Lifeskills for 2,587 Children in South Africa

The Sparks That Stayed

The fire popped, sending a tiny shower of orange sparks drifting up into the dark, starry sky over the trees. I leaned back against the log, pulling my oversized camp hoodie a little tighter. It was freezing, but that was fine with me. Around me, the soft chatter of seventy other kids mixed with the crackling of the fire, but for the first time in as long as I could remember, my head was completely quiet.

Back home, quiet usually means something is wrong. Quiet means the electricity got cut again, or out on the road, something was happening and everyone was holding their breath waiting for the screams or the shots. This kind of quiet felt like a giant, warm blanket, heavy and comforting.

"Hey, Tsepho," Meriam whispered, nudging my shoulder with her elbow. She passed me a perfectly golden, slightly gooey marshmallow. "You’re staring into space again. You, okay?"

"Yeah," I smiled, taking the marshmallow. "Just thinking."

A World Away From Home

Before GlobalGiving and this camp, my winters were spent either staring at the corrugated iron on my bedroom ceiling or outside in the dust and wind. When you grow up in a neighbourhood where the streets aren't always safe and there is little to do in the village, your world shrinks. You learn to stop asking for things because you already know the answer: We can't afford it right now!.

But last Monday, I packed my plastic bag with my clothes and my blanket, took my plate and cup and headed off to the main street to catch a taxi to town. Then I met with other scouts heading towards a second taxi, this time we would leave the town of Tzaneen with its buildings and travel into the rolling green hills and avocado plantation of Westfalia, it felt like we were crossing a border into a completely different planet.

Here, they didn't just give us three meals a day (though the chicken and pap was legendary). They gave us space to just... be kids.

• On Monday: I was taught how to erect a tent, my home for the next 5days. I was taught how to make a bed out of leaf litter and placed my kit inside the tent. We also built our own tables and chairs to have dinner.
• On Tuesday: I was taught how to read a map and compass and then we set off on a hike. I was terrified, I had never been in the bush on my own. I had never travelled using a map like this, we had to navigate our way to the fire lookout on a huge hill out of sight. I thought about all the poisonous snakes we have in South Africa, the leopards and baboons that we can hear at night. My knees shaking but the others kids and I kept pretending to be brave until I reached the top of the mountain. I didn't know I could be brave like that.
• On Wednesday: I learnt about how to cook on a fire without using utensils, I didn’t know it was so easy, starting the fire without matches was a challenge, but we go it done. I am so proud of myself. We also attended training on child protection, now I know how to help other kids who are being abused.
• On Thursday: We waded into the creek to look for macroinvertebrates. I got mud up to my elbows and laughed so hard my stomach hurt. We also had training on First Aid, now I know how to do CPR, so if some one’s heart stops, I can do something, I KNOW WHAT TO DO.

The Real Magic

Every night we had campfires and presented skits and songs and jokes to the other kids. It was scary standing in front of everyone, but I did it. "Alright, everyone," Akela said, her voice warm. "It’s our last night. Who wants to share what they're taking home with them?"

A few kids shouted out things like "the camp songs!" or "the mapping skills!" But when it got quiet again, I found myself standing up. My heart thumped against my ribs, just like it did on the hike.

"I’m taking home the feeling that I matter," I said, my voice a little shaky but clear. "Before I came here, I thought my world was always going to be small. But you guys showed me how big it actually is. I learned that I’m strong, I learned that I can make friends, and I learned that there are people out there—people who don't even know me—who cared enough to send me here."

I looked around the circle. In the firelight, I saw Meriam wiping a tear from her cheek, and Akala was nodding with a proud smile.

A Spark of Gratitude

• On Friday: I couldn’t believe the camp was finished. We pack our bags and head back to the Tzaneen. The noise, the concrete, and the realities of home will be waiting for us. But something has changed inside me.

Those sparks from the campfire eventually fade into the night, but the spark this camp put in my heart isn't going anywhere. To everyone at GlobalGiving who made this happen: thank you for giving us a safe place to grow, to laugh, and to finally see how bright our own futures can be.

Tsepho (14yr old Scout)

Links:

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Avuxeni! Ndzi pfukile, kunene.

With the excitement of camp behind us, our children have transitioned smoothly back into the classroom. Far from slowing down, this return to the "real world" means the Keep The Dream196 Children’s Program is kicking off again with absolute gusto.

Amidst the everyday routine, we have a massive victory to celebrate from our Scouts program: two of our outstanding Scouts have passed rigorous interviews and have been selected to join the South African contingent at the upcoming World Scout Jamboree in Poland! This is an incredible opportunity for them to represent their country and community on a global stage.

Self-Help Groups (SHG) & Cluster Level Associations (CLA) Update

Our community-led framework continues to gain phenomenal momentum. We have successfully launched 35 new Self-Help Groups out of our ambitious target of 50, bringing vital savings and support structures to hundreds more women.

Strategic Partnerships & The Path to Federation

• National Assessment: Next week, we are hosting Xoli, the National Coordinator for SHGs. She will spend a week assessing our mature Cluster Level Associations (CLAs) to evaluate their readiness for Federation opening—a massive step toward total local autonomy.
• Healing Fractured Homes: The Bokamoso CLA has forged a pioneering partnership with FAMSA (Family and Marital Association of South Africa). Through our Journey of Life training, our leaders identified widespread trauma from broken relationships. FAMSA will now provide professional counseling directly to these families. Moving forward, we plan to replicate this partnership model across our other CLAs.

