Empowering Youth in Solving Community-Based Problems

This chapter explores how South African youth learn how to solve community-based social problems through their membership in the Youth Citizens Action Programme (Y-CAP), the flagship program of the non-profit organization (NPO) Empowervate. The program develops future active citizens and social entrepreneurs who are compassionate problem solvers and carers, thereby contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) in Africa. In this regard, Y-CAP promotes individual and community development by fostering skills such as leadership, collaboration, problem identification, and problem-solving through a toolkit and an annual competition. Individual development is central to the Ubuntu philosophy and serves as the foundation for humane networked relationships and interactions in society. A qualitative study based on the naive sketch methodology was used to collect data from 15 learners from two South African schools who had previously competed in the annual competition. The study was conducted through the lens of social justice theory and in accordance with the precepts of the philosophy of Ubuntu. The results of the thematic analysis show that Y-CAP has had a positive impact on learners and their local communities. It is evident that Y-CAP provides a platform for promoting social justice by empowering young people, breaking down barriers, providing equal access to opportunities, and promoting youth activism that enhances community development initiatives. The narrative analysis also revealed learner narrativity differences, which may assist Empowervate tailor their instruction to better support students with different needs and abilities. Future research must also focus on Y-CAP alumni to determine how Y-CAP improved their skills.