Normally I write an Editor's Letter for our Newsletter, but in our latest issue, Phithi, one of our Founders, has contributed his assessment of our first nine months.
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I always love to hear people using words and phrases like, “against all odds”, “unexpectedly”, “To my surprise” etc. Every time I hear these words, I always exclaim, “Wow, a determined heart and mind achieves what it never fathomed”!
When we started Educating Others, about 9 months ago, we never knew where the whole venture will take us. We just had one aim; to raise funds to reach children who need support for their education. We did not have money, sponsors, bonds, stock markets, cows, goats, houses, bank accounts and other things like that which you would expect anyone venturing into ‘supporting others’ have got to have. We only had our hearts, minds and drive. On top of that, we dressed ourselves with integrity and transparency and purposed that we will never use a single penny from the donations. It was a challenge, but we determined to try. We probably sang the famous childhood song, “try, try, try again. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again”. And trying we did, and today we are amazed at what our supporters and ourselves have managed to achieve.
Affording a child a decent education is the greatest gift one can ever give. It’s more than all the glittering gifts that we normally give to the toddlers every year, though there is nothing wrong with glittery toys. But education is long lasting, a child who gets it today will have it for the rest of their lives, and no climate change will ever erode it. However, supporting children’s education is never easy if one is to make it a lone venture without supporters behind him/her.
Last month (August 28), we hosted our first ever coffee morning, asking our supporters to once again rally behind us as they have done since December 2009 when we announced our venture. People came in droves to support us and they were so determined and excited to make a difference to children out there. Their generosity humbled us, we never thought they would rally behind this worthy cause the way they did. A child somewhere in Sudan and Zimbabwe is smiling because of the support that we have been offered. Our gratefulness to all our supporters is ever eternal; the more you support us, the more children out there are afforded a better future.
Educating Others has been buoyed by this support. Our determination and strong sense of duty, transparency and integrity has been rejuvenated once again and we are proud of what we have managed to achieve to this day. Out of all the funds that we have raised to date, ALL of it has gone to our beneficiaries: GUA Africa and Rose of Sharon, we stand proud in confirming that we have never used a single penny for stationery or printing costs. This is what we promised and this is what we are doing. Unexpectedly, Educating Others is managing to do what it set out to do. Of course, we thank our Trustees led by David and Brenda Yates, Father Michael Freeman and Father Timothy Ganz, myself and Kudakwashe Lionel Kupara. Our future is indeed bright the same way as the future of the organisations and children we support.
Phithi Ngcobo, 25 September 2010.
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The total raised at the Coffee morning on 28th August, was
£.483.53
In August, we also had a Donation to our cause from
St. John the Divine Parish Church, Horninglow, Burton on Trent of
£.250.00
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