Watching the young Jikeleza girls, from the impoverished townships, proudly performing their concert was as inspiring as it was deeply heart-warming. My emotional reactions swayed from tears of happiness for the transformed girls to brimming smiles applauding their energy, and talent. These girls were emotionally transported from dejection, low self-esteem, despair and fear from the township environs to confidence, joy and safety of the stage and their fellow performers and support staff. It was a magical night of one unique dance routine after another, the cacophony of colors from their costumes to the stagecraft and professionally choreographed music.

But what stood out most was ATTITUDE!! And I mean this its most positive sense. From the 5 to the 15 year-olds, they were strutting around the stage with unabashed attitude that was palpable even from the back rows of the auditorium. They jumped, they strutted, they confidently held their heads high, stamped their feet hard and thrust forward their chests to tell the admiring audience but mostly themselves that they could do ANYTHING they wanted to if given the chance, a bit of support and allot of love – that’s what Jikeleza has given these blessed young girls.

Thank you Jikeleza!  -Peter Macy

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In the summer of 2009 GSGC member Anne Larsen, along with five fellow travelers, visited sub- Saharan Africa and GSGC sponsored projects in Livingstone, Zambia and Cape Town, South Africa.

Before the trip began, Anne, an early childhood educator, and a fellow teacher/traveler had prepared a few educational games made by their students to give to a preschool in Livingstone, Zambia.

While visiting, Anne observed the disadvantage to school children when educational materials are scarce or nonexistent because of limited funds and very little access.  Anne knew how important these materials are in preparing children to enter primary school with readiness skills in place.  While the materials they donated made a difference, it was clear that the need was far greater and obtaining additional materials could make all the difference.

After an amazing trip she returned home to begin a new school year, and the memories of these African children and their educational needs stayed with her.

Over the years Anne had incorporated many of her own hand-made materials into her classroom.  Now she wanted to get students involved on a bigger scale making the same educational materials for the children in Livingstone.  From the beginning, Anne knew that her students would benefit from this project.  This was an opportunity for her students to experience empathy by teaching them about the needs of disadvantaged children and then taking action to directly impact their education.

Thus began a project that over the past two years resulted in her students working together to create games, skill building activities, math booklets and name tags for the Comfort Dolls.  Their parents sewed a few Comfort Dolls and donated books and supplies.  The parents and the staff generously donated money.

Anne saw how enthusiastic and proud her students were to help with this project. They were delighted to be able to see the results of their hard work.  At the same time they were learning and improving their own readiness skills while creating these games, reading the hand-made books and busy trying out all the various activities.

Our GSGC friend and partner Lynne Mendelsohn, in Livingstone played an integral role in this project and because of her efforts working and coordinating with the preschool there, this project became a reality. Anne was able to get valuable feedback and communicate her progress with Lynne as well as exchange photographs that would tell the story of this amazing project.

The next step was finding a way to transport these materials to Africa.

Through the kindness of Valentina Michaels from Global Sojourns,  who was willing to take an extra bag while traveling to Livingstone, the materials found their way to Africa.  Soon the much needed supplies arrived to the excitement and tears of joy and gratitude of caring adults and teachers at the preschool!

Anne received lots of wonderful photos from Lynne showing how their games and materials were being used by the children.  It was fun to see the reaction from her students when they saw their materials being used by children so far away.

Lynne told us, “You could see the impact that these materials were having on the children immediately.  They were so engaged.  They loved the games and books that the children in the States sent to them.   Most importantly, the children were learning! ….It was incredible!”

It is gratifying to see how care and love put into action can create ripples of change in both givers and receivers. This is incredible too.

…in the power and potential of girls…

Foster their values and personal belief in their own self-worth.

Watch them discover their purpose in life.

The Jikeleza Camp “Believe,” hosted by The Global Sojourns Giving Circle, did just that.

Workshops on “Team Work,” “Purpose,” “Values,” and “Choices” gave forty adolescent girls from South Africa the opportunity to express their different personalities and realize that they are all unique and valued. It gave girls like Nontombi the chance to learn and express the following sentiment: “that I was not born by mistake in the world.”

Educate a young girl.

Witness her belief in a brighter, purpose-driven life grow.

Jikeleza Girls Say “Thank You”

Three friends traveled to Southern Africa in May 2011 for a trip of a lifetime- first a safari in Zimbabwe and Botswana then a visit to the GS Giving Circle projects.  Along the way… they realized their dream of sharing their personal gifts and found that what they learned and received, was profound.

Listen to their stories and perspectives:

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One of the advantages we have as a Giving Circle is the direct contact and partnership with local organizations in Livingstone, Zambia and Cape Town, South Africa. We know how our funds are being used with the benefit of being able to see the direct impact that they have on recipients and projects.

In May 2011 Priscilla Macy along with donors Candra Canning, Matt Glerum and Tawni Schutter set out to visit and learn about the projects in Livingstone and Cape Town. It was also an opportunity to share their skills and talents. Candra and Priscilla led workshops for girls and counselors in the newly formed Career Clubs in Livingstone. Matt, a skilled photographer who also documented the trip, shared his knowledge of photography with young, eager students. Peter Macy joined up with the group to continue tracking the progress of the projects. These amazing workshops and visits took place in Cape Town as well.

