Food Security South Africa Project #17691

Lifeskills 2,743 vulnerable children South Africa

by Keep The Dream196

Project Report | Sep 29, 2021
Impacting Climate Change at a Local Level!

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

1st Shiluvane Clean up Crew

Thank you for your ongoing support, we really appreciate you and I hope you know that I/we care about you! It is really difficult to build a relationship one-sided, however, thank you to those of you who have reached out and emailed me with ideas, questions, and even answers to some of my questions. I really REALLY appreciate the time and effort taken. Please if you want clarity regarding any of our activities I am more than happy to answer your questions.

I thought it was time to share one of the projects we have been busy with over the course of the year. It is called "Tide Turners Plastic Challenge". World Scouting with the mutual collaboration of the UN Environment Programme has launched a challenge for young people and adults to practice and implement this challenge. Keep The Dream196 has implemented this challenge in our program.

When I first came to this country there was a joke that was continuously repeated and I soon learned that it wasn't a joke but a fact. The joke goes "What is the South African National Emblem?" The answer is "A plastic bag in a thorn tree!"

Sadly, this was true, some measures have been put in place now, such as charging people for plastic bags at the point of sale, this has decreased the number of bags and also the reusable nature of buying bags. Still, however, litter is very prevalent in this nation. The usual excuse made by people throwing rubbish out is "It gives some a job to pick it up!" This is despite the filth, germs, no biodegradable plastic that is thrown out, and the obvious economic impact that hiring someone to pick up rubbish when this country is in desperate need of more nurses, police, and other human resources.

In response to the global plastic challenge of turning the tide on plastic pollution, all our groups participated in learning about the issue of pollution, the effects it has on the ecology, wildlife, and the impact eventually on human life. All of our groups participated in this project throughout Limpopo. The Photo I have posted is of 1st Shiluvane Scouts Troop who took on a massive community clean-up project in their village. They also educated adults as to the impact of littering in an effort to change behavior. Our troops will often do community clean-up projects for their communities as a way to serve them, educate them, and make a difference.

Together we are joining hands to reduce the use of plastic in our daily lives, and further play a role in protecting our surroundings. One scheme that is in the pipeline is to work with recyclers in the area to ensure glass and particularly tin is recycled. The kids will bring these materials to a central point and the recycler will collect and pay for the material. The funds raised will help the kids get to camp in the future. A win-win situation.

All of this is made possible through your support. Your support enables us to run these types of projects, among many others, to teach the children, to see behavior change, and to influence community behavior. That is what you do! Thank you for your precious gift.

Until next time, stay safe and stay well.

Blessings

Louise

Plastic bag in a thorn tree

Sadly a common sight a few years ago!

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Sep 23, 2021
Self Help Groups are being formed!

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

A Self Help Group operating around Shiluvane

Greetings and welcome to another update from the field.

In May of 2021 I shared about a new program we were implementing called Self Help Groups (SHG) and I thought it was time for an update!

First, however, let me give some background on the process. KTD196 has employed two Community Facilitators and a Project Officer to enable this program to start. All three as a team go to different communities in and around the Shiluvane area. They visit with the Induna (Village Chief) to share about the new program and to seek permission to initiate this program in the village where the Induna presides. The Induna identifies different very poor households for the team to approach to participate in the program.

Next, the team go house to house, speaking to the different households. The key to this program is to create a group of 20 ladies all from the poorest households, who are willing to attend a meeting to discuss the SHG approach; and to invite them to participate.

After reaching a minimum of 20 ladies the team hold a meeting to discuss the process of the SHG. Most people already belong to Storkvels (an indigenous saving scheme where people bring a certain amount of money each week, borrow against the savings, and return with interest the money borrowed). The difference between SHG and Storkvels is that the money remains in the groups, at the end of the year the money is not dispersed back to zero and then the process starts again. With SHG, the money remains with the group, there is no end-of-year distribution. This is so that eventually, after saving R2 per week ($0.13USD) the accumulation with interest becomes large enough that people can open their own businesses eventually and have the cash flow to be able to send their children to university.

This is a different approach and what is also unique is the ladies decide what they want to do with the money, they also operate and take ownership of the group, eventually, KTD196 will be able to withdraw from weekly support once the ladies have been trained in money management, meeting and minute taking, agenda and constitution creation. Ultimately, the ladies will create their own small businesses and be independent of the state.

Once there are 20 SHGs they will form the next level of management called Clusters where they can start negotiating with the government for services to their villages.

This program has been operating since June this year, currently, there are 5 active groups. Sadly, 4 other areas have been mobilized and the ladies have decided not to take advantage of this opportunity.

Where the program has been successful the ladies are very excited about the money growing on a weekly basis, they even dance and celebrate when it is time to borrow because oftentimes, there is no other way for them to access this kind of money unless they go to the Macheronies or money lenders who charge as much as 50% interest a week.

Hope is slowly returning, because of you!

Your support has enabled this program to run. We are changing livelihoods, destinies, and futures through your support. Children from very poor families will be able to attend University, the poverty cycle will be broken. No more dependence on government grants for survival. No more periods of hunger. No more having to choose who to feed and who goes without. No more going barefoot in winter, no more feeling the cold at night because blankets can be bought. This is all because of you!

THANK YOU for your generosity and your giving. You are making such a difference through your support. In the near future, you will receive an email requesting your support on a monthly basis. A small amount goes such a long way in South Africa. I am asking that you consider this request and be a part of creating lasting positive change for children, women, families, and whole communities.

Thank you in advance

Louise

"This project is so good, it has opened my eyes and has made me think differently about money" - Angel

"Now I can buy food and school books for my children. I want to start a chicken project so that I can feed my children and others. I am 54yrs old, I want to own my own brand new dress and not have hand downs anymore." - Mametja

Dancing and celebrating when taking out loans

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Sep 15, 2021
A Time for CELEBRATION!!!

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

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!

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