I am passionate about my work. Because I love what I do, I have a steady source of motivation that drives me to do my best. In my last job, this passion led me to challenge myself daily and learn new skills that helped me to do better work. I am ambitious and driven. I thrive on challenges and constantly set goals for myself, so I have something to strive toward. I’m not comfortable settling, and I’m always looking for an opportunity to do better and achieve greatness. I am an excellent communicator. I pride myself on making sure people have the right information because it drives better results. Most business issues stem from poor communication, so I feel a responsibility to keep everyone on the same page. I am results-oriented, constantly checking in with the goal to determine how close or how far away we are and what it will take to make it happen. I find this pressure inspiring and a great motivator for the rest of the team. I am highly organized. I always take notes, and I use a series of tools to help myself stay on top of deadlines. I like to keep a clean workspace and create a logical filing method, so I’m always able to find what I need. I find this increases efficiency and helps the rest of the team stay on track, too. I’m a people-person. I love meeting new people and learning about their lives and their backgrounds. I can almost always find common ground with strangers, and I like making people feel comfortable in my presence.

Amoyo is an after school and weekend performing arts training platform (dance, acting, singing) working with over 150 impoverished children from the townships in Hout Bay. Amoyo is so much more than just a performing arts training programme. Our classes are a platform to engage with our youth, to show them we care about them, about the choices they are making, that we are there to support and help them develop into successful, employable adults. The Amoyo journey aligns skill development with self-respect, respect for others, integrity, emotional intelligence and communication skills needed to survive in the fast-paced professional world outside their immediate environment of poverty, neglect, criminal and gang activity. Our MISSION is to uplift the communities of Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg, one child at a time, through an after-school and holiday programme offering high-quality dance, drama, music and performance classes. Our VISION is that each Amoyo child will continue into tertiary education after school, equipped not only with performing arts skills but also with life skills, self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-discipline to conquer life successfully. Our PHILOSOPHY is one of gratitude. Amoyo means “spirit of appreciation” (appreciating everything and everyone) and our unique approach to upskilling and empowering the children of Hout Bay is already having a huge impact, not only on the children but on their families and the broader community, too.

A principios de la década de los setenta Alicia Pietri de Caldera, concibió la idea de crear un museo para los niños y jóvenes venezolanos que no se pareciera a los museos tradicionales. En el periodo 1969-1974 Doña Alicia, en su condición de Primera Dama de la República y Presidenta de la entonces Fundación Festival del Niño, puso en práctica el Programa Arte y Cultura para los Niños, con la intención de desarrollar sus capacidades mediante actividades participativas. El programa evidenció la necesidad de vincular al niño con el arte, la ciencia y la tecnología para despertar aptitudes y dar respuesta creadora a las inquietudes e interrogantes del hombre del futuro. Esta necesidad se transformó en el objetivo de la Fundación Privada Museo de los Niños. Finalmente, el museo fue inaugurado en 1982 en la ciudad de Caracas. El Museo de los Niños de Caracas es único. Un gran laboratorio para experimentar y explorar, en el cual las máximas fundamentales son “Prohibido no Tocar” y “Aprender Jugando”. Un sitio donde se permite: tocar, resolver, explorar, inventar, relacionar, crear, participar y responder. Una nueva alternativa para educar a través de la recreación, estimular el aprendizaje a través del descubrimiento, enseñarle al niño un camino al conocimiento que parte de las cosas simples que lo rodean y lo llevan a otras más complejas. Las áreas básicas del Museo son: Biología, Comunicación, Ecología y Física. Con el pasar de los años se han actualizado muchas de las exhibiciones, para presentarlas de manera más novedosa a los visitantes, tales como las que muestran Los Sentidos, el Corazón y la Alimentación, en el Área de Biología. En el área de Física, la exhibición de Electricidad se transformó completamente para mostrar cómo se produce, se transmite, se distribuye y se consume. En el área de Ecología, se actualizaron las exposiciones acerca de los Parques Nacionales, las Cadenas Alimentarias, Reconoce tus árboles, y la Huerta, así como el estudio de TV y la pared de símbolos en el Área de Comunicación. Además, se han construido nuevas exhibiciones tales como Terremotos y Volcanes, el motor abierto de un vehículo, ADN, la magia de los genes, los Sistemas del Cuerpo, Cuida tu cuerpo y evita la diabetes, la Capa de Ozono y el Calentamiento Global, Ensayo y error, los comienzos de la aeronáutica, NANO, una miniatura inimaginable, el Astronauta, el Satélite Simón Bolívar, la Carrera Espacial, Jugando a ser Amigo Guía y El Rincón de los Cuentos.

