SD USA welcomes two new Directors to our board: Oswald Norton and Mary Salisbury. Both Mary and Oswald bring sincerity, ability, capacity and willingness to serve.
Thank you!!
Good News From I Protect Me!!
SD USA has supported I Protect Me for 4+ years. In that short time, we have watched the project blossom and expand. IPM takes on the huge problem of gender-based violence in South Africa by working with school-age boys and girls, teaching strategies for self defense and changing the climate of abuse that exists in South African schools.
Staff at schools where IPM has given trainings are enthusiastic about the good impact of IPM on the general ambiance of the school. IPM shared the following:
S. has reported this story: She was approached on the path in a rather isolated area, by a stranger, an adult guy, who gave her 30 rands and wanted to invite her to his home. She refused so he started to grab her and force her. She remembered from the IPM training that she has a voice and she had to scream as loud as she could. Nearby neighbors went out to see what was happening and eventually chased the guy away.
Teacher, Mrs Govin of 8th grade says that in the classes which have had IPM training, there is no more bullying, compared to the other classes. Bullying is one of the 10 lessons of the IPM program.
P. a teenage girl from grade 8 who has had the IPM training is proud to say that she is much more self-confident when she walks in her community and in groups of youngsters. She knows what situations to avoid.
Please visit iprotectmesouthafrica.org to learn more.
Update from Amanecer
For many years Amanecer has been home to projects that support children from struggling families in that area of Colombia. Covid closures and problems with the bathrooms and plumbing forced the projects to be put on hold.
Thanks to support from SD USA and SDIA, a rebirth of an after-school program, Terkemuka, will begin in July. This program will serve children in after-school activities that allow them to learn new ways of sharing in a healthy and peaceful environment.
A formal announcement of the opening of Terkemuka Project will be delivered at the Zone 8 meetings in July.