Member Travel Spotlight

May 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment

by Catherine “Kit” & George Greer

As we drove toward Livingstone, our cab driver chatted about our destination (the Zig Zag Inn) and commented that he was pleased when American travelers stepped off the typical tourist track in Zambia. He was sure it would only enhance our experience. How right he was.

The Zig Zag Inn, with Mercy and the rest of its welcoming staff, its charming garden and  flower-draped rooms, was a perfect home base for our visits to Tusa Munyandi and Ray of Hope. We especially enjoyed our visits with Ernest and Arysius at Tusa Munyandi. What incredibly hope-filled and gracious men they are. They spent more than an hour with us, showed us the site of the preschool, and walked us around the neighborhood.  They impressed us with their optimism. We came away sure that few organizations anywhere do so much with so little.

We also spent several hours with Agnes Yombwe, and we are delighted that she will be the Giving Circle’s representative in Livingstone. She will be a very perceptive voice for us, and one who will bring a broad perspective to GSGC.

Later in Cape Town we had the opportunity to see joyful Jikeleza in action, and to meet its charismatic founder, Edmund. Watching tiny girls dance vigorously, and slurp their snacks with equal vigor was a rewarding way to spend an afternoon. Seeing teen girls of all shapes and sizes throw themselves into the dancing was especially impressive.  Edmund and his staff have helped these young women develop a self confidence that many would envy. No wonder the program is so highly regarded, both within and outside the township.

We were incredibly humbled by watching our dollars work so hard. The leaders of these programs and the children with whom they work are genuinely inspirational. Our donation to the Giving Circle is one of the most meaningful donations we make, and we are honored to be part of the group.

Filed Under: GSGC Trips, Jekeleza, Past Projects, Tusa Munyandi, Who We Are

GSGC Helps Set Up Library for Children in Victoria Falls

May 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Yvonne brought her experience as a librarian in Orange County schools to help our local partner, Rose of Charity, set up a library. Besides delivering books and materials for the library, Yvonne sorted, organized and provided training on how to set up and manage a library.

She went to work with amazing organizing skills, ordering books and materials so they are very accessible now and leaving Rose of Charity with a system that they can build on.

Thank you Yvonne!

Access to books and learning materials is extremely limited in Zimbabwe. Rose of Charity is providing these children with an opportunity to expand their skills, knowledge and potential through the library.

 

 

Filed Under: GSGC Trips, Rose of Charity

Paige’s Visit to Rachel’s School- A Highlight of Her Trip to Africa

March 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment

One of the highlights of my visit to Livingstone was a special visit with Rachel.  She has been a friend to GSGC since our memorable outing almost three years ago to Victoria Falls.  GSGC members accompanied around 40 of the vulnerable/orphaned children from our local partner Tusa Munyandi on a ‘field trip’ to the falls.  Rachel has remained connected to us and Priscilla always takes time to check on her each time she is in the area.

As you can imagine life has been full of challenges for Rachel and her family.  She is one of seven children being raised in a household by two aunties.  Her father and mother died soon after she was born.  Her auntie, Eneless, volunteers in the new Tusa Munyandi Preschool. Rachel is 12 years old, in grade 7 and continues to do well in school, dreaming of a brighter future.

I was able to arrange a visit to Rachel’s school in Dambwa thanks to our GSGC partner, Agnes, where I could see first-hand the conditions and meet her teachers.

  • The school is overcrowded,often 40-50 students per class
  • School supplies and materials are always in short supply
  • Teachers receive little compensation and often miss class
  • However, positive social messages are posted all around the school
Filed Under: GSGC Trips, Learn, Partners, Tusa Munyandi

Thanks for the calculators!

March 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment

R,M,A and J. Thanks for sending these very useful and helpful learning tools for well deserving children in Zimbabwe!

Filed Under: GSGC Trips, Learn, Partners

The Tusa Munyandi Preschool

March 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

This is the entrance to the Preschool in Livingstone at Tusa Munyandi where we are bringing supplies and learning materials from Portland Jewish Academy and Faith Lutheran Preschool.  We have been working with the teachers and approximately 40 students there.

 

 

This is a photo of inside the classroom. Imagine trying to get all of the children in here! They do, and manage quite well. The children have school uniforms.

 

 

Most of the time they use their ‘outside’ classroom for lessons.  Yvonne is reading from one of the books she brought to donate to the school.  Notice all of the cups ready for the children!  The children love to hear the stories and see the pictures.  They are so eager to learn!

 

 

Some of the children are waiting to use the bathroom.  They have taken care to emphasize sanitation and health in their curriculum!  They learn to use the toilet and wash their hands often.

 

This is the new building and playground. The children begin each day inside the room where you see the open door (The doorway with the curtain is a residence).  It is quite a challenge to get 40 some children in there.  The children range from 3-5 years of age and because of illness (malaria, worms, bronchial issues) you never have all 40 children there at once.

 

Here you can see one of the students learning math/counting skills with some of the handmade materials created by the Portland Jewish Academy and Faith Lutheran Preschool students and teachers.

