Malawi – Mariners Church / Kids Around the World / CoD
An exciting new project that is a joint effort of Mariners Church (Irvine, CA), Kids around the World and Cargo of Dreams. First work day is March 3rd and we are honored that the folks from Orange Country Rescue Mission will be hard at work alongside member of Mariners Church We would love and be honored for you to participate - see Chris' contact info on this page This is a last minute and quick turn around project and if you have contacts for construction donations we would love to hear from your ASAP
An exciting new project that is a joint effort of Mariners Church (Irvine, CA), Kids around the World and Cargo of Dreams. First work day is March 3rd and we are honored that the folks from Orange Country Rescue Mission will be hard at work alongside member of Mariners Church We would love and be honored for you to participate - see Chris' contact info on this page This is a last minute and quick turn around project and if you have contacts for construction donations we would love to hear from your ASAP
Ennis Thabong 1: Furman – Doxa Deo
With dedication and determination the students started with $1500 in their budget. When Cargo of Dreams advised them that our project manual is not complete and that they should rather start 4 months later, they respectfully declined. Six months later they completed a stunning converted container with bathroom, kitchen and class room area! Some of the project leaders had the opportunity to visit the project in 2009 as part of their official studies. During their visit they met Loraine, principal of the newly created preschool and also the project leadership in SA. Please take a moment and look at the second phase of this project done by "Greenville" and see results that followed as a result of these students initiatives. (We are in the process of retrieving the lost pictures of this project)
With dedication and determination the students started with $1500 in their budget. When Cargo of Dreams advised them that our project manual is not complete and that they should rather start 4 months later, they respectfully declined. Six months later they completed a stunning converted container with bathroom, kitchen and class room area! Some of the project leaders had the opportunity to visit the project in 2009 as part of their official studies. During their visit they met Loraine, principal of the newly created preschool and also the project leadership in SA. Please take a moment and look at the second phase of this project done by "Greenville" and see results that followed as a result of these students initiatives. (We are in the process of retrieving the lost pictures of this project)
Little Flower: CHCC
How we wish we could share just some of our stories in person. CoD initiated our first labor strike shortly after the USA team left, and the main focus of conversation in the community shifted to “compensation” for volunteering to complete the school and serving their community. Three weeks later, the community had to “undo” some of the work they did in their efforts to “catch-up.” Community ownership is not a luxury; instead, it is something CoD addresses months prior to a commitment to be involved and is non-negotiable. If you ever find yourselves in Cape Town / Paarl, South Africa, we highly recommend you spend time with the principal and her husband and meet two of the most humble people you will likely meet in your lifetime.
Top Needs:
How we wish we could share just some of our stories in person. CoD initiated our first labor strike shortly after the USA team left, and the main focus of conversation in the community shifted to “compensation” for volunteering to complete the school and serving their community. Three weeks later, the community had to “undo” some of the work they did in their efforts to “catch-up.” Community ownership is not a luxury; instead, it is something CoD addresses months prior to a commitment to be involved and is non-negotiable. If you ever find yourselves in Cape Town / Paarl, South Africa, we highly recommend you spend time with the principal and her husband and meet two of the most humble people you will likely meet in your lifetime.
Top Needs:
- Outdoor playground
Nonquebela: Calvary Chapel Tustin
I remember the forum meeting where the principals, each presenting their school’s needs, voted to decide the neediest preschools. After Linda’s presentation the chairlady reprimanded her for being an embarrassment to the forum by showing up poorly dressed, hair not taken care of and a school this is dirty and in shambles. Being “poor” was not an excuse, she added. The year following I did not see significant change during multiple visits to the school, planning a potential CoD project. Recognizing Linda on pictures of the openings day where she proudly stood beside Debbie and the community leaders, was not that easy I have never seen such an extreme turnaround in literally the 2 months that it took to complete the facility on site. Three years later and both Nonquebela and Linda continue to be an inspiration to everyone in the community.
Top Needs:
I remember the forum meeting where the principals, each presenting their school’s needs, voted to decide the neediest preschools. After Linda’s presentation the chairlady reprimanded her for being an embarrassment to the forum by showing up poorly dressed, hair not taken care of and a school this is dirty and in shambles. Being “poor” was not an excuse, she added. The year following I did not see significant change during multiple visits to the school, planning a potential CoD project. Recognizing Linda on pictures of the openings day where she proudly stood beside Debbie and the community leaders, was not that easy I have never seen such an extreme turnaround in literally the 2 months that it took to complete the facility on site. Three years later and both Nonquebela and Linda continue to be an inspiration to everyone in the community.
Top Needs:
- Visitors :)
Langabuya: Coast Hills Community Church
This was CoD’s first project and continues to hold a very special place in our hearts. The day the containers arrived in Mbekweni is impossible to describe in words. The little ones were overwhelmed and crying because their old school was gone and the adults were dancing, singing and praising God as big trucks and cranes covered the streets and what used to be the dirt playground. To them it was normal when they had to lay head-to-feet and the teachers completely covering them with blankets to keep them dry during the winter rains. Equally normal were the couple of potties that served as toilets for boys and girls at the same time and were only emptied when it was completely full. Today, a green lawn, flushing toilets, a structured school program, and an abundance of educational equipment are the new “normal” for the students.
Top Needs:
This was CoD’s first project and continues to hold a very special place in our hearts. The day the containers arrived in Mbekweni is impossible to describe in words. The little ones were overwhelmed and crying because their old school was gone and the adults were dancing, singing and praising God as big trucks and cranes covered the streets and what used to be the dirt playground. To them it was normal when they had to lay head-to-feet and the teachers completely covering them with blankets to keep them dry during the winter rains. Equally normal were the couple of potties that served as toilets for boys and girls at the same time and were only emptied when it was completely full. Today, a green lawn, flushing toilets, a structured school program, and an abundance of educational equipment are the new “normal” for the students.
Top Needs:
- Visitors are always welcome!
