Network Partner Projects
A sampling of the inspiring work being done around the world by members of Realizing the Dream's Global Communities Network. Learn more about how these diverse stakeholders are redressing poverty, building community and fostering peace in their own communities, and show your support for them by donating today!
PARTNER PROJECT OF THE MONTH
Sithabile Child & Youth Care Centre
Johannesburg, South Africa
The Sithabile Child & Youth Care Center is a children’s home and educational center outside of Johannesburg, South Africa. Sithabile creates a safe haven for children who are survivors of abuse, exploitation, and neglect—instead providing them with love, meals, shelter and an education. It is a drop-in facility for children who are hungry, sick or cold, a place where youngsters can re-claim their childhood, learn to play and look toward their future with hope, and a home where children can dream and know that others believe they are gifts to be nurtured and cherished. The primary mission of the Center is to provide a bridging facility to rehabilitate families in poverty and children in distress through education, care and counseling.
The shelter currently has three primary needs:
- (1) securing the resources necessary to feed the 75 children in their care daily, ensure a consistent supply of electricity, and maintain the living spaces in a reasonable manner;
- (2) recruiting enough volunteers to properly run the home; and
- (3) Soliciting the financial or logistical support necessary to ensure that once the children reach the age of 18, they will have the opportunity to pursue higher education.
If you are interested in volunteering your time for the center you may contact its founder, Thabisile Msezane, at sithabilehome@gmail.com.
If you would like to donate directly to the Center, then follow the link to right and select "Sithabile Centre" under 'Program Designation'.
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OTHER GLOBAL COMMUNITIES PROJECTS
Richmond Ultralight Rail Demonstration Project
Richmond, California
As a member of RTD’s Poverty in America project, the city of Richmond, California is dedicated to continuing Dr. King’s work through local efforts that redress poverty, build community and foster peace through nonviolence. Most recently, Richmond has been gaining support for an innovative project that aims to improve quality of life for its poorest citizens through comprehensive economic development. The cornerstone of the plan is a large-scale investment in a new UltraLight Rail System that will serve to create jobs, protect the environment and provide mobility for the transit dependent population.
Located just north of Oakland, Richmond is an incredibly diverse locale, with Latinos and African-Americans both comprising about a third of the population and Asians accounting for another 15 %. The city faces a number of significant economic challenges, posting a 17% unemployment rate and suffering from an acute foreclosure crisis. However, Richmond has also been among nation’s leaders in sustainable development, working to improve energy efficiency, create green jobs and enhance the livability of neighborhoods. The UltraLight Rail System is the next step in that vision, but bringing it to scale will require a large investment of federal funds; Richmond has recently applied for one of the federal grants included in the economic stimulus program, which other funders have agreed to match in order to secure the needed amount.
RTD is striving to assist Richmond’s efforts by bringing attention to the project and by advocating on its behalf to key decision-makers in Congress. Our assistance is based on the ideal that achieving Dr. King’s dream is about more than just speeches and platitudes—it’s about actually continuing his work in tangible ways. As a staunch advocate not just for civil rights but for economic empowerment as well, Richmond’s project is precisely the type of effort that Dr. King may have had in mind. If Richmond succeeds in acquiring funds, the project will serve the city’s neediest citizens by creating high-paying 21st century jobs, reducing the environmental violence of pollution and smog, and providing affordable transportation choices to those who commute on a daily basis. RTD is proud to assist the diligence of one of our dedicated partner communities, and we hope that our collaboration is effective at gaining the resources needed for success.
Ikageng Itireleng AIDS Ministry
Soweto, South Africa
Founded by Carol Dyantyi in 2002, Ikageng Itireleng AIDS Ministry is a community outreach project, focused on home-based care, that serves more than 1700 orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) whose parents have passed on from HIV/AIDS. The number of orphans cared for has increased rapidly since 2004, and over 45% of the children are classified as the head of their household, meaning they must take the place of their parents in carrying for younger siblings.
RTD's leadership, staff and International Youth Corps visited the Ministry during our recent visit to South Africa, which you can take a closer look at by viewing the photos here.
In order to provide their full package of educational, health and nutrition programs, the Ministry requires a one-time investment of approximately $40,000US, along with monthly income of roughly $7,000US. This funding will be devoted to such basic needs as daily food packs and clothing, as well as to enriching activities as youth mentorship and sports programs.
