Vuka Skhokho: The Jermaine Lungile Schmidt Rehabilitation Programme

We hope to launch our own Halfway Houses and Secondary Care programme as this need is dire in our Region. We also know that using the most vulnerable and susceptible victims of drug dealers to combat drug demand is what will be most effective. That is why we endeavor to work primarily using preventative programmes in schools with the said victims.

Please list links to your Website and Social Media Platforms here: 

vukaskhokho.co.za
https://www.facebook.com/vukaskhokho/

Describe in detail what your Organisation does: 

Vuka Skhokho is a NPO that deals prevention, awareness and early intervention of drugs and substance abuse in the Alexandra community. We have been rendering our services in Region E since May of 2016 when we began working alongside City of Johannesburg Health promoters giving talks, plays and hosting facilitations at both the primary and high schools of the community and its surrounding areas and all the local clinics.
We also work closely with the department of Social Development- assisting in the running of school holiday programmes and various other programmes of theirs. We enjoy a very good relationship with the Department of Sports and Recreation as well as JMPD. We are active members of both the Alexandra Local Drug Action Committee (ALDAC) and Randburg Local Drug Action Committee.
We have been self-funded to date.

How long has your Organisation been operational? 

Since 2016.

In your opinion, what has been the most challenging aspect of running your Organisation? 

We did not take into account that although most communities have a drug problem and whilst ostensibly the reasons giving rise to this problem are the same because different drugs are abused in various communities the problems that arise will also vary. Which means different solutions need to be applied to each community need. There is no universal solution and significant background work needs to be done each community before a campaign can be launched.

Describe your Nonprofit Journey in three words: 

Exciting, heart-wrenching,purposeful.

Do you collaborate with other Causes? If yes, would you like to mention them? 

We work with various stakeholders in our communities like ADAPT, the Departments of Social Development, Sports and Recreation and Health. As well as JMPD and SAPS.

If you had one Organisation wish, what would it be? 

It would be to have the resources to expand our reach to beyond just our community.

In your opinion, which skills do Nonprofits in your Country lack? 

The skills to run efficiently like a company and to also generate their own sustainability.

Looking back at your Cause Journey, what advice would you give a newbie Organisation? 

Never, ever, ever give up!!! And each rejection simply means try harder!! Become pushy!!

If you could change one thing about the Nonprofit Landscape, what would it be? 

There should be more training’s and skills development given to youth in communities on how to start and sustain community based organisations as they are the best people to be doing such work.

Which Cause achievement are you most proud of? Feel free to elaborate on why and include any links: 

We cannot give only one because each time we go out to a new school or host a Youth Service we feel as if we have had our biggest success yet.

Last question, if your friends had to describe your Organisation in three words, which would they use? 

Disruptive, unique and progressive