Grow Strong is a Christian-based Skills and Mentorship Programme run by Marc and Brigit Oudejans who have a passion for equipping teenagers with new skills, offering them tangible hope, and creating an environment in which they feel nurtured, are able to heal and learn to thrive.

Grow Strong provides a nurturing environment, mainly tailored for students hailing from underprivileged communities who may not thrive in conventional academic settings and do not have the means to attend a school of skills.

Through our vocational curriculum, Grow Strong empowers young individuals to navigate the professional landscape and the challenges of life once they are an adult. The programme not only imparts practical skills but also cultivates resilience,  discover their sense of self-worth and confidence. In addition to academic and vocational training, Grow Strong places a strong emphasis sports, cultural activities, and community service projects. These endeavors foster a spirit of social responsibility, encouraging students to contribute positively to their neighborhoods despite economic hardships.

Furthermore, Grow Strong offers opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience through internships and workshops facilitated by industry professionals. We also host regular markets where the students can showcase and sell goods crafted during their skills training sessions, gaining valuable exposure to entrepreneurship and the satisfaction of tangible achievements.

Why are we needed in Grabouw?

There is a high rate of uneducated out-of-school youth, who have a history of abuse, live in poverty, and face joblessness, gangs, or petty crime as the only options for their future.

Why does this programme work?

Our facilitators and volunteers come together to form a force that tackles the internal and external obstacles these boys face, and by God’s grace help them redeem their lives. Giving them skills, courage, and practical assistance to change the trajectory of their lives.

We have the support of the local community, the department of education, and amazing volunteers who are willing to serve, love, and grow as a team.

Who are the students?

The programme is designed for teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 who have not been able to complete their academic schooling. Grow Strong also welcomes students from LSEN schools who require a further year of training and encouragement. Our students are boys that have chosen to change the trajectory of their future. They have chosen to not sit at home, to not walk the streets, but to equip themselves for a future that holds possibilities.