Daughters of Destiny | Daughters Of Destiny

Power Meeting @ DOD Library Club!

Lynn Joseph — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 18:00:14 +0000

Determined, feisty and ready to make money (Popcorn orders already in line). This was a funny moment for our staff. Entrepreneurs in the making, Thank you to Venturelab team for partnering with us. Well, it’s official that our DOD Library club has no time to waste.

2019 will surely be an exciting journey. These young women made it clear that they have no time to waste. Three of our girls will be taking a lead role at our younger club in term 2.

Topics they want to focus on first in 2019 are Relationships, Mental Wellness and presentation skills were top on their needs list. The bullying concern also raised some brows. When we discussed the possibility of joining the Ken-Fac Sports Athletic club girls ran to the mention.

Our club day has changed from Thursday to Wednesday and thanks to our wonderful partners, Kensington Library for hosting us again. Our registration process will take place next week 27th February and the following week. All girls aged 13- 18 welcome, limited place available.

Staff says…
Chantel “for me, it was great meeting the girls
The girls were so excited to be there as well as sharing ideas for what will happen this year #safespacesforgirls #lifeskills #exitingtimesahead
Lynn, “I don’t know, I thought this year we will be building slow and strong although the session was not slow at all. The confidence levels in the room had me silenced at some point. Now I need to go back to the drawing board and tighten my seat belt. There is a journey awaiting us in 2019.”
Anikah, “My first session with the older girls was awesome. The girls were clearly excited about everything that had to be discussed and came with their own agenda which I loved.”

Let us begin!

First for 2019!

Lynn Joseph — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 09:53:38 +0000

Registration kicks off and, we have the key in the ignition. Turned the key and the engine started with the first turn. Daughters of Destiny Factreton here we come.

Today at Factreton Primary we had an information/briefing session of who we are and, what we do. The admission process easily takes up to three weeks. Excited to fill up week by week.

We slowly set the pace for the year ahead and, slowly by no means suggest the pace we work at. It merely refers to the careful initiating process of creating safe spaces. Setting clear boundaries from day one. A new pledge is coming up and planning for the year.

Girls had many questions and are eager to start investing in THE DOD shop. Popcorn is top on the list and, a movie date of course.

Don’t forget the menstruation session we had too, So yes day

1 and already girls knowing who to ask and where to go!

Safe Spaces is a MUST!!!

Our team is READY
Chantel says “It was very interesting and fun, I am excited and expectant for the journey ahead!”
Anikah ” The first day of the programme I was extremely excited because I am finally getting the opportunity to work with the girls from the start and welcoming new girls into the program.”
Lynn ” Zoned in and ready! This year brings great new challenges yet greater promise, Empowered through education in 2018 now to apply! Watch the space many changes and projects will be tested! Change is as good as a holiday, I am ready!”

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!

Sshh they whispered…

Lynn Joseph — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 20:47:25 +0000

31 August 2017

The Kensington Library, our new home for the Seil Plein DOD CLUB. Ssshhh a girl whispered as she silenced the rest of the girls, “keep quiet we are in the library”. Smiling we set them at ease that we did not need to be silent.

Our first week, we spent out and about the Library premise interviewing community members and taking selfies. As we split into groups, I proudly accompanied my team with unending smiles. It was then, I witnessed them become a dream team. The first activity we did throughout the club term that required the girls to communicate with community members.

Wow, and was I one proud mama bear!!

Making sure we don’t interview the same people and keep to the time limit made the activity exciting and fun.

Thank you Chantelle Fester for joining us and spedning time with our girls. She is a young lady who grew up in Kensington, and now joins our team to give back to her community. One hour at a time, One girl at a time she says, ” cant wait to be off on a Thursday again to join you”

We are grateful for the reception of most community members and civil servants who gladly assisted our girls.

YOUR SUPPORT IS EVERY GIRLS DREAM!

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Hi Facebook!

Lynn Joseph — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 12:54:18 +0000

29 August 2017

Hi Facebook!

Introducing the girls to different types of media was an easy task as they were well versed with this topic especially social media. We reviewed our selfies of the previous week and spent some time writing our own articles on a specific picture.

We chose a random article to share with you today and we will track the progress… Well done to the girls, who braving attempted their first article without guidance!

Grade 7 learner (We changed the names in this article, let’s follow this learner’s journey as they grow in weeks to come)

#Selfie – 29 August 2017

“Last week Tuesday was a fun experience with D.O.D. They took selfies with Mrs Francis and we had lots of fun with Mrs Linn. Janna was holding her hand infront of her mouth because she was afraid of showing her extracted tooth and Sophie just could not stop smiling she felt proud because it was her first time she showed it out. They also went out walking around the neighbourhood asking elders about selfies and if the cared to join. This is a great experience for elders who have no clue of the latest technology trend. So its to be taught about new technology and trends at an old age”

Thank you to all who responded to our Facebook activity and those who took the time to like or comment on the post.

YOUR SUPPORT IS EVERY GIRLS DREAM!

Children’s Right to Safety

Lynn Joseph — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:07:39 +0000

It’s been two weeks since we had DOD GIRLS CLUB in Skepe Plein. Due to ongoing violence in Factreton and Kensington. Yesterday we decided to make a declaration of our right to Safety. We spent a few minutes of our session in the same park where gansterism and gun violence has violated our right to safety. Playing and making it clear that it’s our right to Safe Spaces.

This week we focused on 1 our RIGHTS as children.

Protection: Children have the right to protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination. This includes the right to safe places for children to play; constructive child rearing behavior, and acknowledgment of the evolving capacities of children.

We have a responsibility to every child, regardless who the parents are. We need to ensure the saftety of our children, community members take your place of responsibility. Let us take hands and create safe spaces for our children and community.

YOUR SUPPORT IS EVERY GIRLS DREAM

Whoop here it is!

Lynn Joseph — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 08:51:42 +0000

Our Presentation day was awesome! We had Playtime Daycare boys, girls and teachers join us for evaluation. Teacher Adeilah and the boys participated; giving our DOD girls the opportunity to show off their skills by teaching the volunteers.

The feedback from Teacher Adielah caused a stampede of joy, not only from the DOD girls but all at the school. Affirmation from their teacher was the Highlight of our session.

Thank you Playtime staff once again for y our support and love.

YOUR SUPPORT IS EVERY GIRLS DREAM