Education South Africa Project #26226

Equip African Teens to Succeed

by Infinite Family

Project Report | Aug 20, 2020
More than 2,000 Meals Served!

By Amy Conrad Stokes | Founder, President and CEO

As we are all too well aware, 2020 is not following the normal script. Your support in March, made it possible for us to adapt our systems of support to extend Information, Inspiration and Activities to our individual Net Buddies’ homes where they were in strict lockdown for many months. In recognition of our efforts, GlobalGiving honored us by including Infinite Family in their 2020 Project of the Month Club.

The economic devastation of the coronavirus pandemic is profoundly different than anything our communities have faced before and continues to require “all hands on deck” creating new systems to support them. In May it became clear that mental, physical and emotional support would not be enough: Our Net Buddies and their families were literally starving. We needed to take on another new role and get involved in food distribution. We are so proud that our incredible donors and local partners took just 12 days to achieve life-saving results: YOU made it possible to deliver one-month food parcels that provided more than 2,000 meals! You can read 50+ messages of thanks from our Net Buddies and their families at the link below. Here’s just one:

I felt really touched when I heard that we were going to receive the food parcels. I felt as if a very heavy burden has been lifted off our shoulders because we’re family of 8 and only 2 of us have income. But my hours were cut … when I told my aunt she couldn’t even believe it when I said IF is bringing us food parcels. We feel loved and really cared for. Thank you so much. –Tsireletso, Net Buddy Alum

We are now focused on our Net Buddies’ education. Schools are not yet functioning for the majority of students and most of our Net Buddies do not have access to computers or Internet connectivity to participate in online school. Our South African team is exploring several ways to connect our Net Buddies to educational resources and activities to keep them moving forward while their schools struggle to implement a plan that minimizes Covid-19 spread. We will share the details soon, as well as how you can continue to play a critical role strengthening our Net Buddies.

We thank you for your commitment to and continued support for South Africa’s teens. Knowing you care about them, even though thousands of miles away, gives them courage and strength to stay focused and safe.

With deep gratitude,

Amy Conrad Stokes

Founder, President and CEO

Links:

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Apr 23, 2020
Your Information, Inspiration and Action Portal is Saving Lives

By Amy Conrad Stokes | Founder, President and CEO

New Net Buddy Coronavirus Support Portal

One month ago, you made sure that Infinite Family’s South African teen mentees were not abruptly isolated and uninformed when their schools were closed for the National Lockdown. Your gift keeps our Net Buddy mentees in contact twice a day, 7 days a week, so we can answer their questions, reduce their fears and keep them focused on building skills that advance their education when school starts again. In addition, the new outreach portal you sponsored has given constant access to their families and friends for:

Factual information about Coronavirus and Covid 19 and how to stay safe;

Uplifting messages of inspiration from their Video Mentors, celebrities and many others; and

Daily stimulating activities to keep their bodies and minds strong during this period of confinement.

Here are just a few of the comments we received as a result of your support:

I really appreciate the info. Most of us are scared at this moment getting such a support it show that we are not alone. Thank you. – Awkhiwe

This information is so helpful because I got to be informed about Covid-19. This was not only helpful to me but it was also helpful because I shared the information I received with others around me. -Zuzu

I would like to thank the person/people who were so thoughtful to warn us about the symptoms. I AM REALLY THANKFUL. - Hope

And these are a few of the important questions and fears you allowed us to hear and respond to:

How does quarantine assist in killing Covid 19?
How do I differentiate between flu symptoms and Covid 19 symptoms?
What will happen later in the future, will the virus be gone or will it wipe out half of the population on Earth?

As you can see, our Net Buddies live in communities without access to the role models and information they need to survive this pandemic and keep preparing for school and life success. You recognized that we are all in this together and filled this enormous gap!

We have a long way to go and life may never be the same again. Thanks to you, our Net Buddy mentees continue to build resilience, resourcefulness and responsibility, strengths they will always need to be successful in an uncertain future.

Please follow us @InfiniteFamily on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter if you wish to see the important content you make possible each day.

With deep appreciation,

Amy Conrad Stokes

Founder, President and CEO

Links:

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Feb 18, 2020
That's What We Are Talking About!

By Amy Stokes | Founder, President and CEO

Thokozani outside IF's LaunchPad computer lab

"If any of you educators would like an English lesson, I would be happy to give it to you!" That's how Thokozani ended his short presentation on the difference his Video Mentor, Sharon, had made in his life in the year and a half they had been connected.

He started his presentation by saying that in 8th grade, before starting video conversations (VCs) with Sharon through Infinite Family, he had been a shy and uncertain English speaker. He added that English had been one of his worst subjects and that he also struggled with all subjects that were taught in English, including math and science. Since meeting Sharon, he was proud to report that he was doing better in school overall, especially in English.

To Thokozani's surprise, his self-confidence had also increased dramatically, so much so, that he had begun to want to lead by example and be a role model for the younger students who were also struggling. Despite recently losing his father, he is always at the LaunchPad computer lab helping the Net Fundi lab managers and coaching the new Net Buddies as they learn the system.

Thokozani’s newfound skills will help him excel for the rest of his life.For starters, the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) has been studying the performance of 15 year olds worldwide in reading, math and science since 2000, including over 10 million students in 2018 alone! What have they found to be the most important indicators of student success? Confidence and self-motivation - both traits that Thokozani enthusiastically demonstrates now.

In addition, in a country with 11 official languages, the ability to communicate well in English is absolutely critical in getting that important first job in South Africa and in earning promotions for the rest of our Net Buddies’ lives. The skills that you have helped Thokazani develop while working with his Video Mentor have put him on the path to earning more than five times what his non-mentored peers will earn – for the rest of his life. We thank all of you who have supported Infinite Family through GlobalGiving for investing in Thokozani and inspiring him to begin a life of leadership as a role model for success.

Now back to that English lesson – who wants to be first?

Links:

Check out Infinite Family's website

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