On Saturday, 12 March, Kelston Volkswagen in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, hosted a workshop for 18 boys from Eluxolweni Child and Youth Care Centre (ECYCC) in Makhanda, aimed at teaching basic life skills and imparting their knowledge of vehicle maintenance onto the boys.
This initiative came about when Kelston VW Makhanda Sales Manager, Wayne Weber, was approached by the founder of Men Mentoring Young Men (MMYM), Quinlan Caiger, to host these boys and Weber did not hesitate to get involved. MMYM is a mentorship programme that focuses on mentoring and positively shaping the mindsets of boy children who come from disadvantaged and troubled backgrounds.
The ECYCC gives these boys, aged 8-18, the chance to escape the cycle of poverty and addiction. Not only do they have a safe place to live, but receive an education, and guidance on how to deal with the difficulties they have encountered. The centre's mission is 'initiating, sustaining and encouraging schooling and life skills development' for these children.
At the session on Saturday, Kelston VW technicians shared their experience of working as car technicians, taught the boys how to change a tyre, jump-start a car, and gave them a tour of the VW workshop. The 2 technicians on-site, Mava and Stef, passionately shared their knowledge and even showed them old engine and gearbox and how they work. The service manager also contributed by giving the boys an insight into how the workshop and service front line employees are interconnected in conjunction with providing insight into the operations of a motor retail operation. He even played a guessing game of brands to keep the young men entertained, which proved to be a hit.
When asked if the boys enjoyed themselves and found the day valuable, Caiger remarked, “The boys had a wonderful time. Kelston went out of their way to accommodate the boys and keep them entertained. They made a huge effort to hold the boys’ attention throughout and spoke with passion about what they do. They made sure that the boys understood everything by making sure it was communicated in isiXhosa, which was fantastic. Even the adults were kept thoroughly entertained and found it highly informative.”
“Hosting these children and giving back, even something so little, was a great experience. Being socially responsible is important to me, and I hope that the little time we spent with these boys made some difference in their lives,” said Weber.