We are sharing their photo journal with the GSGC community so everyone can enjoy this very special experience.

Giving Circle donors went to meet with local partners in Livingstone, Zambia.  It was great to make that connection.

Peter checked in with the partners going over the books, plans and listening to their feedback.

Priscilla took the donors to visit the rock quarry where children work. GSGC supports the Anglican Church Saturday Play Group, which gives children who work at the rock quarry a chance to just be children and play.

Candra, Matt and Tawni went to visit Tusa Munyandi and the surrounding neighborhood where many of the orphaned children live.  They were able to meet with Earnest and Arisias who run Tusa Munyandi, who gave them the tour and introduced them to many of the locals.

Candra and Priscilla led two workshops with Ray of Hope.  One workshop was for the Guidance Counselors who are kicking off the Career Clubs in 10 schools. They received ‘Believe Cards’ and shared dreams and goals through planned activities. The girls celebrated with a special ‘Believe’ cake! We are very excited about this project and hope to continue giving financial support to this effort.

Candra, arriving in Cape Town, South Africa where James Fernie from Uthando met her and received the Comfort Dolls made by friends of the Giving Circle.

They were able to present the dolls to the Nonceba Shelter for abused children

They visited the townships where they were able to see where children attending Jikeleza come from.

Candra led a very special workshop for the staff from Jikeleza.

Candra led a “Believe” workshop for the girls at Jikeleza followed by a time to dance and celebrate!

“Pinky is currently a first year student at the University of Cape Town and is completing her Bcom Degree. She is extremely overwhelmed and excited about the opportunity she’s been afforded. She lives on campus and has her own little room with desk and bed, of which she is so proud. Pinky spends her evenings in the library and is definitely taking her studies seriously.  This is the first time in her life that she get’s to sleep in a brick room, since she has lived either in a shack or wendyhouse in the informal settlement with no basic amenities like running water or drinking water for that matter!”

Pinky’s Personal Statement For College Application:

My name is Sibusiso Pinky Sibindi. I was born on 25^th October 1992 in Soweto and moved to Cape Town in 2002 since my parents could not find good paying jobs and opportunities in Gauteng. When we arrived in CT, my father bought and sold craft work, whilst my Mom worked in a factory. Currently my Mom works as a domestic and my Dad a part time gardener, and craft seller, to tourists who visit our Community.

I am a Christian and the last child of a family of four. I live in a small township called Imizamo Yehtu in Hout Bay in a three-roomed shack.

I am very fortunate to have attended some of the best schools in Cape Town, (Kronendal Primary and Camps Bay High) with a high standard of education even though we could not afford these schools.

I was Gauteng for Grade 1 to 5 received financial assistance from my Mom’s employer and Grade 6 to 7 in Cape Town I wrote and entrance test to attend Kronendal which I excelled and qualified for a bursary. I then wrote another entrance exam to attend Camps Bay High and the results, and the fact that my sister attended the school, and she too was academically sound helped my cause to qualify for another bursary. My marks and hard work have paid for my education throughout life, now I am on my last lap and need financial assistance to further my education.

I am a vibrant, positive young lady who is caring and kind and always puts others first. Many of my interests are in Arts and Culture. I started dancing with a NPO called Jikeleza in 2003 and have been a committed member ever since. At school I have taken part in many plays and musicals and I enjoy performing on stage. In my community I have been an active member of a choral group where we embrace our culture and roots in many places and ways.

I also enjoy working with people and meeting new people and having an impact in the lives of those around me. I have pursued this by been a committed member of the Interact Club at school since Grade 8. It is a club that aims to help those less advantaged with the goal of changing people’s lives for the better. Currently we are working with Habitat for Humanity to try to build a house for a needy family.

I am fortunate I know to be academically gifted, but I am also an hard worker and have reaped many a fruits from my hard work. I have never failed a test or exam at school. My interpersonal at school and my participation in many spheres in my school life played a big role in my elections as a Prefect in 2010, my Grade 12 year. I have been very blessed in all I have been given. My goal at University is a B.Comm in Economics or Business. I am economically minded and hope that eventually to start my own business, creating jobs for the unemployed, playing a role in Poverty Alleviation and the overall economic growth of South Africa. I would like to give those in my situation to uplift and empower the underprivileged and the majority of black people.

All of the above makes me an excellent candidate for the UCT Scholarship/ Bursary. I am a well educated young lady with big dreams for our country and economy. At the same time I am poor and need this Bursary to further my education so that one day I can help other pupils also further their education.

Thank you for taking my application seriously.

Lynn,  a GSGC friend in Vancouver, WA shared the following:

I just finished reading “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” and it was fabulous! I’m going to send a hard copy to my son, who would definitely appreciate the story. It brought tears, knowing that this boy helped his family with technology that we take for granted. Truly an eye-opener.

Thank you for recommending the book through the Giving Circle!