Lifeskills 2,743 vulnerable children South Africa

Dear Friends and partners of Keep The Dream196,

On the first of August 2007 Keep The Dream196 was born. We had a donor, 1 staff member (me), 400 children (from the previous 4years of hard work), passion and nothing else. We didnt have a name, constitution, board, office or bank account. None of the normal things required to gain funding from a donor. However, we are not normal and our first donor was Save The Children - Sweden. They decided the program we had was worth investing in despite not meeting their minimum requirements. We were given enough money for running costs for six months and given the instructions to formalise the non-profit company and register officially, establish a board, constitution and bank account.

Now 10years later, we are celebrating working with excess of 7,000 children through our program. We have had many successes but more importantly the children tell us they are successes. They feel confident and competent to face whatever life throws at them. We have a teenage pregnancy rate of 0.06% in a province that has 13%. We have a matriculation pass rate of 92% in a province that has 62%. We have seen many of our young people head off to college and university and return with their degree's when only 10% of any demographic actually complete their 4year degrees.

On September 30th 2017 we celebrated with approximately 500 children our 10yr birthday. It was a great day which the children enjoyed thoroughly, before they we were even half way through the celebrations I had children asking me to repeat the day next year! We engaged with the Fire Department and Ambulance Service which put on a great show. We had games, prizes and awards for adults. The children ate hotdogs and cupcakes, many for the first time!

The reason I am writing earlier than usual is because GlobalGiving is having a special bonus day on Thursday 5th of October 0900 EDT. I am asking for you to promote this day amongst friends and families as when you donate there will be possibilities of us gaining a portion of $50,000US which is a bonus provided by GlobalGiving. Like every non profit we are reliant upon friends and families for support. To those who have donated once or irregularly your donation was much appreciated, please consider donating once again and asking family to give as well.

To those who already donate on a regular basis thank you so much. I am now asking if you would please encourage family and friends to do the same. The economic climate is tough and we need your support.

Thank you

Louise

“Growing up in the scouting family taught me the significance of learning to give back to my community and to those who supported me all the way to become a better person that I am today.

I learnt a lot from scouting and I feel like it is my responsibility to help train other kids who will be leaders of tomorrow. Today I am a leader, speaker and better person because of scouts, it would be selfish of me if I kept this knowledge and skills that I obtained from scouting to myself.

Hence I take the responsibility in making sure that I spread the knowledge around Limpopo Scouts to help build better leaders  and grow our scouting family. For me, scouting is part of my identity and it makes me very happy to see our sisterhood and brotherhood grow from scouts to rovers.” Phindile 1st Marula Rover Crew is a qualified Occupational Therapy since 2013

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