Leadership Institute for Girls

It's only been fourteen days since 2016 rolled into our shores - allow me this time to wish you a very pleasant year filled with the grace and love from above. May this year bring you enough courage and zeal to face the good and the bad - may it ends with a surprise that will fill you with great joy and hope. Take a moment and ponder this question - what if we truly believed in the power within us? I've been asking myself this question over and over for the last couple of days...it is part of what I do around this time of the year... As I was thinking about it again this morning - I felt compelled to share in this space and let the record show that if I truly believed in the power within me - I'll live more and love without reservations...I'll go to places I never dreamed of....I'll say exactly what I mean....I'll believe more in humanity...I'll always believe there's someone greater than me and He is taking good care of the universe...I'll la...

To conclude our ‪#‎ 8Questions‬ series here is our Creative Director, Palesa Lebeko she is one bundle of uniqueness overflowing with words written and unwritten. She has a deep husky voice and we love having her as part of our core team ‪#‎ GirlsLead‬ ‪#‎ GirlsRising‬ ‪#‎ GirlsTalk‬ 1. WHO ARE YOU? A being filled with endless "I don't knows". Who I am is steady, cautiously revealing journey to who I am. In essence, "I don't know" who I am yet because I don't think the definitio n of Me is known to me. So for now, I am a bundle unwrapping of "I don't knows." 2. WHAT IS MY DEFINING MOMENT? It could be failing memory but I don't have a particular defined moment or greatly defined in itself. With that said, I also believe that this answer is greatly subjected to change. 3. DREAM JOB This part and I have not cleared or defined this yet. What I do know about this job is that it's lines of working with and for p...

She is a sport fanatic. She's dynamite. She got style. She's dynamic. She is currently studying Nursing and she is our Health Expert. Ladies and gents here is Nonkululeko Nkuli Kwatsha moving along our ‪#‎ 8Questions‬ series ‪#‎ GirlsLead‬ ‪#‎ GirlsRising‬ 1. Who am I? I'm free petite beautiful creation, brought to broadcast the word that is understood only by those that always see a bigger picture in small meaningless things. I keep the smile in your face by every word I utter. You will feel my presence when I'm around and be hungry for it when I'm not there. 2. Defining moment: In my line of work as a Nursing student - when I enter a room full of people that are sad and then leave them laughing and wishing I could stay longer. 3. My dream job: My dream job is to be a Pediatrician. 4. Motto in life: There's always a treasure where people are not looking. 5. My source of inspiration: Construction workers waiting on street corners - these...

I have the honour of working with amazing young women - these are leaders of tomorrow and they are working towards Africa that is alive with possibilities for all of us. Do join me today to welcome Keorapetse Moeketsi as part of our ‪#‎ 8Questions‬ series ‪#‎ GirlsLead‬ ‪#‎ GirlsRising‬ 1. Who am I? I am a caterpillar emerging into a butterfly. I am a Tswana girl who dreams beyond measures. Difficult times mould me they don't define me. I look at where I am going not where I a m from. 2. Defining moment: Getting into varsity for me is one moment that I can remember being thee moment. 3. Dream Job: My dream job is to become a environmentalist to be specific a climatologist. My concern is sustainability in nature. The future generation has the right to explore and see nature thus I feel the need to come up with measures to ensure that the environment is sustained and conserved. 4. Motto: Do it with passion or not at all. 5. Source of Inspiration: My Father is...

I honestly could not wait any longer to introduce you to some of the people that forms part of the Leadership Institute for Girls core team. These are the people that get to hear my unprocessed thoughts and the heartbeat behind what we do...To kickstart our #8Questions series here is Petunia Masilo. 1. Who is Petunia Masilo? I'm down to earth, soulful and sweet person with a noticeable presence. I love to observe rather than comment or pass judgement.  2. Defining moment: I wake up with a goal everyday, so working towards it and achieving my goal of the day, month however long my goal is set for makes me proud and want to go further and achieve more. 3. Dream job: I have a passion for quality health care and the environment, so my dream job is one where I'm able to provide solutions using natural science as a platform. 4. Motto in life: It's not what you call me, it's what I answer to that matters. In life you will encounter many opinions and views b...

