Faculty of Science (former Departments)

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Browsing Faculty of Science (former Departments) by Author "Langenhoven, Magdalena C. (Magdalena Cornelia)"

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    'n Intervensieprogram vir bevordering van inkomstegenerering in 'n landelike gemeenskapsentrum
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2004-12) Langenhoven, Magdalena C. (Magdalena Cornelia); Van der Merwe, M. E.; Botha, M. J.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Consumer Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Rural areas in South Africa experience extreme levels of unemployment, and therefore are in dire need for skills training. In some rural areas this training takes place in community centres. Participants are empowered to generate an income. The activities mostly take place in a group context. In such a community centre a lack of the presentation of structured skills training programmes was identified. The aim of the study is to develop a skills training programme to help rural people in starting an income-generating project in a group context by means of intervention. In the literature study the concept of community centres was discussed. The basic human needs and the needs for training were related to the concept of group work. Programme development for adult education, income-generation and interventions were described in detail. The development of creativity, empowerment, capacity building and sustainable development were briefly discussed as potential outcomes of skills training programmes for the generation of income. For the purpose of this study a case study was undertaken of existing needlework groups in the Darling Focus Community Centre. A study group of 15 members was identified. The duration of the study group's involvement in needlework training was determined. The need for skills training workshops and the study group's interest in group work were established. Although the activities of the study group take place in group context, very little evidence exist of co-operation towards the objective of income generation. A major shortcoming is the failure to pinpoint objectives in the group. Darling is a rural tourist attraction with a target market for the sale of handcrafted products. For this purpose the crafted products need to adhere to certain criteria. Despite the opportunity to market products to tourists, only the local market is being targeted. The requirements of these clients are not considered a priority in the manufacturing of products. Therefore the study group was considered a suitable case study in this research. An intervention programme was compiled and implemented in group context for the training of skills in the manufacturing, marketing and selling of products. Surveys were done by self-administered questionnaires and unstructured interviews were conducted with important role players. Workshops were presented where skills application was monitored through control lists. The application of business skills was established through a semi-structured interview. Throughout the process the researcher made observations and documented information. Surveys indicated that the duration of the group members' involvement with needlework activities were between three and eleven years. A clear need for skills training as well as interest in group work was established and addressed. Self diagnoses of needs for skills training was done during visits to trade areas. A brainstorming session was conducted to generate ideas for the manufacturing of products to be sold. The skills in making these products were demonstrated during the workshops and practised during follow-up work sessions. A basic business skill workshop was conducted. After implementation of the intervention the results of the group work were evaluated at the hand of success criteria identified from literature. This list of criteria provides a guideline for similar training programmes.