Durban Africa Sports club was founded in 2007 on a need to serve the underprivileged and the community at large through sports development and engagement. Ensuring that the children within the club are given holistic development, Durban Africa Sports Club has run a Life Skills Week workshop annually for the last 4 years. This is supported by motivational speakers, sporting personalities and industry professionals who impart financial and life skills over the duration of the workshop. Durban Africa's next major milestone is the development of a Centre of Sports Excellence which will combine sporting and scholastic development for the underprivileged and SAFA accredited, all of whom are volunteers. This year will focus on development in the under 6-8years a and under 11 age groups We will make maximum use of the all funding given to the club to serve our club children and the wider community, as this is "Coaching with a difference".

Sydney Grammar School is one of the oldest schools in Australia. Its ancestor, the Sydney Public Free Grammar School, opened in 1825 with LH Halloran as Headmaster. In 1830, Sydney College was founded. Sir Francis Forbes, Chief Justice, became President of the College and laid the foundation stone of the present building in College Street on the 26 January 1830. In 1835 Sydney College opened in this building with WT Cape as Headmaster. In 1842, he resigned and was succeeded by TH Braim. In 1850 Sydney College was closed. Sydney Grammar School was founded by Act of Parliament in 1854, after Sir Henry Parkes, the Father of Australian Federation, tabled a petition from a group of citizens concerned that the fledgling University of Sydney should have a 'nursery' to provide it with well-prepared undergraduates. The re-founded School's work commenced in 1857, in the College Street buildings, which had been occupied immediately before this by the University of Sydney. Grammar has remained here ever since. More recently, Preparatory Schools at St Ives and Paddington have been established, and we take one hundred and twenty boys each year from these two institutions. The modern College Street has around eleven hundred boys, St Ives over four hundred, and Edgecliff three hundred. Our boys now proceed from the School to a variety of Universities in New South Wales and beyond, but the basic purpose of Grammar as set out in the Act – 'to confer on all classes and denominations of Her Majesty's subjects resident in the Colony of New South Wales, without any distinction whatsoever, the advantages of a regular and liberal course of education' – remains the same. Since its foundation, the School and its Old Boys (called 'Old Sydneians') have played an important part in the history of this country.

Anglican Pre K-12 Day & Boarding School for Girls; encouraging students to develop their potential by fostering pursuit of personal and academic excellence. Abbotsleigh provides a quality, well-balanced education, underpinned by the Christian faith. Each girl is empowered to be a courageous, constructive and compassionate world citizen, who embraces diversity and has a will to serve others. For many generations, Abbotsleigh has been empowering young women by providing them with an education that prepares them for their future. Education includes more than academic excellence, so Abbotsleigh seeks to focus on the whole girl, offering girls unparalleled opportunities to develop their gifts and talents as well as their character.

Established in September 1918 to serve the needs of ‘isolated’ and ‘outback’ children in the primary years, the School of Isolated and Distance Education has a varied history. It has evolved into an online K-12 school based in Leederville, a suburb of Perth. It continues to provide an education to Western Australian children and young people who are living in isolated, regional or remote situations. A hallmark of the school has been its adoption of new practices and technologies to improve the quality of the education it provides. In the past this has included print materials, television, video and audio recordings, use of the Royal Flying Doctor two-way radio, satellite, and more recently, internet technologies. Over the last decade, SIDE has transitioned from teaching and learning through correspondence to an online model. Students around the State and travelling in other parts of Australia or the world receive their education through modern digital technologies, including: Cisco Webex, an online classroom where teaching and learning occurs in real time. Moodle, an online learning management system that allows students to access lesson materials and activities, upload work and interact with their teachers and peers 24/7.

