IRFF UK PROFILE: Meet the Slovo Study Group students — Edward Hartley

www,irff-uk,org

Meet S. Africa’s empowered teenagers IRFF UK recently spoke with five bright young students from the

Slovo Study Group—an initiative that provides both moral and

financial support to help young people in Joe Slovo township

complete their education and pursue their dreams.

The students follow the South African CAPS curriculum through

online schooling, offering them a chance to succeed despite

difficult circumstances. The opportunity has been life-changing.

Ibanathi Buqa Ibanathi is studying Business and History

and aims to pursue Human Resource

Management or Education.

“Many kids my age are involved with drugs or gangs, but this

program helped me develop positive habits,” Ibanathi says.

Determined to set an example for his siblings, he remains focused:

“There will be struggles — potholes in the road, hills to climb — but

everything happens for the greater good.”

Committed to success, he vows, “I’ll keep working hard, making

sure your (IRFF UK’s) investment in us turns into something

meaningful.”

Thoko Madikane Thoko is upgrading English HL, Business

Studies, and History, with plans to study

Thoko’s passion for justice stems from firsthand experiences.

“There’s a lot of crime where I live — that pushed me toward

wanting to make a difference “ she explains.

She hopes to help victims of gender-based violence, stating, “I want

to serve justice for free, especially for children and women in South

Africa.” Determined to right the wrongs, Thoko says, “I want to

help, support, and make a change.”

Iphelele Baxana Iphelele is passionate about helping others

and hopes to study Physiotherapy or

Applied Geology. He enjoys writing

screenplays as a hobby.

Joining the study group gave Iphelele direction. “It kept me away

from trouble and motivated me to read,” he says. While soccer is a

big part of his life, he sees physiotherapy as a way to stay involved

in sports while making a meaningful impact.

Before, Iphelele lacked direction, but: “Now I have a clearer picture

of where I want to be in five years.” Inspired by his hardworking

sister, he said he now values purpose over short-term thinking.

Ayabonga Mkuhlu Ayabonga dreams of a career in Human

Resource Management while developing his

writing skills, exploring theatre, acting and

scriptwriting.

“The Slovo Study Group has made a big difference in my life,”

Ayabonga says. “I saw it as an opportunity — something I’d never

had before — so I took it with both hands and stayed grateful for

Though societal pressure encourages conventional careers, he

remains committed to his creative ambitions. “My parents wouldn’t

let me go to art school unless I studied graphics” for financial

Ayabonga now sees teaching as a way to balance his passion with

stability, quietly working on his writing while focusing on

Iminathi Kose Iminathi is studying Business and History

and has long aspired to be a teacher and

contribute to the education system.

Frustrated with the poor level of teaching, Iminathi would often say

to himself: “I could teach this better than my teachers.”

Growing up in the rough Joe Slovo township near Port Elizabeth, he

found solace in the Slovo Study Group, calling its members his

closest friends.

Iminathi hopes to become the kind of educator he once wished for:

“I wouldn’t say I can change the country — that’s a huge task — but

I can make a difference in my area.”

Looks Like a Hopeful Road Ahead!

These students are determined and resilient. They are pursuing

their education and planning careers with support from IRFF UK

and the Slovo Study Group. Furthermore, they have the mindset to

uplift their communities.

We are overjoyed to prove that, with perseverance and

encouragement, success is possible — no matter the obstacles.

If you would like to sponsor the youth, as always 100% of your

donation will go directly to the cause.

Click to donate (Thank you!)

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Click here to visit our website to see our other projects.

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every last penny goes to IRFF UK:

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Your efforts in the areas of The Women’s Federation for World I hav education, health and sustainability Peace, South London, has been proje are vital in certain countries and supporting Destiny Junior School Ugar. truly appreciated.My family will through IRFF-UK for more than 12 dona continue to sponsor a child at years. Our ladies sincerely had been of a J DestinyJunior School in Uganda, helping to provide a better place for at DE and will endeavour to support other the children of Destiny Junior School the g causes that IRFF UK informs us in Uganda. We believe Education over about. and health are the most important peop things for the life of the child.

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