Won the 2025 Service Excellence Award - Best Collaborative Project in the Western Cape

The First 100 is a transformative two-year initiative working with 100 youth from gang-dense areas, school dropouts, orphans, and unemployed individuals. Through structured interventions—such as psychosocial support, mentorship, education, and career placement—the program empowers youth to make better choices, to assist in the prevention of gang recruition, to reduce incidents related to Gender Based Violence and to reach their full potential by becoming agents of change within their communities.

The success of the First 100 youth programme is deeply connected to the support and involvement of parents and guardians. We recognise that lasting transformation in the lives of young people cannot happen in isolation, but requires a strong foundation at home and within the wider community.

As part of the programme, we host Parent and Guardian Workshops designed to equip families with the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to walk this journey alongside their sons. These sessions provide safe spaces for open dialogue, skills development, and collaborative problem-solving around the challenges faced by our boys—including the risks of gangsterism, substance abuse, and school disengagement.

The Literacy Programme in partnership with the Hanover Park Library provides children with a safe and structured environment where they can learn, explore, and grow. In a community where young people are often exposed to daily challenges, this initiative offers them a constructive space that keeps their days positively occupied and shields them from negative influences.

The programme focuses on two key areas: reading literacy and computer literacy. Children are introduced to the joy of reading through storytelling, guided activities, and access to library resources, while also developing essential digital skills that prepare them for the future. These sessions not only strengthen academic abilities but also build confidence, creativity, and curiosity.

By combining traditional literacy with modern digital learning, the programme empowers children to expand their horizons, opening pathways to educational success and new opportunities in a safe and supportive community space.