A Journey towards Cultural Conservation
In life, there are a few things we should always consider, and one of them is how we nurture the youth. As a young parent and advocate for youth development, I have come to recognize the profound impact that words and actions have on shaping the course of the world’s evolution. If you teach a child early how to wipe a runny nose, that’s likely to be their habit as they grow older.
It is important to pay attention to the stories and lessons passed down to the little ones, as the future’s foundation lies deep within them. Truth be told, many of the problems or blessings in today’s world are a result of these teachings, and there is a significant likelihood that only the young and upcoming generation will be able to address them.
Once again, as the foundation, we are on a journey. One that stretches far and seemingly without an end, much like the vast landscape we now find ourselves in. Earlier this year, among other responsibilities, we were fortunate to embark on a task to visit and research our local communities in the Amathole area, with the aim of documenting more of our indigenous wisdom and heritage. Our hope is to reconnect and remind humanity of their roots. Soon, you will witness the fruits of our labor begin to flourish.
We are now in the compilation and publishing stage, which gives us the opportunity to work remotely. Our road has led us to the rural terrain of the Lowveld, basking in the summer heat of Mpumalanga. Building new relationships and mending the tears in our social fabric. Here, in the ‘place of the rising Sun’, we had the pleasure of meeting the operations manager Pontsho from Nourish NPO, as well as the ‘Green Kidz’ facilitators Martin, Donald and Billie from Nourish Eco Village.
Nourish is a like-minded entity that aims to find solutions to break the poverty cycle and create healthy, resilient communities “fighting poaching by fighting poverty”. The Nourish Eco Village is a hub for capacity building and social cohesion situated in and around the Greater Kruger. Ivanya Yethu brings a positive impact with the facilitation of our Cultural Conservation Program; instilling the value of nature and wildlife as an integral part of our heritage.
A few weeks ago, we met the kids for introductions, and for the first time, the heavens poured their mercies upon us. It felt like a sign of good fortune; we immediately felt at home, and the Nourish kids and staff welcomed us with such warmth that it was truly unbelievable. These eight weeks will be such a treat, and we can’t wait.
Kids are natural teachers, and love abounds within them. Once again, we will have the opportunity to rejuvenate our souls, and be of service where it is needed. The communications team back home had this to say, ‘We are so grateful; may our programs always heal and nurture in the same way, no matter where we are.’
If you want to find us, nakusichola ecaleni kwelanga doing what we love, literally. As we always pray and wish to thrive in everything we do, fertilizing like rain on the mountaintop, inspiring a natural flow that nourishes every community above and below our feet.
In our pursuit, we depend on your unwavering support and guidance to maintain our momentum. Please keep writing to us, follow our stories as you always have, and share our mission with your own families, spreading the word about our expanding foundation.
Makwande. Kakade nangoku ukwanda kwaliwa ngumthakathi. Qina sizwe sakuthi!
