South Africa: Business Skills Program for South African Youth

A picture of a group of Inkululeko learners in South Africa.

South Africa + awesome youth + education + business skills; the only thing missing is you!

Project description

Inkululeko will be running a business skills program for learners in South Africa that teaches middle/high school students the basics of business principles as well as how to implement these principles in their own community. This course would be delivered online over 15 sessions. We are hoping to have UB students assist us with the editing and refining the curriculum as well as delivering it in 2022.

What We Do

A Department of Basic Education report shows that in South Africa less than a third of students finish grade 12 by the age of 18. 

We contribute to changing this in the new South Africa by meeting tomorrow’s leaders, where they’re at, today. We offer free tutoring, access to computers and the internet, transportation, exam prep, a library of text books and regular books (and snacks too!) to young people beginning in grade eight and remain with them through grade 12. We also have a social enterprise unit to support students with an entrepreneurial zeal. 

Project outcome

There are many customizable possibilities for what your project outcome could be. Based on which project best fits with your interest and skills, ELN staff can help you come up with a fitting project outcome.

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment About a semester (3-5 months)
Start time Any time
In-person, remote, or hybrid? Remote
Level of collaboration Individual student project
Benefits Volunteer experience
Who is eligible All undergraduate students provided they have some knowledge or interest in business skills.

Core partners

Project mentor

Christina Heath

Administrative Director

Experiential Learning Network

127 Capen Hall

Phone: (716) 645-8177

Email: clgiunta@buffalo.edu

Global NGO Project

This project is for students interested in collaborating with a global Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).

Please be sure you identify your project as a Global NGO Project when you sign up to start the digital badge.

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

  1. Examine the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the history of the framework. Then select one SDG to focus on as you work through your project.
  2. Download and complete this PowerPoint template.

In addition to the preparation above, if you're keen to join us, we have an orientation guide that we share. It's all online and features information about our program, about our theory of change and some context on South Africa. You should also review the materials below: