Gender Equality South Africa Project #38463

Empowering Girls and Women as Mothers

by Keep The Dream196

Project Report | Jul 9, 2025
Inititation Schools and KTD196

By Louise | Managing Director

The Future!

We are having a fantastic time at camp with the kids, through your support. So much of what we do, is because of you. Camp is a cherished time for the kids, they get to be kids, they get to leave the pressures of village life, the crime, the drugs, the routines etc and come to camp. Most have never been away from home, or slept in a tent, or been on hikes in the bush.

Our camps are designed to ensure the kids progress through the advancement program and earn those badges which are difficult to earn in the villages due to lack of information and resources. The kids are immersed in a different way of life, team work, planning, and skills development such as first aid, map reading, hiking, compass work, environment appreciation, animal and bird appreciation. It is just glorious.

While our kids are having a ball, literally as games are part of the camp, as are other specific trainings such as BOYS2MEN and SEX and SEXUALITY, Spider training (a monitoring and evaluation process for the work we do), sadly, many boys are going to winter school or initiation school and dying.

Every year, during the winter school holidays, initiation schools take young boys, with hope of being men at the end, to the bush, they circumcise them (usually unhygienically), beat them, starve them, and refused to give them water (because then the boys have to pee, which causes more pain!). Sadly every year this practice causes many deaths of young boys. It is a cultural custom, however despite policies and laws being in place to prevent the abuse of boys, the custom continues from unscrupulous men wanting to earn a quick buck.

Some boys volunteer to go to initiation, some boys are taken by their parents, some boys are just stolen from the streets and then their parents are extorted to pay thousands of rands to get the home again.

In our area, the Xitsonga Chief years ago forbade Initiation Schools. This year, Queen Modjadji (a new young Queen), also forbade the practice however that still has not stopped 6young boys from being badly burnt during a fire at a school in one of our villages, I use that term loosely because “a school” is just a clearing in the bush, not infrastructure.

Every year children die at these schools. Many deaths are not reported or recorded properly, once article says that over 900boys have died in the Eastern Cape alone since 2006. Over 530 schools have been officially approved of. With each school taking a minimum of 20boys, that is a huge number of children at risk.

At the end of the school the boys are considered men, even if they go to these schools at the age of 6yrs. They are taught that they are now the boss, and everyone has to listen to them and do as they are told. They can now drink alcohol, smoke dope, have sex with whom ever, wherever, and be immune to repercussions of rape accusations culturally.

On the other hand, we at camp, train the boys on what a real man is, how he behaves, how is protective, supportive and encouraging as father, son, brother or uncle. How to lead, guide and provide for his family and ensure their success as a family unit. So different to the alternatives.

This is why KTD196 is so important. We are building not just for today but also for the tomorrow, with future families in mind. You are doing this through your support. You are providing alternatives for the children, new ways to view traditional roles. It is essential. It is life saving.

I hope you realise the importance of the work we do, the impact we have and role you play.

Blessings

Louise

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Jul 2, 2025
Sammy wants to be a Policeman - Dreams are real!

By Louise | Managing Director

Sammy in his soccer gear!

Well, we are at camp! It is the typical first day chaos, most of my time was spent driving the kombi up and down from Fairie Glen campsite to Tzaneen and back. I think in all I did five trips picking up adult participants of our training course in Scouts and then picking up children and bags for the kid’s camps that are happening simultaneously.

We will have a jam-packed time. Because of your support we can have multiple camps happening at the same time. For example:

Introduction to Adult Learning for adults.
Badge Advancement courses for the kids.
Sex and Sexuality for girls.
Boys2Men training for the boys.
Leadership development level 1
Leadership development level 2
S.T.E.M. – climate change
Spider camps x 2

All of this in two weeks. It is mammoth but we are able to do it because of your support. We only have formal funding for the Spider Camps; the rest of the training funding is coming from you!

Thank you so much for being a part of this special time for the kids. The kids love it, they don’t mind the cold, or sleeping in tents, or listening to the wildlife around the campsite, they just love it so much. I wish you could see the looks on their faces and see the smiles that literally go from one ear to the other. This is the one activity which really builds them and does well for their souls, no matter how tough their lives are, coming to camp is a place for them to be safe, and be kids, and just flat out enjoy. We are able to give them good food, build them physically, spiritually, emotionally and relationally.

It is such a blessing, thank you.

Louise

Hello, my name is Sammy, and I come from Gabaza Village. I am 15 years of age; I am currently attending Grade 8 at Phangasasa High School. One of the most important experiences in my life so far has been my involvement with Scouts through Keep the Dream196, which I joined in 2022.

Since joining Scouts, I have been exposed to a lot of valuable skills and knowledge that I believe it will benefit me throughout my life. I’ve learned the importance of Scout laws and Promise, and interesting facts about the national flag. My favourite part of being a Scout is the practical skills we learn. From learning various knotting techniques such as Lashings, which are for building structures like towers, tables, flag poles etc. Also, to learning about Axeman ship for safe handling of equipment and practicing First Aid in case of emergencies which are all fun and valuable skills to learn, also practical and applicable in my everyday life.

