Partnerships | Daughters Of Destiny

Inspiring women impacting Daughters of Destiny

Lynn Joseph — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 13:47:30 +0000

Reflecting on my journey in 2017, I would deny myself a great privilege if I do not take time to honour phenomenal women. The women have continually encouraged me and inspired me. Some women did not say a word, but they inspired me each time I encountered them.

Firstly, the order I am writing has no reflection on the value of importance.

Let me start with the woman who spent many hours to lift me up, and reassure me in times of doubt. She also committed many hours of her time, even Sundays to assist me with my work. Asked the kind of questions that no one cared to ask, or know. The first woman I could openly share my story with, and receive needed support without judgment. Thank you, Wafaa Abdurahman you have been a mainstay of support. I want to concede your influence to my work.

My appreciation for the next woman goes deep, more than just skin-deep. She nurtured me in her womb, my mother, support, and my honest critic. Allison Williams financed my work and continually supported the girls in the programme. She is a phenomenal woman who I can call on, day or night, for any support. All influencers in this sector, need the support of a woman like Allison. She is clear about the role she plays in the lives of the children in her community. This makes it easy to gain her continued support. Allison is a champion in Skepe Plein who forms part of the support for girls.

Then there are the women who walk the talk, who inspire me whenever I see them at work. Women that grab my attention each time they speak or enter a room. Lucinda Evans, Avril Andrews, Delicia Howard, Carol Bruton, Tina Thiart, Judar Scholtz, Bernie Dolley, Rene Parker, Alison Alexander, Christine Taphel, Fara Abdurahman, Chrischar Rock, Candice Booysen, Merle Thomas, Tanya Mouton, Hazel Potgieter, Theressa Honey, Helen Kebble, Odette Slabbert, Deborah Vanacore, Melanie Du-Toit Davids, Ruth Moodley, Elizabeth Timm, Nolene Kellerman, Machelle Solomons, Esther Julius, and Olivia Nagan. Thank you, to some of you it may come as a surprise, but I am watching you, lead well.

Lastly, the women I could not do the basics of Daughters of Destiny (known as DOD) without, you are the reason DOD has grown so much in 2017. Women I could depend on for support and courage most times. Lynette Van Eden, Sheree Francis, Rochelle Rix, Kelly-Shea Kleinsmith, Ilse Daniels, Elizabeth Timm, Joan Daniels, Sue-Anne Zerf, Kordeen Galant, Veronica Galant and Charmaine Kleinsmith.

The year 2018 awaits another girl’s life to be changed. Thank you, to all you amazing women in my life.

YOUR SUPPORT IS EVERY GIRLS DREAM!

Great Women Support and uplift each other!

Lynn Joseph — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 08:50:22 +0000

How blessed we have been to be a part of a group of such great women. The Ithemba Women is a group of women leaders, from the Ethembeni Equity Investment Trust & Ithema broad-based ownership scheme. Ethembeni Equity Investment Trust controlled by women, response to women-specific needs, challenges, and aspirations. Through Ithemba broad-based ownership scheme that offers a range of skills-based education, learning and sharing platforms, capacity building and training programmes, and the creation of networking opportunities. Skills development is followed by assisting in obtaining the necessary infrastructure and where applicable, financial support to grow these women empowerment projects.

We would like to thank Beulah Fredericks and The Community Development Foundation (referred to as CDF), for your support. The dream team Wafaa Aduraghman and Sue-Anne Zerf, thank you for your continued support. CDF and the Ithemba women have become a second home, a place of support, hope, strength, and upliftment.

1st for women, relationship blog says, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much’. That is a well-known quote from Helen Keller, which she voiced on numerous occasions during many of her stage performances in the mid-1940s, yet this adage still rings true in modern times.

In today’s world, everyone seems to be too busy and too under pressure to help the next person. As much as we need to focus on building our ideal lives and creating the best futures for ourselves, we need to keep in mind that when women work together towards a common goal, so much greatness can be achieved.”

We can surely attest to that 2017 was a tough and busy year for many of us but also a very rewarding year, knowing we have the support of Great women.

Ithemba women are a group of phenomenal women leaders doing great work in their communities.

Wilhelmina Heynes, Tersia Charles, and Debbie Beziek working at a multi-purpose center Masithembele in Delft. Lucinda Evans and her team Zaida Cassiem, and Lesley Muller changing lives at Philisa Abafazi Bethu in Lavender Hill. Avril Andrews, Lesley Wyngaard, and Marlene Karelse at Alcardo Andrews Foundation and Moms move for Justice in Hanover Park. Vanessa Jooste, founder of Kingdom Construction Kidz in Ottery. Janap Odendaal, founder of “Hope for Destiny” on the Cape Flats. Heather Adonis at Smart Kingdom Kids Academy in Sea wings impacting lives through music. Allison Williams designer and tailor at Allison’s Wardrobe in Factreton. Vivian Mciteka, transforming lives at Umthawelanga in Khyalitsha. Gail October one of the team members of the organization called Women of Westlake in Westlake. Nolindo Wabani from Kuilsriver, Rusana Philander at Girls for Hope in Kuilsriver. Shanaaz Viljoen from Children’s Resource Centre, Wilweena Fortune from WWWJacobs Gardens in Mitchells Plain, and Penny Roberts – PR Agency. Our Youth, Andrea Alexander, Corine Solomon, Zandile Manuel, Jodie Petersen, and Michaela Booysen from Youth Arise. Delicia Howard founder of Ambassadors of Change in Scottsdene and Michelle from Sinethemba.

