Keep The Dream196

Keep The Dream196 is a non profit organization (NPO) based in Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM), Limpopo Province in South Africa. Well that's where they are, who they are and what they do is another story. KTD196 started unofficially in 2003 after a focus group with 180 Home Based Care volunteers who were very stressed about the problems facing the orphaned and vulnerable children of their villages. The problems that faced the children included: increased teenage pregnancy (13% in Limpopo) and also increased HIV/AIDS infections rates (23% in Limpopo) amongst 15-24yr age group; children dropping out of school; failing at school; not having the parental support necessary; teenagers getting involved with gangs and crime; substance abuse and suicide (10% of all natural deaths are deemed suicide but is greatly under reported). So, after much research and questioning the children they started the bones of their program in November 2003 with 13 girls. In 2004 they trained 50 new volunteers and by the end of the year they had over 1,100 children in the program In 2007 co- founder Elizabeth Mabuza and I (Louise Batty) realized that their model was working so well and the impact was already being identified, they decided it was time to give up their secure day jobs and invest in these amazing children full time - KTD 196 was officially registered as an NPO in 2007. They see the impact of their work every day and it is so encouraging to see, their kids have a sense of hope, destiny and the life skills to be able to acheive their DREAMS but you will be able to read about that under - 'The Voice of The Child' button below.