ANNUAL REPORT 2010
It is amazing to consider this is our third Annual Report for Keep The Dream 196 and we are still maintaining the dream and looking forward to a future which sees the young people of South Africa become what they are destined to be, resilient, engaging, passionate, co-operative leaders.
We have been able to watch the success of our program through the experiences of the older children and youth who have been apart of this program now since 2003. For example teen pregnancy is an issue in
Limpopo with 13% of high school girls becoming pregnant in Mopani District, to date, with over 1,000 girls we have had 4 pregnancies in 7years. I agree that is four too many but with the expected number being 130 in this year alone, we are doing something right.
The children continue to come and we continue to be excited and challenged by the myriad of issues confronting the children that this programme assists with. HIV & AIDS literacy has increased through the training of over 200 HIV PEER Educators who discuss HIV with their troops, families and communities, not an easy task with the social taboo’s placed on this subject but our kids are informed and fearless regarding spreading the HIV prevention message.
In 2009 we received 3 Silver and 3 Bronze Star Awards by the Scouts Association South Africa for the performance of the troops according to National Standards. Andrew Tanner, Elizabeth Mabuza and my self also received Merit Awards for our service to the children of the movement of scouts. Another equally exciting commendation certificate was given to Harry Malatji by the Chief Scout Commissioner for service over and above to his troop of 1st Mapitlula.
This year we held our first Strategic Planning exercise which has been invaluable for setting direction and purpose for the following 2years. This has been an important review procedure and also holds a sense of awe at what we have managed to achieve in not yet 2years and what still needs to be achieved over the next two years.
Our success is due to the wonderful God we serve and his provision for us at every level, from funding to staff to individual and corporate support, he guides us and leads us every step of the way. I also want to thank those who he has used in the life of this Dream such as Fred & Margy Hoffman, The Kings Court Christian School, Andrew & Sheila Tanner, and Milly Siebrits of Scouts Association South Africa and Gateway Church International. To the Board of Keep The Dream 196, thank you for your commitment and ongoing support in the vision. To our partners and donors both nationally and oversees thank you for working with us on behalf of the children we serve, it is so wonderful to know we have a single vision and a single purpose.
God Bless
Louise Batty, Managing Director