#WATWB

How on earth is it the last Friday of the month again? It comes by so quickly, but it is the date on which bloggers from around the world post an item of good news that shows humanity whether individually or communally at its best, as a way of countering the negativity that we’re continuously exposed to.

Thank you to our hosts this month – do pop by and say hello and be enchanted.

Damyanti Biswas http://www.damyantiwrites.com/ Lizbeth Hartz  https://www.authorlizbethhartz.com/blog/ Shilpa Garg  http://shilpaagarg.com/

Peter Nena https://drkillpatient01.wordpress.com/ Simon Falk https://simonfalk28.wordpress.com/ –

I love highlighting stories from my part of the world. Here, there’s a very strong movement called #imstaying and I believe it’s now reached over a million stories from individuals in South Africa (and those abroad who write of their longing for our wide open skies, the friendliness and exuberance of the people – well, I could go on -)

Below, are thumbnail sketches of 4 stories with links if you want to check them out further

                                                                By Justin Foxton (SA the Good News)

Whether you like the #imstaying campaign or not, it is doing a significant job of giving a section of the population a much-needed shot in the arm. Given the vast numbers of people lending their voice to the movement (850 000 and counting), there is a huge opportunity for a phase 2 called something like #impartofthesolution.

To inspire us and hopefully get things started, here are 4 short stories from my own life of people who have been part of the solution. There is an entrepreneur, an Organisational Development specialist, a mother and a group of passionate S’affers now living abroad. All 4 have one thing in common; they have used what was in their hearts and hands to be part of the solution.

Mam Khanyi – Home of Hope (www.hopehome.org.za)

Nearly 20 years ago, an import/export entrepreneur noticed 4 girl children standing at the robots near her Johannesburg apartment. She asked a man who these children were and was horrified when he told her they were prostitutes. She invited them into her apartment for tea and after being told that they were forced to deal drugs and sell their bodies on behalf of pimps and drug lords, she stormed off to find said men and gave them a dressing down they will never forget. Those 4 girls were rescued and nearly 2 decades later Mam Khanyi has cared for over 10 000 girl children all of whom had been trafficked and sold for sex.

Dr Louise van Rhyn – Partners for Possibility (www.pfp4sa.org)

Nearly 10 years ago, an Organisational Development specialist was profoundly moved by the Dinokeng Scenarios (www.dinokengscenarios.co.za). Dr Louise van Rhyn responded to a scenario inviting us to work together to build the nation, by starting a program called Partners for Possibility. The program partners school Principals of marginalised schools, with ordinary citizens from the non-educational working world in a co-learning, facilitated 1-year leadership development program. Since then over 1000 schools and hundreds of thousands of children nationwide have been positively impacted by the power of this globally recognised program.

Eunice Khumalo – the uMlazi Baby Home (www.peaceagency.org.za)

“Auntie Eunice” has cared for abandoned and orphaned babies all her life. Just this week, she got the keys to a house in uMlazi, South of Durban. From this home, she will now run her own Baby Home and will work together with the local community to care for babies, drive down infant abandonment and provide necessary support to vulnerable girls and women who are unable to care for their babies.

Lana & David Stephenson and Barry and Katherine Corden

These passionate South Africans now living abroad are leveraging their networks and social media skills to raise the funds necessary for Auntie Eunice to open and run the uMLazi Baby Home.

For each one of these 4 stories there are tens of thousands of others; stories of ordinary South Africans using their talents, passions and contacts to be part of the solution in South Africa.

A recipe for being part of the solution:

What are you best at? What do you love doing? What is easy and satisfying for you? Add these things to what gets your blood boiling and you have a perfect recipe. At some point these people – all ordinary South Africans like you and I – used this recipe and are now in their sweet-spot, making a difference and being part of the solution.

I invite you to give this recipe a bash so that you too can say #impartofthesolution.

This column is proudly sponsored by Partners for Possibility.

Thank you Justin Fox for this, thank you all for reading and have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

37 Comments on #WATWB being part of the solution

  1. Susan, I appreciate reading and learning about an area I know very little about. Thank you for sharing stories about people who are part of the solution and making a difference. The good, inspirational stories often do not make the headlines. I know your post creates a ripple effect🙂

  2. So fascinated by people who manage to continue shining a light in a world that is often full of, if not darkness, then a very thick fog. Thanks, Susan, for being one of those folks. xox

    • I too am amazed at the bright lights that show a path or a way and then the sparking continues and the fog lightens – so thank you for your metaphor Pam. (Thank you for ‘thinking’ or ‘feeling’ that I’m one of the bright sparks … I reckon there are zillions around, those who highlight others’s works/deeds; those who protest about eg trash that kills soil and sea and the creatures therein; well, the list is endless – and those who put idea into action to stem the tide of destruction; and that includes you) … Have a lovely weekend Pam ..

  3. So nice to read these inspiring stories, thank you susan for motivating me and bringing light in darkness:) truly appreciate you… I am delayed in posting… I just posted today as I want to keep focussing on positive stories to inspire and be inspired also. Thanks for sharing.

    • Thanks Genevive – these stories are amazing aren’t they! I’ll check yours out today, I look forward to that. Have a lovely weekend 🙂

  5. Thanks Lizbeth for coming by! Yes Partners for Possibility is a great initiative – Mama Khanyi must’ve torn strips off those peeps. Have a lovely week 🙂

  6. Thanks for posting these inspiring stories. I’d love to know what Mam Khanyi said to those men! What an amazing woman and such a light in the darkness surrounding so many girl children. Loved all the stories–Partners for Possibility, Baby Home.

