By Louise | Managing Director
Avuxeni, Minjani? Umfekile minjane! (Hello, how are you? I am well!)
I love the work we do at KTD196, I love the passion by which people link arms with us and build this project. I am very humbled that so many people have the same dream and vision as I and come along side to assist us in realising that dream. I want to start introducing my team to you. Since I spoke last week about the SHG quarterly review I thought it would be fitting to share Nkulu's bio first as she spear-heads the project.
She is one of the many products of the work we do. She is an original member of our first scout group, long before Elizabeth and I quit our day jobs to do this work full time. What Nkulu doesn’t share is how she and her friends, with any free time, where out helping us grow the Scout portion of the project. Even when she went away to university, she would come home during her breaks and be an active part of the work we do.
Nkulu runs her own Pack (a group of 7-11yr olds) and continues to do so having helped 100's of children since 2013 achieve their goals and become leaders of the future. Nkulu also serves as the National Program Co-ordinator for Cubs in South Africa, so she is in charge of the Cub program in its entirety for the Nation.
I hope you enjoy her story, Nkulu is a product of KTD196, she is here, doing what she is doing, because of your support.
Blessings
Louise
My name is Nkululeko, and I am a vibrant and chatty young woman working for Keep The Dream196. I initially joined Keep The Dream196 in 2003, I was also one of the original 13girls that started KTD196 in under the direction of Louise and Elizabeth before KTD196 formally existed. I have been committed to this project ever since.
The reason I chose to be so involved is because a lot of children need guidance and mentorship, they need elders whom they can identify as role models and they can learn from. It’s not just a job but it has to come with passion and the feeling of having to want to help a child. I would encourage the youth whether you are a scout or not to help change a child’s life, to help build a better South Africa by grooming the small children into being the future leaders.
If we have a very strong foundation that is instilled in children, if they are groomed and led to the right path then we’ll have fought the struggle of having a better South Africa. It’s not only for the children but as an individual it is fulfilling to know that you have played a role in changing a child’s life and have given someone the chance to dream and to dream big.
In 2013, ten years later I was employed as a social worker in the project, and it has been an incredible journey. I am now the Team Leader for the Self-Help Group Approach (SHGA) Programme, and I also assist with the scout’s program, children are my passion.
I have had the privilege of facilitating parenting skills training and empowering young girls to build their self-confidence and overcome societal stigma. Currently, I lead the SHGA, working with nearly 2,000 women from various communities. These women meet weekly to learn about financial literacy through saving and lending money, as well as to discuss various topics that foster self-confidence. Our goal is to cultivate independent women who thrive in their lives and positively impact their families. The impact includes 70% of these ladies now have Income Generating Activities which are pulling them out of poverty and establishing them and their households financially, often for the first time.
My dream and aspiration is to see this organization and the SHGA expand beyond Limpopo and create a greater impact worldwide.
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