While the philosophy of POPUP is that while they will not necessarily solve the problem, they are still investing in people. “Everybody needs somebody to help them. We want to help them to discover themselves and to give them tools to enter the labour market,” says Marnélle Prinsloo, co-ordinator of POPUP (People Upliftment Programme) in Bloemfontein.
A skills development programme registered as a non-government organisation, POPUP focuses on young people (18 to 35) in the NEETs (stet) funnel – those not in employment, education, and training.
“If the potential of people in this portion of the population is not properly developed, they become a burden on the state in the form of grants. Consequences include social decline, poor family planning, under-nutrition, stunted growth, poverty, and crime,” says Prinsloo. “Our heart is to help hopeless consumers become positive contributors.”
While the Post-Schooling Education and Training (PSET) system in South Africa is well-positioned to improve and equip people with employable skills, a gap exists between the education system and the higher education system. This is known athe NEETs funnel and many in this grouping are not strong enough to overcome it and eventually join the employment market.
POPUP, started in 1999, does skills development and traditional development for matriculants as well as pupils who do not complete school. They are also taught basic language and mathematics skills.
“Our Life Skills programme of three weeks is based on Christian principles. We do not force anybody to be a Christian and it is also not a prerequisite,” says Prinsloo.
“The programme consists of five modules. The first deals with identity and how the person reached a specific point. Secondly, the gospel is shared, and they learn more about God. The focus is not on religion but on a relationship with God.
“The third module focuses on internal awareness, personality, strong points, weak points, and self-discovery. The focus of the fourth module is on the external reality – what is your purpose? The Lord gives you bread and fish, what are you doing with it?
“The last module takes a look at work-readiness, including communication, conflict handling, teamwork, a CV, job interviews, budgeting, and time management.”
The outcomes of the programme include entry-level job placement such as general worker or packer, obtaining a further skill such as business administration, welding, and plumbing, and entrepreneurship development – helping people to start new businesses and assisting existing businesses with, among others, business plans.
POPUP has several partners to help with these skills. “Partners are always needed – we cannot do it on our own. We do not want to replace existing internships but wish to get our pupils on such a level that they can be included,” says Prinsloo.
She shares some of POPUP’s success stories. “One of the pupils in 2021 who completed the life skills programme and business administration training was interested in information technology. At the end of 2022 he started a one-year learnership with iClix – in the meantime, he was permanently appointed.
“Another one completed the life skills training at the beginning of 2022. He started work as a general worker at Doxa Deo’s north campus where he soon became a barista. While in the church’s coffee team, he met an optometrist who employed him, planning to send him for training to cut lenses, etc.”
“People must realise that they cannot wait to just receive. Everybody must take responsibility for his or her own life. The Lord has put it in everybody to be able to make a difference.”
For more information about this programme and how to become involved, call Prinsloo on 079 181 4567 or send e-mail to marnelle.prinsloo@popup.co.za.
