Physical Health South Africa Project #10010

Lifeskills for 2,587 Children in South Africa

by Keep The Dream196

Lifeskills for 2,587 Children in South Africa

Project Report | Sep 15, 2021
A Time for CELEBRATION!!!

By Louise and the KTD196 Dream Team | Managing Director

Chief Scout of South Africa, Nsuku and his Granny

In all this turmoil I am so happy to report that on the 4th September 2021, there was a landmark occasion for Keep The Dream196 and for Limpopo Scouts. We held an awards ceremony which I will speak about over the coming weeks.

Firstly, I would like to introduce you to Jane, a GlobalGiving Supporter who has been supporting KTD196 for the last 10yrs through various means. I would like you to hear what she has to say about the day's activities.

Next is Nsuku, who you have met before! However this time, he is receiving his Springbok Award which is the highest award in Scouts, in South Africa and is internationally recognized. Why is this so important to KTD196? Well, since we started in Scouts in 2003, the program was impossible for rural disadvantaged children to reach this level because of all the requirements that needed resources ie to go camping, we didn't have tents. Badges in general that need to be earned that required resources we didn't have for example computers, telescopes, backpacks. Finally, in 2016-18 a new program was created in conjunction and trialed with KTD196 which was finally rolled out nationally in 2018. Nsuku is our first recipient.

We have 3 more to come next year, which is so exciting for the kids and us.

Thank you for making this possible. Obviously earning a badge is not the important thing here, it is the quality of young people that is being produced by KTD196 in conjunction with Scouts which is important. And that is all through your support. If you would like to send Nsuku words of congratulations or encouragement please email me and I will see that he gets them. Sadly, like all of our kids, they do not have email addresses.

Blessings

Louise

It was my great privilege and pleasure to attend the Keep The Dream196 award ceremony held on the 4th of September 2021.

It was just incredible to see the difference that KTD196 is making in the lives of children across Limpopo. Where the teenage pregnancy rate is low to almost invisible within the program, the kids who attend scouts don't join gangs, that really stood out for me. And the absolute lack of a welfare mentality which is imbibed into these children by adults who are walking tall and think that living off welfare, off others is an achievement.

What struck me is the ethos of a "Can Do" mentality to problem-solving, of not sitting back and playing victim but doing what you have to do, digging deep if you have to, and aspiring to values that make for a community that works. So as an example, when the sound system didn't work there was a plan A, then a plan B, and finally a plan C. There was not a shred of self-pity amongst anybody.

As a donor, I want every cent to make a difference and to have confidence in the KTD196 leadership that they will carry through the change I want to see. I was so impressed with the depth of leadership. It gave me more confidence than ever before. The KTD196 leadership of today is growing solid leaders for tomorrow as well, in ways that I could hardly believe could ever become a reality in Limpopo. Kudos to them all!

I would encourage anyone to support this program, monthly donations are a great option no matter what amount because the organization is truly making the difference they say they are. I have seen it with my own eyes and I am so excited about the future.

Jane - GlobalGiving Supporter

My name is Nsuku,

I started with KTD196 as a Cub and then became a Scout and plan on becoming a Rover when I turn 18yrs. I live in Shiluvane Village. I have now been in the Scout program for 5yrs. I feel so free and proud to be a Scout. I wasn't feeling free to walk around the village because I am not from here, I was being judged because my language was different but now, since joining Scouts, I am accepted and I feel very free.

Now I am a Troop Leader, which means I am responsible for everyone at 1st Shiluvane. I assist them in developing their skills and knowledge. I help them develop as junior scouts, I make sure they are applying the Law and Promise in Scouts, at school, and at home. I also help all the other scouts with their homework, I love mathematics and I am very good, so I help the others where I can.

I would like to see all children join Scouts, it is a very good thing. KTD196 has saved so many children through this program. If you join us, you will learn great things, you will become something bigger you didn't think was possible. They will teach you how to lead, even if you are afraid.

I was in town last week, I was taking a child to the hospital because he got injured, I was in uniform and the nurse asked me why I was dressed in this shirt. I was able to talk to her about Scouts and about all that we do. I could see she was very interested and she said she wanted to join scouts because she could see that I was a very responsible young man. I am very proud of my first aid badge because I can help others and I know what to do if there is an injury or accident.

I was able to achieve my Springbok Award, which is the highest national award in Scouts for Scouts. One of the activities was a hike with my patrol, I took 6 scouts with me on a journey for 80kms and we camped over two nights. This was so exciting. I had to do all the preparation for example get permission from the landowners, have consent forms from the scouts and Scouts National for the hike. I had to plan the food we would take for three days and two nights. I had a good team of fellow scouts, they supported me in this.

I am very proud to be the first Scout in Keep The Dream196 to achieve the Springbok Award in Keep The Dream196. If you believe in your heart what you want to achieve, there is nothing impossible, if you believe in your heart, you will achieve it, if you don’t believe and plan you will not achieve. To everyone who has helped me on this journey THANK YOU!

It is only possible because of you.

Thank you

Nsuku

Nsuku - our first Springbok Scout!

Links:

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Sep 8, 2021
The Children's Role in Serving their Communities!

By Louise and the KTD196 Dream Team | Jack of all trades, master of none!

Parents attending Parenting Training

Avuxeni Nkomu Ngopfu. (greetings and thank you in Xitsonga)

Thank you so much for the way in which you support the children of Limpopo. Your gift means so much to us as an organization because it means we can continue to make a difference in the lives of the children we serve! It also means so much to the children. We bring hope, our programs inspire the children to be the best versions of themselves. In turn, they serve their communities doing whatever they can to help.

In African culture often children are forgotten, decisions are made on behalf of the children without consultation, or engagement at all. Children are not really seen, they are not considered, their voices are mute. Apart from being a Rights issue, it is also important to engage with children about issues concerning children. At KTD196 we work with parents on this particular issue to ensure that communication bridges are created with the kids. Parents are taught about what constitutes abuse ie verbal and emotional abuse. Often parents just don't know.

The training brings about positive changes in parental attitudes. The parents find a new way in which to communicate with their children which brings the family together. The program we run for kids already inspires them to be positive citizens and creates opportunities for them to be useful and engaging in community service. The small groups, called Patrols, decide on the community service they would like to do each week. They also as a larger group decide on larger Community Service activities.

So, for example, a group may decide to pick up litter in the main street, fill in potholes so that vehicles can travel without fear of damaging their vehicles. Others may fundraise for the paint to paint a local creche to help the children. Some groups in the past have adopted a granny or sick person who needs help, they have done the cleaning of the yard or house, fetched firewood and water for the week to help them through. Others have created large community gardens and given away the produce to the needy.

The children are active in community service for their communities. This raises their profile as positive contributors in today's society which is often about what can I get and not necessarily what can I give. I am so proud of the care these kids take in helping others. This is such a valuable lesson, I am sure you would agree.

This is all made possible through your support. We could not inspire the kids without your support. What you give, creates ripple effects in the communities we serve. Thank you Nkomu Ngopfu Sweneni! (thank you so very much)

Blessings

Louise

ps did you listen to the podcast from last week? I would love any feedback. I have included it again below under links in case you missed it!

Establishing a garden for a poor family

Assisting those in need

Links:

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Sep 1, 2021
I guess now its my turn?!!!!!! Introducing Louise the Jack of All Trades

By Louise and the KTD196 Dream Team | Managing Director

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