A place of joy and fellowship
We have been involved in the Botriver community for many years. So it was all the better for me to spend the last three months on the ground initiating some projects and supporting existing ones, during a Sabbatical which I took from November 2024.
It was great to see how strong the links between us at the Botriver Education Foundation and the Friends of Botriver have become over the years. The trust we have built up step by step is a great treasure. It was particularly exciting for me to spend so much time with the local team and to understand the local culture better. This close collaboration not only strengthened the relationship between us, but also gave me a deep insight into the challenges and energy on the ground.
The power of the Speak-Up community
An absolute highlight of my sabbatical was seeing how our mentees – the young people we support – have developed their own Speak-Up community. This group has become a space where they can freely express their opinions, support each other and play an active role in shaping the future. Seeing them dare to speak up and take responsibility is a fantastic experience.
Library Project
We are very passionate about our book project, which aims to give children and young people access to books and new perspectives.
Together we painted walls, tidied up, sorted books, made bookmarks and bought new books. Hard work with lots of laughs that brought us even closer together in our mission. The result is something we are incredibly proud of: a space that invites you to read, dream and learn – a place full of possibilities.
Gratitude and looking forward
These three months in South Africa were much more than a break. They have been an opportunity to gain new perspectives and to get to know people better, for which I am eternally grateful.
A special thank you to the many local people who welcomed me so warmly.
At Friends of Botriver, we firmly believe that every young mind deserves access to quality education and exposure to transformative experiences. We are committed to creating more avenues for growth and learning, empowering our youth to reach their full potential.