Our First Scholarship Fund, Alumni Club and Youth Mentorship Center

Supporting Dreams: Launching Our Higher Education Scholarship Fund

We are delighted to announce Global Sojourns Giving Circle’s first scholarship fund. The Maria Manetti Shrem Scholarship Fund was made possible by the generosity of Maria Manetti Shrem of San Francisco. This groundbreaking initiative — our first scholarships — aims to empower young women in Zimbabwe and Zambia by providing access to quality education and transformative opportunities.

Maria's commitment to education has inspired additional scholarships. The enthusiastic response and ambitious applications from GSGC alumnae attracted an anonymous donor whose gift will cover five more scholarships! Together, these educational donations will pay for 12 scholarships: seven from the Maria Manetti Shrem Scholarship Fund and five from the GSGC Scholarship Fund. The anonymous donation is proof that Maria’s kindness and vision sent an even stronger ripple of hope and possibility through our GSGC community.

Read about Maria's inspiring journey and her impact on future leaders

The Power of Opportunity: Martha's Path to a Scholarship

Meet Martha, a long-time member of Believe Girls Club in Livingstone, Zambia. Joining in 2014, Martha's story reflects the essence of empowerment and resilience.

After completing high school, Martha faced challenges familiar to many in her community. With both parents unemployed and her family struggling financially, Martha's dream of becoming a fashion designer seemed out of reach. But her determination and passion prevailed, and she found ways to sustain her family through her creative work. Martha remained an active club member and continued to nurture her dreams, always looking for more opportunities. And now, we are excited to announce that Martha is one of our inaugural scholarship recipients!

"Getting the scholarship is really going to help her family end generational poverty," said Mentor Racheal Musonda Ng‘andu. “As the eldest daughter among eight siblings and the first to reach grade 12 and pursue college, Martha's success is a beacon of hope.”

The five GSGC scholarships are shining examples of our commitment to provide opportunities, break barriers and create brighter futures. We're proud of our work and grateful to our donors. Together, we're transforming lives and communities in Southern Africa.

Developing a Youth Mentorship Center in Victoria Falls and Our First Alumni Club

The paint is dry, the furniture is in, and the security system is on. We're delighted to see our GSGC Youth Mentorship Center come together in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The center will serve as a gathering place for GSGC-sponsored club events for youth, Mentors and alumni. Think workshops, tutorials and celebrations. It also will be the Africa-based administrative hub for GSGC and a welcoming spot for visitors and guests who want to learn about our work. You can see some early career-enriching activities posted on our social media channels.

Just as exciting, it is the home of our first alumni club! We're ecstatic to announce the establishment of iTHUBA Alumni Club. With Mentors Mercy Sibanda and Prosper Siphambili at the helm, this club aims to provide mentorship, psycho-social support and career guidance to GSGC club members who have graduated high school and are entering the next phase of life. Watch this space as things develop!

“I'm really grateful to have such a club in my life. We've been blessed to have Mentors like Aunty Mercy and Uncle Prosper because they have time for us, they hear us, and they listen to us. They see us, and that's what I've been looking for.” ~ Mabel (19), iTUBHA Alumni Club, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Listen briefly to Mabel's touching appreciation of iTHUBA

Crafting Hope: A Donor's Artful Contributions

We're taking a moment to express our sincere gratitude for a long-time supporter, Russell Ford. Russell and his wife, Barbara, are dedicated GSGC donors who have repeatedly employed his talent and artwork to make a meaningful impact for youth in Southern Africa.

From crafting clay fish to judging contest entries, Russell's passion for art and community shine through. The sale of his recent sculpture at the Portland-area Home and Garden Show meant an influx of funds for our work, and we are inspired! We celebrate the Fords!

Learn more about Russell's support for GSGC

Tikobane Youth Explore Innovation at Hwange National Park

Tikobane Girls and Boys club members have recently enjoyed engaging visits to the newly developed Innovation Hub at Hwange National Park Main Camp, Zimbabwe. "The trips encourage and motivate our kids to believe and have confidence in themselves," Mentor Sidunyisiwe Moyo reflected.

We're proud to support Tikobane and witness Mentors unlocking resources and doors of opportunity for these young people. Enabling them to engage with new technologies will help make them world-ready!

See more on our Facebook Page

Leading by Example: One Club's Commitment to Giving Back

Girls Time Club in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, embodies the spirit of a "Give Back Culture," which is a fundamental of all GSGC-supported clubs. "We launched a street clean-up campaign and discussed the importance of keeping our environment clean and reducing plastic use as a way of taking responsibility and practicing good environment hygiene," Mentor Procedure Chikosi explains. Initiatives like this instill environmental awareness, foster personal responsibility, and build stronger, healthier communities.

The Big Picture: A UN Gender Equality Snapshot

At GSGC, we are committed to advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 5 — Gender Equality — and so we keep our eye on news about it. A recent UN publication, "The Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2023," offers valuable insights into the current state of gender equality worldwide.

Our founder, Priscilla Plummer, emphasizes the importance of understanding "the big picture" in female equality. We invite you to delve deeper into Gender Snapshot 2023 to learn about the challenges, opportunities and continuous steps needed to accelerate progress toward gender equality.

Inspiration

Sisonke Boys Clubs learning how to plant and care for seedings in their vegetable garden with Mentor Talent Muyambo, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

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