48 Applications. Countless Possibilities.

Dear GSGC Supporter

As we move through the year, we are continually reminded that mentorship is an ongoing process of helping young people discover who they are and who they want to become.

This happens in many ways. It can be a young person finding the confidence to apply for a scholarship opportunity they never thought possible, or a boy challenging expectations around masculinity and learning that strength can include vulnerability. Sometimes it is a girl gaining the knowledge and confidence to speak openly about her health without shame. And often, it is a mentor quietly walking alongside a young person, helping them recognize strengths and possibilities they cannot yet see in themselves.

The stories in this edition reflect these moments of growth. They remind us that mentorship is not about providing all the answers, but about creating safe spaces where young people can ask questions, build confidence, develop character and begin to imagine a future that feels within reach.

This year, we received a record 48 alumni scholarship applications, a powerful indication of the aspirations and potential that exist across our network. We were thrilled to award 10 scholarships.

Behind each application is a young person with dreams, determination and the courage to pursue their future. As we celebrate this year's scholarship recipients, we asked mentors to reflect on what these opportunities mean for the young people they support.

Mentor Thembelihle Dhlamini, Tikobane Girls Club, Dete Zimbabwe

"A scholarship gives hope, motivation and confidence, showing young people that their hard work is recognized and valued. It also inspires other young people in the community to work hard and believe that they can achieve their goals."

Mentor Patrick Majidi, Kuchengetedza Boys Club, Lower Zambezi, Zambia

"When I called Angel to tell him about the scholarship, I could feel the warmth in his voice, the excitement and the happiness. This is huge for us and one of the highlights of 2026."

These reflections show that scholarships are about more than financial support. They create opportunity, restore hope and open doors for young people to pursue futures that might otherwise feel out of reach.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support continues to make these opportunities possible, helping young people move forward with confidence, dignity and purpose.

Day of the Boy Child: Listening to Boys

To mark the Day of the Boy Child, we shared on our social platforms reflections from boys across our clubs about the pressures they face and the lessons they are learning through mentorship. From challenging harmful attitudes toward women and girls to creating space for boys to express emotion, their messages highlighted the importance of safe spaces where young people can think critically, speak openly and grow with confidence.

As one boy reflected, "In my community they say a man doesn't cry, but at Sisonke a man does cry." Another shared, "It's not about how society wants you to do things or how the community sees you. It's about doing the right thing." Their voices are a powerful reminder that when boys are given the opportunity to reflect, they can become thoughtful allies, leaders and changemakers in their communities.

See more on our Facebook and Instagram.

Menstrual Hygiene Day: Knowledge, Dignity and Confidence

To mark Menstrual Hygiene Day, we shared on our social platforms honest reflections from girls across our clubs about how mentorship has helped them better understand and care for their bodies. For some, like Racheal, it meant gaining practical knowledge about menstrual health and hygiene. For others, like Praise, it meant building confidence and accessing the sanitary products needed to manage menstruation with dignity.

Their voices were echoed by many more girls across our network as clubs hosted discussions and activities that challenged stigma and encouraged open conversation. As Greatjoy powerfully shared, "We are not just managing periods, we are owning them. I am not apologizing for my period. I am not ashamed." These are the kinds of shifts that happen when girls are given information, support and safe spaces to learn and grow.

See more on our Facebook and Instagram.

Mentor Moment: Procedure on Seeing Potential Take Shape

In this Mentor Moment, Procedure reflects on the privilege of walking alongside young people as they grow in confidence, resilience and self-belief. She shares how some of the most meaningful moments in mentorship come from watching youth begin to recognize strengths and possibilities they never saw in themselves.

"Each girl and boy is different," she says. "Mentorship is not choosing for people what they should be, but coming alongside them, helping them discover their potential without judgment."

For Procedure, these transformations are a reminder that lasting change takes time, patience and consistent support, but the impact can be profound.

Read the full blog here

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