Thank you Friends of Angel’s donors who helped make an AMAZING difference in 2011 to the children, youth, and young woman scholars of Isandlwana village.
Last year we were able to raise $2,325.00. Together we provide food for nearly one hundred children in the village on countless days after school when they would otherwise return home hungry, forced to wait until the next school-day lunch to eat. The money you gave purchased grocery carts overflowing with loaves of bread, butter, meat, apples, chips, and juice- giving them energy to play, study, and help with house-hold chores.
Marco was successfully sponsored through her entire year at University with $450.00. This provided her with means of housing, transport, groceries, and calls home during her studies. She has completed her first year as a college student and will begin her sophomore studies in February of this year! We are still looking for means to cover her tuition costs, but our donations given in 2011 should also cover her sponsorship for all of 2012! Great work everyone.
In the spirit of sustainability, I am working this month to pass on responsibility of the park to my co-workers; all whom are now friends and some like sisters to me. The Lodge has offered to put out a donation box at their front desk. This should provided on-going support forIsibindiPark. Another Peace Corps volunteer has already passionately took over leading the GLOW Girls Club and will continue the meetings on Thursdays to teach the girls Women’s well-being and empowerment. We had a GREAT end of the year party, complete with a talent show, popcorn, and ballons.
The Isibindi Park Renovation project is complete. The park looks beautiful with all out-buildings, latrines, fencing, and gate now fully functioning. We celebrated by painting a mural on the furthest building that now functions as a toy library and Club room for the girls.
On a more personal note, I had my own WONDERFUL end of the year celebration and Christmas holiday in England! I’ve returned renewed and so grateful for the added love I received there to finish out my last weeks of service. Yes, it’s the beginning to the end of my completion of service. I should be finishing up early around the end of February if everything goes as planned.
During the next few months, I will gratefully continue taking your donations as long as you see the Paypal link active on this site. The money you give will continue to support the community of Islandwana. I am planning a big party next month with the kids at the park for my departure and would like to purchase stuffed animals and/or toy for each child to give with the regular meal provided. Your donation would go toward this purchase.
I have no words to thank all of you who have supported me with your words, letters, photos, phone calls and prayers. The greatest work here is done with the most simplest of acts. Each of us can do this out our own back doors every day. As I tell the youth here in the village, ‘We are all ordinary people capable of extraordinary things’.
