January has been full—stretching, grounding, and deeply encouraging in equal measure. I wanted to take a moment to share what’s been unfolding since our last update and to thank you again for being part of this journey.
Training in Soshanguve: Growth in Real Conditions
Our training and workshop in Soshanguve went well, despite real-world challenges.
We had 25 full participants and one community participation attendant attend consistently. While 51 people enrolled, heavy weather and the start of the school term meant some were unable to join us in person. We also had 5 sign up for a Saturday workshop. Even so, the group that did attend was remarkable—highly emotionally intelligent, engaged, and committed.
The training took place under conditions that tested resilience. We pushed through no power, rain, and extreme heat, working under a tin-roofed parking structure within a crèche. And yet, the energy and commitment never dropped.
What stood out most was how seriously participants took community contribution during the training:
Clearing and levelling an unsafe pathway used daily by residents
Repairing a fence to protect a vegetable garden from livestock
Spending time supporting a ministry serving individuals recovering from addiction
The momentum didn’t stop there. In the week following the training, leaders from Hope Eco Village who had attended the sessions shared photos in the Heroic Uth group of themselves delivering food parcels in Kliptown—putting into practice what they had committed to during the training.
To date, 10 mentors have already applied, a powerful sign that leadership, responsibility, and follow-through are taking root.
Above: After speaking with the community, a group of youth sing as they return, joined by locals.
The block where we trained is vibrant and warm — each plot hosting a business, vegetable garden and/or livestock. Locals often describe the area as unsafe or violent, yet many outsiders experienced it as open, friendly, and industrious. That contrast alone tells an important story about perception, dignity, and potential.
Investing in the Next Generation
In addition to the training, I had the privilege of speaking to the new matric class at Silversands High School in Kuils River, Cape Town, at the invitation of community leader and author Latifah Jacobs. More than 100 students were in attendance.
I shared with the matric class that this is the year they decide who they are—not because it’s easy, but because it’s demanding. It was a meaningful moment to speak to young people standing on the edge of transition about agency, responsibility, and the long-term impact of choices made under pressure. The engagement that followed confirmed something we see again and again: this generation is deeply hungry for clarity, structure, and a sense of ownership over who they are becoming.
Looking Ahead: What’s Coming Next
We’re encouraged to share that an additional training has been booked in Katlehong—a name that means “place of success” or “place of joy” in Sesotho and isiZulu. It’s a township south of Johannesburg with a complex history, including significant political unrest during apartheid.
This training will take place in March, over two weekends, with an expected 40 - 50 participants. We’re grateful to be partnering with Heal SA, working alongside their counsellor interns, youth leaders, and community youth.
We are also in early planning stages for:
Another training in Lavender Hill in September, and
A youth conference in early 2027, most likely to be hosted in Upington
Both represent important steps toward deeper regional collaboration and longer-term impact.
A Note of Gratitude
Before looking ahead, I want to pause and say a sincere thank you to everyone who contributed to the year-end matching fund.
Your generosity in those final days of 2025 made it possible for this work to begin 2026 with momentum rather than uncertainty. Because of you, we were able to run the Soshanguve training, prepare for Katlehong, and continue building toward what’s next with confidence and care.
I also want to acknowledge a quieter but deeply meaningful outcome of your generosity. Through your support, we were able to purchase school supplies for several students in Soshanguve and Upington—including bookbags filled with calculators, rulers, and essential learning materials their families could not afford.
When I arrived with the bags, one mother broke down in tears, embracing me and expressing relief that her children could start the school year equipped and prepared. Moments like these remind us that impact is not only measured in programs and numbers, but in dignity restored and pressure lifted for families doing their best under difficult circumstances.
Thank you for making space for this kind of care—practical, timely, and deeply human.
Thank you for showing up when it mattered—and for believing not just in programs, but in the people and communities at the heart of this work.
A Note on Sustainability
To keep this work going, we need consistent monthly support.
Each training still costs approximately €200 per participant (sorry for the typo - it’s corrected 2/18/2026), covering materials, facilitation, logistics, and local coordination. Monthly donations allow us to plan responsibly, respond to community needs, and say “yes” when opportunities like Katlehong and Lavender Hill arise.
If you’ve been considering ongoing support, this is one of the most meaningful ways to help sustain and grow the work.
Thank you for walking with us—through full rooms and hard weather, through uncertainty and momentum, and into the next season of growth.
More to come as this next season of the journey unfolds.
With gratitude,
Alycia Lee
Founder, Operation Instigation
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