Hope for Limpopo - May 2010

It has been a few months since we last blogged but so much has happened that we scarcely have had time to keep up with the day to day operations of your growing non-profit, Hope for Limpopo. Here is our valiant effort to update you.

We were thrilled to learn that our dear friend, Fiona Nicholson, Chief Executive Officer for the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Program (TVEP) was recently nominated to speak in Washington DC for the Vital Voices for Global Partnership (VVGP) partnering with the Avon Foundation for Women. Vital Voices for Global Partnership is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that identifies emerging women leaders around the globe. This organization grew out of the US government’s successful Vital Voices Democracy Initiative established in 1997 by then First Lady Hilary R. Clinton and former Secretary of State Madeline Albright. VVGP’s mission is to “bring visibility to extraordinary women around the world by unleashing their leadership potential to transform lives and accelerate peace and prosperity in their communities.” Though Fiona was not the final selection for speaker, we were proud to see that she stands out in a crowd of important female leaders and has been recognized as a woman who is making a difference. Jo Ann well remembers the early days when she and Fiona researched and struggled to establish the first trauma center. It is with great pride that Hope for Limpopo is able to say that we continue to support this most important initiative.

Tian Johnson, Support Services Empowerment and Advocacy Coordinator for TVEP also reports that Masikhwa Tshilidzi, Senior Legal Officer for TVEP, was invited to make an important UN sponsored trip to Washington in January; Fiona made a Parliament presentation and Tian himself went to an Amsterdam conference and just last week attended a 4 day workshop in the United States. Unfortunately we were unable to accommodate Tian’s kind invitation to “perhaps join me in Atlanta for a cup of coffee.” We are grateful for TVEP’s friendship and HFL is honored to be listed on TVEP’s website as one of their Regional and International Strategic Partners.

The Vhutshilo Mountain School (VMS) has also been making great strides. Suzi, Director of VMS, recently e-mailed that they were expecting a total of 30 children and teens for their quarterly ARV workshop. This greatly pleased Oxfam since there are many huge HIV/AIDS issues with the local teenagers. Guest speakers from Center for Positive Care (CPC), TVEP, and the local hospital were expected to interact with the group.

Many new children have been added to our website as needing sponsors, but thanks to the generosity of HFL’s supporters, several of them have already been sponsored. Of course our goal is 100% sponsorship so we continue to be so grateful for your philanthropy. Check out our beautiful new faces!

Hope for Limpopo has recently made some wonderful, kindhearted new friends. A group of co-workers from Fidelity Investments not only have sponsored 2 orphaned siblings, they have created an important geography lesson for all of the VMS students by arranging to have 200 post cards sent to the school. Very special friends from the Segal Family Foundation have given us a generous donation which has allowed us to be the initiating funding source for a sorely needed classrooms/bathroom addition to the school. This contribution will provide roofing for the entire project. More on this at a later date.

Please continue to follow our blogs and our attempts to keep you abreast of where your money is being spent. As always, we appreciate your patronage.

“Kha vha sale zwavhudi”… (Be Well!)