Cosmo City in Gauteng faces significant socio-economic challenges typical of rapidly growing urban areas. High unemployment rates prevail due to limited job opportunities locally and in nearby urban centres, leading to widespread financial insecurity and poverty among residents. Access to quality education is also constrained, with overcrowded schools and resource shortages hindering children’s development and future prospects. These issues underscore the complex socio-economic landscape of Cosmo City, where community resilience and aspirations for improvement persist amidst formidable obstacles. One such example of resilience is Maria Ndaba.
In 2022, Maria’s life changed dramatically when she became involved in ASSITEJ’s Art4Youth project. This initiative – aimed at empowering individuals through training, resources, and financial assistance – became Maria’s gateway to realizing her dreams of owning a business. She gained intensive experience working with children and facilitating arts programmes for them. She coupled this experience with training in business management, financial planning, and customer service. Through hands-on workshops and mentorship from established entrepreneurs, she gained practical knowledge and the confidence to utilize her stipend to establish her daycare centre, which was fuelled by a passion for early childhood development and a desire to make a meaningful impact in her community.
Through unwavering dedication, the daycare centre has grown to new heights and empowers other women in her community by providing training opportunities and employment – fostering local economic growth pathways and advancing SEF’s ‘community of care’ mission.
Maria Ndaba is not only a respected business owner but also a community leader. Her daycare centre and cleaning service are renowned for their reliability and excellence. Her expertise in childcare has even been sought after for prestigious international television productions like Shaka iLembe, underscoring her professional credibility and impact beyond her business.
Maria has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and community members in Cosmo City. Her journey from cleaner to community leader not only demonstrates the real benefits of skill and personal development through Strategic Implementing Partnerships with organisation like ASSITEJ, but also the value of the Social Employment Fund.
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About ASSITEC
The ArtForYouth Project by ASSITEJ is a collaborative initiative aimed at leveraging the power of art to enrich the lives of young people worldwide. Through this project, ASSITEJ partners with artists, educators, and organizations to create impactful artistic experiences that resonate with youth, fostering creativity, cultural exchange, and social awareness.