From Moments to Momentum
by Kristi Koebke | Volunteer | GSGC donor since 2016
Nearly a decade after our first visit to the GSGC clubs in Zimbabwe and Zambia, Lisa Wright, Heidi Johnson Bixby, and I returned with some new travelers. Our hope was to reconnect with people who made such a powerful impression on our first visit and introduce this beautiful place to our firends.
At first it was difficult to name the profound change we experienced, but it was palpable. Yes, there were the same rich rhythms: the laughter of children, the warmth of shared meals, the quiet power of mentors creating space for young people to be seen and supported. But this time something felt more defined, more integral.
We came to realize that the early promise we sensed years before had materialized as something distinct, enduring, and deeply meaningful.
This return offered a rare perspective: the chance to see not just moments of impact, but the rich, unfolding legacy of such moments over the years.
On a game drive with members of the Tikobane Club, I asked, “How has this
club changed your life?” One young man answered candidly that, without the club, he believed he would be in trouble, possibly using drugs. When asked how he found the club, he pointed to a friend beside him.
“I saw his life change and followed him.” That friend, in turn, pointed to another. A quiet chain reaction. A ripple effect, unfolding in real time.
There were moments of reflection too, like reconnecting with Mentor Gloria Mubita. She was still leading the Believe Girls Club nearly a decade later, now supporting not only current participants, but alumni navigating university and early careers. Individually these moments are powerful. Together they begin to tell a larger story, one that becomes visible only with time.
What Feels Different Now
What stood out most was a sense of confidence in the mentors, in the youth and in the structure of the clubs themselves. The relationships felt more balanced, more grounded. What was once emergent is now well-established.
“The first time I visited, you could feel how much heart there was, but also a sense that everyone was still building toward a vision of what it could be,” Lisa says. “This time, it felt different. It felt like true partnership. The mentors and kids know exactly who they are and where they’re going.”
The clubs are no longer simply spaces of possibility; they are communities with continuity. Older participants guide younger ones. Alumni remain connected. Mentors lead with clarity and ownership. The work is no longer about introducing something new, it is about sustaining and deepening what exists and works.
Even the evolution of the model reflects this maturity. What began as a focus on girls’ mentorship has expanded to include boys clubs, grounded in the understanding that lasting change requires engaging entire communities. The vision has grown by building on its foundations.
The Evolution
As a founding board member and long-time supporter, Heidi has witnessed this growth from its earliest stages.
“What struck me most on this visit was the impact of the work,” says Heidi. “Witnessing the depth of relationships, the leadership that’s been built over time, and the trust, is what makes this work sustainable versus surface-level change.”
It is clear that meaningful change is not created through clubs alone but through relationships that are consistent, mutually respectful, rooted in trust. And what continues to propel support is the understanding that this work is both deeply local and broadly relevant. While the challenges may differ across communities, the model of investing in people, centering local leadership, and committing for the long term is universal in its potential.
For those who support GSGC, this is the impact your generosity has made possible. Not just in moments, but in momentum.
An Invitation to See for Yourself
For those who have traveled with GSGC before, there is something powerful about returning. You see the same places but with new clarity. You recognize familiar faces and witness how far they’ve come.
And for those considering a first visit, there is no substitute for experiencing this work firsthand. It is immersive, humbling, and deeply human. It will stay with you.
Most importantly, it will show you what is possible when commitment meets community and when small moments, sustained over time, create lasting change.
“Because of the meaningful impact I saw during this trip in 2025, I became a monthly giving donor.”
Prior to this, I would give only when there was a special ask, but I realize the importance of this steady work and the steady commitment it requires.
Funding the core operations is critical to keeping the programming reliable. Like mentors, monthly donors are part of the steady rythym. Committing to the journey empowers a young person facing challenging circumstances to recognize new possibilities. They stay in school. They delay pregnancy. They avoid abusive relationships. They build skills that lead to independent livelihoods. And something else remarkable happens.
With new confidence, they begin to champion others. Families grow stronger. Communities become more stable. Futures that once felt uncertain become possible. This transformation takes time. It takes commitment. But it’s happening!
I encourage you to join me and become a monthly donor today.
