The ongoing Unisa Monitoring and Evaluation Workshops being carried out by Professor Johan Prinsloo and his wonderful team from Unisa, have proved to be a big success as they have not only helped in getting information but have also been instrumental in opening up sensitive issues that have been silently affecting some youths in and around the sites.

Shocking cases of child abuse and molestation, among many others were unearthed. These young lives have been suffering in silence but fortunately this exercise came at the right time and has ushered in a ray of hope to the affected. Through Michelle, one of Professor Prinsloo's colleagues, personal counselling sessions have been held after the workshops. It should be noted that there is a high level of confidentiality at these workshops but understandably most youths could not help but voluntarily open up on their issues. Leaders like Doc also had to personally offer assistance in one of the cases involving a girl who was molested. 

This workshop is also offering a unique learning platform as answering the questionnaires alone is slightly challenging to many, in the process being very educative. Interestingly, most youths had never been exposed to words like "pessimistic", but thanks to this workshop, they now know. This could definitely enhance their vocabulary. To most of us it has been a rare opportunity to rub shoulders with professors and learn a lot from them.

As the workshops spread to other sites, I am confident that Youthzones at the end of the day would benefit quite a lot one way or the other.