In their hungry pursuit to make a difference, Durban North trailblazers ‘Teens Under the Hood’ are at the frontlines of upliftment in their community and beyond.
Teens Under the Hood (TUTH) founder, Michelle Beaumont, said that since the organisation’s inception in 2018, each of its diverse members flourished in their roles of community youth leadership, lending their hands to fitness training sessions, life skills workshops, motivational speaking and community projects such as the recent clean-up around the Redhill Post Office.
“I began to develop the teens from the age of 15 or 16. My twin, 16 years old at the time, and I developed an outcomes-based fitness and life skills development programme. We then invited other teens in their age category to participate at a community school sports grounds,” said Beaumont.
TUTH life skills programme facilitator, Luvan Alexander, said that one of his favourite things about the organisation is the loving and accepting environment that also doubles as a means to make the world a better place. “I totally enjoyed the community clean-up that we did recently. Seeing the stark difference of the before and after just shows the kind of impact that we are capable of,” said Alexander.
Jamie and Jordan Beaumont, both 19, said that TUTH has allowed them to be closer to society, make many good friends and fulfil what they believe is their purpose. “Serving community and the lessons that we have learned, and still learn, being more compassionate and caring individuals fuels my passion for what we do,” said Jordan, who serves as the fitness programme writer.
Jamie added: “I feel that the biggest place that I can make a difference to all of humanity is through Teens Under the Hood SA. It has helped me engage a diverse group of people on a scale that I never knew possible in so many different ways. Facilitating life skills development at schools, helping the elderly and participating in our community projects like environmental clean-ups, feeding the needy and more, I find joy and my spirit is happy.”
Beaumont said that the group intends to take their programmes throughout KZN by the end of 2022, adding that there was nothing that she would like more than to see ‘TUTH’ sweaters throughout the province.
“From 2023 onwards we would like to train other teens across our country to duplicate our work. We believe that all of South Africa is one community, one nation, one family in the spirit of Ubuntu,” said Beaumont.
This year’s newly-elected chairperson, Mohammed Zidan, mirrored Beaumont’s sentiment, adding that with the members of TUTH there is never a shortage of love. “The people who comprise the organisation are absolutely stellar. We should always surround ourselves with people who see our value and remind us of it, and our amazing team does just that. I feel it really facilitates the invaluable work we’ve been graciously allowed to do,” said Zidan.
