The future begins today!
They say “knowledge is power” but for some, less fortunate, it is a privilege that is never realised. In this instance it would be the disadvantaged children scattered all over Soweto.
Although Soweto is a place of booming business opportunities, there is far more that can be done when it comes to the accessibility of information especially to those who need it the most – children between 5 and 10 years of age. They are at a crucial developmental stage, where they constantly absorb information at amazing speeds. This, in turn, leads to the expansion and broadening of their imagination and way of thinking which in turn can positively impact their futures. And this does not end with them; it has the ability to become a culture that progresses through a multitude of generations and ultimately turns into an inherent character of a people and community.

But the opposite happens when a search for knowledge leads to a dead end because of a lack of equipment or when the equipment is available, only a handful of individuals understand how it used. This limits the thinking of a child and cripples their minds. It often produces narrow minded adults who do not possess the ability to stretch their minds beyond what they have seen and experienced, therefore not driving them in order to seek more from life. This would also be passed down from generation to generation and ultimately lead to a tragic end.
Unfortunately these are some of the issues that are currently occuring in Soweto. The children are often given assignments; projects and research papers to do at home but are referred to the libraries that, at times, keep books that are so outdated that the information within is horribly inaccurate and useless. You can imagine how the same children must feel when they have to compete with their peers that have access to the latest models of computers that have internet, both at school and at home.

Yet it seems the only way to understand and appreciate light is when darkness surrounds it. And this light comes in the form of a Christian based organisation called YAM (Youth Alive Ministries) that is located in Dube, Soweto. This humble institution finds its essence in the service of people, especially the young, which come Monday – Friday to be assisted with their school work and, on Saturdays to partake in life skills programmes and have their weekly dose of fun. This exceptional organisation believe in doing what they can, with what they have. This, has sustained them for over 50 years in service. However, after all these praiseworthy services, they endured an enormous hurdle of using one computer for all the communications that need to be sent and received for the day-to-day running of the organisation and helping the countless children that are also able to use it for school research papers; assignments and projects.

Last year, in November, YAM have encountered an individual that was truly heaven sent – Nelly Kostadinova. This phenomenal woman, after visiting this organisation thought that they too, were amazing. She spent an entire Saturday making a difference in the children’s lives, by giving of her valuable time in order to meet and learn about these children . What Nelly found here truly touched her. These young minds despite all the adversities they face daily, still find a way of hoping and seeking a better and brighter future for themselves. To re- write history’s pages and leave a legacy for the ones that will come after them. Their energy was infectious and making a difference is important to her. So, she found out the difficulties of the organisation and tried tirelessly to lend a helping hand.

Nelly imagined a valuable idea that began with an end in mind. Giving of her time was not enough; she had to make a tangible change that did not depend on her presence to be successful. So, she made a promise to donate computers for the children to help them not only to advance them in their school work, but enhance the medium through which they gather their knowledge. And so Nelly left with a promise and expectations to fulfil. On the 16th of March 2013 ,she delivered on her promise and fulfilled the all the children’s expectations.

These computers are currently set up at YAM and are fully functional for the children. The children stand a chance now to be able to succeed. They have been given an opportunity to be on a par with their peers. Since knowledge is transferable, they will begin a long line of descendants that pride themselves in knowledge that breed generations of informed future leaders. So now we watch and wait for a future that awaits these children to fulfil their potential. And I sense now, that it is going to be extraordinary.
And their future began with a difference that was made today.

As a loud and proud native of South Africa, my love for languages became impossible to hide as I quickly developed a wonderful respect for the cultural cyclone flood, learning English, Afrikaans and Zulu, along with a good dose of French in my high school years.
It all made sense to me when I saw the ad(vertisement) for Lingua- World, and saw a chance to become a part of a growing world of such broad communication – how could it not? I was immediately fascinated by the 180 different languages on offer and decided to attempt to enter the engaging world of linguistics, translation and interpretation.

I was lucky enough to join what was at first a small team of staff, which is now expanding into becoming a booming success on the South African market, and I felt the active spirit of this business field and decided to support this new opportunity with all the knowledge and experience I’ve gained on this phenomenal earth. With a degree in Communication, thanks to the University of Johannesburg, from the very first day I believed what I already knew – Communication is Key. Absorbing every ounce I can in this job and watching the project manager talking to so many people all over the world at once, my fascination snowballed.
So I want to invite you to be a part of Lingua-World to welcome you into our universe of world-wide communication and global friendship. Please feel free to speak to me, or each other, to chat up a storm and shower us with your own valuable comments and views.

The Beginning of a Wonderful Friendship
This is my first step to show you into the world of Lingua-World and the exciting moments communication allows us to make.

““ It was a whirlwind of emotions that day, as a foreigner travelling alone to an unknown city, and driving on the opposite side of the road [than Germany] my navigation system led me to the famed town of Soweto, South Africa. I typed in the address in the GPS and off I went on my first social project adventure and half way there, the GPS said I have already reached my destination. I didn’t see Soweto on the right side or the left side, not even in front of me. So I stopped to ask where the Youth Alive Ministries were, and eventually was directed, and back on my way I drove some more and more. Eventually, I arrived at my destination -two hours late- and I didn’t see a soul in sight. No one would be waiting for me, surely?

I questionably bounced out of my car and began to walk towards the building, I slowly opened the door. And not expecting anything, I just saw children. More than forty relieved faces, who all began to chant and dance, wonderful dancing, all together, choreographed, and this was too remarkable. The children were aged from 3 to 15 or 16 years old and right in the front were the smallest ones, who were so capable to be part of this dance. I looked at the children, and couldn’t believe what was done- all for me? They were in the room waiting for me for more than two hours, patiently hoping for a visitor. Still standing at the door, everybody became soundless with their precious faces looking at me. I felt that have to say something because of their silence, and looked at me for words. In awe and on the spot, I said, “Hello everybody”…and they responded with a big hello back. They asked who I was, and I began to explain to them…“My name is Nelly, I am not here to be a missionary or the millionaire from Germany, and I have not come here to explain to you how to live. I’m an entrepreneur, a businesswoman, and I want to be able to give you something more valuable, I believe. I want to give you my time and my ideas. I want to show you that you too could be the successes you were made to be. ”
Later I heard it was Thabile, YAM’s programme manager for 7 years, who kept the children so quiet for the whole two hours in expectation to meet me.

And that was the beginning of a wonderful friendship…””

The luminary Nelly Kostadinova describing her humble experience with the children of the Youth Alive Ministries (YAM), at a computer programme social project in Soweto. – Managing Director/ Founder of Lingua- World

Yours,
Cayleigh