By Louise Batty | Managing Director
Welcome to all our new supporters and Friends as we commence 2019.
Happy New Year to everyone and thank you for making 2018 a Happy New Year for everyone touched by KTD196.
I have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from people we both know and have supported us for years as well as those we don't know. There are over 5,700 different projects registered on Global Giving and because of your support we actually were rated #7 and received a $250 bonus from Global Giving for the gifts you have given.
What this means is that the strategic plans we made at the end of 2018 will come to fruition. These plans include:
1. Introducing a Meerkat program for children aged 5-7years. No longer will these younger children have to stand outside the gate watching their older siblings have all the fun, now we have a program that will cater to their needs and bring them into a program that will inculcate them with the values and skills to achieve their dreams.
2. Being able to continue services to the 2,500 plus children we already serve and incorporating more children in to current groups. This will expand our impact and our footprint in to Limpopo Province.
3. We also are going to be able to take children to camp. I can hear some people say "So what?" Well, camp is where we take children out of their daily circumstances (for example: those children caring for ill and dying parents, or children under the threat of violence within the community of home, or impoverished children who are not able to eat more than once a day). By taking them to camp we spend extensive time training the children in skills and they will achieve rewards (badges) and return to their communities with skills they will then train other children in their small groups on their return. This cascade form of training builds up the self esteem of the child; it strengthens their self confidence and builds the child up in the eyes of their peers. What we are also able to do is allow children to have fun and just be children, often a very overlooked need for the children in this area.
2018 was a wonderful year with many achievements, some of which include:
1. With over 12,000 children who have come through our program since 2003, we have had only 10 pregnancies throughout this time. Once again we have had a year without any teen pregnancies. We should statistically have approximately 180 pregnancies but because of our program which focusses on helping children achieve their goals, the girls have made a decision to abstain, which is reinforced by the program, and continue to plan and implement that plan to achieve their goals.
2. Teenage suicide rate is 12.7%, we have had no suicides in 2018. This is due to the resilience we build in to the children through our program. We position the children for success. We develop the children's skills to overcome temporary obstacles, we also provide support for those children with chronic obstacles that require more support for example: being orphaned, having ill and dying parents, experiencing abuse within the home. Our children have the skills to navigate life and its complexities and if more help is required we are available to provide extensive support and referral if necessary to other resources.
3. None of our children have been involved in crime or substance abuse throughout 2018.
These are just some of our achievements in 2018, all of which is due to the support we have received from you!
Now, because of the extra support from our new supporters at the end of 2018 through the year end campaign, we have the opportunity to do more, to be more effective, to change the face of Greater Tzaneen Municipality and extending into Limpopo Province. To bring about substantial change for the children of Limpopo.
It is so exciting and I hope you feel excited as well?
You are a part of our success because seriously, we could never do all we do without you!
Please if you have any questions, any comments, any queries please contact me at keepthedream196@gmail.com
Thank you, Thank you so much for all of your support and interest in Keep The Dream196.
With much gratitude
Louise
Testimony from Elizabeth one of our Volunteers from the United Kingdom
From September to December 2017, I had the privilege of volunteering with ‘Keep The Dream 196’ on the ICS program. The program included myself as well as other volunteers got the chance to volunteer in South Africa for 3 months.
During my time in Limpopo, I volunteered in a team which consisted of 3 UK volunteers and 4 South African volunteers. We still regularly keep in contact with KTD196 and I am thankful for the friendships made in South Africa. I was able to work alongside the staff of KTD196 and I was inspired by the great work they do for the vulnerable children and orphans in their community.
KTD 196 aims to build young people from the ages of 7 to 26 years to be resilient and respectful. My role was to lead games and deliver some of the sessions to the children and young adults that came to the weekly programs at various different communities in Limpopo. Through KTD196s program I was able to motivate and inspire those children that came. The children wanted to be educated and become socially conscious young people who want to make a change in their community.
A year later, I am still impacted by my experience overseas as it has opened my eyes to a world much bigger than London. I am currently training as a secondary school Maths teacher and volunteering with KTD196 as well as Tinghitsi School and Mohlaba Creche has made me more passionate about quality education. The adults, friends and children I met in South Africa valued and appreciated so much what was offered was truly humbling to see. Children and young adults who might be young carers for family members or suffering a loss in the family (just to name a few,) are given an hour or two a week of respite to take their mind off their other commitments and just have some fun with their age mates.
One of my highlights was getting the opportunity to spend extensive time with some of the children at a KTD196 camp that I went to with some of the team. Watching the children have fun, to relax and enjoy their environment, spend time achieving new goals, it was so exciting to watch.
When I came back home to London, I managed to raise some money to support the great work KTD196 are doing in Limpopo by setting up a JustGiving page as well as selling cupcakes and brownies after church. I am very thankful for the life changing experience I had in South Africa and it is one that I’ll never forget.
Elizabeth
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