“The Kilimanjaro Dream Project”:
In 2008, we run a campaign whereby all our children wrote their dream on a piece of paper. The dreams were then physically carried all the way to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. On the back of this campaign, we are now busy making 12 dreams come true. These dreams will take place between September and December 2009 and will include: visits to Ushaka Marine World in Durban, attending an international cricket game, a guided tour of Bloemfontein, meeting a Generations actress, a visit to Robben Island, a ride in a captive hot air balloon. Subscribe to our newsletter to hear more about these dreams coming true in an exceptional manner!
Children of the Dawn - Achievements
Reintegration into the community
99.5% of the children who have entered the programme are alive and healthier. Considering the very difficult living conditions of these children, this is an achievement by itself. It is only in 2007 that we registered the first death among the children we care for. And today, it is a total loss of 3 children we mourn.
But perhaps, our biggest achievement is the reintegration of the children into their surrounding community.
All children are now back at school, and although the standard of learning is low, we achieved a 93% pass rate in 2008. Thanks to our support in terms of school fees, school uniforms and meetings with teachers, our children can now enjoy their schooling as any other child.
The reintegration into the community is also achieved through our aftercare centres and the networks created around the children. The communities have now taken charge of their orphans and can offer them a real sense of belonging. The many volunteers working on the ground are a living example of the strength and resilience of South African communities. We also welcome on a regular basis young international volunteers sent by the international NGO AFS (American Field Service) who spend at least six months in our communities, and whose role is to liven up our care centres by organising educational and leisure activities for the children.
In seven years, we have managed to strengthen the seven rural communities we are working in to the point where each sponsored child is supported in a holistic manner. Their basic needs being met and surrounded by love, our children can look forward to a future!
