Lifeskills for 2,587 Children in South Africa

Avuxeni! Ndzi pfukile, kunene.

With the excitement of camp behind us, our children have transitioned smoothly back into the classroom. Far from slowing down, this return to the "real world" means the Keep The Dream196 Children’s Program is kicking off again with absolute gusto.

Amidst the everyday routine, we have a massive victory to celebrate from our Scouts program: two of our outstanding Scouts have passed rigorous interviews and have been selected to join the South African contingent at the upcoming World Scout Jamboree in Poland! This is an incredible opportunity for them to represent their country and community on a global stage.

Self-Help Groups (SHG) & Cluster Level Associations (CLA) Update

Our community-led framework continues to gain phenomenal momentum. We have successfully launched 35 new Self-Help Groups out of our ambitious target of 50, bringing vital savings and support structures to hundreds more women.

Strategic Partnerships & The Path to Federation

• National Assessment: Next week, we are hosting Xoli, the National Coordinator for SHGs. She will spend a week assessing our mature Cluster Level Associations (CLAs) to evaluate their readiness for Federation opening—a massive step toward total local autonomy.
• Healing Fractured Homes: The Bokamoso CLA has forged a pioneering partnership with FAMSA (Family and Marital Association of South Africa). Through our Journey of Life training, our leaders identified widespread trauma from broken relationships. FAMSA will now provide professional counseling directly to these families. Moving forward, we plan to replicate this partnership model across our other CLAs.

Sustainability and Governance

• The "I DO" Program Conclusion: Our collaboration with Rotterdam University is drawing to a close. Students have been working hard on a comprehensive feasibility study focused on making KTD196 financially self-sufficient. The goal is to move away from heavy reliance on institutional donors and short-term 1-2 year contracts, building our own independent income streams instead.
• New Financial Governance: At our recent AGM, a new Financial Policy was officially approved. We will be actively implementing these robust changes over the next few months to ensure the highest standards of accountability.

CLA Achievements & Impact Spotlight

Our Cluster Level Associations (CLAs) have truly been the hands and feet of development in their communities. Here is a breakdown of what these community leaders achieved over the past year:

1. Group Expansion & Strengthening

• New Groups: 19 new groups were opened directly by the CLAs, welcoming over 320 new women into our economic empowerment network.
• Strengthening Existing Networks: CLAs actively supported 58 existing groups. Of these, 20 received targeted training in basic business skills, and 28 were guided through reviewing and updating their group constitutions and rules.

2. Infrastructure & Material Needs

When external contractors left a chaotic mess of large rocks and blocked roads after installing water pipes—preventing taxis from entering and endangering children—the CLA stepped in. They mobilized stakeholders, got the road cleared, and resolved the hazard. Additional infrastructure breakthroughs include:

• Roads: 1 main road graded and fixed in Dan; roads successfully graded and leveled in Burgersdorp.
• Clean Water: 5 vital community boreholes repaired (2 in Nyanyukani, 1 in Rhulani, and 2 in Burgersdorp).

3. Healthcare Delivery & Service Improvements

• Mobile Clinics: Successfully reinstated mobile healthcare services in Gavaza, ensuring a medical clinic now visits the community once a month.
• Clinic Advocacy: Achieved faster, friendlier service at the Julesburg and Dan Clinics.
• Hospital Accessibility: Advocated successfully at Dr. CN Phatudi Hospital; they have opened an internal clinic so patients without formal referral letters are no longer turned away from receiving care.

4. Social Transformation & Governance

• Safety Campaigns: Ran 2 highly successful awareness campaigns—one tackling drug and alcohol abuse in schools, and another educating families on the dangers of children swimming in swollen streams after heavy floods.
• Community Policing: Launched 2 Community Policing Forums (CPFs). Members have been fully trained and are working hand-in-hand with local safety structures.
• Lobbying & Admin: Established solid, quarterly reporting relationships with key community stakeholders. Furthermore, the Bokamoso CLA has established its Working Isolation (WI) framework and is preparing to begin financially contributing toward the cost of their own Community Facilitator—a massive win for true self-reliance.

Thank You! Your belief in KTD196 allows us to empower children, strengthen women, and completely rebuild community infrastructure from the ground up. Thank you for walking this journey with us.

Blessings

Louise

My name is Marcia

Marcia is a member of the Nsimeko Self-Help Group (SHG), which was founded on November 28, 2022. She was born on July 12, 1951, and is married to Tommy. The couple has been blessed with three children and two grandchildren. Marcia was born and raised in Lebowakgomo, but she moved to Tzaneen after getting married. Being naturally shy and introverted, she didn’t have many friends in Tzaneen.

Marcia’s husband serves as the Induna of their community, making her the first lady. She shared that their journey has not been without challenges. Tommy comes from a large family with four boys and two girls, and he is the youngest of three brothers. Following the passing of their father, there was significant discord regarding who should rightfully take on the role of Induna. The two older brothers have built their lives elsewhere—one in Johannesburg and the other serving in the military and often deployed.

When Tommy expressed his desire to take over as Induna, his brother in Johannesburg claimed he would relocate to assume his rightful place, but that never happened. For years, Tommy performed the duties of the Induna while his brother received compensation for it. Marcia held onto hope and prayed for change, as their situation was quite difficult. With Tommy doing odd jobs and Marcia being unemployed, they struggled to support their children. Sometimes, having fancy food (beef or rice) or even three meals a day felt like a luxury. Their main focus was on survival and not going to bed hungry.

Marcia explained that they decided not to contest the chieftaincy because she feared for her husband’s safety. In late 2022, when the organization approached her husband to introduce their program and seek his permission, Marcia was already interested. She had heard the phrase “financial independence,” which resonated with her aspirations. She knew that this was the solution to all her financial struggles at home and a way to provide for her children.

When Marcia joined the group, her first loan was R50 to buy bread, followed by a second loan of R100 for food. Eventually, she borrowed R500, which Tommy suggested they use to make and sell bricks. She agreed, and together they produced the bricks themselves. As her loans increased, she borrowed R5,000, which they used to continue making bricks for sale and to start renovating their house. Her current loan stands at R10,000, and they are now close to completing the renovations. Marcia and her husband are very happy with the program, and her husband is very supportive. Women in the group said that it was very beneficial for them to keep Marcia in the group because she is not only humble, but she is also able to assist them when they must report some members to the tribal court.

Marcia has been chosen as the Self-Help Group (SHG) representative to the CLA. When asked how she feels about this role, she expressed that she feels very fortunate and blessed. The program, along with the trust the women have in her, has elevated her status in the community. She has made new friends and regained her self-confidence.

Marcia is also happy to work alongside her husband to improve the community. She shared that the community now has a functioning Community Policing Forum, access to water, and faster service at the local clinic. Additionally, Marcia expressed hope that, in the future, the community will have its own shopping complex.

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