Food Security South Africa Project #17691

Lifeskills 2,743 vulnerable children South Africa

by Keep The Dream196

Project Report | May 28, 2025
YOU are awesome! Thank you for supporting KTD196

By Louise | Managing Director

Avuxeni, Minjani? Umfekile Minjane! (Hello, how are you? I am well!)

Todays post is a bit different.

I just want to share with you some feedback I have had from our supporters! Often as a leader, it is a lonely and difficult role, but it blesses me so much to receive encouragement from you, our supporters! Its not just the financial support, it is knowing that you have our backs, that you see the effort, the cost (not the financial cost) but the blood, sweat and tears that goes into the work we do.

I am humbled by how you view KTD196 and myself.

I feel very blessed, thank you so much for reaching out. I must need it because all 3messages have come in the last week. Often I don’t think any one sees what I do, I get all the “problems”, but after this! WOW. Every week I invite people to send a message to the kids or the adults we work with or even the staff, I am serious, you don’t know how it boosts us to know people care about the work we do, past the financial support.

Thank you so much

Blessings

Louise

Dear Louise,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge you, not just for what you do, but for who you are. The time, energy, and passion it takes to run a nonprofit are often underestimated. Most people only see the events, the programs, and the impact, but they don’t see the long nights, the sacrifices, and the countless hours of work that go into making your mission a reality.

Many first experience a nonprofit as a volunteer, a donor, or a program participant, and from the outside looking in, the work seems simple. They see a colour run, a food giveaway, or a community event, but they don’t see the effort behind it all. They don’t see the planning, the fundraising, the grant writing, the board meetings, the compliance requirements, the endless emails, and the deep responsibility of leading a mission-driven organization. But I see you.

I see the weight you carry. I see the moments of exhaustion when you wonder if you’re doing enough. I see the challenges you face as you juggle fundraising, program development, and the day-to-day operations that keep your nonprofit running. I see your commitment, your heart, and your unwavering dedication to making a difference. And I want you to know that your work is not in vain.

The legacy of your impact will far outlive you. The seeds you are planting today, whether through education, advocacy, support, or empowerment, are growing into something that will change lives for generations. The communities you serve are stronger because of you. The people you help are better because of you. The change you are creating is real, lasting, and deeply meaningful.

I know the road is not easy, but please keep going. Your mission matters. Your dedication is making a difference. And the world is better because of you.

Whenever you need a reminder of why you started, take a deep breath and look at the faces of those you serve. They are your proof that your work is worth it. Keep your head up, keep your heart full, and know that you are not alone in this journey.

With deep gratitude and encouragement,
Jen

Louise, I just wanted to say thankyou very much for introducing us to the staff over the last few emails. I have found it very interesting to discover more of their stories and how much they have contributed to KTD196, and also how much it has helped them.

Thank you,

Gail

Thank you for the updates Louise. You are doing an amazing work over there and I love being a part of it. When I was younger, I loved travelling to different countries so since that is not possible anymore, helping you takes its place.

May God continue to bless you, protect you and provide for you. God bless you and keep you as you travel the road ahead.

Daphne

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May 20, 2025
Introducing Dikeledi, Community Facilitator in SHG

By Louise | Managing Director

Dikeledi

Avuxeni, minjane? Umfikile, Minajani!

I trust life is treating you well and that you are excited to read the updates I send to you. Recently, I was in Australia touching base with donors and speaking about the work that KTD196 does in the province of Limpopo. It was a very fulfilling and inspiring time to see so many people directly touched by the work we do. When I write these updates, I don’t often get feedback in terms of if the information is interesting, if it meets people’s needs, if it is worth reading. It is like working in a vacuum in some ways.

Meeting our supporters in Australia, they were all so keen and so encouraged by what I was sharing that it really inspired me, that I am on the correct path. If you would like to hear about anything specifically that you are interested in please write to me at director@keepthedream196.com and I will address your interests.

As I said a few weeks ago I want to introduce the SHG team, I started with Nkulu and now I want to introduce you to Dikeledi who was one of the original community facilitators who started with the project. She also has been with us in Scouts for approximately 10yrs. She loves the children but recognises the best way to support the kids is to empower the mothers and assist them out of poverty and into the informal workforce so they can provide for their children.