  7. Thank you, Susan. So inspiring. I collect contributions for a nonprofits that supports women and children in Nepal and also contribute to environmental groups. The American Civil Liberties Union is always on my contribution list and Tibetan groups, too. Locally, I focus on hospice work and water protection which needs constant vigilance against the fossil fuel industry. I wish I could do more.

    • Thanks Elaine for coming by. I too wish I could do more – but I also know that I do what I can by way of monetary donations. This time of year really calls for more donations. I plan to get more involved with the Plettenberg Bay community early next year when I hope to feel more settled but in the meantime picking up trash on my walks, giving people (women, usually domestic staff) lifts up the hill – that sort of thing –

  8. These are excellent stories that truly remind us to be a part of the solution and each one of us can do our bit to help and support others. Thanks for sharing these inspiring stories, Susan!

  10. Hi, Susan – The stories that you have shared here are an excellent reminder that if we are not part of the solution, we allow the status quo to continue. Thank you for sharing them.

  11. Hi Susan – I’ll be back to listen to the stories and to see what’s happening … everytime something happens I always think of Africa: it’s in my blood too … a few bloggers help keep those memories at the forefront. Nila’s just done a great post along my thought process lines. Love the idea of the whole here – being a part of the solution to help others in so many ways – cheers Hilary

    • Hi Hilary, thanks for coming by! I just popped by your #WATWB post, fascinating. Who is Nila and to what are you referring? Have a good weekend – Susan 🙂

  12. Yes, these are amazing stories! Plus, it surprises me how vulnerable women are. We have several organizations here in the U.S. devoted to helping rescue women from sex trafficking. I am thankful for these aware and caring people.

    • Thanks for coming by Gwynn. Sex trafficking has been ongoing forever, even families offering their children. I too am thankful for those who try to protect our young girls – and boys – from the clutches of those involved in this. Have a lovely weekend.

  13. Wow! The amazing stories you include here today Susan are seriously packing a love-punch to my heart. Thank you so much for sharing them! Recently, I came across the South African #iamstaying hashtag on Instagram and intrigued, I decided to explore it more and I’m so glad I did as it’s a really positive shot in the arm indeed … loaded with all the “good” stuff!

    And to hear that there’s a stage 2 #impartofthesolution … wonderful, just loving it! Will look out for that hashtag too! Much like #WATWB, it’s affirming, hopeful message is going from strength to strength. Turning on a bright light in dark times. I’ll look forward to reading the other #WATWB stories this weekend! Warm late autumnal (late spring-like) blessings, Deborah.

    • Well, well, fancy seeing them on Instagram Deborah! I catch them on FB and they are darling stories for sure. People of all shades and stripes just lifting others up when and where they can. I was the recipient not so long ago – two Wednesdays back, around mid Nov, I overnighted in GraafReinet en route to Johannesburg and set off pretty early at almost dawn the next morning with the chattering chorus of birds and the moon high in the sky. Some few hours later, I stopped in at Colesberg for the 3 p’s; petrol, pee, pit stop. I ordered a coffee to take away and said I was just going to the loo. A few minutes later I stopped to pick up my coffee to pay and go, and I was told it was PAID for! A young lass had paid for me. MARY LOU is her name – she was driving her sister from Stellenbosch to Pretoria … I honestly felt my heart expand and asked if I could take a picture which meant rushing to my car, no time for lipstick or a brush of my hair and we took a pic. She a tall fair glowing Afrikaans lass with the loveliest smile. Every time I make a small gesture of kindness towards a stranger, I always think of Marie-Lou and smile 🙂 Have a alovely weekend and warm greetings to you 🙂

      • What a wonderful story you’ve shared here about Marie-Lou! Yesterday, a similar thing happened when I purchased stationary and the cashier said … “Oh, I’ve got a discount voucher for that somewhere” so off she went and came back beaming with the voucher in hand, saving me 25% of the price! When kindness comes unexpected in these ways it’s so wonderful isn’t it! 🙂

        • Oooh, I love discounts! What a happy surprise for you Deborah! And so sweet of the cashier to go the extra mile! At some stage I’ll write more about MARIE-LOU but I’ll just mention that on my return trip I stopped in at Colesberg for the 3 p’s although a different petrol station – the original one was a bit of a spaghetti junction to access from the opposite side. The ladies cloakroom was so prettily adorned with vases of flowers, the woman in attendance with a painted face African style; the women who filled my car were so friendly and sweet; the man guarding the cars in the blazing sun; I gifted them all in one way or the other thinking of MARIE LOU 🙂

  14. I’ve just been catching up after the launch of Mennonite Daughter. So, I welcome your fine collection of GOOD NEWS here. The world needs more bloggers like you to spread the good and great. May you have a wonderful December, the official beginning of summer in your part of the world, Susan!

    • Thanks Marian for coming by. You’ve had such a busy time what with your own book and Thanksgiving and family! Hopefully some time to rest? You too have a wonderful December, no doubt just as busy 🙂

  16. I love hearing about this sort of movement–#iamstaying. It’s powerful and reminds people not to be pushed around by others. We have #Blexit for Blacks leaving the Democratic party and #walkaway for anyone leaving the Democratic party, as ways to share their stories. I read a lot of them and enjoy the passion of people following their beliefs. Kudos to your #iamstaying folks.

    • Plenty hashtag movements there as well Jacqui! It seems an excellent way of sharing stories, in shorthand they may be. I hope you received my happy birthday greetings to you for today and that you’ve had a pearl of a day. 🙂

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