Allison Jaffe is a 15 year old high school sophomore living in the Washington DC area. Agnes Yombwe is a well known artist and GSGC partner living in Livingstone, Zambia. Besides being an artist, Agnes also creates handmade beaded bracelets to supplement her income.  Allison had seen these bracelets on the wrists of GSGC members and thought this beautiful jewelry could be the basis for raising special funds for Education and Empowerment Programs.

With the enthusiasm for all the possibilities, lots of communication between Africa and the U.S., and the generosity of travelers who were willing to carry the large order of bracelets back to the States, the fundraiser was created.  Allison hosted a Bracelet Party where friends and classmates could try on all the different colors and designs before making their purchases.  It was a great way to have fun while learning about and helping their peers in Africa.  Allison raised $500 for GSGC’s Education and Empowerment Programs and, at the same time, helped Agnes continue with her work.

Allison told us: “I heard about Global Sojourns Giving Circle and thought that it would be a great way to make a difference.  I really liked the fact that the Giving Circle empowers and supports girls in Africa and how, since this organization is so small, there’s not a lot of bureaucracy. The money really makes a big impact.  I also thought it was important that girls support girls their age.  I really wanted to make a difference.”

Girls and Women’s issues are coming to the forefront all around the world. It is a pleasure to see young women like Allison wanting and willing to play a role in making change possible.  Thank you Allison.

In October, GSGC members Karen and Richard Johnson, Kartr Johnson and Peter Macy accompanied 35 LACP (Livingstone Anglican Children’s Program) children along with Father Chikoya on a Career Day Field Trip to the Royal Livingstone Safari Lodge.

Before meeting up with the children, the GSGC members wanted to visit the rock quarry and surrounding  area  where many of the children from LACP live and either work or accompany their working parents.  These are some of the children that Father Chikoya is working with to help educate and create a brighter future.  On the way to the quarry, they passed by some of their homes, which were situated in a garbage dump.  And when they arrived, they saw people working in the hot sun, breaking rocks.  Richard said, “Even though we didn’t speak the same language, two middle –aged women made it clear that the reason they did this work was because they were hungry and needed to eat.” It was a sobering sight for the visitors to see.  They left with a deeper appreciation for the work that Father Chikoya is doing and were pleased that GSGC is supporting his efforts.

The members continued on to the activity and feeding center, where they were met by Father Chikoya and 35 very excited kids!   They all boarded the chartered bus for the half- hour ride to the Royal Livingstone Safari Lodge.  Karen said, “The children began singing at the top of their lungs, raucous, loud and joyous singing for the entire trip!  Then the moment we arrived, there was complete silence. You could have heard a pin drop.  And the children put on their best behavior to take in this new experience.  It was wonderful to be a part of it.”

The Royal Livingstone Safari Lodge was very generous to host their first Career Day Field Trip.  They employ about 500 staff and wanted to show the children the diversity of jobs that they might aspire to have one day.  They introduced them to butlers, maids, gardeners, public relations staff etc., while emphasizing the importance of getting an education.  Included in the tour was a formal presentation, a walk through the buildings and grounds that included an opportunity to see elephants, zebras, giraffe and hippos, much to the amazement and delight of the children (many of whom were actually seeing these animals for the first time).  The children and our GSGC members had an unforgettable day and will have precious memories to keep with them for a lifetime.

We were all packed and ready to venture out to Livingstone in the morning, so the night before Priscilla decided to gather about 16 people at her home to taste local food and learn about South Africa.  What happens when you gather individuals from the States, Mexico, India, Belgium, Asia, and local South Africans?  You get a wonderful evening of eating, discussion and lots of interesting questions presented to ponder and understand.  It was an evening of sharing and learning, and asking difficult questions about apartheid and understanding the differences between the cultures in South Africa and the West. Thank you Traces of Africa who presented and Priscilla and Peter for hosting such a worthwhile evening!