Empowering Girls and Women as Mothers

THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU.

There are many days when the work that we do can be overwhelming and full of a plethora of challenges.  However, there is not ever a day that I am not encouraged by seeing the work that we do change and transform lives. The young people who serve are not foreign to physical and sexual violence, HIV, drugs, alcohol, gangs and much much more.

Your support means more than mere words can convey.

This week alone we now through our programs we saved hundreds of young people from the dark lure of gangs, drug use, petty crime and teen pregnancy. 

We at Keep The Dream 196 for over 16 years has been that beam of light, hope, support, direction, affirmation, strength, safety and unconditional love. 

It is because of people like you, sharing your compassion and support in a very real way, these young people are able to overcome dire obstacles and finish school, go to university, feed their families and help their peers make better choices with their lives.

Thank you for partnering with us! Thank you for caring and believing in these young people! And, thank you for bringing dreams to real life. 

On behalf of the board of directors, the young people and their families, please know that you are sincerely and deeply appreciated.  If there is ever any question that I can answer for you, do not hesitate to reach out to me at +27732742080 or keepthedream196@gmail.com.

 Warmly and Sincerely,

Louise

Links:

• Listen to Neo's story please
• Why not visit our website?
• Or follow us on Facebook!

Welcome everyone to feedback from Keep The Dream196, I trust you are enjoying these reports and are being inspired by the work we are achieving together. Welcome especially to our new members of the KTD196 Community of Supporters, I trust you will enjoy these reports, if you have any questions please just drop me a line on keepthedream196@gmail.com

While this work is demanding and tiring, I know that we are making a huge difference. It’s like a stone thrown into a pond, the ripple effect the work we are doing is travelling throughout the communities. For example, we had done work in the past throughout the province regarding sustainable permaculture food gardens, 66% of the people (particularly women and children) live below the poverty line and in extreme poverty. Growth stunting of children has reached 40% nationally. Stunting means they are not getting the quality food intake to grow developmentally. This means that in 20yrs time these children will have probably failed at school, failed at accessing meaningful employment, failed at relationships, have a high incidence of aggression and violence towards people and probably end up in high risk relationships, jail or deceased. All because of the lack of food security and nourishment.

At KTD196 we are teaching children how to grow organic vegetables and fruit which are GMO free, with natural fertilizers and how to harvest, cook and prepare these foods to maximise nourishment. We are also working with their parents to create a culture of whole foods, food security and nourishing staples. Parents and children are talking to their peers outside of the program. They are educating their peers. It feels good that we can not only give them “a fish” but also teach them “how to fish” so that they can continue to feed themselves and their familes. The truth is, if we do not…there is no one else here to help them.

If we help one child to eat better, they then perform well at school and are able to pay attention to learn. They are receiving the nourishment their growing bodies require to develop cognitively, intellectually, emotionally and physically. KTD196 with your support is changing lives. Families overall health is improving. Chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes are improving with whole foods. This is what we are achieving together. In reality, we are helping over 2,500 families throughout the Province to eat better.

A price cannot be put on health. Your support enables us to make such a difference in people’s lives but particularly in children's lives. Thank you so much for your love, care and support. You really are making a difference in our lives. You really are having long lasting impact into children's lives. You really are saving them from a lifetime of difficultly.

Your co-worker

Louise

 

After attending Journey of Life training the parents of the children are asked to form Parent Committee’s to support their child's participation in cub packs and scout troops. These committees have evolved to become self help groups through the support of the Field Officers and Project Manager. Keep The Dream196 have implemented a Food Security Project aimed at small garden vegetable production. The Parent Committees (17 in total approximately 232 parents) have also agreed to developing larger community based gardens.

KTD196 have trained parents on vegetable garden development; natural fertilizers such as composting, manure teas, pest control, cash book skills, marketing skills and working together as teams to maximize the returns for each parent. Through this project parents who have limited resources are able to use those resources to purchase other things rather than vegetables. This process assists in making the Children’s Life skills project more sustainable as parents can contribute towards some costs for their children.

However the biggest impact is in reducing stunting in children in Limpopo!

"I am so happy, I now know how to feed my children properly and make sure they grow up big and strong. Not just that but I earn money selling my vegetables to my neighbours so they are feeding the children good healthy food. I grew up hungry, I dont want that for my kids. Keep The Dream has helped me stop that from happening. THANK YOU KEEP THE DREAM196." - Margaret from Thalane.

Links:

• Why not follow us on Facebook?
• Or check out our website