 

 

Filed Under: GSGC Trips, Learn, Partners, Tusa Munyandi

Thank you to the Portland Jewish Academy and Faith Lutheran Preschool

March 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

A very big THANK YOU from the Tusa Munyandi Preschool in Livingstone. This is one of the school’s that received learning materials from the GSGC, Portland Jewish Academy and Faith Lutheran Preschool in Arlington. They have enrolled 42 children and many more would love to attend.

Filed Under: GSGC Trips, Learn, Partners, Tusa Munyandi

Paige in Africa- The Adventure Begins!

March 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Washington DC, a quick stop in Dakar, Senegal and then on to Johannesburg, South Africa for my first stop on this adventure!  17 hours flying time forces you to be creative with your time!

My sister Priscilla and husband Peter were there to pick me up and transport me to Pretoria, where they are currently living.

Pretoria, north of Johannesburg and is where the seat of the executive/central government is located and is about a 30 minute drive from Johannesburg.  As we drove through many lovely tree lined neighborhoods, I noticed the common sight of gates, bars on the windows, alarm systems and guards standing watch, giving the residents a sense of security.  Thank goodness I am not driving here!!!  To shift with your left hand while driving on the left side of the road and trying to figure out where to go all at the same time would be too much for me!  (Oh to think of the damage I could cause!) My first full day included an early morning Nia class (dance class that I take in the States), a visit to a Saturday open market where the locals go to shop, eat and socialize.  I listen to Afrikaans being spoken and cannot understand a word!  To me hearing this language also conjures up memories of another time in South African history when their apartheid  law turned the world against the  Afrikaaners.  As I can see times have changed… and the color and shade of your skin no longer determines your legal status.  Perhaps it is time to leave those memories behind and focus on the here and now allowing myself to see today and a hopeful future.

Back to the present.  In the afternoon, we were joined by Peter’s assistant, Janien and went hiking in a nature reserve, 15 minutes from the house.  We came upon giraffe, Kudu’s, zebra, wildebeest, Guinea fowl along with many species of beautiful birds.  It was awesome to see so many animals so close to home!

We ended the evening with a yummy dinner in a crowded local restaurant eating shrimp and salad dripping with garlic and lime sauce…..a perfect way to end a wonderful day!

 

I came loaded with supplies, thanks to the generosity of many.  Portland Jewish Academy and Faith Lutheran Preschool sent many hand-made learning materials by the students and teachers.

The Minato family sent solar calculators and the Helmsworths sent soccer balls! Thank you! I appreciate all your generosity and so will the teachers and students in Livingstone!

This trip would not be possible without the support and help of my family and friends.  I am so excited to have this opportunity to travel to Pretoria, South Africa, Livingstone, Zambia, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Hwenge, Zimbabwe and Cape Town, South Africa.  In a couple of days I will leave Pretoria and head up to Livingstone for the next chapter.

Signing off……

Paige

Filed Under: GSGC Trips

Follow Paige On Her Upcoming GSGC Adventure! March 2012

March 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Join me as I take advantage of an incredible opportunity to visit and assist our GSGC partners in Livingstone, Zambia, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and Cape Town, South Africa.

I’ll be learning listening and gathering information to share with you.

I will also:

  • provide English tutoring for girls that the GSGC supports
  • train pre-school teachers
  • deliver learning materials made by students in the US
  • meet with our old and new GSGC partners and friends

I invite you to follow my journey as I share my experiences, photos and impressions on the GSGC blog and our GSGC Facebook page.

Stay tuned!

Paige Hasson

Filed Under: GSGC Trips, Uncategorized

A Visit to Jekeleza

August 21, 2010 by
Picture of GSGC Member Heidi

Written by GSGC member Kartr Johnson

“What’s behind the wall?” This question surfaced throughout our visit to Cape Town. It represented many things, but in particular the realization that opportunity and hope may lie beneath the surface of any picture, regardless of the outward impression. We were continually amazed by the resiliency, entrepreneurship and cooperation of the people we encountered in South Africa, and nowhere were these traits more evident than Jikelaza.

At Jikelaza children are taught to dance, but look behind the wall and you’ll find dance being effectively used as a vehicle to teach responsibility, respect, acceptance, and above all hope. The base idea is that if children come to Jikelaza after school to learn to dance they aren’t on the streets, but much more is happening.

The staff and instructors at Jikelaza are keenly aware of the challenges children in the townships are facing and the goal is to educate and support the children to help them avoid the pitfalls. Young women benefit from the program in particular, as the staff addresses teen-pregnancy and low self-esteem issues, which many young women in the community fall prey to. Staying in school is a requirement to attend Jikelaza. Workshops and performances expose the children to people and places they would never otherwise come in contact with, and broaden their perspective of life in the process. The school is also beginning to bring formerly disparate communities together by bringing their children together.

So much is being taught at Jikelaza that one might leave forgetting about the dancing, which is as creative and full of life as the staff and students. Graduates of the school have gone on to professional dance companies and to university. Some have returned to teach at the school, helping Jikelaza’s efforts to break a cycle of despair for children in the community. We left the school inspired and impressed by the idea, the progress being made, and the people we met.

Filed Under: GSGC Trips, Jekeleza, Partners Tagged With: , ,