The DreamGirls Committee Members and Mentors are: Ezlyn Barends, Sade Savings, Mmabatho Mokiti, Marise Mackay, Simamkele Dlakavu, Thembi Lekganyane, Anna Nhlapo, Dikeledi Tlou, Thandeka Ngqumeya, Noelle Ngobeni, Kate Meyer, Amy Caplin and Valencia Kekana.
The DreamGirls International Outreach and Mentoring Program is gaining momentum in the Gauteng region, as it held it’s second workshop for teen girls this past Saturday on Education, Entrepreneurship & Careers.
The DreamGirls International Outreach and Mentoring Program, is one of the Dad Fund’s newest flagship programs which aims to promote the enrolment and success of young women from disadvantaged communities, in institutions of higher learning, through the empowering of young women by community role models and leaders. In addition to driving education amongst young female learners the program endeavours to create all-round wellness in teen girls focusing on areas such as, Life Design, Education, Entrepreneurship & Career, Health & Spiritual Wellness, Etiquette & Grooming and Dignity.
This specific workshop was designed for the young girls to understand the power and value of higher education, explore different career paths and to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career choice. Boston City Campus in Orange Grove played an important role in aiding this workshop. The institution provided a classroom for the day, free computerised career assessment tests and R1500 off any course that the 30 girls may want to study at the institution. The girls were ecstatic.
"When I was approached to be a committee member of the very first DreamGirls Society, I was very excited," says Mmabatho Mokiti, owner of Mathemaniacs, a Maths & Science tutoring company. "Having been in the education sector for so long, youth development and education are very close to my heart. Being part of the DreamGirls Society is so fulfilling on so many levels. It is just so fascinating to know that by giving of my time, expertise and experience to help these young girls, I can ultimately play a role in shaping their future.
"Not only has this program played a huge role in these girls' lives, it's also played a huge role in shaping me to be a better social entrepreneur and very importantly a better person. It's amazing how one takes the little things, like taking time out to invest into someone else's life, for granted, but nothing brings me more joy than when someone comes to me and says that I've helped them realise and reach the full potential. Ultimately, that is what DreamGirls SA is about. It's made me to 'be the leader with no title'", concludes Mokiti.
"I feel so privileged to be a part of the DreamGirls Programs. I love my mentors; they are like big sisters and really care about me. I am motivated and so happy to be learning new things all the time. This program has broadened my horizons and I feel like I can achieve anything that I set my mind to," says Nwabisi Mnisi.
"I am deeply humbled and moved by the actual impact that the DreamGirls program has on the teen girls," says Ezlyn Barends, Managing Director of the Dad Fund, the administering organisation. "I am blessed to be working with a great team of exceptional young women who serve as mentors to these teen girls. We have already seen a positive change in their attitudes and how they feel about their futures. I am so glad that we started this much-needed venture and would like to see us expanding into other areas and provinces to expose more teen girls to this wonderful program."
The next DreamGirls SA Workshop will be held in May and will focus on Health and Spiritual Wellness. The DreamGirls International Outreach and Mentoring Program will also be launched in the Western Cape, Limpopo and KZN this year.
The Dad Fund focuses on raising future leaders through unleashing youth potential and flair. Programs include Bursaries, Internship Opportunities, Entrepreneurship Programs, Community Educational Projects and Leadership Camps. For more information, visit www.dadfund.org.
SA - the Good News
Steuart has done some 500 talks on South Africa's progress since 1994 and SA's prospects for the future' 