"When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid."  Audre Londe  I am beautiful! "I am not my skin Me, lies deeper than what eyes can see" Petunia  "I am more than the word itself  I represent my inner garden physically I am in different differently" Nkuli  "Mosetsana yo ereng ga a tsena tsotlhe di eme That is all of me" Penene  "Ke mosetsanyana  wa moAfrika Borwa Ke mosetsanyana wa mmala wa sibilo  Ke montle " Matumelo "I am so much beauty  The sunset is my skin" Nombulelo  "My beauty comes from someone who contributed love and obedience to elders Radiant and poise,   I am beautiful" Alinah "When I speak - I speak truth When I stand - I stand for justice When I cry - I cry for what is not there anymore With no regret When I pray - I pray for nations" Petunia T ...

These peeps are generously spreading the word and starting love revolution for the Leadership Institute for Girls and our toiletries campaign . I cannot say enough how much love I have for each of them - they are simply amazing phenomenal women. They are friends, sisters, aunts and they will be first to arrive at your party and last to leave your house after making sure all the dishes are done. They rock my boat and I love them dearly. Let's start a love revolution and spread love until kingdom come. Let's be the reason someone smiles today and everyday. Beautiful Bibi I call her Isabella - she's my younger sister We practically adopted each other - so much love for my sistas Kea, Debs & Sila Lovely Nadia Amigos = Nkuli, Palesa, Keorapetse & Petunia Amazing Mangaka My rock star Lowna

I sat for a long time pondering about how best to approach friends of Leadership Institute for Girls and ask for sanitary towels. We could give you hard core facts and statistics about how many girls miss school every day of the month because they can't afford sanitary towels. The teen girls in Matlwang village about 30 km outside Potchefstroom are some of those girls that need our help - they can't afford sanitary towels something you and I perhaps take for granted because it's easily available to us. Our call-to-action: Will you be so kind and every time you stop to buy your sanitary towels to add an extra pack for our teen girls. This will be practical and applicable for those living around Potchefstroom area. If you live outside Potchefstroom and you still like to take part - feel free to inbox us and we can discuss logistics. Like our Facebook page and get more information https://www.facebook.com/girlsleadtoo Your assistance in this regard is much apprecia...

Amazing initiative and something that truly brings joy to my heart. When the world unite and ensure that there are equal opportunities to educate girls too - initiative such as #LetGirlsLearn is relevant and I believe addresses the core issue - It maybe in small measure, but the impact is large and deeply rooted. This initiative along with others doing similar work will bring us closer to equality for all in our generation. Thank you, to everyone who is doing their part in this global movement - Here are some of the tweets on my TL this evening: The First Lady ‏ @ FLOTUS                                      "A good education can lift you from the most humble circumstances into a life you never could have imagined." —FLOTUS   The First Lady ‏ @ FLOTUS        ...

For reasons beyond me I had stopped writing my thoughts here - it was never my intentions to stop, so every now and then I think about this space. I started writing on this space simply to share my thoughts process in as far as the Leadership Institute for Girls go. The last time I posted something  here was from the USA - what an amazing journey and time that was...It was about four months ago since I've be to the land of the brave - yes, I did come back braver (is there such a word) What I mean is: I came back with more zeal to unpack my dream of reaching out to younger girls through coaching and mentoring. While I haven't been sharing much here, I have been at work behind the scenes visiting the school, meeting with young and big girls to see how we (together) can hold hands and encourage each other to dream beyond our villages. I have met with couple of my friends who will be coming along me this year to reach out to the girls - we have been thinking and praying into ...

It is truly an amazing opportunity to be part of the African exchange progran with Oklahoma State University. I give all praise and honor to my heavenly Father who makes it all possible. My life is a testimony of the impossible becoming possible. It's been a little over a week since we arrived in the US and the learning opportunities and experiences are enormous. I have met and engaged with great people and everyday is different. Starting from today and for the next three weeks I'll be based in Oklahoma City while doing internships with Maisha International . I am looking forward to learning while getting mentorship from Beatrice Williamson . It's gonna be awesome. Until next time keep well and never stop believing in your dreams.

Sick Of Being Photoshopped, She Does This – And It’s Simply Awesome!