Alinjarra Primary School, located in the northern suburb of Alexander Heights Perth, opened in 1988. The word ‘Alinjarra’ is an aboriginal word meaning “North”. The school caters for Kindergarten to year 6 students and offers a safe, caring and positive learning environment. All classrooms are air-conditioned, fully networked with computers, have interactive whiteboards to enhance student’s learning and a well-developed, monitored website. A wide range of learning activities are offered across the curriculum including the specialist areas of Science, Music (a school choir and instrumental programs in flute, guitar and clarinet), Italian, ICT and Physical Education. Talented and gifted students are also catered for in a variety of programs across the school and district, including PEAC and EYES. The school continues to develop strong links with the local community. Our community consists of a variety of nationalities, with over 20 different languages spoken by our families. The school works in partnership with our School Council, P&C, School Volunteers and Chaplaincy programs to ensure the best outcomes for our students. Together at Alinjarra Primary School we equip our students to strive for excellence, be healthy active lifelong learners and responsible members of the community who possess the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to achieve their individual potential.

I am 56 years old and love life ! and am engaged to a wonderful man and we have been together for 9 years. I have 1 son who lives in Houston, Texas with his lovely wife and my 2 beautiful grandchildren. I have 1 sister who is sadly disabled. She has Motor Neuron Disease and is paralysed from the neck down. She has had this debilitating illness since 1998. I care very deeply for her and continue to walk this hard, painful journey with her. I would love to one day open up a strung of Care Homes called Mandy in honour of her. Watching your disabled sister struggle every day has been heartbreaking but through this I have learnt the art of caring, giving and kindness. To be able to help and be there for those less fortunate than you is a heartwarming experience and exceptionally rewarding. My passion is travelling – I absolutely LOVE IT ! My sport is Golf and because I have such an adventurous, extrovert personality I also love a lot of other things like Boating, Fishing, Cooking, Drinking wine and socialising. The list is so long because I am always willing to try new things and experience new places. I am an extrovert in personality and love bringing out the best in people. My profession at the moment is a Key accounts Manager for a Surgical Equipment company. I have been with them for 14 years. I have vast experience in Sales and Customer service and represent my company by calling on all Hospitals – Private and Provincial – throughout the entire Eastern Cape. I work with doctor’s in theatre and am skilled in the sale of Medical Equipment for Trauma, Gynie, Urology, General Surgery, Cardiology, Neurology, Gastro-Enterology, Ultrasound etc. Prior to being a Surgical Rep I was a Medical Rep for 20 years calling on General Practioners, Pharmacists and Physicians selling Pharmaceutical Drugs. I also have experience in the setting up of Vaccine Clinics and GIT Units. My passion is service and looking after my customers. I love to make a difference in everything that I do and work hard. I love to make people smile ! I am a great organiser and get things done. I am very loyal in business and in my private life and am committed to whatever I sign up for. You will always be able to rely on me. I would say that I am a Spiritual person. I have a genuine passion for seeking out the truth of all things. and placing myself on a sacred path of self discovery. I learn every day and try to live my life with a curious, grateful heart. I believe we can all be kind if we want to be and we can all make a difference in someone’s life if we want to. I want to make a difference in the world ! I know I can.

DHS leads boys on their journey to become men and take their place in the world. We have a lineage of well-rounded young men reaching back 155 years. Each boy is as unique as his journey, and DHS is proud to be part of the making of both history and the future. More than just a high school, DHS becomes a way of life for many of its learners, to which its 7000 strong Old Boys network is testament. Embracing a heritage of excellence, DHS is shaping the future by producing young men who excel in all areas of life – Academic, Sporting, Cultural and Leadership. In each of these areas, we offer unsurpassed facilities; Our award-winning media centre, iPad learning centre, fully functional theatre, indoor cricket centre, music school and Maths & Science centre being just some highlights. The School has provided a safe, clean, caring and well-organised school climate that has always been conducive to learning. DHS offers an ongoing assessment system that supports good instruction. And it has always striven for high levels of parent and community involvement and support. In the sporting arena, DHS has excelled. Its learners have always ranked among the best young sportsmen in the city and province. Many of them have gone on to become leading figures on the national sporting scene. Blackmore House, our boarding establishment, is located on the school grounds and provides a home from home for up to 130 boys. In 2016 DHS celebrated its rich history spanning 150 years.

