GAGAzette Winter 2023 Hello from South Africa! …where I have recently had the privilege of visiting GAGA-funded projects in KwaZuluNatal. Our beneficiaries in this region are thriving in the face of considerable adversity and it was so wonderful to see them in person and catch up on all that they’ve been up to. I came away from my visits feeling inspired and so very proud of the positive impact of our work in these marginalised communities. Read on for more details of my trip and project developments. Of course, none of this would be possible without our amazing community of supporters. Thank you so much for your continued support and interest in our work. As we wrap up a very successful year, I’d like to wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season on behalf of myself and the GAGA UK Trustees. See you in the New Year! With warmest wishes
Olivia Van Rensburg Development Manager
1000 Hills Community Helpers 1000 Hills Community Helpers is going from strength to strength. There’s always so much hustle and bustle here - people are always doing something! I was there to see the GAGA-funded Baby Wellness Clinic, which runs every week on a Tuesday morning. Most babies were healthy with no concerns and mums were happy and supported by the nurse during check-ups. A couple of babies had illnesses and were immediately referred to the on-site nursing sister who tended to them professionally and helpfully. During my visit I also had the privilege of being shown around the 1000 Hills garden project which is absolutely thriving. The garden plot is bursting with life, and the team are busy growing potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, limes, peaches, apples, cabbage, spinach and much more. They’re learning everything from a local expert such as how to best protect their produce from pests by surrounding the crops with chilli pepper plants. Not only is this garden providing about 90% of the food which is being cooked daily for the staff, community and creche, but extra produce is also being sold back to local markets to make a profit, all of which goes back into the garden project. It is a truly sustainable project!
Sangobeg Scholars During my trip to KZN, I caught up with all of the students who we provide funding to and heard about their courses and how they’re getting on. Hlengiwe is one of our brilliant scholarship students studying Civil Engineering Law at a college in Pietermaritzburg, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She started studying in 2020, and will finish her 5-year course in 2025. Hlengiwe is making excellent marks and loves her course, particularly the modules of drawing, measurements and design. In her spare time, she has a part-time retail job on the weekends which keeps her busy and active as well as bringing in extra pocket money. GAGA UK has been providing funding to motivated and passionate young people to access further education for over 20 years. We’re deeply proud to be able to continue this programme in partnership with our sponsor, Sangobeg Investments Ltd.
Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust For many years, GAGA UK has sponsored a bed in the HACT 24-bed respite unit. This unit is hard to fundraise for, but is surviving and thriving in the face of the cost of living crisis. Here is a recent update from HACT about how they are using art as a weekly form of therapy for the patients: At HACT, we believe in the healing power of creative expression, especially in moments of vulnerability and separation. Our in-patient Respite & Palliative Care Unit is not just a space of physical recovery, but a sanctuary where emotions find their voice through art and heartfelt words. For many in our Unit, they are feeling weak, both in body and in spirit. Offering our patients the opportunity to engage in artistic expression and craft heartfelt messages to their loved ones fosters a profound sense of connection and release. Amid health challenges and the pangs of missing their families, these creative outlets, while they are on the road to recovery, become bridges that transcend distance and pain. Through each stroke of a paintbrush, thread of a bead or carefully written words, we witness the transformation of emotions into tangible forms of beauty and communication, which often incurs some inner healing. This endeavour isn't just about creating art and working on dexterity; it's about creating a space where emotions are honoured, memories are cherished, and the human spirit finds solace and strength. The Respite Unit is not only a haven where we provide unconditional love and hope, but also where colours, words, and emotions interweave, allowing our patients to find comfort and empowerment on their unique journeys.
Kilimanjaro Young Girls in Need KYGN’s class P7 which is funded by GAGA UK donors has just had their results back for the national examinations in September. We are delighted to announce that the class P7 finished with an A+ average. We are over the moon with these results and we’re so proud of the P7 pupils! We’re also delighted to announce another GAGA-supported infrastructure project taking place at KYGN this year. In partnership with the Jephcott Charitable Trust and The Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Settlement, we are building a new classroom block at KYGN. This will significantly alleviate the pressure on teachers in the higher grades, between ages 11-15, by creating smaller classroom sizes. This important project will benefit not only the students currently at KYGN, but also thousands of vulnerable children who will join the school in years to come. Thank you, Jephcott Charitable Trust and Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Settlement! We are looking forward to keeping you all updated on the developments of this important project.
What else? Are you interested in leaving a gift in your will? Whatever the size, when you include a gift to GAGA UK in your will, you are giving our future generations the opportunity to create a brighter future. Leaving a legacy is a way to ensure that your values of equality and opportunity can carry on. To learn more about how to leave a gift in your will, contact olivia@gaga-uk.org.
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