By Louise | Managing Director
Avuxeni, minjani? Umfekile minajane!
Thank you for all your support, we really appreciate you and your interest in the work that we do, the impact we have and the changes we are bringing to the communities we serve. It is so exciting to me that after years of hard work and dedication, we have reached a tipping point, what I mean is that for years we have been scratching the surface regarding poverty alleviation, child abuse, structural rights abuses, family disintegration, crime, teenage pregnancy but finally we starting to see real changes.
Yes, as I have said before our teenage pregnancy rate is 0.0007% where the nations rate is approximately 13% (not including abortions, miscarriages and those who give birth outside of the Health Department), we have had no teens pregnant for the last 7yrs and in fact we have only had 12 pregnancies since 2003. But it is so much more than that.
We have fought against cultural expectations, in that before you marry a girl you have to make sure she can have babies; against the government offering Child Support Grants (an easy form of cash generation – or so people believe!); against peer pressure by the teens themselves; against ignorance regarding how one does get pregnant. Slowly but surely we are seeing the tide change.
As I have said previously, we are working actively on inspiring ladies through the SHG groups to demand their rights with Government regarding the provision of water and sanitation. They are demanding safer communities for their children and themselves by working with SAPS (South African Police Service), starting Community Policing Forums and forcefully moving the thieves and thugs out of their communities.
We are creating a ground swell of support, we are starting to see the ladies, their families and communities becoming excited about the future, about what they can do, rather than just accepting the rot and decay as normal. They are taking hold of their futures and creating change. This is all through your support, what you do is enable us to initiate change and support that change. What you do is create opportunities for the future. What you do is bring hope!
Thank you so much for believing in the mission and vision of KTD196.
I hope you enjoy the story below of one child’s journey.
Blessings
Louise
Hello, my name is Katlego, a 17-year-old living in Gavaza Village, born on the 31st of May. Currently, I am in Grade 10, pursuing the science stream at school, with dreams of becoming a pilot one day. I come from a big family, but at the moment, I live with my grandmother, mother, and three siblings. We are a very close family of six, supporting each other through life’s ups and downs. In my spare time, I enjoy expressing myself through drawing, which allows me to unleash my creativity, and I have a great time playing with my siblings, creating unforgettable memories together.
My Scouting journey began in 2020 where I was recruited by a friend to attend a Troop meeting in 1st Burgersdorp Scouts. Before that I was unaware of the existence of Scouts. From that moment, I fell in love with Scouting and its values. What stood out for me were the principles of responsibility and respect that are deeply rooted in the Scouting culture. What stood out for me during my 1st Troop meeting were teachings I received about being accountable for my actions and treating everyone with respect regardless of age.
Although I had to take a break from Scouts due to distance and school commitments, I rejoined this year when the 1st Gavaza Troop was established. I felt a renewed sense of purpose and commitment, and I am proud to serve as a Troop Leader within my troop. This role reflects my dedication to Scouting
Scouting has impacted my life in positive ways. I remember my first experience at camp in 2022, where I slept in a tent for the very first time in my life. It felt exciting to be surrounded by the beauty of nature, sharing this experience with my peers and forming bonds through various activities. Interacting with so many different personalities was exciting for me, and every moment felt like a new adventure. While I thoroughly enjoyed most aspects of the camp, the pioneering (tying knots and lashings) were challenging for me; but I’m still working on overcoming it.
Before I joined Scouts, I was a shy girl who often kept to herself and isolated. However, the supportive environment at Keep the Dream196, Scouting has helped me build confidence and overcome my fear of public speaking. I now proudly embrace my newfound confidence in various aspects of my life, including leadership and communication.
I highly recommend joining Scouts through Keep the Dream196 to all the teenagers out there. The valuable skills and experiences one gains through Scouting are truly worth every moment invested. It provides a positive environment that encourages personal growth and keeps you away from unhealthy habits. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this community, and I look forward to continuing my Scouting journey, diving into new experiences that await me.
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