At Durban Girls’ College, not only do we teach our girls to look at the bigger picture of life, but also to realise their place and potential within it. Our school breathes a sense of confidence and curiosity into young girls so that they feel empowered to take their stance as independent and courageous women of our society. We teach for life – not for the classroom. A girl’s unique educational journey into womanhood starts with us. Established in 1877, Durban Girls’ College is a world-class South African school located high above the city on Durban’s Berea. DGC is an independent IEB school for girls from Grade 00 to Grade 12, with weekly boarding from Grade 7. The founders are still remembered in our Founders’ Day service each year, and the six school houses bear their names – Churchill, Cottam, Greenacre, Hunter, Palmer and Rutherford. In 1905, DGC moved to Musgrave Road, its present site, which was donated by Sir Benjamin Greenacre. The beautiful original school building is a monument to the spirit of excellence in which the school was established. Over time, the spacious campus has been extended and developed and the present pupils enjoy world-class academic, cultural and sporting facilities and equipment.

Seed of Hope began in just one room of a disused building on the rural outskirts of Durban. In 2003, founders Derek and Heather Liebenberg and a small core of volunteers felt the call to respond to the Aids crisis and its impact on families in KwaZulu Natal. At that time, the HIV pandemic was unchecked, as anti-retroviral medications were not yet widely available. The Liebenbergs launched an afternoon drop-in program for children who would otherwise be unattended and at risk of drifting into mischief, gangs or other dangerous behaviour. The classes were fun, teaching games, songs, crafts, Bible lessons and life skills. Soon dozens of children were attending daily and the program had been given a name – Simunye Time. Simunye means “we are one” in isiZulu. In the following months, the childrenʼs program gave birth to strategies to help people access basic health care, a support group for HIV-positive community members, and a small sewing class for unemployed women. Many of our clients were deeply affected by the HIV pandemic and suffered heartbreaking losses. It was a time when hope was scarce in the community of Bhekulwandle. Our vision to equip local community members to overcome challenges was birthed through the experiences and resilience of these friends and neighbours.

The Surfer Kids is a registered Non-Profit Organisation 136-987 NPO. Our mission is to "empower marginalised youths through surfing". THE SURFER KIDS CORE SURF PROGRAMME has been offering free surf lessons to the marginalised youths in the Southern Cape of South Africa since November 2010. Our Core Surfing Programme is based at Diaz Beach in Mossel Bay. The primary focus of our CORE SURF PROGRAMME is introducing young children to surfing. Surfing isn't otherwise normally practised in Friemersheim, or any of the other surrounding marginalised communities. The children are introduced to surfing as a healthy way of having fun! As the children grow within the programme they are encouraged to progress. To paddle to the back-line and surf bigger and better waves. This is no easy task, as anyone who's ever tried surfing will know. Learning to paddle and catch waves takes a lot of hard work. But the reward of riding waves is one of the best feelings a human being can experience !!! This allows for the unique medium of surfing to teach one of the most fundamental and empowering life skills of all: Life may be full of limitations. BUT, by working towards a goal, with commitment, one can accomplish incredible things. Despite our limitations, whatever they may be, as long as we have great goals, if we're prepared to work for it, we can achieve what we've only ever dreamt of. And more. This is the message of hope and empowerment around which we structure our entire programme.

