Expanding our vision.

On the 3rd and 4th of December 2012 Sophakama had their first official planning meeting.  We also wrote a constitution for our organisation, during these two days.

Quite a chunk of the time we spent together, was given to formulating the vision and mission of that what we are passionate about and would now like to give legs to.

Evelyn, shared her expanded vision as follows:  In stead of only taking kids on 4 camps a year, she would now meet with kids twice a week and then take them on two weekend camps during the year.  It is therefore absolutely necessary to get other volunteers in order to multiply the number of kids that are being helped.  (For more information on how the volunteer tutor program will work, please see the blog posts in December 2012.)

Bongiwe, shared that she is passionate about social cohesion in our society, be it racial, economic or gender related.  She would like to do more research on these topics in the coming year.  She will also organise four “Around the table dialogue” evenings in this year.  The aim of these evenings will be to start with a process of listening and learning.  A report of the first evening that took place on 11 January 2013 will follow soon.

Ryan, shared his passion for bringing information to communities that will give them tools to self empowerment.  E.g. He would like to do workshops on saving in poorer communities.  Ryan will also engage in research this coming year in the field of economic community development.

Sophakama therefore has a new expanded vision with three branches:  Development, Education and Reconciliation.  Our main purpose remains the upliftment of our community as our name Sophakama (We shall rise) clearly calls out.