Faranani Infrastructure Project

This Faranani Infrastructure Project was implemented in partnership between Trevor Noah Foundation and YouthBuild South Africa.

Building Our Future

In 2021, Trevor Noah Foundation and YouthBuild South Africa partnered to address the backlog of educational infrastructure in select South African schools. The participants named the initiative “Faranani”, which means “working together” in Tshivenda.

Through life skills, on-site training, and technical construction knowledge, the programme has empowered young people, not in employment, education or training (NEET) with an opportunity to be economically active members of their communities. The project was piloted in Braamfischer, Soweto, with 100 programme participants who used their newly gained skills to refurbish seven schools in their community.

The Challenge

In response to a backlog of infrastructure in South African selected schools that hinders the school’s educators’ capacity to provide quality learning and teaching, in 2021 TNF and YBSA entered into a partnership in which the Foundation funded and supported the delivery of a 12-month infrastructure development project – known as FIP – for six Primary Schools and one Secondary School in Braam Fischer, Soweto, Gauteng.

The overarching goal of FIP, which engaged 100 young people who were not in education, employment or training, is to contribute to inclusive and equitable access to quality education in the country.

The project is part of Trevor Noah Foundation’s Khulani Schools flagship initiative which invests in teacher training, learner skills development, and development of school community infrastructure. The initiative seeks to build thriving communities through education.

The key objectives of the project were:

To involve young people and the community in building and maintaining the school community infrastructure through YouthBuild’s Community Asset Building initiative.

To actively engage the participating youth through facilitation processes that will ensure commitment, leadership, citizenship and provide them with a sense of ownership.

To facilitate a process that will lead to young people developing skills, experience, and work readiness (Life Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Vocational Skills) to prepare them for sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Our Approach

We had certain key objectives for the project. Our first goal was to involve young people and the community in building and maintaining the school community infrastructure through YouthBuild’s Community Asset Building initiative.

We also wanted to actively engage the participating youth through facilitation processes that will ensure commitment, leadership, citizenship and provide them with a sense of ownership.

Finally, we wanted to facilitate a process that will lead to young people developing skills, experience, and work readiness (Life Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Vocational Skills) to prepare them for sustainable livelihood opportunities.

"Faranani" means "working together" in Tshivenda.

To facilitate these goals, we undertook to implement the recruitment and participation of 100 young people in Braam Fischer, Soweto, and Gauteng. Additionally, our aim was to provide a secure and suitable venue and other resources necessary to execute training.

We onboarded six schools to begin working on the project, promoting an enabling environment for the growth and development of the participating youth. While earning a stipend each month, based on attendance and work, we managed to introduce young people enrolled in the FIP to the YBSA Life Skills, leadership, entrepreneurship and work readiness content to be facilitated on a regular basis.

As of April 2022, 86% of our goals have been reached. The Faranani Project has been instrumental in helping our youth gain the foundational skills they need to build a successful and prosperous future.

The Project In Action

Success Stories

We’re proud to share success stories of those individuals who have used the Faranani Infrastructure Project to attain their future goals while earning an income.

Theophilus' Story

Theophilus states: “Knowing that I can do extra work during weekends and make extra income for myself from the building skills I have acquired at Faranani Infrastructure Project makes me happy because this has created a huge difference in my life.”

Bongani's Story

Bongani says, “I Will forever be grateful for the opportunity given to me, for being part of such a great initiative. This project has not only helped me gain confidence in myself. I have learned to accept myself for who I am. Most importantly, the skills I have gained throughout this technical training have allowed me to explore my plumbing skills to the fullest. I have since improved in plumbing work and continuously use this opportunity to better myself.”

Kgotlelelo and Mongameli's Story

The story of Kgotlelelo Ntswane and Mongameli Radebe. They started doing gig jobs immediately after graduating from the project. Now they are creating their own future and success using the skills learned working with the Faranani Project.