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Why an Association?
Learn to Earn (LtE) is a registered NPO 005-073 (Non Profit Organisation) and PBO 18/11/13/3455 (Public Benefit Organisation) dedicated to the holistic development of previously disadvantaged unemployed people through facilitating the restoration of dignity and self-respect. LtE has 19 years of experience in community and transformation development. The focus has been on offering a range of learning interventions and of creating economic opportunities through our Business Resource Centre. LtE has received numerous requests to replicate its model because of its success, and people-centred development strategy that has resulted in the eradication of poverty and unemployment for many in the Western Cape and beyond.
The replication of our model is done through the LtE Association in other parts of South Africa and internationally. LtE believes that through the development of the Association, the relevance of our principles will be underscored and implemented, resulting in the eradication of poverty, facilitating job creation and ensuring sustainable economical development of unemployed people and of local communities nationally and internationally.
Project Rationale
While numerous individuals and groups request for us to initiate branches in their region, our approach is not to start and run branches of LtE all over the country or continent. Rather, we firmly believe that the best approach is to have groups / organisations that are autonomous and independent replicating the LtE model with our assistance.
This replication is done on a similar basis to that of a “business franchise model” with significant variations that are determined by context and circumstance. The need for this approach is indicative in the number of unsolicited requests we receive every month for practical assistance from those that are starting up or are already in existence but have failed to make an impact on the unemployment / poverty situation in their community.
The perpetual attendance of conferences leaves people with the same question still unanswered; “….but how?” “How do I analyse my community, how do I decide on the correct intervention?, Does it start with someone who has a skill in sewing / baking / woodwork, therefore we offer that kind of training?, Will it result in economic opportunity or will it just be successful in keeping unemployed people occupied?”
Our approach to doing a community analysis is based on standard community development principles that are supported by Manfred Max Neef’s Human Scale Development principles. We also use GPS and GIS technology, which allow for the development of electronically generated maps that plots in layered format all data researched.
The Association will also address issues faced by funders with regard to standards around corporate governance, financial policy, curriculum and outcome. Members of the Association will be allowed to utilize the subscript “A Member of the Learn to Earn Association” under their organisational name for as long as they comply with the standards set out by the Association.
For more information, please contact:
Keri Delport/Roché van Wyk
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