A Writer Finds New Stories

Just 72 hours after retiring, j ournalist Holley Gilbert boarded a plane to begin a four month gig volunteering for GSGC in Zambia and Zimbabwe. She went to gather stories, share her writing skills, and learn more about the realities of life in Southern Africa. What she gained was a new community.
 
"Everyone has been asking me if I'll go back," reports Holley. "Of course I'm going back. I couldn't not go back."
 
Read the quote, taped to Holley's work computer, that inspired this life-changing experience.

An Auntie Gives What She Did Not Receive

Procedure montage 2
"I can easily get into their shoes. It's not a beautiful life."    Procedure Mhlange

Growing up, Procedure Mhlange learned what it means to be trapped by poverty and a lack of education. There was little money for school; male relatives were abusive; and h er widowed mother struggled to provide -- having  no time to listen, or offer comfort or encouragement.  Procedure remembers thinking, "This is not how life should be." And now she's working to change it.
 
Procedure started Girls Time club and  became Auntie Procedure . She is  a mentor who sees each girl's gifts, listens to each girl's concerns, and tries to help them gain a better future through education and awareness. "I may not be able to pay school fees, but I can take the time to listen and guide them," Procedure said of her girls. "That means something. It gives me satisfaction."
 
News From GSGC-Sponsored Clubs
Believe Club , in Livingstone, Zambia, was feelin the love on Valentine's Day. Even though this is not a day widely celebrated here, Auntie Gloria saw an opportunity for club members from St. Mary's and St. Peter's schools. Gloria said, "We wanted the girls to feel love, for themselves and each other. They made cards, wrote poems and songs and brought simple gifts for each other. We created a very strong bond. One of the girls said, 'I have never experienced such a thing!'"


Yosefe Girls Club, in Mfuwe, Zambia, started 2019 with great news: Auntie Kalinda has  started an additional girls club at Yosefe school, enabling her to separate the older girls and younger girls, with 20 girls in each club. Also, a big congratulations to all YGC girls who sat for their grade 7 and grade 9 exams the end of last year. Well done girls for making it to grades 8 and 10.

Girls Time, in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, also shared good exam results: three  girls outshined most of the students at Lulu Academy and were the only three that passed Mathematics! Procedure is
still waiting for additional results, but said, " Looking at the whole school, w e find that the impact we are making is evident and even the teachers testify to it."

If you haven't already....please sign up for our Birthday Challenge

In lieu of gifts this year, simply pledge your birthday 
as a fundraiser for GSGC.  We've made it super easy: 
  • You SIGN UP on our website
  • When your birthday is near, we'll remind you to start a campaign and send helpful suggestions
  • You ask your friends and family to donate in support of your birthday pledge
  • Everybody wins!



We'd like to keep in touch with you about the vital work we do and opportunities to support us.  You can be confident that your personal data never be shared with any third party.   If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, we always include an easy unsubscribe link at the bottom of every mailing we send, allowing you to opt out at any time.