We are deeply concerned about those affected by the coronavirus around the world. COVID-19 has up-ended our traditional ways of life, and we send our thoughts and prayers to our GSGC family. The outbreak in Africa lags behind larger outbreaks, but borders are closing and fear is rising. Know that Priscilla is working with GSGC partners in Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa to share accurate and timely information and keep open lines of communication. Our mentors are well-positioned to help their communities, and we will support them in that effort. Take care of yourselves and take care of each other.
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A New Level of Collaboration and Leadership
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We are so excited about the 2020 Mentor Summit that this entire newsletter is dedicated to it and the impact you have thanks to your support. Whether you are a longtime donor or new to our family, you are helping shape a better future for Southern Africa’s young people and their communities — a future of education, gender equality and relief from extreme poverty.
But first, a title change. In the past, we have referred to the wonderful women who run GSGC-sponsored girls clubs as Aunties. It is a cultural reference to the role African women relatives and friends have long filled —
supporting young girls and helping them find their way. At this year’s summit, Aunties,along with the men, agreed to use the term 'mentor'for all who lead the GSGC clubs. And just like that, our club leaders have furthered modelled gender equality.
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"The ground has shifted. They own the vision.”
—
Priscilla Plummer, GSGC Founder
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Last month, 16 mentors from 24 girls and boys clubs in three countries converged on Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe for the largest ever GSGC Mentor Summit.
For two action-packed days, they shared their most effective approaches and activities for educating and empowering the girls and boys they work with. All departed full of new ideas and an even stronger sense of being part of one big family.
The Summit was not all work. Attendees visited local GSGC clubs. They also enjoyed dancing, singing, a late-night swim and trips to the big Banyan tree and Victoria Falls.
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Mentors Praise the 2020 Summit
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“The Summit … was the training we believe we needed to run Masizakhe successfully. It gave us an opportunity to interact with amazing individuals who do exactly what we do but with more knowledge and better understanding and ways to help us improve. We found people who can help us with all we need to grow.”
— Busiswa Maliwa and Bongeka Juca, Masizakhe Youth Art Project, Cape Town, South Africa
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“As partners, we share notes and learn from each other. Where we are not understanding, we ask. And when we get back to our clubs, we improve where we are lacking. So it’s very important that these gatherings are there because they help to build better and stronger communities.”
— Agness Buya Yombwe, Wayi Wayi Girls Club, Livingstone, Zambia
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“This was a special gathering. (It) helped each individual gain more knowledge and also bound us together as a family. I extend my gratitude to our donors, our supporters. You made this possible. We know that it is not easy, but soon, the young African generation will tell how much we have grown and benefitted from your financial and emotional support. A special thank you from deep down in my heart.”
— Mercy Sibanda, Girls Time, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
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The “Everything” Behind the Summit
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From arranging transportation and overnight stays to coordinating pick-ups and plane rides, Wendy Burger — the administrative backbone of GSGC — got people and technology where they needed to be and when. She arranged to keep the humans fed and the equipment operating. She gathered goodies, set up chairs and took down notes.
Wendy worked with Sisonke Boys Club Mentor Nyika Muyambo on the agenda, keeping each day fresh and enriching. And she helped host the owners of African Travel, GSGC’s local partner, at activities that helped engrain our nonprofit more deeply in the community.
“She did a meticulous job,” said GSGC founder Priscilla Plummer. “Everything flowed so well you didn’t see all the logistics behind it. What a gift.”
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One of the things that makes GSGC a true community, is that our supporters apply their unique talents and passions to the goals we share for empowering youth in Southern Africa. Over the years GSGC and its clubs have benefited from accountants and artists, engineers and project managers, writers and lawyers, marketing and social media experts. And not all of these fabulous people have been to Africa!
Lynn Findlay is one such fabulous person. Sharing her passion for sewing, embroidery and knitting, Lynn made dolls for GSGC-sponsored clubs years ago, and this year, created shoulder/gift bags for each GSGC Mentor to receive at the meet-up.
It was "a labor of love,” said the Washington state resident. "...this is my way of helping."
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Not only was the February Mentor Summit in Zimbabwe the first that mentors Bongeka Juca and Busiswa Maliwa had ever attended, getting there marked the women’s first plane ride and first venture outside South Africa.
The two head the newest clubs to become part of the GSGC network, the Masizakhe Youth Art Projects in the Gugulethu Township just outside Capetown.
“Flying for the first time was a great experience that we will never forget,” they said. “Getting on the British Airways plane, the treatment we received, and above all, flying over the clouds, it’s an experience we cannot explain in any other word than “splendid”. The views were amazing. We will be forever grateful.”
At the Victoria Falls Mentor Summit, they joined “brilliant African brothers and sisters who are doing amazing work.” They “found a new family that shares the same vision as us and will help us grow.”
The food and staff at Furusa Guesthouse (owned and run by Blessing and Simba Furusa) were “amazing”, as was visiting the famous waterfall, visiting other GSGC clubs, and sighting wild animals.
“No words can say Thank You enough.” Bongeka and Busiswa said.
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Donna Rasin-Waters' Take on the 2020 Mentor Summit
Former GSGC Mentor Summit facilitator, volunteer and donor, Donna Rasin-Waters, PhD, shared her impressions after watching videos of the 2020 Summit.
“What an incredibly talented group of mentors,” she said. "I have always believed that the internal knowledge, skills and abilities of the mentors would produce the most productive type of summit: everyone learning best practices from each other.
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THE GIVING CIRCLE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS:
Furusa Guesthouse (Blessing and Simba Furusa)
Cape Grace Hotel (provided airline tickets for the South African Mentors)
Africa Travel (Lovemore and Leanne Machipisa)
James Fernie, Uthando
Lynn Findlay, Woodland, Washington
And
ALL DONORS WHO MADE THE 2020 MENTOR SUMMIT POSSIBLE!
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