.

 Those who learn a wider range of skills become more valuable as employees and more employable as job seekers.

We have already established a skills-development centre on our property where we are currently teaching woodcraft skills to the older children and would like to in the near future incorporate other skills as well.

The goal is to give learners exposure to the different fields of trade such as carpentry, plumbing, painting, electrical and mechanics. The Joshua Project will not become another training centre but only a means of encouraging and developing skills identified in learners.

A further purpose is to identify learners and to show them basic skills and if they are interested, they can enter the formal trade schools.

The aim is to establish a Mentoring relationship between the teacher and learner as they work together and learn together.  The Joshua Project wants to teach the children basic skills like using a hammer, changing tap washers, changing a tyre etc and with that build relationships and trust, furthering the development of the child’s character.

To be instrumental in the children’s emotional and spiritual growth and well being, children receive basic instruction in arts and crafts combined with spiritual programs. The objectives of these activities are spiritual growth and emotional healing. Children learn to express themselves through role plays, story telling and stage plays. Children learn to deal with their emotions and learn to cope with the difficulties they encounter in their families and in their community.

A very exiting tool in our education program is AET, which is a special computer programme complete with workbooks, until grade 9. This is the step prior to (proceed with) high school or education for a profession or a job.

The term AET refers to Adult Education and Training and refers to education up to the equivalent of grade 9 (standard 7). AET refers to both literacy and numeracy. An outcomes-based programme, AET aims to provide basic learning tools, knowledge and skills, and provides participants with nationally recognised qualifications.

The four levels of AET training are equivalent to Grades R to 9.

AET includes training in:

• language, literacy and communication
• mathematical literacy, mathematics and mathematical sciences

The Joshua Project AET program is available to children attending our Educare Morning and Educare Afternoon program.  We have been granted a community site licence which enables us to assist the broader community as well.

AET programmes are overseen by the National AET Board.

Cob Creek Wine Estate is organizing an adventure race in aid of the Joshua Project. Teams of two to three can enter for this exciting event. No individual entries are allowed.

What is a Short Course Adventure Race ?

It consists of an approximate 15km mountain bike followed by a 3km Trail run/hike. Some interesting (and sometimes wet) activities can be expected along the route.

The Cob Creek Short Course Adventure Race will consist of:

•      15km MTB with a simple challenge along the way. One water feature in the form of  paddling on a tractor tyre tube in a shallow dam will also be included on the course.
•      3km trail run / hike that will take you through a water feature that allows a foofie slide OR  jumping off a rock into the water pool OR (for those less adventurous) swim through the water hole.

The ROOKIE COURSE will do this once (MTB + Trail) while the ADVENTURE COURSE will do two laps of the course.

ENTRIES :

1)   Download an entry form right here and return to CobCreekAR@gmail.com
2)   Request an entry form by sending a mail to CobCreekAR@gmail.com
3)   Enter on the day from 6:30am

VENUE:    Cob Creek Wine Estate, Jeffreys Bay (33°58’45.58″S, 24°54’34.03″)
DIRECTIONS:    Turn off the R102 just before / pass the Kabeljous Bridge. Follow the markers to the venue. A marshal will direct the parking.
COST:    The entry fee is:

• R50 p/p for the ROOKIE COURSE and
• R70 p/p for the ADVENTURE COURSE

START:    Registration and Late Entries from 6:30am
RACE BRIEFING: 7:45am
RACE START :     8:00am
PRIZE GIVING:    12:30pm or when last team is back.
Lucky draw prizes.
Prizes for 1st and 2nd teams in their categories
TEAMS:    Teams of 2 or 3 allowed. NO INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES. This is NOT a relay event. All team members must stay together and finish the whole course together. You WILL be disqualified if the team is MORE than 50m apart at any time during the race.
How FIT do you need to be:
The course is designed for the average fit person and is aimed at having fun while doing some exercise and enjoying nature. The longer ADVENTURE COURSE is designed for the fitter racing snakes among you.
ROUTE:    The route is 99.99999% off road.
WATERPOINTS:    There are NO water points provided on the route. You have to take/provide your own. There will be a water refill station at the transition area.
CATEGORIES:

• Male team
• Female team
• Mixed Team
• Juniors (u/17) – Two members aged 16 or younger and must be
• accompanied by adult older than 21 years

EQUIPMENT LIST:

(What you need to bring)
Mountain Bike
Running Shoes
Cycle Helmet
Sunblock
Water bottle (at least 1 per person)
Energy bars/gels/
PMA (Positive Mental Attitude)
smiles
Friends/Family/Kids/

Food, cool drinks, beers and snacks will be sold on the day.
A jumping castle for the kids will be provided.

ALL Proceeds will go towards the Joshua Project
NPO 1998/007990/08