Send Kaya to Simunye!
There is a trip here at Prin called the Simunye Project. Because I am going to be a Junior this coming year I have the chance to go South Africa and take part in a number of different service projects, learn about South African culture, and impact the lives of children where we will help. I have to have a deposit of $250 in by May 21, and I was hoping that maybe you guys could help me reach this and chip in some. I plan to try and make sell scrunchies and other things like this to raise money. In the end, I will have to raise $2,900 which means I have a lot of fundraising to do.
$250 Deposit May 21
$2650 Remaining Trip Cost
$750 project funding for Simunye work (Not sure yet if this will be fundraised as a group or individually. We've kept it as part of the goal for now.)
This is the link to the website: http://simunyeprojectus.org/
I want to go to Simunye because of the impact that I can make on the children. I know that a lot of students here at Principia have grown up living seemingly privileged lives, and even though we go through rough spots (which aren’t easy by any means) it is nothing compared to things that other people have to go through. From hearing about others experiences and how the people they met in South Africa were nothing but happy, joyful, and loving helped strengthen my desire to go on Simunye and take away the love and satisfaction of knowing that my peers and I did something that could completely change another child or adults life.
I needed to choose between this trip and the bible 2 trip to Israel. I chose Simunye because it is a chance for me to impact the lives of kids who weren't as fortunate as we are. I can be the light for some of them and give back to them by building gardens, classrooms, playgrounds and more. I would also have to chance to teach these kids and go on safaris. There is an afterschool program called Tsphepang (which is for orphaned and vulnerable children) that the Prin students go to and play with them, allowing them to feel safe and make connections. There are around 30 ways The Simunye Project gives back to South Africa.
To contribute to the trip I would put forth my best efforts in everything I did. Whether that is building a garden, school, playground or gathering clothes, feminine supplies, or any other needs. I want to make sure that all the time spent preparing, and the love put into the preparation, is well used and love given. I can also contribute by helping take on Tegan's position in making sure that girls who do not have access to feminine supplies can get them, which helps improve their hygiene and gives them better attendance; helping them to go to college and get out of any bad situations.
Going into the trip I want to already have established the truth that is “When the heart speaks, however simple the words, its language is always acceptable to those who have hearts” (Mis. 262: 10). Why I picked this quote is because I already know how pure and true the love that these kids have and I know that no matter what, the purity and love that they express will always gain control over anything. Another thing that I found and stood out to me when researching lack and how that doesn’t need to be a part of anyone is hymn number 598. Line 2 reads “Let not want or lack confine you, / Love is ever your supply. / God's great good shall now define you, / As on Love your hopes rely. / Though temptation may assail you, / Love will save you lest you stray. / Love's protection never fails you— / God is Love and guards your way.” (Hymn. 598:2) To me, this is just demanding that the lack of any one thing cannot stand in the way of good. Love is something that we know and feel, love is something South Africans can feel and express; it is a common language. Something that proves there is no barrier. It also shows that love fills the feeling of lack or of want.
There are a number of ways that I plan to raise money for this experience. My family has a YouTube channel called Yanasa Ama Ranch which means that the money my videos make will go towards Simunye. I will start this Go Fund Me that gives my family members from all over a chance to donate. I am also going to be a lifeguard this coming year at Principia, the money that I make from that will go toward my Simunye Fund as well. There are two more steps that I can take to raise money, in fact, I have already started on one. The one that I have already started to work on is making scrunchies and selling them. It is an easy inexpensive thing to make things teens these days love. The last method I have also includes the YouTube channel. In the past I have made cooking videos, so I will not only make videos about how to make desserts, I will then proceed to sell those desserts.
I hope that while I am in Simunye I am open and receptive enough to God's angel messages that I come back a changed individual. I hope to have a clearer vision of how to help better the future lives of other children. I also hope to take back the peace of mind knowing that I helped to resolve the fear of lack another person might be feeling.