The person who encouraged me to join Keep the Dream196 was my older brother Thabo, a mentor who approached me one day with an invitation to join him for a meeting. With my curiosity and interest to explore, I accepted. To my surprise, I found myself intrigued by the level of fellowship and enthusiastic spirit of the troop. The first meeting was filled with fun as we engaged in exciting games that not only strengthened our teachings but also added valuable life lessons. It didn't take long for me to realize that Scouts was a perfect fit for me, allowing me to grow, learn, and have fun all in one.

Before I became a Scout, I was already a nice person because I’m reserved by nature, however, through Scouting value-based system and becoming a Patrol Leader, I became more kind and helpful to others, and my time with Scouts has positively added this value within me. Outside of my Scouts, I have a passion for soccer. I often spend my free time on the local field, enjoying a soccer game with my friends and teammates, as we play friendly matches.

Through joining Keep the Dream196 and what I have learnt, I aspire to become a Policeman, so that I can serve my community and play an important role in keeping people safe. I dream of the positive impact that would come from stopping crime and driving a police car, to ensure that justice is served. Becoming a Policeman would be a dream come true for me.

Training - first in the hall as a plenary!

Then implementing as a team

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Jun 24, 2025
Dreaming for YOUR Future!

By Louise | Managing Director

Thabiso

What are your DREAMS? What are you visions for your future? Your families future?

If we don’t plan for the future, we are actually still planning, but we are planning to fail.

DREAMS, we all have them! Some are just more formalised and implemented than others. When you sit and think about where you want to be in 5yrs, it is important to have a target to work towards. You plan the steps you need to take to realise that target. Otherwise, nothing will really change! You are not being intentional or strategic.

This is what we do at KTD196 for ourselves, and our kids.

For KTD196 initially it was survival. One month to the next as a nescient organization. Then we started to become more stable on a monthly basis, and we could DREAM for a year, then two, then finally 5yrs. We have a plan, a strategic plan that we are working towards.

We also want to assist our kids in the same way. Little steps produce more confidence, more self-esteem, more excitement! Here I will share Thabiso’s journey with KTD196 and how his DREAMS are being realised.

So much of what we do personally we implement, and show to the kids, that DREAMING is a life long activity, its not just for when one is young. Even if the DREAM changes over time, that is fine, as long as you stay faithful to the course!

I will share in the future regarding the kids and their DREAMS.

Thank you for making all our DREAMS come true! For me KTD196 is still making an impact in peoples lives, is still enabling DREAMS of others. That is because of your support, and that is priceless for us. Thank you is such a pathetic word to use but it means so much to me personally, I get to see the HOPE rise in the faces of people that didn’t have HOPE or a sense of future. You have done that!!

Bless you mightily

Louise

My name is Thabiso, known by youth members of our organisation as “Brother T”. I proudly serve as a Project Manager at Keep the Dream196, a role that has been a true blessing, especially due to KTD196's strong ties to Scouts. A movement I have devoted my life to for over 30 years, which has significantly shaped my values, leadership style, and passion for community development.

My career aspirations have always been fuelled by a desire to empower others and make a tangible impact on their lives. As a Project Manager at KTD196, I am responsible for organizing exciting projects and events, as well as training both youth and adult members of KTD196.

Before transitioning into the community development sector, I built my career in banking and sales for over 10 years, gaining valuable experience in communication, strategic planning, and client relations. Then covid hit, I was retrenched, I was then given the opportunity to join my wife, Nkulu - Social Worker for Keep The Dream196, as a Project Manager for the Children’s Project.

Currently I am pursuing a degree in Law, which has been my childhood dream. However, I initially abandoned this path due to the rising demand for computer science during my upbringing. I believe strongly in lifelong learning and strive to seize every opportunity for personal and professional growth.

A few years ago, I was invited to a training organized by our partners at Kindernothilfe (KHN), titled "Children’s Rights Situation Analysis." This training was conducted by a children’s rights Lawyer from Kenya. In my role at the organization, I conducted the desktop research on the rights of children in Limpopo. Additionally, I worked closely with Louise (Director) and Elizabeth (Program Manager) to develop a proposal for a five-year programme we were planning.

This experience made me realize how much the child in me still longs to serve justice, particularly for children. As a result, I decided to return to school and pursue my long-lost passion for Law. I am grateful to Keep the Dream196 for reigniting this passion, and provide study leave to realise my dream. One day I hope to serve and protect the rights of children.

I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to KNH and KTD196 for providing me with this opportunity and supporting future training opportunities. More than ever, the world needs this important work.

Just like the work we do, KTD196 is BUILDING TOMORROW TODAY, not just for the children and adults we serve but also for the staff.

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