Lifeskills 2,743 vulnerable children South Africa

I hope you are well and surviving this frantic period before Christmas.

We are busy completing our activities for the year, on Saturday we will be having a colour run after training on Children’s Rights and Child Participation. It is such fun because the kids love it. They enjoy meeting their friends from other troops, they enjoy sharing their stories about the impact of Child Participation training has had on their families and schools but most of all they love the colour and the fun run through the villages. They encourage their parents to join in and hear about the training as well as participate in the colour and fun run.

Last report I invited you, if you were around the area, to come and see first-hand what KTD196 does and a lady called Helen came from Australia to do just that. Let me be upfront and say Helen has been a supporter and friend for many many years. Some people who donate through GlobalGiving I have personally met, some are friends for many years who have decided to support KTD196, and some have become friends through supporting KTD196 because you have been in touch privately. Some of you are anonymous or watch from a distance, those of you I don’t know but would love the chance to hear from you. You are welcome to write to me at director@keepthedream196.com

Be that as it may, each one of you are very important to me personally and to KTD196. You enable us to do the work, and for that, I am very grateful.

Thank you and Blessings

Louise

In 2024 I had the privilege of spending 6 weeks in the province of Limpopo as a visitor/guest of KEEP THE DREAM 196. I saw firsthand how the organization works and the effort that all the staff put in to make this Non-Profit function well and be a success.

I attended one of the children’s /scout camps for 2 weeks, where I saw the teaching/training of the young people. It was amazing to see the older children teach and train the younger ones with such patience. The older Scouts who were 16-18 years of age were responsible for transferring skills to the younger ones, difficult skills like first aid, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation. That is a difficult skill for adults to learn never mind teach younger children. They all did so well.

It was a wonderful sight to see the comradery between the Scouts and the Scout Leaders. Learning these skills was such an achievement, it was made very obvious when the scouts received their badges, they were so proud, some even cried. The Scout Leaders were very proud of the younger Scouts achievements.

The nighttime meant bonfires, which were such fun as each group did a skit, song, or something that entertained the others.

 I also visited some villages where the ladies' SELF HELP GROUPS meet to discuss their businesses, which is another project of Keep the Dream 196. The joy and hope the women have is contagious and their joy is obvious. Despite the language barrier I felt so welcomed and such a part of the group, I was treated so well and the ladies have a special place in my heart.

The manager of KTD196 is Louise, she is very well respected by all these groups, ladies and children. Louise also has volunteers who work in the project with the children, they honor her, as she also honors them and encourages them.

I met all of the KTD196 staff on more than one occasion, what a great team Louise has developed. They are all so positive and so enthusiastic about the work they do, the impact they have, and the future as a whole. 

This is just a tiny bit of the good things that KEEP THE DREAM 196 does for the children and women of South Africa. If you have the chance, visit and be amazed at what your donations are achieving, I am so glad I came. I traveled from Australia because I wanted to see for myself and now I know. KTD196 is very special, please continue to support this organization, they do what they say they do!

A fellow supporter of KTD196

Helen

Links:

• Helen learning some local dances with the kids at camp!
• Helen learning to cook pap, African style!

I want to share more about the SHG Day, it was AMAZING, having so many ladies who we have helped become financially free of debt, despair and hopelessness, come together and celebrate this freedom but also celebrate Keep The Dream196. I love the way African people are not shy, unlike their western counterparts who are very self-conscious and introverted where getting up and dancing, singing or play acting is concerned. These wonderful ladies made up poems and songs sharing the attributes of the staff and KTD196.

I wish you could have seen it, experienced it and been a part of the whole day. It was LOUD and uncensored and a lot of fun. I have put a video below with the Xitsonga dancing, I love the way one lady who was having to use a crutch was not limited or restricted in anyway.

It is such a privilege to lead an organization that truly does what it says, and has such a profound impact on people’s lives. We have a very good reputation with the village Induna’s and the area Chiefs. Parents trust us with their children and the children enjoy the work we do in general.

If you are ever considering coming to South Africa, please come and pay us a visit, we can assist with you seeing a snapshot of all that we do.

Thank you for all of your support, I really appreciate you!

Blessings

Louise

Links:

• For full effect turn your volume up VERY HIGH!
• Why not visit our website, you are welcome to leave a message!