What does family mean to you?
Press release – 28 April 2012
In recognition of the importance of acknowledging the differing family environments of all children, Afrika Tikkun is launching an essay competition as part of April’s Family Day celebration. The concept of family also fits into Afrika Tikkun’s Holistic Development Model that empowers children and youth to become productive citizens.
Afrika Tikkun is inviting the top 20 entrants from Johannesburg and the top 20 entrants from Cape Town to attend the final competition during Youth Month (June), when a winner in each of four categories will be chosen.
“We are excited at this opportunity to give children a voice, and also to show them that they are not alone, however their families are defined,” said Cheryl Ayogu, chief operating officer (projects) of Afrika Tikkun.
“At Afrika Tikkun, we believe in strengthening families, however they are made up, in order to allow the optimal development of children. Acknowledging the different types of families that exist, and giving children an opportunity to talk about what family means to them, will help them to concretise their place in society. ”
In 2012, Afrika Tikkun will reach 6 000 children and youth through its developmental programmes, which enable access to knowledge and experiential education in libraries and computer labs, and through activities such as sports and drama.
There are four categories:
Grades 3 to 5 (age eight minimum) – 400 words/artwork
Grades 6 to 7 – 600 words/artwork
Grades 8 to 9 – 800 words/artwork
Grades 10 to 12 (age 19 maximum) – 1 000 words/artwork
Entrants must live in Johannesburg or Cape Town, and can submit their entries via their schools, the Afrika Tikkun website or directly to an Afrika Tikkun centre of excellence near them. In order to enter, children can submit either an essay written in English or an artwork. The entrance fee is R20 and the proceeds of the competition will go to Afrika Tikkun’s Family Support Services programme.
Final competition:
A panel of judges will select the top five essays/artworks per category per city that they think make a significant and unique contribution to understanding what family means to the different children and youth in South Africa. The semi-finalists will be brought together at events in Cape Town and Johannesburg on Thursday 21 June 2012, where the children and youth from different backgrounds will be able to interact with each other, and the artwork and essays will be on display.
The events will be at the Afrika Tikkun Centres – in Johannesburg at the Wings of Life Centre in Diepsloot and in Cape Town at Mfuleni Community Centre.
Afrika Tikkun is dedicated to investing in education, health and social services for children, youth and their families through its community centres of excellence and strategic partnerships. Its aim is to empower communities to develop new generations of productive citizens.
Rules
- Each participant will have to submit an essay written in English, or a piece of artwork on an A4 cardboard/paper.
- The essence of the message is the core of this competition; points will not be deducted for poor grammar and spelling in the essay competition, nor for artistic ability in the artwork competition.
- Write an essay/draw a picture or create an artwork on this topic: “What family means to me.”
- The essay/picture or artwork must be the original work of the learner.
- Entrants must live in Johannesburg or Cape Town in South Africa.
- Only one entry allowed per person.
- The judges’ decision is final.
- With regard to the written essay, anything longer/shorter than the word limits stated in the categories will be disqualified from the essay competition. Any artwork that is not original (no tracing allowed) will be disqualified.
- At the top of each entry, give a word count (as appropriate) as well as your full name and surname, ID number, age, grade, school, address of home or school, and contact number.
- Essay entries must be presented in Microsoft Word.
- Send your entries via schools, Afrika Tikkun Centres or online: http://afrikatikkun-events.org/.
- Please send the name and contact details of you and your school to info@afrikatikkun.org (Hyde Park, Johannesburg); infoct@afrikatikkun.org (Waverley, Cape Town); or deliver to a centre (ask us where our centres are – Gauteng [Diepsloot, Alexandra, Orange Farm, Hillbrow] or Western Cape [Delft, Mfuleni]) closest to you (call 011 325 5914 – Amanda; or 021 448 0120 – Catherine).
- Entry into this competition costs R20
- Enter on the events website – http://afrikatikkun-events.org/ – proceeds will go to our Family Support Services.
- This competition opens on 26 April 2012 and closes on 31 May 2012 at 5pm.
- The finals will take place on 21 June 2012, and the 20 Gauteng and 20 Western Cape semi-finalists need to attend this event to get their prizes and present their work to try to be their category winners.