MOTORING NEWS - Isuzu dealer in Mossel Bay, CP Nel Motors, together with Isuzu ChildLife, is providing an opportunity for at least 60 disadvantaged young women to participate in the Sea the Change environmental education youth programme.
This programme is being piloted by the Oceans Research Foundation to promote skills development and create environmental awareness. Sea the Change has been in pilot phase since 2019 and to date 2 400 learners have benefitted from the programme.
This year, 60 young Mossel Bay women aged 16 to 18 years will be trained in the core areas of marine mammal stranding response, first aid, life saving, pre-sea introduction and skipper's licence.
Andrea Bradfield, Oceans Research fundraiser, explains that the selected participants will follow a general marine education and practical skills programme and will also be involved with environmental ambassador outreach activities in the community throughout the year.
"All 60 candidates will undertake the marine stranded response course and a first-aid course. From the 60 participants, we select eight for lifeguard training. As the year progresses, six of those eight will be selected to do the pre-sea course, and out of those six, two will be selected to undertake the boat skipper licence," says Bradfield.
Isuzu ChildLife granted funding of R88 000 through CP Nel Motors towards the project. Kenneth Cupido, dealer principal at CP Nel Motors, says that, as a dealership located on the coast, they consider it important to teach youth about nature conservation and preservation through development programmes.
"We are aware of the societal ills and challenges within our communities. We trust that young females will learn skills which will stand them in good stead to pursue science- and marine-related careers," says Cupido.
Isuzu ChildLife is a joint initiative between Isuzu Motors South Africa and its dealer network. Each entity contributes to the fund for every vehicle sold.
Cupido and the team at CP Nel Motors are delighted that this local project has gained the support of Isuzu. "The support from Isuzu ChildLife gives our dealership the opportunity to uplift our community and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our youth. Skills programmes of this nature will instil confidence, improve self-esteem and assist in youth marketability," he said.
