The Challenge:

This August, Bear Cannon’s team members Molly and Amy will take on HYROX Cape Town to raise funds for two community-based organisations doing important anti-gender-based violence (GBV) and education work.

The Cause:

When gender-based violence forces girls out of school, limits women’s choices or silences survivors, the effects can last for generations. These two local organisations are working to break that cycle through community-led education, advocacy and practical support, helping women and young people move towards safer, more sustainable futures.

The Organisations:

NAMY

The National Movement for Youths is a youth-led community-based organisation in Mwense, Zambia. It empowers young people through skills development, advocacy and community-driven initiatives. Led by dynamic young people with lived experience, the organisation promotes practical solutions to local challenges and is built on the belief that sustainable development begins with empowered youth and inclusive participation.

GEBAVECHI

GEBAVECHI is a community-based organisation focused on a community free of gender-based violence, early marriages, teenage pregnancies and poverty. They are a wide-spread organisation with members equipped to provide counselling services and sensitisation training in schools and communities. Their deep roots in the community allow them to provide practical, trusted support for skills development and reintegration for those affected by early marriage, teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence.

These organisations are small, locally rooted and deeply trusted. They are close to the people they serve, but they frequently operate with limited funding, stretched teams and growing needs.

What your donation will help provide

This fundraiser is designed to give each organisation practical resources that strengthen the work they are already doing. Every item has been requested because it helps increase their reach, improve their day-to-day work, and support more people in these communities.

NAMY

NAMY strongly advocates for children to attend and remain in school, recognising education as one of the most powerful tools for preventing gender-based violence. In rural areas, community schools are essential because they reduce the long distances young learners, some as young as five, must walk to access education.

Funds raised for NAMY will be allocated to Mulundu Community School of Peace, helping equip 100 students with the basic resources they need to stay in school.

Donations will help provide:

These items may seem simple, but they can make the difference between a child attending school consistently or being left behind.

GEBAVECHI

GEBAVECHI’s core mandate is to raise awareness around gender equality and gender-based violence, while providing support to victims and survivors. Their work includes sensitisation workshops for teachers and traditional leaders, as well as emergency response support for those affected by severe gender-based violence.

To improve their functionality, mobility and reach, GEBAVECHI has requested specific resources that will help them expand their network, strengthen communication and respond more effectively across rural communities.

Donations will help provide:

Bear Cannon is proud to have co-developed the first “Ending Gender-Based Violence: A Handbook for Traditional and Community Leaders” with GEBAVECHI. These resources will help extend the reach of this valuable handbook, supporting more leaders and communities with practical guidance to recognise, prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

Read more about our fundraiser here: https://bearcannon.net/fundraising/

*Disclaimer – The funds raised will also be used to cover transaction, exchange, procurement, transport, competition and accommodation fees.