Heart-to-Heart Care Centre aims to bring life, hope and opportunity to children made orphaned or vulnerable in South Africa, by HIV/AIDS, TB and poverty. Heart-to-Heart believes that together WE CAN change the destiny of children, one child at a time. We are passionate about providing Holistic Care, Psychosocial Support, Education and Empowerment to Children, Youth and Women. We strive to see a self-sustaining community. We are tackling poverty that is centered around dignity and not dependence. Walking alongside women facing unplanned pregnancies. This team is dedicated to Care for and Support Teenage Girls and Women who find themselves in a crisis due to an unplanned pregnancy. Our aim is to help teens and women achieve their full potential in life. 70% of children between ages 8-10 years old will not be able to speak, write or read English by the time they are 13 years old. Only 50% of them will go on to write final exams in high school. This tugged at our hearts and therefor the Literacy centre was birthed! Where volunteers along with our Education Coordinator will assess and walk alongside these young ones to make sure they know they are not just a statistic on a board but a life that counts! Together, we can transform lives through literacy!

My name is Luis Guillermo Castro Martin. I am a philosopher specialized in philosophy of mind and language. In particular, I am interested in the nature of consciousness, and the way in which we experience and interpret the world. I started my studies at the Central University of Venezuela in 2006, where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in philosophy (2011) and a master’s degree in logic and philosophy of science (2015). In 2012, the university offered me a position as a professor of philosophy and I taught several courses there until 2017, when I enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Genoa, Italy. I have also published several papers in philosophy journals and participated in various international events. In 2020, while writing my PhD thesis, I realized that I had been immersed in philosophy for too long and decided to use my experience to rejoin the real world. In my years studying philosophy, I have learned many things, but the most important is that the world is what we make of it, there is no ultimate truth, no final word. We create our reality. Knowledge has somehow separated us from others and nature, perhaps it can also reunite us. Although I was born in Venezuela, my family is a blending of different nationalities and traditions. I have lived and studied in different countries, which are all part of who I am and what I want to be. My actions define me, not my nationality or my origins. I do not believe in borders or limits; they are only in our minds. The sensation of not belonging can be liberating, once we realize that, by not belonging somewhere, we belong everywhere. I speak three languages (Spanish, English, and Italian) and I enjoy learning from other cultures, as well as transmitting the values of my own. I also enjoy music, sports and nature. I am the author of “Fragments of Mind” on Substack. A space for thinking outside the box, while discussing philosophical matters.

Milkwood Primary School is an English medium school situated at the Point in Mossel Bay, overlooking the sea. They serve a cross-section of the local community and are one of the most culturally diverse schools in the region. In 1992 numerous concerns resulted in the drawing up of a petition to start an English Language Primary School. It happened quickly, aided by the fast-growing numbers caused by the development of Mossgass. The first principal, Bill Innes, arrived full of enthusiasm in April 1993, with his surfboard and motorbike, to be followed later by his beautiful wife and two freckle-faced sons. The focus and tone of our discipline is positive and encouraging. However, this needs to be balanced with the reality that all children blossom in an environment where there is structure and routine. Learners need to know that there are consequences to our actions and certain actions could have serious consequences. In this environment, the child learns responsibility and respect for authority.

Point High School in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, South Africa is an established school that has been in the service of the community of Mossel Bay since 1921 with the aim of developing the child as a whole. The school is a public school. The teaching norms and requirements are determined by the Western Cape Education Department. The interests of parents are managed at local level by a Governing Body, the majority of whose members are elected by parents from their own ranks. Point High School has the services of a dedicated, energetic and fully qualified staff. The school is housed in a modern building that has the most beautiful views in the country, in addition to the usual organized sports tours, leadership camps and educational excursions are regularly undertaken. An active and dynamic Parent-Teacher Association makes a valuable contribution to various projects in the school.

