Information about my Race and how to donate!

So, what is the KLM Foundation?

The KLM foundation is a non-profit organization that was started by two SA11 PCVs. The foundation raises money to send deserving, hardworking learners to one of South Africa’s best high schools, Uplands College in Mpumalanga.

Uplands College and KLM also give the learners an open door to a brighter future. The KLM learners have great aspirations. The learners aspire to study and become professionals in: marketing, law, animation, graphic design, accounting, medicine, architecture, and social work. Recent graduates are already making great strides to achieving their dreams. Currently, Sandile Tshabala is in his third year at UCT studying law on a bursary from Bowman Gilfillan, KLM’s law firm and one of the top firms in Southern Africa. Joy Mashego is starting her first year at Stellenbosch with a full bursary from KPMG, and Nhlanhla Thabethe is in his second year at Univ. of Joburg, also with a full bursary from KPMG. Every Peace Corps volunteer knows some incredibly gifted and talented student from a rural village who deserves a better shot at life: KLM gives this shot to kids.

Here is just one example of these wonderful learners:

JOY MASHEGO
-First year at Stellenbosch University
-Started at Uplands College in 2009
-4th in her class in 2011
-Grade 12 mentor
-Head Girl for Boarding
-Awards in Zulu and Maths
-Both of Joy's parents passed away when she was young. She was orphaned with one of her sisters, living in an unfinished house with no electricity or running water. She was known to be the local tutor for many of the kids in her community. She never let life get her down and now she is following her dreams, studying on a full bursary at university thanks to KLM and Uplands College!

This is the 10th year in a row that PCVs will be running a race on behalf of KLM. Traditionally, the race provides two-thirds of the cost of the five year education for one learner at Uplands College. KLM relies heavily on the funds raised through the Race Fundraisers and needs the continuing support of PCVs to carry on their important work. Volunteers participating in the marathon are expected to fundraise a minimum of US $100 for the KLM foundation, but don't worry, that can be spread out over 4, 10 or even 20 donations. Each $5 donation helps out! Although $100 is the minimum requirement we expect that many of you will go above and beyond that. To encourage you to do so, the PCV Race Committee has also identified target fundraising goals which are:

·         $100- base

·         $250- bronze

·         $500- silver

·         $750- gold

Individuals meeting these goals will be recognized and rewarded at the pre-race carb-loading dinner held the night before the race, giving the PCVs time to socialize and celebrate together. Those PCVs who do not reach the $100 base will be expected to make up the difference on their own.

How to Donate:

Method 1: Online

1.      Go to the KLM foundation website http://www.klm-foundation.org

2.      Click on the Donate photo in the upper left corner.

3.      This opens up a secure https connection for people to donate.

4.      Make sure you tell people to put your name (not a nickname) on the form so we know the donation was made in your name. (LINDSEY EDENS OR LINDSEY JOHNSON)

Method 2: Check

1.      Make out a check to: Kgwale Le Mollo (US)

2.      Add a post it declaring which PCV the donor is sponsoring

3.      Mail it to:

KLM Foundation (US)
c/o Bowen Hsu
461 So. Bonita Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91107

Mini catch up!

Hey guys, sorry I keep taking these breaks from the blog. It’s hard to keep up! You slip into routine so easily and forget to take pictures of the amazingness that we live in! I will try harder… :D Let’s start. Wow! We have been busy busy lately. We have started our after school programs and secondary projects. My principal and I held a parents meeting where over 120 parents showed up. We talked about my after school programs and even Eric came to talk about his scouts club in the community. We have had a great turn out! I am a bit confused how people are not successful around here with secondary projects as the villagers are so keen and excited to learn and try new things. Eric has over 80 learners in his scout club and I have over 90 learners in each of my after school clubs. I am doing reading club (SOUNS) on Tuesdays, GLOW on Wednesday and Kings Foundation on Thursdays. Souns is a beginning reading program to teach learners who were passed over and need to learn how to read. The GLOW is for girls, we will have a sleep away camp in October for these girls. I am working on my grant for that now. Then the Kings foundation is just outside activities, team working and empowerment. Eric is working hard with his scouts group and is also going to start working with operation Hope soon on helping them make their curriculum more adapted to rural life. They are an organization that focuses on financial literacy so it could help a lot of people out here in the village that are in a lot of debt. Overall everything is amazing. We are really settled in and absolutely could not be happier. Don’t get me wrong… there are hard days. But 99% of the time we are in utter bliss out here! Eric received a late x-mas gift that allowed us to buy a guitar, which we have been wanting for a while. We sit outside for at least one hour every night and teach each other new songs or tricks. We are having a lot of fun! I’ve signed up for a 10K race in Polokwane that will take place on Aug. 23^rd! I’m super excited about this chapter! I have been running for a while, but now I have the motivation from the race to help me step it up to the next level! It is so much fun! If you are interested in donating to the KLM foundation I will post that information next. I need at least $100 in donations (in my name) to run the race and I know we can do even better than that! I had an “ah ha!” moment the other night sitting outside at sunset playing the guitar with Eric and watching the kids play in front of us… This is exactly what I hoped/dreamed it would be like here! It’s so amazing! I know I’m skimming here but at least it’s something! Haha! Hope you are all doing fantastic and enjoy the pictures! Loves to all!