Coming Full Circle: A Donor’s Journey Through GSGC Then and Now
- GSGC
- Jun 10, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 23
Returning to a Place That Changed Me
When I first visited the GSGC Clubs in Zimbabwe and Zambia back in 2016, I didn’t know just how much the experience would stay with me. I traveled with a group of friends, guided by Global Sojourns, and what we encountered was powerful: young girls stepping into safe spaces for the first time, mentors showing up with heart and purpose, and a budding organization still in its early years of growth.
Nearly a decade later, a few of us from that original trip started talking over coffee, at fundraisers, and during gatherings with Priscilla Plummer and others about going back. We had stayed connected to GSGC, and hearing how much the program had grown made me want to return. In the end, three of us from the 2016 group made the trip, joined by three wonderful new women. What unfolded was a journey that felt both familiar and completely new.
Seeing Growth, Confidence, and Community
What struck me most this time around was how much stronger everything felt. The clubs I visited in 2016 were already doing important work, but there was a subtle dynamic: mentors eager to please, hoping for continued support. This time, that relationship felt different. It felt like a true partnership. The mentors and youth we met were confident, grounded, and clearly moving toward independence.
We visited several clubs across Zimbabwe and Zambia: Sisonke, Tikobane, Sungomukoshi, Friends of Change Boys Club, and Believe Girls Club. Each stop welcomed us into joyful, authentic spaces. We baked bread, wove bracelets, went on game drives, laughed under waterfalls, and listened deeply.
At Sisonke, we spent time cooking and bracelet weaving with the kids. One of my favorite memories was watching the older ones making sure the younger ones were included. Three of the club members — Nqobile, Mosi, and Lizzy — joined us for a trip to Victoria Falls, and we all got completely soaked in the mist.
Later, during a game drive with Tikobane, I sat with three young men: Mark, Silence, and another boy whose name I didn’t catch. I asked Mark how the club had changed his life. “Without it, I’d be doing drugs or getting in trouble,” he said. When I asked how he got into the club, he pointed to the boy next to him and said, “I saw his life change and followed him.” Then Silence pointed to Mark and said, “Same for me.” It was a beautiful ripple effect. A quiet revolution of change.
Tikobane youth on a safari game drive in Dete Zimbabwe Tikobane youth and Lisa on a safari game drive in Dete Zimbabwe Tikobane youth on a safari game drive with travellers in Dete Zimbabwe
We also visited Tikobane Trust’s safe space for their girls and boys clubs in Dete, on the border of Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe’s largest protected area), where we shared stories and more bracelet kits. Watching their six-foot-five teacher Benjamin having the time of his life making a bracelet was an unexpected delight.
In Livingstone, we had a joint visit with Sungomukoshi and Friends of Change Boys Club. The vulnerability and authenticity shared by the boys touched my heart, especially my interaction with a young man named Charles, who had spent time at Wayi Wayi Creatives Village studying art. That brought back memories of my first visit, when I met the infamous Agness Yombwe and her girls club there. Though that club no longer exists, seeing new life emerge through these young artists was a full-circle moment.
Lisa and boy from Friends of Change Zambia Traveller with youth from Friends of Change Boys Club and SungaMkoshi Girls Club
And then there was Believe Girls Club. The greatest of all time in my book. Seeing Mentor Gloria Mubita, one of the first mentors I ever met, still standing strong and thriving nearly a decade later filled me with so much love and joy. Gloria and her team now support not only girls in the clubs, but also alumni navigating university and employment.
Lisa and Mentor Gloria Lisa and Mentor Gloria Travelers with youth from Tikobane Club in Dete Zimbabwe
Stories That Stay With You
There were so many special moments, but one in particular will stay with me forever.
While waiting for bread to rise at Sisonke, we sat weaving bracelets. I found myself next to a young man named Dylan. We didn’t say much, but slowly we inched closer as we worked. By the time we finished, we were leaning gently against each other. No explanation, just a sweet and silent bond. We traded bracelets. I don’t know if he still has his, but I can promise you I still have mine.
Lisa with boy at Sisonke making a bracelet Lisa with boy at Sisonke making a bracelet Lisa with boy at Sisonke making a bracelet Lisa with boy at Sisonke Youth at Sisonke Boys Club
A Vision That’s Still Evolving
One of the biggest changes I witnessed was the growth of boys’ clubs. Back in 2016, there was only one just beginning, led by Mentor Nyika Muyambo. I remember him telling us, “If we want real change, we have to include the boys too.”
Now, that vision is blossoming. Boys and girls are learning, growing, and healing separately but side by side. Many of my most meaningful connections this time were with boys from the clubs — vulnerable, open, and deeply engaged. It reminded me that transformation takes time, care, and a willingness to walk together.
The organization itself has matured too. One of the most inspiring changes I saw was the new alumni center, a place where graduates can still access support as they pursue higher education and careers. The foundation is strong, and the momentum is real.
Why I Support GSGC
This work matters. It’s grounded. It’s respectful. It’s real.
After my first trip, I came home with a deeper understanding of how Western aid, when disconnected from local realities, can unintentionally cause harm. GSGC is different. They don’t show up with grand solutions. They listen. They build trust. They empower mentors who are already part of their communities.
That’s why I continue to support GSGC. Every dollar truly makes a difference. Not through buildings or bureaucracy, but through mentorship, connection, and lasting transformation.
If you’re considering getting involved, do it. And if you ever have the chance to travel with Priscilla and Pam through Global Sojourns, say yes. It will be action-packed, emotional, and unforgettable. I’ve been lucky enough to do it twice, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
