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We are excited to share that – after months of very limited access to technology or learning support – our LaunchPads all reopened. You, our dedicated donors, made it possible for our Net Buddies to get back to the important work of preparing for exams on the way to building better futures! Your encouragement and gifts kept our Net Buddies stay strong, smart and healthy by making sure they were nourished in body, mind and spirit. 

We are also very happy to report that throughout this difficult year, none of our Net Buddies or staff contracted Covid-19. Your ongoing support kept them informed and alert to be able to protect themselves and those around them in South Africa's densely packed townships.

In addition to getting back to work, your gifts allowed us to make several important changes to the LaunchPads that will make them safer and allow us to serve more students. Of course, all of the LaunchPads are now equipped with cleaning supplies that are refilled regularly. But we also began installing WIFI central points to allow our Net Buddies to work socially distanced in the fresh air outside.

Our first group of new Net Buddies has a jumpstart because so many are younger siblings of our Net Blazers. They were encouraged to become Net Buddies by their parents or guardians because they saw the positive impact these relationships had on their older siblings before and during the pandemic lockdown. Siblings are also a bonus for our staff because they help build stronger ties with the local parents, guardians and community. With direct lines of communication to our Net Buddies household members, we have better “intel” to coach our Video Mentors how to have the greatest impact with their Net Buddies.

Even though they have suffered the loss of critical school class time this year, our Net Buddies have learned valuable skills they will use forever. Through your example and generosity, you have shown our teens that dark days are no reason to give up on their dreams and that, even in the worst of times, resilience, resourcefulness and responsibility make us stronger, as individuals and as a community.

Thank you for your continued support for our work building the skills and responsibility of South Africa’s teens to become self-reliant and successful adults.

Links:

• Check out our website