By Louise | Managing Director
WOW WOW WOW, I am amazed………………the staff have really excelled this year. We are at the end of the year and we are gathering our statistics and stories of success to share with you our supporters as well as with our other donors not on GlobalGiving.
It is thrilling to see how hard everyone has worked but not just that, the increased impact and the importance of the work we are doing and how much it is being appreciated by all the beneficiaries. You are directly responsible for our success; you enable us to do this work. I say that frequently, but I really don’t think you know how instrumental you are to our survival as an organization.
As more and more organizations are fighting for the meagre money, which is available through international donors, it is becoming increasingly difficult to cover costs. That is where your support is so important. You have become the difference between us continuing or closing our doors. You will be receiving #GivingTuesday requests from me personally; we desperately need your ongoing support. I will leave it at that.
I want to just tell you about the Kids Program. Previously I stated we were going to start Meerkats, the program aimed at 5-7yrs. We have 5 Meerkat Dens with 49 children, the Dens are smaller than the packs or troops because they require more support when doing activities.
Regarding Cubs, the 7-11yr olds, with their own individual program we have 32 packs with 794 children involved. They too have their own individual program with their own tailor made advancements and badges to be earned. It is important to establish a pipeline for Scouts but also, get a child while they are young and train them in the way they should go, and they will not forget the values and morals we have impressed upon them. I was a Brownie (Girl Guide equivalent in Australia), I still remember the things I was taught and it shaped me as an adult today.
Now, with Scouts who are the 11-18yrs olds 31 troops with 608 children involved. Again they have their own individual program tailored to their specific age group and requirements. We deviate particularly with Scouts South Africa here because we focus particularly on Children’s Rights and Child Participation. We introduce other training to assist the children to navigate the challenges associated with growing up in poverty, under resourced and under structured villages, with high crime rates, high pregnancy, drug abuse and truancy rates.
The we have the Rovers, the older kids who want to continue but with their own program catering to adult learning, these kids (to me they will always be kids) they are 18-30yrs old. We have 3 crews and 43 Rovers.
We have had a 36% growth this year in the Children’s Program alone, all because of you! All because of your support! You made this possible. Last week I spoke about the change in Ronny, this is the sort of transformation we can bring. This program is so special and loved by all of the children and their parents. It is truly exciting to be able to see the change happening before our eyes. Thank you so much for your financial support. You are making such a huge difference to the lives of the children, to their families and to the nation of South Africa. We are changing this nation one child at a time. I have included a mum’s story below of the change she has witnessed in her children.
God Bless you!
Louise
My children have changed since attending the weekly children’s groups, at home and at school they have improved their behaviour, they are no longer rude or naughty, they do their chores, they do their homework, I don’t have to nag them anymore.
I had one child who was doing badly at school, and I thought he was just very naughty, I used to shout at him a lot and never gave him any attention. Since I have been taught about Children’s Rights by my children and by KTD196, I realised I was not supporting him but abusing him.
I started to support him and show interest in him, his behaviour at school has changed including his performance for this last term. Scouts is giving him the discipline he needs but also it helps me to understand my children and how to do right for them. I wish I could have attended scouts when I was younger, they are learning so many interesting things and becoming such helpful children, not just in our home but in our community as well. Keep The Dream196 is doing a very good job. Mabunda
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By Louise | Managing Director
By Louise | Managing Director
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