Morafe Leadership Development Program
Morafe Leadership Development Program

Morafe is an inaugural program we are launching in response to COVID-19 restrictions and how these changes impact our traditional 4-year program. Morafe will be a virtual, abbreviated version of our core curriculum serving 10th graders in South Africa and the United States of America for a unique, cross-cultural, immersive, virtual learning experience. The program will take place over a 6-month period, during which youth will meet two Saturdays a month for two hour sessions, youth will participate in 3 wellbeing workshops, parents will be invited to participate in a parent workshop, and youth will have one-on-one wellbeing advising throughout the program.

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Guest BloggerComment
May Message From Our Founder
May Message From Our Founder

Because of your support, last year we surpassed our fundraising goal and had huge success with our Annual Reception and Art Auction. We are excited to use those funds to launch our new program, Morafe. Morafe will work with Laurel High School in Prince George's County, MD, USA and Mmanape High School in the Northwest Province, SA. We are also expanding our team to ensure we have ample resources to support the youth in the program. We recently brought on Erin McIlraith as our Digital Media Coordinator and Montana Marks as my Assistant. With their support, we are looking forward to better consistency in our communications and expanding our reach.

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In Honor of Youth Day
In Honor of Youth Day

We applaud the individual voices that are forming the screams we hear from the streets declaring, "no more." We hear you. We see you. We salute you. YOU are the heroes we have been waiting for. Change doesn't happen overnight. Yet, history proves that righteous anger, bold courage, and peaceful protest can topple systems of oppression.

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Where We WorkMeisha RobinsonComment
Reflections from Quarantine: How have I been since lockdown started?
Reflections from Quarantine: How have I been since lockdown started?

What do you think of the statement “Patience is virtue?” I always saw it as a cliché and never really understood it until I encountered lockdown this year. To me this lockdown feels like the entire nation or maybe the world is locked: no one is allowed to see anyone, services, schools and universities are closed, only essential workers like doctors are working and the normal day to day activities an individual is used to are no more. This time of lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic has been difficult for me and everyone I know across the globe.

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Where We Work, A Walk in their ShoesIAWA AmbassadorComment
Physically Distant, Socially Connected – Supporting our Ambassadors through COVID-19
Physically Distant, Socially Connected – Supporting our Ambassadors through COVID-19

IAWA is honored to welcome Jeanette Mahave to our team at this critical time. Jeanette is a teacher at Charora High School, where many of our Ambassadors are finishing their last year of high school.

Before South Africa entered lock-down to halt the spread of Covid-19, we are grateful that Jeanette went out of her way to make sure the Ambassadors had the materials and support they need to stay on track.

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Walk with UsGuest BloggerComment
Friends of South Africa Collaboration
Friends of South Africa Collaboration

Friends of South Africa recently partnered with I Am, We Are (IAWA) for the fourth annual benefit reception at the Embassy of South Africa in Washington, DC. The benefit theme, “I Am A Masterpiece,” celebrated the masterpiece in the making and work of art that is each of us while benefiting I Am, We Are. Friends of South Africa members volunteered time and donated items for the benefit auction.

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To Cape Town and Beyond
To Cape Town and Beyond

Since our first camp in October 2015, the Ambassadors participated in 10 two-week long holiday camps that “empowered them to confidently own their future.”  They participated in learning excursions that allowed them to discover and explore places such as Pilanesburg National Park, Constitution Hill, Wits University, and the UNISA Science and Technology Center.  

Most recently, they applied all of their learning from the camp to raise over R44 471 ($3,000) to travel to Cape Town

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A Walk in their ShoesCecilia SmithCape Town, capstoneComment
IAWA Welcomes DJ Holla
IAWA Welcomes DJ Holla

Jason Holley, also known as DJ Holla, is flying in from North Carolina, USA to support the IAWA Ambassador’s Battle of the DJs Saturday September 22 at Robega Community Hall.  Jason shared, “I’ve always had a passion for helping others, building future generations, and passing along valued lessons to the youth.   Being able to be apart of such a great program, event, and to assist a fellow Hawk was the chance I needed to give back.”

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Travel PartnersMeisha RobinsonComment
Why Cape Town?
Why Cape Town?

Through hard or good we stand as one unit, and this year is our last year as we all know. We are all going to go different directions. We want to create memories that we will always remember and enjoy ourselves in Cape Town. It’s great to experience places you have never known, as we enjoy we will learn.

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IAWA AmbassadorComment