TRULIFE is an NPO that believes that educating and inspiring South Africa’s youth today will lead them to make better decisions for their and our country’s future. Trulife uses dance, drama, slam poetry, workshops and digital media to tackle topics such as human trafficking, bullying, substance abuse and self-identity. They believe that awareness leads to prevention, that’s why they are passionate about getting their messages out to the youth of this country.
TRULIFE have been working in KZN since 2011 and have performed more than 850 productions, reaching in excess of 110 000 students over the years. This year they will impact approximately 30 000 students in 100 schools across KZN and Gauteng.
TRULIFE was formed by founder and director, Colin Edmonds, in January 2011. Colin had spent a number of years previously working with teenagers and schools and so had witnessed first-hand the desperate need for some sort of intervention in the lives of South Africa’s youth. His goal in forming the organisation was to address common issues he saw which negatively impacted the next generation from reaching their full potential; providing them with information and skills; inspiring them to change their thinking about certain behaviours; and ultimately motivating them to go out and be the change they want to see in their communities.
TRULIFE’s topics tackle serious problems in the lives of young people. Each topic is carefully chosen, in alignment with the Life Orientation syllabus, and the production, workshops and curriculum for that topic are designed with a specific grade in mind. This ensures the material is appropriate and grabs the attention of the audience, leaving a lasting impact. They tackle these topics in four different mediums : Live Productions, Interactive Workshops, Dynamic Seminars and Original Curriculum.
Primary Schools
Grade 6 : Bullying
South Africa has reached a “national crisis” as bullying has become an absolute epidemic in schools around our nation. This topic challenges young people to value the differences in others. Confronting the absurdity of cyber, physical and emotional bullying; encouraging students to stop bringing others down and instead build them up.
Grade 7 : Peer Pressure and Identity
At this stage in their lives, young people struggle to come to terms with who they are and where they fit in. This topic deals specifically with conformity and promoting a healthy self-identity through the comical “Copyright” production, engaging workshops and colourful curriculum. Individuals are challenged to embrace their own identity and to use their unique talents and abilities to add to the bigger picture.
High Schools
Grade 8 : Drugs and Alcohol Addiction
Highlighting the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as the peer-pressure environment that often leads to addiction, this topic encourages students to make wise and healthy choices for their lives and futures. By focusing on positive messages, and real-life testimony, students are challenged with the questions, “What will your story be?”
Grade 9 : Sex and Healthy Relationships
A look at the flippancy of the current sex culture, the dangers of treating sex too casually, and how often young people confuse sex with love. Young people need to have their thinking challenged in this area and be more selective about what behaviours they accept. Individuals are encouraged to set a higher standard: “Abstinence, marriage, sex… It works every time!”
Grade 10 : Social Injustice
This topic confronts the problems of discrimination in our nation, encouraging students to work hard to overcome the racism, classism or sexism of their pasts. Honest conversation is encouraged, in a way that is non-threatening and seeks solutions, with an overarching theme of celebrating the hope that remains for South Africa’s future.
Grade 11 & 12 : Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is the fastest growing global crime with more that 45 million people trapped in slavery. Through the live production, workshops, curriculum and seminars, awareness is brought to the reality of Human Trafficking, educating students in order to prevent them from being trafficked and informing them of what they can do to help prevent the increase of this horrific pattern of modern-day slavery.
So what can you do to help?
#lovecoffee?? Are you a corporate, business, office block, coffee shop or restaurant? It’s easy! Sign up through TRULIFE to use and stock coffee beans from Bluebird Coffee Roastery. 10% of the value your business buys will be donated to TRULIFE. It will not cost your business anything extra as the 10% donation is the responsibility of Bluebird Coffee Roastery. So not only will your business get top quality, tasty specialty coffee, they would also be indirectly supporting TRULIFE in their mission to bring about change and reach the youth of this country that need to hear these messages. Contact Miguel Fialho on 079 189 3436 or email miguel@trulife.org.za to organise a #lovecoffee visit.
Yes I know what your next question is! Is Bluebird Coffee any good? My answer to that is YES! I have bought and enjoyed numerous bags of their coffee beans.
Already have a coffee supplier that you are happy with? Become a TRULIFE Corporate Partner by making a corporate donation, adopting a school or by sponsoring an intern. For more information on what this entails please visit Corporate Partners on the TRULIFE website.
Don’t #lovecoffee (why?) Not a corporate, business, office block, coffee shop or restaurant? Support TRULIFE through their 100’s & 1000’s Campaign (your 100’s can help them reach 1000’s). The 100’s and 1000’s campaign allows individuals to sign up for a monthly pledge of R100 or more. For the cost of a few coffees (or teas), you can be part of the life changing work the TRULIFE team are doing in schools on a daily basis. All donors receive a donor’s newsletter, as well as a Section 18A Tax Certificate and thank you letter.
Have a son or daughter between the ages of 17 and 23 who want to enter the world of creative arts? The TRULIFE Internship is an opportunity to gain professional hands-on experience.
They will have the opportunity be trained in various disciplines including:
- Dance (Hip Hop and Contemporary)
- Media (Videography and Graphic Design)
- On Stage Performance (Drama and Song)
- Technical Theatre skills (Sound Engineering and Lighting design)
- Theatre Devising (learning how to create your own professional productions from scratch)
- Leadership
- Event Planning
They will also accompany the professional productions team on a National Tour (for example to Johannesburg), performing to schools across the country. With a reach of more than 20 000 students every year, TRULIFE Interns get an opportunity to impact a generation with pertinent messages whilst using their God-given gifts.
If you need further information contact TRULIFE through their website.
Find out about Bluebird Coffee Roastery and their coffee beans on their website.
