Deep collaboration, learning and a courageous dive into of the impact of our work took place over a three-day gathering of GSGC Mentors last week in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Our annual Mentors Meet Ups are an important part of our process to ensure our Mentors offer connected, relevant and meaningful support to youth in 56 clubs in Southern Africa.  

This year, the time together was particularly significant because the pandemic prevented our meeting in person last year — and, for the second time, the Meet Up was planned and led by Mentors, for Mentors. The agenda, crafted by experienced members of the GSGC Mentors network, led us through discussions about how to monitor and evaluate our impact, a review of the nine fundamental principles of our clubs, a long look into our work with boys, and a mini workshop in how better to tell others about the results and change we are seeing. We shared lessons learned, planned for the future, and reinforced relationships within our network — a network that’s locally led and deeply dedicated to empowering girls and strengthening communities. 

“Despite the challenges, I had to be here. It was worth it, very worth it. We had a great time, an amazing experience. For me, it was life-enriching. Not only have I met some of the GSGC family, but I have learned so much. Learning what other (clubs) are doing was informative and opened up ideas on some of the things we can adapt to our club. The GSGC fundamentals gave more meaning when it comes to how we run the club." ~ Patrick Kazidi, Mugurameno Girls Club, Zambia 

Be a Monthly Donor

As the year counts down, it’s the perfect time for us to count you in as a new monthly donor! Why are monthly donations important?

• Consistent contributions allow GSGC to plan with confidence
• Demand for more clubs continues to grow
• Youth seek guidance and greater opportunities 
• Mentors are taking GSGC to new heights
• We need you

Donations made before the end of October will fuel 2023 programs in youth clubs we support in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Madagascar — clubs where membership has doubled, from 470 to 935, since 2020. We hope you will help us meet this tremendous need in the next few days. The clubs’ 2023 grant applications are coming in!  

Gifts made after Oct. 31 will be applied to programs in the following year....and to a couple of new opportunities we’re working on! 

Remember: contributions are tax deductible. 

Setting up an automated donation is easy! In addition, you can donate shares of stock and employer match forms can be sent to info@gsgivingcircle.org.

At year’s end, you will receive a summary of your contributions, including gifts to other GSGC campaigns such Creative Expressions.

As a monthly sustaining donor, you will rest assured you are doing your part to make the world a better place, one girl, one boy, at a time.

Thank you!  

Save The Date: Donor Conference Call

Our new executive director will share her first trip to Africa and its alignment to her 30 years of work on female empowerment in the US.

Date: Saturday, December 3

Time: 9am PDT/Noon EDT and 6pm

Southern Africa

Meeting ID: 822 2386 0232

Passcode: 939998

Coffee or sundowners are welcome -- time-zone appropriate!

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International Day of the Girl Celebrations

A decade ago, the United Nations declared Oct. 10 International Day of the Girl, bringing attention to the rights and challenges girls face worldwide. This month, on the 10th anniversary, the theme was, “Our time is now — our rights, our future.”

Mentor Talent Muyambo and members of Sisonke Girls Club celebrate the International Day of the Girl with a new supply of sanitary products, which allows girls to stay in school all month. First, though, they prepared and shared a meal with Sisonke Boys Club members, who came to show their support for girls' empowerment. 

At Wayi Wayi Creatives Village, members of the girls and boys clubs celebrate the day by joining forces in a dance that was led by two girls club members and included alumni of both clubs. 

The Bigger Picture

South African cellist Abel Selaocoe teams up with renowned American cellist Yo-Yo Ma in a moving tribute to the late anti-apartheid and human rights activist Desmond Tutu.

Inspiration

Mentors Meet Up, Oct. 19-20, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

We are a 501(c)(3) registered organization, so your donation could be tax-deductible. You also can donate stock; read alternatives to donating cash to GSGC. 

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