Now, I know 2014 is far from over, but allow me to take stock. What a year? It's been my most productive year by far. Not productive in a way of measuring what I have or have not accomplished. It's been a good year of letting go and letting God. I have done things that for a long time was only a dream. One of the things that I'll take away from 2014 is without a doubt the actual birth of Leadership Institute for girls. It's been scary and exciting journey at the same time. I love it when we take those first shaky steps and how all of a sudden there road expands - leading us on... It is indeed true - a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step. I'm grateful to 2014 - it is a year where I put my brave on. I put my brave on when I was and still is most scared. We are stronger than we will ever know - go ahead and be BRAVE and do one thing you always wanted to do. Put your brave on.

I recently went to the school for Leadership Institute for Girls for our monthly visit. Three of my friends accompanied me, they were excited to come along, but I think there girls were more excited to meet my friends.  We normally finish around 11:00 and on this day we went on until lunch time - everyone was having fun. My friend Nkuli who is a Nursing student at the University did a presentation for us titled Teenage Pregnancy - in many ways a sensitive topic yet one we need to discuss more. Boipelo shared her personal story of how she is keeping her purity until marriage and our talented Palesa recited a poem she wrote about young girls innocence and purity.  It was all in all an informative morning and  I learnt so much from what my friends shared and the girls' responses and grasp of the topic was positive. They were listening with wide eyes and laughed occasionally.   ...one of my fav photo from the  first day I made contact with the girls....

  Hellen Keller 'I was raised on "try, try again" and discovered that my successes were often in direct proposition to my persistence' 'The price of greatness is discipline and responsibility' 'Our self-worth is not determined by our past mistakes, but by our willingness to recognize them' 'If we have no expansive or lovely view, we can focus one small flower that has poked its way through the opening in a concrete walk' 'When we build walls around us to protect us, we only manage to lock fear in' 'Treat your body as a precious gift, learn to love and respect it' 'We can do anything we want to do if we stick to it long enough'

In which I do interview with  Girls Globe #WomenInspire campaign for the month of March. The interview written by beautiful Liz was published here . When Liz asked me - at first I was little bit hesitant out of personal conviction. It's great to share with the world when we are busy with different projects. It's good. However, my personal conviction is that I'll never share to show off how brilliant my ideas are (I suppose in itself there is nothing wrong with sharing), but I believe there line is too thin. Everyday am bombarded with 'look at me/us we just donated food for this poor people' - I have serious conviction with that kind of attitude. A friend of mine tweeted this a while ago 'labeling people as "wounded" or "poor" or "in need" means that you are writing their story, and reducing their hope for the future'. This should not stop us in being part of the solution for as long as our motives are in good faith.

Sunday evenings are for introspection in a form of reviewing previous week and prep for the week ahead. I love my Sunday evenings - it's not a routine at all, but I enjoy mentally recollecting my thoughts... The past week was a busy one and all the weeks since January 2014. I have said NO to some commitments and only kept few and I am still fairly occupied. The other day I unapologetically said NO to an invite to be part of something... The person asking couldn't believe it - I was also shocked that she expected me to say YES to a short notice request... The 'new' me only says YES to what I can fully commit to ... Not the point of this blog post. The point is - as I recollect my thoughts on Sunday evenings - I don't have a routine I go on as the day allows. This afternoon I drove back from weekend with family - 3 hours drive (used mostly to think about my studies and future plans) driving alone & thinking or praying are the best of my times. So, when...

I used to be good with minor details and remembering dates. I'm not sure what happened, but my date keeping is not as sharp as it used to be. So, allow me to say what am about to share is been coming for a long time. I cannot remember the exact time when it dropped in my sprit. I do, however, remember how this dream never left my mind. You know the feeling you get when there are some matters needing your attention. That. That's  the feeling I have when coming to girls taking their part in society. I have heard too many stories and have seen girls take the back seat. You know when it's time to be part of the solution. I have mentioned it before - after much thinking, tolling with the idea, talking to friends and intense prayer.... On Friday I drove 30km to meet with teen-girls from a farm school. The visit was humbling because I do  believe this is a start of big things and to God be the glory. I never ever wanna take anything for granted. A journ...

A week ago, I had a meeting with my friend's mother. She is a school teacher and going to assist me with the logistics to start a mentorship programme for teen-girls. I can't wait to finally see this dream take shape. It's been a long time coming. Details are still sketchy at the moment but I know it's coming together. Load of prayers and thinking went into ... The first meeting with the girls is going to take place shortly. I'll be sure to share more info much later. Friends, never stop dreaming.

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