During Unogwaja 2013, just outside the rural South African town of Lady Frere, a young boy came running to the side of the road with his fist in the air shouting “Unogwaja, Unogwaja”. We are reminded of the importance and significance of hope and how the smallest things can make a difference in someone’s life.

The truth is this special story of Unogwaja which has brought so many people together has reminded us all that what we possess inside us, is what makes us great and unique and is the only thing we truly need. However, in harsh reality of life, this is often tested as it’s hard to look further than one’s own survival or the survival of one’s family. This was so eloquently voiced by Mkhululi (22 years old), an Unogwaja 2014 Community Chest volunteer who stood up at the Breede River Cancer Hospice in Robertson and said “dreams were a luxury he could not afford”. Hope alone is sometimes not enough.

Over the past 4 years, we have witnessed so much hope, and received meaningful support from people all over South Africa and all over the world. It is this hope that has inspired our collective vision, which is to support “the hope” we see in the best way we can, and have identified education as our best means to embrace this and contribute to people.

Unogwaja Challenge is proud to announce the start of its own special fund called “The Unogwaja Light Fund” which will be fully administered by Community Chest of South Africa for 2015.

I believe the time has come for a deliberate, considered and intelligent initiative to address the growing sense of hopelessness we see all round us. The Unogwaja Light Fund is just such an initiative. We can all become paralysed by fear and despair. We see it all around us every day. Or we can stand together in a solemn pledge to be the bearers of Hope and Light all over this country, one village, one person at a time. That’s our commitment with the Unogwaja Light Fund. We have determined and pledged to be the bearers of Light and Hope for all those who love this country. Today is the beginning of a journey we dare not shrink back from. On behalf of those heroes who daily work to build a better country and a better world, we simply pledge to be their Light and their Hope. – Lorenzo A Davids, CEO Community Chest WC & Community Chest South Africa

In partnership with Community Chest we will identify and support existing eco-systems within chosen communities the Unogwaja comes into contact with, who have created an environment of empowerment, enablement and a self-supporting ethos where there is a focus on education, skills development and the evidence of a “circle of life” and culture that is visibly impacting people’s lives and the lives of the people around them. This is the start of identifying Unogwaja “Lights” throughout our country (and in the future around the world where Unogwajas are living) that are already shining their lights in their communities and with our help this can intensify and spread, and not ever go out. We believe this is the most powerful way for Unogwaja to serve.

We are so excited to announce our first two Unogwaja Lights

Vukasebenze (which means “wake up & work” in Xhosa) Homeless Shelter, Cradock run by Gussie

Overnight stop at Vukasebenze, Day 5 Unogwaja 2013. Gussie and her team have hosted us since 2012 and it has become a really special part of Unogwaja. Never more special than today.

We have seen first hand the special light that is shining from this small footprint in Cradock. They have hosted us at their modest dwelling for the last 3 years and through the eyes, heart and care of Gussie and the people around her, Vukasebenze has made an incredible impact in the lives of many people.

Our first commitment to Gussie and Vukasebenze is to help them share their story with more people, and Unogwaja team member Dani has voluntarily offered to build their website and provide assistance in this regard. It is far more than “homeless shelter” it is a place of hope!

One of the initiatives that is part of Vukasebenze is a sewing “academy” where local ladies learn how to sew and make or fix clothes for their own use and for income generation. Gussie has shared that 4 ladies could really benefit from having their own sewing machine at home, to enable them to work from there and teach more people in their family and community. We have decided to buy 4 new sewing machines for Vukasebenze to distribute to these ladies. Community Chest Western Cape will also be providing some useful materials to aid this journey. Each machine costs R1,300 at a total of R5,200 which will come out of The Unogwaja Light Fund which currently has R27,000 from the 27 Unogwaja applicants. So thanks to you guys, these ladies will have something that will meaningfully help them.

Lebone Village (which is the Sotho word for “light”), Bloemfontein run by Avril & Willem Snyman

A recent trip to Lebone Village

The moment Steven Iffland shared this video as part of his Unogwaja 2015 application (he is now officially an Unogwaja 2015 team member) and we came to know of Lebone Village we felt compelled to be part of their story and support it in any way we can. They have created something so special here that truly represents a light for our country.

For more information on any of these two places of hope follow this link or consult the < href=”http://www.lebonevillage.com/” target=”_blank”>Lebone Village website. (We are currently working on the Vukasebenze website!)

With our contribution, big or small, both of these special stories can grow and impact more and strengthen as an ongoing and important legacy within these respective communities and within South Africa as a whole.

John McInroy enthused, “Vukasebenze and Lebone are part of a growing legacy, a community and an ethos that has been built and guided over many years. Both these organisations represent important eco-systems for change in our country. The change is being felt and being taken forward by the people part of it and is there for people to see. Imagine our entire nation operated with these foundations and values. Imagine the collective impact we can create. We have to start somewhere. Thank you Gussie, Avril, Willem and all lights in our country.”

Each Unogwaja team member has committed to raising a minimum of R50,000 towards the “The Unogwaja Light Fund” via Community Chest. Thank you to Quicket South Africa for providing the platform for our fundraising campaign.

Contribute towards the Unogwaja Light Fund

Today marks the day we officially launch the Red Love Train for 2015. Here, all Comrades Marathon 2015 runners will have a chance to join us and contribute to The Unogwaja Light Fund (Community Chest) and/or any of the 5 other charities – Pink Drive, Starfish Foundation, Wildlands Conservation Trust, World Vision & The Sports Trust.

Today marks the day we officially launch the Red Love Train for 2015. Here, all Comrades Marathon 2015 runners will have a chance to join us and contribute to The Unogwaja Light Fund (Community Chest) and/or any of the 5 other charities – Pink Drive, Starfish Foundation, Wildlands Conservation Trust, World Vision & The Sports Trust.

Thank you to all of you who continue to support our journey.

This is for all of you.

“When you let your own light shine, you unconsciously give other people permission to do the same” -Marianne Williamson