Lifeskills 2,743 vulnerable children South Africa

What an amazing day of celebration we had on the 8^th of December! Nearly 300 women came together to PARTY, and the atmosphere was carnival like as the joy, happiness and pleasure of being together and celebrating was lifting the roof of the venue. The ladies were celebrating their financial freedom; they are all part of the Self Help Group (SHG) project. They all took such pride paying for themselves, their transport and their food. Many for the first time tried Kentucky Fried Chicken! Now that is a huge thing for the ladies, a majority have never eaten such fancy food, it is a sign of opulence and wealth to have tasted KFC in the village areas.

We had dance offs, 15 or so groups danced their traditional Xitsonga dances in full regalia, (check out the link below), we had skits, we had songs, the venue was alive with joy and merriment. The ladies looked stunning in their culture dress and it was such fun.

The whole event was a culmination of 12months of hard slog for the ladies. Another wonderful part of the celebration was the fact the Mopani District Chairperson for Sports, Arts and Culture was also present, the ladies who are the poorest of the poor had the confidence to invite a member of the government to come and celebrate and she was blown away by their stories of success which were shared.

This project has been supported by you! You can take credit for the dramatic changes in the lives, and changes being experienced by these ladies.

Yes, financially the ladies are becoming more secure and their families are also become more financially secure and there is a future with hope BUT the impact on the ladies as individuals, the personality changes that are happening is phenomenal to watch. These ladies who have been discounted and discarded because they were poor and literally wretched, without hope, without the ability to change their destinies now they have hope and a future because of you and your gifts to KTD196!

The improvements in their lives of course flows through to the children! Did you know KTD196 has:

• 52 SHG Groups
• 893 Women and Families are represented
• 2,365 children are supported by these ladies added with our Children’s Program that means together you and KTD196 are supporting 3,879 Children!

We are bringing hope to the hopeless, care and support to those desperately in need. What a mighty blessing you are bestowing on the people we serve! You should feel very proud!

Thank you so much for your support!

Blessings

Louise

Links:

• SHG Celebration - Xitsonga Dancing
• Why not go to our website, you are welcome to leave a message!
• Facebook is a great way to keep up to date!

Because of your support, we are able to continue. Your support through GlobalGiving has meant we have survived covid as an organization, but more than that, our children have survived and thrived through you giving. We have been able to provide food and the means of food production during a very stress filled time. You made that possible!

You have enabled us to continue with our passion in helping women and children. We need your support we need to be able to continue our work!

• 12 girls in 20,000 over 20years have become pregnant when the national average is 14.6% that means 2,920 of our girls should have fallen pregnant.
• 91% Matric pass rate where government is 64% over 15yrs
• 1 child involved with the police in 20yrs with over 30,000 children having gone through the program

This message is a bit different.

A few weeks ago I introduced you to Lendani, well Lendani has taken it upon himself to write about his heroine, Elizabeth (KTD196 Program Manager). So I thought I would share his words here about Elizabeth. It is the first time one of our kids has written a story about someone else so I thought I would share it.

I know we are all busy but if you think of it, please go to our website and write a note to Lendani to encourage him and also you are welcome to write to Elizabeth congratulating her. She has worked tirelessly for the children. She has made KTD196 a success. WE are only as good as the people who support us externally and those who support us from within. Elizabeth is amazing as you will see!

Blessings

Louise

Akela Zabe or Elizabeth: A Trailblazer in Youth Development – by Lendani

Elizabeth, a Program Manager, co-founder of KTD196, Limpopo’s Regional Team Co-ordinator for Scouts, and Troop Scouter of Shiluvane, is a remarkable individual who has dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives of young people. Her determination, leadership skills, and selflessness has been proven through the positions she holds and her choice to prioritize youth development over personal gain.

Elizabeth's determination to make a difference in the lives of young people, particularly the youth of today, is truly inspiring. Despite possessing the qualifications and financial means to live a comfortable life as a teacher, she chose to become a volunteer in building youth through scouting. This decision reflects her selflessness and deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of youth development programs.

Elizabeth's leadership skills are evident in the various positions she holds within the scouting community. As a program manager and co-founder of KTD196, she has demonstrated her ability to organize and implement initiatives that positively impact the lives of young people. Additionally, her role as the Limpopo’s RTC scouts and Troop Scouter of Shiluvane showcases her ability to inspire and guide others towards a common goal.

Elizabeth's commitment to youth development goes beyond her professional roles. She willingly sacrifices her personal time and comfort, often having sleepless nights, to help those less fortunate. Her dedication to improving the lives of others, particularly the underprivileged, is a testament to her compassion and unwavering belief in the potential of every young person.

Elizabeth’s hard work and volunteering efforts within the Scouts movement have not gone unnoticed. She has been honoured with the prestigious Silver Protea, a lifelong award, making her the first black woman in South Africa to receive this recognition. This award, coupled with the 20 years of service award, highlights her exceptional contributions to youth development and her significant impact on the scouting community.

Elizabeth's determination to make a difference in the lives of young people, her admirable leadership skills, and her selflessness in prioritizing youth development over personal gain are truly commendable. Through her various roles within the scouting community, she has proven her ability to inspire, guide, and positively impact the lives of countless young individuals. Her recognition with the Silver Protea award further solidifies her status as a trailblazer in youth development. Elizabeth serves as an inspiration to all, reminding us of the power of selfless dedication and the transformative impact it can have on the lives of others.

Links:

• Why not go to our website, you are welcome to leave a message!
• Edge of Adventure Pod Cast with Louise
• We have a new look website including a shop, hop on over!