What an incredible team the year 2018 awaits new partnership and a year of re-enforcement and strengthening like never before. Let us continue to hook in our arms and move forward as a powerful force for good throughout our country.

Thank you, CDF for being the catalyst for change and creating a platform for women leaders to grow!

The year 2018 here we come!

Tina Thiart we Thank you!

Lynn Joseph — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 19:41:32 +0000

Straight to the point, phenomenal women. Knows her business and surely helps you know yours. Thank you Tina for being great force for good, we want to acknowledge your contributions to this sector and our organisation. We have learnt so much from you, our first session for the year was arranged by you and your partners. 22 January, the only brave people starting the year on such an early and high note.

Thank you for the countless opportunities that you and your partners create across many spheres more importantly Gender Based Violence. We are honoured to learn from you.

Thanking you,

Lynn Joseph

Thank You Playtime Daycare

Lynn Joseph — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 19:33:04 +0000

A wonderful 2017 spent with super, amazing girls!

“I am a Daughter of Destiny, I love myself, I love others, I am beautiful, I am a daughter of destiny” We proudly uttered those words as part of our weekly pledge, whilst holding each other as we stood in a circle.

We have had several walks in our imaginary parks as we learnt how to greet, do observations and learn about safety. We surely loved spending time with you- presentation time was always great fun.

A special thank you goes to Mymoena and staff for your warm reception week after week and for your ongoing support.

We are excited to continue teaching the girls in 2018 and welcome our new girls.

Thanking you,

Lynn Joseph

Thank You Ikhala Trust and Bernie Dolley

Lynn Joseph — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 18:17:09 +0000

Dailen Lorenzo Jacobs once quoted, “Behind every Successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who has her back”

Allow me to add: in front of every young, successful women there is an army of powerful women who has gone before her and paved a clear path for her to choose and walk in. Markers that says, “Jump over this step where I erred and go the shorter route.”

Today, and many days leading up to 2018, allow me to thank the phenomenal men and women who made this year a great success. I would like to introduce you to a truly inspiring woman Bernie Dolley. I remember the first time I met her she stood out like a bright light in a dark place. Her passion was undeniably contagious, and yet, she easily admitted her weakness in front of a group of people without lowering her head. Being the youngest in the room that day, and also new as everyone was acquainted somehow, I waited my chance to be introduced. Thanks to Wafaa Abdurahman we had a few seconds to talk, and the journey began. The following working day (Monday), I received this email, shocked as this woman just travelled from Port Elizabeth for a social media course and some other meetings, and had the time to contact me after a very brief meet and greet.

Bernie Wrote: “Dear Lynn, it was good meeting you on Friday at the Social Weavers workshop and I have no doubt that you will use what you learnt in no time as you seem to like Social Media.

I read through your newsletter and you are doing incredibly important work for young girls and women and I believe that through your work you can change the negative narrative that exists about yours and other similar communities in and around Cape Town.”

Lynn wrote: “Good Morning Bernie, your passion and love for the work you do surely exudes in everything you do and mostly when you speak. The pleasure was mine, being fairly new to the NPO sector I trust I can learn from masters like you that don’t only talk but walk the walk.”

Bernie Replied: “You must love this work or not do it at all as it is tough out there and raising funds is more than just money – it’s about friend-raising and building relationships, and once people trust the organisation they will support you but it takes a long time and the secret is patience, patience and more patience and resilience.”

By reading these responses, you can surely agree with me that passion + wisdom are key traits possessed by this amazing woman! Shortly thereafter I was invited to Port Elizabeth to attend ABCD training sponsored by Ikhala Trust.

“Start with what you have, build with what you know”

Returning home after the training, I did not really grasp everything I have learnt. Surely as time passed I realized more and more how much Daughters of Destiny is built on the ABCD approach. Here is just a short snippet from the Ikhala Toolkit:

“ Asset Based Approach. There is a long tradition of mobilizing community assets in South Africa, particularly during the liberation struggle. Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) (or citizen driven development) offers an alternative to the needs based approach. Assets in communities include: stories, knowledge, innovations, talents, associations and networks, local institutions, physical assets and natural resources; financial assets; cultural assets; rights, claims and entitlements. The Approach focuses attention on the strengths and capacities that communities already have and builds on from there. The intention is to surface hidden “gifts”, grow a shared vision and appreciation from which to move forward. ABCD is inherently optimistic and based on an understanding that:

meaningful and lasting community change always comes from within;
every person has capacities, abilities and gifts;
local residents are experts and key change agents.”

Ikhala collaborated with Elamanzi in producing a toolkit called Asset Based and Community driven Development, generously funded by the Steward Charles Mott Foundation.

Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing, not only in the Eastern Cape, but influencing many other communities all over the globe.

Daughters of Destiny has surely started with what we have and built with what we know!

Ikhala we salute you! More importantly Bernie Dolley we are honoured to have met you.

Thank You,

Lynn Joseph

Thankfulness…

Lynn Joseph — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 18:08:37 +0000

There is no other way to end the year, but to say…

Thank you!

Join us as we take you on a journey, in no order of importance but purely to say….

We appreciate you…

Your Support is every Girls Dream!