Food Security South Africa Project #17691

Lifeskills 2,743 vulnerable children South Africa

by Keep The Dream196

Project Report | Nov 25, 2020
Thank you! Plain and simple!

By Louise | Humble Servant

Staff Photo

A blessed day to you!

I would just like to express to you how much I and the entire Keep the Dream 196 (KTD196) team appreciate you for the contribution you have given to our children. Your support has played a key role in our success in providing food for hungry mouths, a stable food supply through our community gardens, and dignity through our life skills program. There is no way to fully express our gratitude for your support. All of us here at KTD196 are continually inspired by the dedication and generosity of donors like yourself who answer the call to give again and again. Thank you.

For the past months, I have been sharing about the impact we have made together, not just on teenage pregnancy but also on the prevention of stunting and hunger. WE have achieved all of that only through your support. I am truly grateful.

There is a common saying, “It takes a community to help a community”. Our communities truly appreciate you for your willingness to help us give life-saving assistance to the people in need.

I cannot thank you enough and we want you to know that because of you, lives are forever changed and transformed.

With deepest gratitude,

Louise

ps the photos are past photos because of Covid restrictions we can no longer get as close!

A selection of past Volunteers in the program

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Nov 17, 2020
Juvenile Crime and KTD196

By Louise | Jack of all trades, master of none!

Welcome to our community report, once again thank you to all our new givers, I hope that the reports you are being sent will help you understand why KTD196 is so vital and why your support is so coveted. To all of those who have walked a road with us over the years, we can all be proud of the impact we have attained and the amazing changes we are producing in the lives of the young people we work with.

The causes of crime are complex. Most people today accept that poverty, parental neglect, low self-esteem, alcohol and drug abuse are all connected in explaining why people commit crimes. Some people are simply at greater risk of becoming offenders because of the circumstances into which they are born. For example: 40% of sexual offences occur in the home; 33% of assaults happen in the home; single black women experience high levels of abuse and murder by youth aged 15-35yrs of age.

We understand that Criminality is learnt through exposure at home, school and in social environments which should be the sources of safety, nurturing and support, unfortunately this is where criminal behaviour is internalised. Did you know that 70% of the 20million (or 14Million) South African youth are more likely to be victims and perpetrators of assault, robbery, rape and murder than adults! 50.2% of surveyed children in one research said they had knowingly committed a criminal offence by the time they were 15yrs of age.

It costs between R45,625 to R133,805 to incarcerate one prisoner.

In 17years, with over 15,000 children who have come through the program Keep The Dream196 has had one child criminally involved with the police and because of his age deemed incompetent to stand trial for his crime.

In South Africa, a study by the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention showed that young people who have been victims of violence were six times more likely to commit a crime than those who have not been victimized. Measures to prevent violence by and against the youth have great potential to reduce crime rates in the community. If we address the youth cause of juvenile crime and strengthening the youth’s resilience from risk factors, preventive programs can decrease the youth’s susceptibility to violence and crime.

In our programs, we teach the children how to properly socialize with their peers and understand the importance of rules and regulations. We teach them to be proper citizens respectful of law and order. You can be proud of the work we do and the impact we have. We are changing lives and futures for rural, previously disadvantaged children and their communities. Together!

Louise

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Nov 12, 2020
Teenage Suicide and KTD196

By Louise | Jack of all trades, master of none!

Thank you, thank you THANKYOU for all of your continued concern and support for the children we serve. You have helped us help so many people through Covid which is huge. Welcome to all the new friends that have come on board this last week. You are more than welcome to leave messages or ask questions and I will endeavour to get back to you ASAP.

With Covid continuing on its path of destruction officials are starting to realise the impact of isolation due to Covid lockdown and the toll it is taking on people’s mental health. I read only yesterday that 40% of people post infection suffer from depression. The cause unknown.

According to WHO (World Health Organization), a suicide occurs every 40 seconds and an attempt is made every 3 seconds. In South Africa the average suicide is 17.2 per 100 000 (8% of all deaths). Teenage suicide rate is 12.7%, this relates only to deaths reported by academic hospitals and the real rate may even be higher.

In Keep the Dream196 we have given much attention to the mental health of our students and children. We teach how to deal with anxiety and depression through professional help and counselling. We provide an avenue where the children may safely express their thoughts and sentiments. We make them feel that they are a part of a family and that they have a support group. We build resilience through setting achievable goals which ensures increased success and self-esteem.

In 12 years of our operation we have NOT had any suicides with our participants. We have had a single incident of a suicide attempt, this young woman left our program 3 years earlier and did not have any positive peers or a supportive community looking after her. While under the influence of alcohol and drugs she thought suicide was an option to the hopelessness she was experiencing. Nevertheless, we are glad to let you know that she has returned to KTD196 as a Rover and has now graduated with a degree in law.

She realised that KTD196 provided her with the essential support that she no longer experienced at university, she is very engaged in our program now and shares her story with other younger children to ensure they do not travel the road she took.

Many of our children we are unable to substantially change their circumstances however we can change the impact their circumstances have on their mental health and give them the skills to be overcomers and not victims of circumstances. We are only able to do this because of the support you provide.

Thank you so much, when I share we have literally saved lives, I mean it, together we SAVE LIVES!

Blessings

Louise

ps it is deliberate that we use the rainbow as a promise of hope for our kids!

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