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!

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!