ResponsibleME
What We Do
Creating Responsible Learners
ResponsibleME, an outreach program that offers a real solution to educators and learners, delivers a holistic approach which promotes successful, healthy and considered life choices around self-development, safe sexual behaviour, financial and digital inclusion, gender equality, the environment and effective communication leading to positive interactions with friends, families and communities.
Upliftment Courses
Our Schools Program equips educators and learners with the language and skills to inspire them to seriously consider the consequences of their behavior and the choices they make. ResponsibleME focuses on a variety of areas that impact learner's development.
EmpowerME
Teaches how, through communication, trust and respect, goals are achieved. Key leadership practices are introduced to encourage each learner to be the best they can be.
BusinessME
Provides a comprehensive introduction to entrepreneurship and the essential steps of starting and running a successful business, covering foundational concepts and practical skills.
RespectME
Respect is crucial as it fosters positive relationships in all settings. This course addresses the causes and solutions to gender-based violence. It also covers sexual health and lessons on HIV and AIDS.
MoneyME
Understanding and managing money are the basis of being able to budget, save and generate money effectively. This course teaches learners how to live a financially secure life.
ReadME
This comprehensive program aims to enhance communication skills with an emphasis on reading and listening for comprehension which are essential for academic success and personal growth.
GrowME
This course teaches the principles of nutrition and the value of physical activity. Health concerns in South Africa are covered and solutions are offered for both the individual and communal level.
GreenME
This school program focuses on environmental awareness and is designed to foster a deep understanding of environmental issues.
ValueME
South Africa has achieved much in its short history. Proud citizenship and key civic concepts form the ideas around which this program is built.
DigitalME
This course comprehensively covers digital literacy, an essential skill for learners today. Additionally, the personal and social implications of technology are critically discussed.
ResponsibleME
ResponsibleME Program, 2+1
At RME we have chosen not to follow the current trend of one-year financial literacy courses offered by various NGOs. Our research has shown that the investment is substantial for minimal return over an extended period. This happens for multiple reasons including the competing demands placed on our youth, financial instability, academic pressure and family difficulties.
Our model ensures impact due to its 2+1 structure.
The first two years of the program contain lessons that are needed to achieve the envisioned goals. The second year is additionally focused on reinforcement, to deeply entrench the lessons. During the third year, which is the +1 year, a comprehensive assessment is carried out and a complete impact report is presented.
Three years is a complete phase within the educational system and allows for interventions that create positive and lasting change.
If, in consultation with our partners, it is decided to run an additional program, building on the previous three years, a continuation of the original 2+1 program may be offered.
Program courses covered in both years 1 and 2.
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Year Three – Assessment
A comprehensive M&E process is conducted during this year to determine the impact and integration of ResponsibleME into learners’ lives.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP)
We use this quantitative assessing tool as it touches on the three areas that encompass the nature of a learner’s engagement with their world.
Without knowledge, choices cannot be made effectively. However, each choice will be considered based on the attitudes held and, finally, the goal is to turn the previous two into healthful and successful practices.
Partnership
At RME we place enormous value on the vision and values of our partners. They are a vital component of all we do.
RME is nimble and our team are experienced and creative, with academic foundations to ensure best practice is always followed.
When engaging with our partners we use a three-stage process:
Consulting: the goal of this stage is to develop a shared vision for the program based on the RME offering, areas of expertise and the partners’ goals.
Creating: the program will be created. Communication with our partners is open and robust.
Connecting: RME will develop relationships with all stakeholders who will participate in the program.
Methodology
This programme is neither an addition to nor a replacement of the curriculum the youth are already learning at school. The lessons are constructed in such a way that one leads to another, creating a coherent structure.
We are cognisant that time in school is always limited. Therefore, we ensure that each lesson is constructed comprehensively. This means that each lesson contains the information, the ideas for facilitated discussion and an activity used for reinforcement.
Teachers are central to the success of all education systems. Teacher training is given to all participating educators, thus ensuring that the educators are clear on the methodology. It is also an opportunity to address questions and concerns.
RME’s curriculum developer and educational coach is always available to offer support to all educators.
Family Matters
When Nelson Mandela made his famous quote, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, he didn’t limit education to learners, he included the entire family unit.
The Family Matters Program (FM) is designed to encourage and develop inter-generational communication and more open relationships within families. FM facilitates greater transparency to create safe, trusting and supportive environments amongst learners, parents, grandparents and caregivers alike.
We are extremely proud of our adult education program. We call it “Family Matters” because families matter for the development of a healthy society. Additionally, these principles and knowledge are matters that adults in the family need to have integrated to ensure their families thrive.
The workshops help to coach and prepare parents to develop better communication skills in order to create a safe, open, trusting and supportive environment within their households.
The groups actively participate in discussion through ask-and-answer sessions as well as group activities. The following comments are representative of the feedback received during these engagements:
- The content made the participants feel comfortable and encouraged many people to openly discuss their concerns.
- Through the success of the workshops, many people wanted follow-up sessions.
- SGB members in attendance highlighted the need for this information and more similar workshops.
- Afterwards, people discussed passing on the message.
- For most participants, it was their first time attending such a workshop.
- People related personal stories which was very meaningful and impactful.
Get Involved
Find out how you can become part of the ResponsibleME family.