Sustainability and Governance

• The "I DO" Program Conclusion: Our collaboration with Rotterdam University is drawing to a close. Students have been working hard on a comprehensive feasibility study focused on making KTD196 financially self-sufficient. The goal is to move away from heavy reliance on institutional donors and short-term 1-2 year contracts, building our own independent income streams instead.
• New Financial Governance: At our recent AGM, a new Financial Policy was officially approved. We will be actively implementing these robust changes over the next few months to ensure the highest standards of accountability.

CLA Achievements & Impact Spotlight

Our Cluster Level Associations (CLAs) have truly been the hands and feet of development in their communities. Here is a breakdown of what these community leaders achieved over the past year:

1. Group Expansion & Strengthening

• New Groups: 19 new groups were opened directly by the CLAs, welcoming over 320 new women into our economic empowerment network.
• Strengthening Existing Networks: CLAs actively supported 58 existing groups. Of these, 20 received targeted training in basic business skills, and 28 were guided through reviewing and updating their group constitutions and rules.

2. Infrastructure & Material Needs

When external contractors left a chaotic mess of large rocks and blocked roads after installing water pipes—preventing taxis from entering and endangering children—the CLA stepped in. They mobilized stakeholders, got the road cleared, and resolved the hazard. Additional infrastructure breakthroughs include:

• Roads: 1 main road graded and fixed in Dan; roads successfully graded and leveled in Burgersdorp.
• Clean Water: 5 vital community boreholes repaired (2 in Nyanyukani, 1 in Rhulani, and 2 in Burgersdorp).

3. Healthcare Delivery & Service Improvements

• Mobile Clinics: Successfully reinstated mobile healthcare services in Gavaza, ensuring a medical clinic now visits the community once a month.
• Clinic Advocacy: Achieved faster, friendlier service at the Julesburg and Dan Clinics.
• Hospital Accessibility: Advocated successfully at Dr. CN Phatudi Hospital; they have opened an internal clinic so patients without formal referral letters are no longer turned away from receiving care.

4. Social Transformation & Governance

• Safety Campaigns: Ran 2 highly successful awareness campaigns—one tackling drug and alcohol abuse in schools, and another educating families on the dangers of children swimming in swollen streams after heavy floods.
• Community Policing: Launched 2 Community Policing Forums (CPFs). Members have been fully trained and are working hand-in-hand with local safety structures.
• Lobbying & Admin: Established solid, quarterly reporting relationships with key community stakeholders. Furthermore, the Bokamoso CLA has established its Working Isolation (WI) framework and is preparing to begin financially contributing toward the cost of their own Community Facilitator—a massive win for true self-reliance.

Thank You! Your belief in KTD196 allows us to empower children, strengthen women, and completely rebuild community infrastructure from the ground up. Thank you for walking this journey with us.

Blessings

Louise

My name is Marcia

Marcia is a member of the Nsimeko Self-Help Group (SHG), which was founded on November 28, 2022. She was born on July 12, 1951, and is married to Tommy. The couple has been blessed with three children and two grandchildren. Marcia was born and raised in Lebowakgomo, but she moved to Tzaneen after getting married. Being naturally shy and introverted, she didn’t have many friends in Tzaneen.

Marcia’s husband serves as the Induna of their community, making her the first lady. She shared that their journey has not been without challenges. Tommy comes from a large family with four boys and two girls, and he is the youngest of three brothers. Following the passing of their father, there was significant discord regarding who should rightfully take on the role of Induna. The two older brothers have built their lives elsewhere—one in Johannesburg and the other serving in the military and often deployed.

When Tommy expressed his desire to take over as Induna, his brother in Johannesburg claimed he would relocate to assume his rightful place, but that never happened. For years, Tommy performed the duties of the Induna while his brother received compensation for it. Marcia held onto hope and prayed for change, as their situation was quite difficult. With Tommy doing odd jobs and Marcia being unemployed, they struggled to support their children. Sometimes, having fancy food (beef or rice) or even three meals a day felt like a luxury. Their main focus was on survival and not going to bed hungry.

Marcia explained that they decided not to contest the chieftaincy because she feared for her husband’s safety. In late 2022, when the organization approached her husband to introduce their program and seek his permission, Marcia was already interested. She had heard the phrase “financial independence,” which resonated with her aspirations. She knew that this was the solution to all her financial struggles at home and a way to provide for her children.

When Marcia joined the group, her first loan was R50 to buy bread, followed by a second loan of R100 for food. Eventually, she borrowed R500, which Tommy suggested they use to make and sell bricks. She agreed, and together they produced the bricks themselves. As her loans increased, she borrowed R5,000, which they used to continue making bricks for sale and to start renovating their house. Her current loan stands at R10,000, and they are now close to completing the renovations. Marcia and her husband are very happy with the program, and her husband is very supportive. Women in the group said that it was very beneficial for them to keep Marcia in the group because she is not only humble, but she is also able to assist them when they must report some members to the tribal court.

Marcia has been chosen as the Self-Help Group (SHG) representative to the CLA. When asked how she feels about this role, she expressed that she feels very fortunate and blessed. The program, along with the trust the women have in her, has elevated her status in the community. She has made new friends and regained her self-confidence.

Marcia is also happy to work alongside her husband to improve the community. She shared that the community now has a functioning Community Policing Forum, access to water, and faster service at the local clinic. Additionally, Marcia expressed hope that, in the future, the community will have its own shopping complex.

Links:

• Why not visit our website you are welcome to leave a message!
• Facebook is a great way to keep up to date with what we are upto
• Cruise through our YouTube Channel!