It all started in 1999 with a vision to create a space where people could live and learn together in an ecologically sustainable environment. We share the story through the people that were part of shaping it. In 2019 the Sustainability Institute is celebrating its 20-year anniversary. We reflect back on this amazing journey, and share our story as told by some of the people that made all of this possible. The Lynedoch Eco-Village is a mixed community organised around a child-centered learning precinct. It strives to be a working example of a liveable ecologically designed urban system that is self-sustainable. Above all else, the Lynedoch Eco-Village provides a safe space where South Africans from all backgrounds can live in peace with each other and in harmony with nature. In our fifth video, we share some reflections from residents. The design of the Sustainability Institute was done by keeping in mind how available local resources could be incorporated into the infrastructure, how existing infrastructure could be reused and how the natural elements could be used to cool and heat the buildings. Take a look at how it all came together, as explained by the original architect, Gita Goven. The SI is committed to putting children at the heart of what we do. Education is a right for all children and our core work focuses on enabling access to quality education for children from the Lynedoch Valley. This is our third video which focuses on the various programmes related to the children and youth. You will get a glimpse into the Lynedoch Children’s House, SPARK Primary school, the Youth Hub programme and Lynedoch United Football Club. The Sustainability Institute hosts programmes designed to challenge conventional thinking and open minds to new ways of doing and approaching the known, while incorporating the entire space at the Institute as part of the learning experience. Take a look at the different educational programmes we have been offering since 2003. Food brings people together. At the SI we not only prepare delicious locally sourced organic food, but our food garden provides fresh vegetables and herbs used in daily meals for the children, students, and guests. We reconnect people with where food comes from, and our food garden and approach to food serves as a beautiful living-learning environment. When the Institute started in 1999, there were not many trees and wildlife around. To restore the natural ecosystem and to create a green space protected from any buildings or development, a piece of land was put aside for an indigenous woodland. Over the past 16 years our students, guided by the vision of our woodland custodian Bryce Anderson and Fumanekile Qhinga, have helped to plant trees and shrubs that have grown into this beautiful, peaceful woodland. Today it is flourishing and what was once a barren space, is growing into a dense forest of trees and shrubs. The woodlands provide an opportunity for solitude and connection to nature.

Safe & Sound is a child advocacy organization based in San Francisco. Our mission is to prevent child abuse and reduce its devastating impact. The values we believe in are to be responsible for the wellbeing of children. Whether working directly with children, their families or caregivers, communities, or systems, our goal is to create the greatest positive outcomes for children. No one can do this alone; preventing child abuse is a communal responsibility. We honor the uniqueness of everyone’s own lived experiences and strive for an environment that includes the perspectives of our teams, ourselves as individuals, our clients, and our partners. We value the agency of individuals, families, and systems to keep kids safe. Our approach is to support others in their own growth. We continuously seek to improve as individuals, teams, and an organization. We try new approaches and use data to inform our work. At Safe & Sound, we believe that every child can be kept safe. We seek to inspire each other, our client.

Home of Hope has evolved into an organisation that takes care of children, provides education to children with special needs and helps them to become productive and responsible members of the community, continuing support into adulthood through a working care farm and skills development opportunities. Home of Hope was founded in August 2005 by Eleanor Brook, who, inspired by her faith having adopted children of her own and having experienced life in a children’s home herself, wanted to harness her experience to provide support for other children in need of care. The organisation started as an interim ‘place of safety’ for children who were abandoned in dustbins to die, violently abused, raped, hungry and neglected due to poverty, infected with HIV and AIDS and those who were born bearing the effects of excessive drug and alcohol abuse by their mothers during pregnancy. During that time, it was found that many of the babies leaving the care of Home of Hope would return after a couple of months. Because of this, Home of Hope began to research the possible reasons. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder was discovered and many of the characteristics of FASD were found to be present in the children. The organisation began to look deeper into this disorder, but could not find many resources, support systems or solutions. South Africa has the highest rate of FASD in the world, where approx. 70 000 children are born every year suffering from this condition. 85% of children with FASD are not raised by their birth parents (usually they are in foster care or children’s homes) and come from families that are often unstable, with the child being in greater risk of physical and sexual abuse or neglect. Based on the challenges in caring for children affected by FASD, Home of Hope began to evolve to provide a long-term solution for our children, as well as services for other families that care for children affected by FASD. As the organisation grew and developed, we were able to respond to a bigger need – to provide a broader and more effective service for the protection of children – more than just that of interim places of safety.