Overview of the ARP

Youth Self-Help Initiatives

Youth Employment Drive

A group of young people who would be faced with expenses at the start of the academic year, were employed for 10 days during the December 2005 school holidays. They planted 800 fruit trees and did a major clean-up throughout Alexandra.

Moraleng Youth Centre

The opening of the Moraleng Youth Centre was a major milestone for Work To Win, an Alex youth organisation that aims to empower unemployed youth through the creation of business, job and training opportunities.

Alexandra Students Forum

The Alexandra Students Forum was formed to represent learners in Alexandra. It consists representatives of religious, political and other student organisations within Alex.

Angels Award for Service to the Community

The first Alex "Angels Award" went to the youngsters of the Tondani-Lushaka Forum for their selfless efforts to ensure that disabled people, senior citizens and children who qualify for grants are absorbed into the Social Security system. They recruit amongst the youth of Alex and provide volunteers for other community projects.

Schools and Education

Upgrading of Schools in Alexandra

Alexandra has 13 primary schools, 5 secondary schools and one special school. Since the start of the ARP, repairs and renovations have been made to 17 of the schools. There are plans to build two additional primary schools and one high school.

Teacher Training

Developments include steps to enhance the quality of teaching in the schools. By March 2005, a total of 77 educators had undergone a one-year training and mentoring programme in four schools.  The impact of these activities is reflected in the 8% improvement in the matric pass rate in these schools.

Nokuthule School for the Mentally Impaired

The ARP donated an old factory building to be used temporarily by Nokuthule. The factory was first renovated and then furnished with the basic necessities before Nokuthula took occupation in June 2005. The children of Nokuthule now await the completion of their new school in Marlboro.

Early Childhood Development (ECD)

A number of programs aimed at improving Early Childhood Development have been instituted in Alexandra. These have included the training of child care providers and the staff of Alex's various crèches.

Iputheng School Cluster

A cluster of four schools sees to the education of 4800 children. The playgrounds and sports fields were invaded by settlers who erected informal and illegal dwellings, leaving no space for the children's activities. Negotiation with this informal community is resulting in its resettlement and the Iputheng land is being cleared in preparation for the restoration of the school grounds.

Scholarships for Further Education

A comprehensive programme was established in 2004 to help learners receive scholarships.

Science and Technology Training

2005 saw the completion of a two year project that trained 76 Foundation Phase educators in science and technology subjects in 11 primary schools in Alex. The project was a highly successful partnership between the ARP, the Gauteng Dept of Education and ORT South Africa.  Lessons in Science and Technology were held once a week. Computer literacy, HIV/AIDS education and diversity training were also included in the programme.

Library and Literacy Programme

A Children's Library Programme to promote literacy was held in 2005 at the 3rd Avenue Library, which has been upgraded by the ARP.

Ekukhanisweni Primary School

The Ekukhanisweni Primary School was housed in an old run-down asbestos building. In keeping with new government regulations to ban and phase out the use of asbestos-containing products, the school has been demolished to make way for a new school. Construction is almost complete (May 2006).

Educational Day Trips

The ARP has facilitated and arranged a number of educational trips for learners from Alex, who may not otherwise have much opportunity to explore the world beyond their own township.

Sports and Recreation

Kwa Bhekilanga

Kwa Bhekilanga Secondary School had land available, but very few sports facilities. Construction has begun on Alex's first rugby grounds and a new eight-track athletics stadium that will be used by the school and the broader community.

Altrek Sports Centre

The upgrading of Altrek Sports Centre is underway and will include soccer facilities and a multi-code combi court. A new caretaker's cottage has been built and floodlights installed. Existing fields have been leveled and grassed, and new fields are being developed.

Sports Facilities at the Transit Village

Newly built sports facilities at the Transit Village were handed to the City of Johannesburg in 2004.

Alex Stadium

A badly run-down stadium with poor facilities, Alex stadium was earmarked for an upgrade to serve as a training ground for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Work on the stadium is well underway.

#3 Square Grounds Sports Centre

Newly installed multi-code combi court with facilities for basket ball, and tennis courts has been built, and the clubhouse upgraded. Construction has now begun on a world-class skateboard track at the site.

Health and Welfare

Immunisation Drive

The ARP spearheaded an immunisation drive in Alexandra, aimed at increasing the immunisation of Alex children from 79 per cent to 90 per cent.

Lerato Love Homes

The ARP assisted the Lerato Love Homes in acquiring two adjacent properties to shelter the underprivileged and homeless children in their care.

HIV/AIDS Training

The ARP initiated HIV/AIDS workshops aimed at preventing transmission from mother to child.

Child Abuse Awareness Campaigns

Children's Day celebrations are held at Altrek Centre to raise community awareness about the prevalence of child abuse.