The Power of Connection

This was a great day! It was about facilitating connections and gentle nudges for me! It started with a meeting with Vuyani (the man in the white zip-up) He is a youth coordinator volunteer for Humana and a resident of Munsieville. He and I share a strong desire to have a more formalized, structured, and consistent sports program in the schools of Munsieville as well as the community. Vuyani has a vision of where to build a sports complex- in Mayibuye. On our way to see the field, we ran into the women I like to call, "The Entrepreneur Women of Mayibuye". We were greeted with the same excitement and love we always get when they see us. Elizabeth ( I love her!) and the rest of the women updated us with there progress in composing a letter to the Counselor to ask for land to put their soup kitchen and brick-making facility. The letter was already drafted and in the hands of the counselor. Another display of urgency on the part of these business ladies!

Vuyani had an opportunity to meet these women and they to meet him. Vuyani needs the support of the adults in this community if his sports program is to be sustainable. Mayibuye is the area of Munsieville that has the most youth inhabitants. Organized sports is nonexistent here because the parents do not see the benefit. Vuyani and I spoke about needing to address the parents and emphasize the importance of sports to the overall well-being of their children. His interaction with the ladies today will help Vuyani establish rapport and these women will be able to speak to other adults in Mayibuye about sports. In addition, there are other volunteers within Humana that go into the community every Friday to lend a hand. Vuyani engaged in questioning the ladies about what they are doing. Elizabeth explained about her bubble soap-making business, the bricks, candles, gardens, and home-based care. Vuyani is sending his colleagues to these women on Friday to see how they can help!

There are many NGOs working within Munsieville. It is crucial that we identify those NGOs that share Project HOPE UK's vision of sustainability and partner with them as to be most efficient and not duplicate efforts. Since my time is short here in Munsieville, I realize early on that it is important for me to facilitate connections between volunteers, community members and government officials and gently nudge these engaged community members in a direction of productivity, trusting relationships, and results!