MRP Foundation is a development organisation that strives to empower youth of South Africa. Through high-impact education and skills development programmes, the Foundation’s mission is to equip young people as they journey from school into a career, empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and inequality in their own lives.

In response to COVID-19, MRP Foundation has provided a summary of how the youth in South Africa can keep motivated and continue learning at home during the lockdown:

1. Self-learning   

• Valuable perspective on lockdown and how to live beyond this time by Appletree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9TzH7SUbyI&feature=youtu.be
• OpenLearn offers free online courses for self-development: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue
• Short online courses you can finish in a lunch break: https://www.themuse.com/advice/7-free-short-classes-you-can-take-and-finish-on-your-lunch-break
• Free online Personal Development Courses, when selecting a course, select the “audit the course” option to do it for free. You won’t get a certificate or official credits, but get access to all learning content:  https://www.coursera.org

2. Work Readiness

• Build your online personal brand and set up your social channels and CV: https://www.mrpfoundation.org/Articles/2019/Be-yourself,-everyone-else-is-taken”.aspx
• Tips for creating your CV: https://www.careerjunction.co.za/blog/top-cv-tips-cv-template/

3. Healthy bodies, healthy minds

• Avoid fake news by ensuring you read informed and factual information. The South African Corona Virus Resource Portal: https://sacoronavirus.co.za
• Factual health Information about COVID-19 from The World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• The South African Depression and Anxiety Group provides free helpline and resources: http://www.sadag.org
• Guidance for exercises on deep breathing and mindfulness: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/relaxation-techniques-for-stress-relief.htm
• Stay digitally connected to friends and family. The Moya Messenger App is a data-free messaging app (MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, Telkom): https://www.datafree.co/moya-messenger-app
• A range of resources from tips on exercise and healthy living to cooking lessons: https://specialprojects.news24.com/coronavirus/lockdown-activities/index.html

To learn more about MRP Foundation, visit https://www.mrpfoundation.org/ and Facebook for updates.