All of our staff have duel roles in the program, they work in Scouts and in SHG. Even our administration staff have duel roles because it’s the best way to understand all that we do and take hold of the fullness of the organization. Dikeledi role is to go door to door introducing the SHG program, gather 20women together and start teaching them the SHG model. She guides them in the process of being able to run their own groups, keep their own records and establish the SHG group using 15different models of training plus additional training which includes topics and subjects the ladies identify that they want more information on. Dikeledi is also involved in assessing the strength of the different SHGs to forming new CLA's (Cluster Level Associations). As you can imagine it takes a lot of skills in people management, conflict negotiation, admin and management skills, most of which she has learnt through inservice training with KTD196.

I love being able to give people a hand up, Dikeledi is one of the shining stars who has captured the heart of KTD196 and made major changes in her own life and family as well as her community. She worked as a volunteer for many years as part of a drop-in-centre who implemented the Scouts Project, against a lot of odds. Now she has been with us since 2021 and continues to shine.

I hope you enjoy her story.

Blessings

Louise

My name is Dikeledi am 38years old and I have three children, one boy and two girls, I joined Keep the Dream196 years back with Scouts programs for educating children in our village and around our area. Now I am working with SHGA program which is also part of KTD196 NGO programs for empowering woman and their families financially to have better lives.

Working for KTD196 has helped me and my family physically, emotionally, and financially and KTD196 serves as a strong support for the future for my children and my family. I am very happy to be working with SHG groups of women, it is an experience that grows and challenges me to strive and work very hard as we are learning everyday with different kinds of social, emotional and economic trainings, and also learning about people’s natures and background. Those who really want change, change, and change more for their families and communities.

I will always be grateful for the opportunity because in the past I used to be shy, with no confidence to stand in front of people or even speak but all the trainings we received from SHGA programs in the past two years. I am now proud of myself, I am now able to stand in front many people and speak with knowledge and confidence, I love and respect every woman that I work with.

I am very happy to be part of KTD196 NGO and the SHG programs and helping other women to support their families, and improving their communities, and the lives of their children’s future is in good hands, Thank you very much.

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May 13, 2025
CLA number 2 is up and RUNNING!

By Louise | Managing Director

SHG Savings Group at Nsolane

Avuxeni, minjani? Umfekile, minjane!

I trust you are well and healthy in what ever part of the world you live, I know I have some people from the USA, UK, Europe, Australia, Canada represented on this group, why don’t you just drop me a line to tell me where you are from?

Well as some of you know, we had a donor who supports the SHG program come and see us, come and visit the newly formed CLA (Cluster Level Association) the second stage in the SHG program. The CLA is responsible for taking up the challenges identified by the SHG’s (Self Help Groups) at community level and to championing them to the respective government departments. That is how 2communities now have water after many years without this essential service.

The donors came to speak to the CLA and hear what their plans are for the next year, to meet with them and to hear about their history with the SHG process and to basically evaluate KTD196 effectiveness in the overall program.

It was exciting to watch the interaction because often when speaking to rural ladies or children for that matter, they don’t talk, they become shy and withdrawn. Not these ladies, they are so proud of the work they have already done, the creation of their action plan and attending the various trainings. It is so exciting to see the passion and the readiness to serve their communities.

First on the agenda is to approach SAPS (South African Police Service) and set up a CPF (Community Policing Forum) to battle crime. Crime is escalating everywhere, the villages particularly are targeted because the Police do not have a presence there, the are often kilometres away and may or may not have a functioning vehicle to attend to any crime after they have been committed. The CLA want crime prevention and will mobilize through the Induna’s (Village Chiefs) to ensure this occurs.

Our projects are becoming broader and more important every day.

Thank you for your support, through initiatives like this we are keeping the children and women safer from harm. We have plans in the future to link with the CPF’s to implement a Safe House Approach for women and children to go to if they feel at risk ie bullying, abuse etc; in the community. We are really bringing substantial change through your support.

Thank you so much, I hope you enjoy the video of the days celebration and bask in the knowledge that your support of KTD196 is bringing real positive change to the lives of those we serve.

God Bless you

Louise

SHG Funds building

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