Lifeskills 2,743 vulnerable children South Africa

Well, did you miss me?

Or did you not even notice I was gone?

How often do people notice when you are not there?

This last week I had to go to Johannesburg for training and my time became premium, in that I didnt have an opportunity to write a project report.

Did you miss me? Why am I repeating myself?

Well, it got me thinking, what would happen if Keep The Dream196 was no longer around?

We would have, statistically speaking 1,797 more children in South Africa. The government would be spending R177million more rand on child support grants alone. 1,797 more girls would struggle with completing their matriculation and going on to find work or further study. Which means potentially 1,797 families would be dependent on the Child Support Grant alone. Not contributing to the tax base, not working towards the development of South Africa but taking from her resources.

Without Keep The Dream196 we would not see young people develop and grow with their eyes on supporting their families and communities to develop. We would still have a 62% matriculation pass rate and not the 90% we currently experience in the program. Crime, well 70% of all children under the age of 18yrs are victims and/or perpetrators of crime. We have had one child in over 12,000 in 15yrs go through the courts. Not 70%.

I wonder if KTD196 was not here, if those crimes would have touched your family, your neighbourhood, your community? Its and interesting thought, if we were not here! Its only through your ongoing support we are able to do the work we do. Its only through your regular monthly donation we are able to have the impact we are having. Thank you for standing with us and making a difference in the lives of the children we serve.

Gratefully

Louise

My name is Katlego from Mhangweni village and I am doing grade 12. I’ve been in scouts for years. I joined scouts just for fun because when I joined scouts I was 12 years old and I liked the games they were playing but then there was a lot to learn.

Before I joined Keep The Dream106, I was a naughty boy who disrespected his parents and siblings. I never listened to what they used to tell me or instructed me to do because of that I was feeling as if I was older than them. My parents tried to call family meetings and church pastor for me but then failed them. The reason I did all such things was that I wanted to please my friends.

I had no respect for the environment and how to take care of it. At school I used to disobey my teachers and also didn’t do my school work and I hated people with not reason, I had no respect anyone. I violated people’s rights.

After I've been part of Keep The Dream196 there were so many changes in my life. Keep The Dream19 taught me how to take care of the environment; how to respect people and even scout law no5 states that “a scout is courteous”. I now know how to obey my parents and school teachers. The first time they introduced the laws to me I couldn’t follow them because they were difficult to me.

I had this positive thought that I have to do my best to follow them and I had patience while doing so. Now I am a transformed person, I know what is right and what is wrong; I treat everyone equal because a scout is a friend to all and brother to every other scout. I remember the Keep The Dream196 took me to training called PLTU, there is no way in which I can depart from this program because there are so many good things they teach. Grow big Keep The Dream196, I love you and your team!

Links:

• http://www.keepthedream196.com
• https://www.facebook.com/Keep-The-Dream-196-199010396863348/
• Microproject donation platform

Living in South Africa is a challenge, we are constantly bombarded with the recent news of the latest victims of horrific crimes. Often, it children and women that bear the brunt of the crime. I decided to research more thoroughly the demographics of crime and what I found has made my heartache and also made me even more determined to continue pushing Keep The Dream196 and our mission.

I make no apologies for asking for your help.

Did you know

- 40% of all sexual assaults happen in the home!

- 33% of all common assaults happen in the home

- 52 murders happen a day and mainly close or at home

-18,673 murders per year in 2017

Most of the violence is perpetrated on single female black African's by youth aged between 15-24yrs of age! Children and youth are 70% more likely to be victims and perpetrators of crime! Our kids are growing up where violence is normal! Violence begets violence. Why are we so surprised about crime levels when violence is socialised within the home.

38% of all children experience violence, sexual assault and robbery in their own homes! 76% of youth offenders had experienced themselves being victims of violent crimes. Surprisingly home, schools and social environments which should be places of safety and security are actually the source of violence where this behaviour is internalised.

Keep The Dream196 has had one child involved with crime in 15yrs. We also work with parents to help change the dynamics and abuse within the home. Our focus is the family not just the child. Our work is important. The alternative is horrific. It breaks my heart hearing those statistics, each number is a child, some ones son or daughter. If we dont Build Tomorrow Today, Tomorrow will be hell. If you are already supporting us, THANK YOU.

If you havent given a donation in a while please do so, our work is important. Also consider giving on a monthly basis to assist us to really make a difference. We can only do this with your help.

Thank you Louise

The following is a story told to me by an 7 year old girl, I have written the story. My name is Tiny and Im 7yrs old. I live with my mum and little sister in a shanty (Wooden one room house with tin roof). One night, when we were all sleeping, a man broke the lock to our door and pushed into our home. He started beating my mother. My little sister and I were so scared. We couldnt stop him. We couldnt breathe. We could here mum screaming. We could smell the sweat and dirt on this man.

He pulled our house apart. He went through everything looking for money. I was so scared. Finally he left. My mum was lying on the floor crying. Our possessions destroyed. The cupboard was on the floor, our bed turned upside down. We didnt have any money but he didnt listen. None of us could go back to sleep that night. None of us sleep well any night any more. We are always scared.

Links:

• Our Facebook Page for daily updates of activities
• Our Website
• Microproject donation platform