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Chairman's Report
Michael Thompson
Conquest For Life is a dynamic Youth Organization driven by dynamic young people under the leadership of Glen Steyn. I have personally seen what the young people are capable of doing. When you go to the office you can see and feel the energy. Conquest For Life is a dynamic Youth Organization driven by dynamic young people under the leadership of Glen Steyn. I have personally seen what the young people are capable of doing. When you go to the office you can see and feel the energy.
It is very pleasing to me as Chair of Conquest For Life to see the work the young people have done over a short period of seven years. We have developed the organization into a National organization.
Together lets look at what we have done over the past seven years. Conquest For Life started in October 1995 in Westbury, when a group of young people came together to initiate innovative approaches to complex problems facing their community and, in doing so, to make a difference in the lives of their friends, families, neighbours and community members. Conquest For Life started in October 1995 in Westbury, by a group of young people came together to initiate innovative approaches to complex problems facing their community and, in doing so, to make a difference in the lives of their friends, families, neighbours and community members.
This was achieved through outreach to schools (including placing members of the community in primary and high schools in response to the school crisis) and running a range of after-school activities.
In 1998, Conquest For Life (CFL) moved to new larger premises in Price Street and since then, has been able to develop a computer-training centre, victim offender conferencing and counselling work and a Young Mothers Project.
In 2000, CFL acquired a farm house (‘Dreamlands’) in De-Deur-Vereeniging. This farm has been developed as a residential centre. The farm is saving the In 2000, CFL acquired a farm house (‘Dreamlands’) in De-Deur-Vereeniging. This farm has been developed as a residential centre. The farm is saving the Organization in terms of finances, time and it is available when ever we have projects and programs running.
In 2001, CFL signed a contract to purchase the two-storey building that hosts its office in Price Street . The building is valued and insured for two million . The building is valued and insured for two million Rand. The purchase of the building will give us the capacity to run more projects and also shows potential funders that we have the potential to become self sustainable.
Since its inception, CFL has worked with about 14,000 young people, 1000 parents, and 12 schools in and around Westbury. By the end of the year we would like to reach at least 30 schools.
We also have a very good relationship with the San People (Bushmen) of the Schmidtsdrift community, in the We also have a very good relationship with the San People (Bushmen) of the Schmidtsdrift community, in the Northern Cape and an office will open soon.
This year we have established an aftercare programme in Ennerdale. Today there are over 70 school children participating. We hope to get involved in other communities such as Lenasia, Soweto, Eldorado Park, Riverlea; and any and other areas where the community wants us to get involved are in the pipeline and should be up and running by the end of June 2002.
With this in mind I want to thank the Board and Management for an excellent working. Your commitment and time have assisted the organization in what it is today. The staff, you are amazing. Our partners and funders, thank you for believing in what we doing and for the future.
Once again thank you to everybody for making our Dreams come true – “helping young people to become agents of change in their own community.”
“ If it’s to be, it’s up to you and me.”
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