TOGETHER WE CAN CHANGE LIVES

Wishing all our friends, donors, sponsors and supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

What a year we’ve had!  2021 continued to challenge us in so many ways, not only the intermittent restrictions on fundraising events during 2021 and the “virtual fundraising fatigue” that set in after 2020 but also the devastating impact of the pandemic, floods in Tanzania and the political unrest in KwaZulu Natal.

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Thanks to your continued support we have been able to maintain our funding to our main projects in South Africa, 1000 Hills Community Helpers and Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust. In addition, we’ve increased funding to our student body, adding two additional teacher training places thanks to a crowdfunding initiative and also to KYGN thanks to support from members of Talk Business Stratford and the London property management company Adiuvo. #togetherwecanchangelives

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Here's what the projects have to say about the year.

KYGN - primary education - Tanzania

Despite all the problems that KYGN has faced during this further year of pandemic and extreme weather conditions, the outcomes are remarkable once again.  Starting with the class which GAGA sponsors, this year's Primary 7 results showed KYGN ranked second amongst the 164 schools in the Moshi area and fourth out of all 608 schools in the Kilimanjaro region.  This league table includes fee paying independent schools!   What is more, four girls have been granted places at "shule teule" which are schools for children who have shown evidence of exceptional talent and will mean that their secondary education is almost entirely paid for by the Tanzanian education authority.  This is a huge opportunity for these girls and all thanks to the first rate education provided by KYGN which GAGA's  donations have helped to support.

Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust – respite care – South Africa

COVID-19, civil unrest, food insecurity and an increasingly volatile economic climate have made for a highly stressful and tumultuous year for all the team at Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust, and yet, through hard work and perseverance, their team has managed to navigate and overcome these many challenges and in the process, proven that we truly are “stronger together”.

Their ability to continually respond to the evolving needs of their beneficiaries, who constitute those most vulnerable and at risk within the local communities, was only made possible by your generous donations which enabled GAGA UK to partners HACT once again this year. Thank you to each and every one of you for enabling them to fulfil their important and timely mission and restore a sense of hope in their beneficiaries’ lives.

 

Once again, Woza Moya, HACT’s craft and homeware retail venture have provided beautiful crochet baubles for our 2021 Remembering Tree. We've got lots in stock so please let me know if you’d like to purchase one email [email protected] or pop across to our shop now!

 

1000 Hills Community Helpers – Primary HealthCare Clinic – South Africa

Our meals on wheels continues to be our main focal point here in the valley, feeding an average of 9000 people per day, supported by sponsors and our own productive veggie garden. We have extended our trips further due to the dire need that our community face, reaching those as far as Hammarsdale. “I have never seen so many people asking for food and telling me that they are hungry” says Dawn (CEO/Founder) “Things are bad”

Although we try our very best each day, sometimes the demand is just too great, with a community of

48 000 people it sometimes becomes a challenge to help every single person.

 

Sangobeg Students – tertiary education – South Africa

Our students have had a tough couple of years but we’re delighted to report some great success stories!

Sli J has completed her degree in Philosophy, Politics and Law and hopes to join the Police.

With their studies kicked off by our successful crowdfunding appeal, Senenh and Sli M have completed their first year of their teaching qualification, achieving such good results that they qualify for Government funding for the remainder of their course!

Goodness has been accepted for her teaching degree, building on her Reception teaching diploma and improving her chances of getting a good job.

Wendy, Hlengiwe, Bongiwe, Sandile, Khanyisani and Ntuthuko continue to study for their qualifications and we are still supporting Luyanda and Nokwanda with transport costs to get to Uni.

Please don’t forget that you can raise extra funds for GAGA UK AT NO COST TO YOURSELF! Simply sign up to a charity linked online shopping portal, we are registered with Give as You Live, Easyfundraising and Amazon Smile – just search for “Goodwill and Growth for Africa” or pop across to Raise £'s as you shop online where you’ll find links to all of the online shopping portals. All the pennies really do add up, so please don’t think your contribution won’t make a difference!

 

Need to get in touch? Write: PO BOX  6751, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 1UQ 

Email: [email protected]  Phone: 01789 414088

"No one has ever become poor by giving"  -  Anne Frank