A Truly Fine Kettle of Fish!

When artist, teacher and GSGC supporter, Russell Ford, spent five weeks as part of the vibrant art community that swirls around Wayi Wayi Art Gallery in Livingstone, Zambia, he ate fish from the Zambezi River daily and easily drew parallels between his hometown of Vancouver, WA, on the banks of the Columbia River, and Livingstone, on the banks of the Zambezi.
 
So when Russell wanted to raise money for GSGC-supported clubs, like the Wayi Wayi Girls Art Club, fish took center stage. He dubbed the project, "Casting A Wider Net."
 
Learn more about this cool, successful fundraiser on our blog
From Member to Mentor to Motivator

"I am living proof of what Believe Club teaches." --- Katanekwa Mukelabai

At age 20, Katanekwa Mukelabai, or Kat as she is known to her friends, is something of a girls club veteran. She was one of the first members of Girls Stand Up club when it opened in 2014 at St. Mary's Secondary School in Livingstone, Zambia. After graduation, she mentored under Auntie Gloria and became an auntie to the junior girls of Believe Club. And NOW, she is studying to be a lawyer at the University of Zambia, providing inspiration and motivation to her Believe Club girls from the university's campus in Lusaka.
 
This is the kind of success story you help make possible. Thank you!
 
Read our full interview with Kat - you'll feel good when you do.
Sleep Away Camp Let's Girls Just Be Girls
In an amazing celebration of being girls, Auntie Sfe Sebata and the Rise N Shine team executed a hugely successful camp for the 57 pre-teen and teenage members of the Rise N Shine girls clubs. This was no small feat in resource-constrained, rural Zimbabwe. But Auntie Sfe is already planning next year's camp, saying "Our hearts are overwhelmed with joy being able to bring this into the lives of these rural girls."
 
For four days and three slumber party nights, girls got to sing, dance, write poetry, draw, play, learn about make-up, eat three meals a day, envision the new year, and talk and giggle into the wee hours. Perhaps most importantly, they got to relax and enjoy being a girl. This freedom is incredibly rare for girls in Southern Africa. "It really dawned on the girls what a safe space means," said Auntie Sfe. "And the power of unity, friendship, and community."
 
We think this video goes a long way in showing the impact of Camp Rise N Shine. Enjoy!



Victoria Falls, by a young artist and member of Wayi Wayi Girls Club.




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