“Education comes alive and dispels awkwardness when curiosity and creativity are the foundation. That is the essences of the co-creation in UB creators’ clubs” Dr Mandy Mpatlanyane, Co-founder Ubusha Bami, futhi yimi lo! NPC.

The Creators’ Club was launched in 2024. First, it was launched as a one-day sitting called “GLOW sisters” with 20 girls (15-18yrs). A fully-fledged Club with 20 girls and boys of the same age group was later launched – this was called the BYMF Creators’ Club. The BYMF Creators’ Club ran through 2024 with engagements once a month. The success of 2024 lead to an extension of the Creators’ Club into 2025.

So how do UB Creators Clubs work?  

1. A main coordinator and assigned ambassadors (peer facilitator) set up the learning space for the session. A main facilitator is a seasoned medical or research professional. An ambassador is a volunteer apart of the UB Ambassadors programme – often between the ages of 16 and 25 years.

2. The lesson for the day is introduced to the Club members. Lessons have been designed to correspond with Amaze.org material. This allows for structure, as well as visuals and animation access. Additionally, the Amaze content is publicly available which allows Club members to interact with it long after the session has passed; and have a resource to share with other peers beyond the Club.

3. A practical activity session is where Club members can get creative, innovative and engaged. Here, they can utilise any materials (crafts, digital platforms etc) to create whatever they deem fit to respond to the activity prompt. This segment develops critical thinking, research, problem-solving, creativity, deep learning and collaboration.

4.The Club is wrapped up with a reflection session as a group discussion, video and/or survey for monitoring and evaluation of effectiveness. 

The Clubs can be tailored for various audiences and variable time periods. We have found that longer engagement is necessary for deep learning, trust building and community.

Likewise, spaces that can inspire creativity and interaction are best for Club sessions. Workshopping spaces are best.

Each Creators’ Club session should at minimum have the following key players and tools:

1. A professional coordinator,
2. An ambassador (Peer facilitator),
3. Club members,
4. Learning materials,
5. Craft materials,
6. And sponsors

Simple enough? Yeah, now let’s start our club – contact us if you’d like to learn more about establishing a UB Creators club at your school/youth group.

Ubusha Bami futhi yimi lo – My youth and this is me! © 10 May 2025