Bring Khumbula to NYC and make a dream come true

I was told towards the end of 2009 about an organization (ACT Inc) which had created a mentoring system for people living in NYC to mentor disadvantaged students living in Cape Town, South Africa. Being South African myself and having grown with access to resources that these students will never have access to, I felt the need to give something back.

I was given Khumbula Mudende as my mentee. He's a young african male in his final year of high school (the first in his family to complete high school). In his own words the reason he took part in the mentoring program was 'because I want to experience new things in life, not just within my borders and surroundings but to experience other peoples experiences and to get help as well...' and who dreams of one day becoming either a social worker or psychologist so that he can help others.

Over the course of the year as I've got to know Khumbula better I've begun to get more excited about finally meeting him. As part of the mentoring program we help bring over all the mentees at the end of the year to give them an experience that they might never have again. Not only do they get to meet the person who they have been communicating via email with but they also get to experience one of the greatest cities in the world and a culture which they previously could only view on television. This is where you can help, each individual needs approximately $2,000 to cover off on the cost of the plane ticket and the accomodation, so I am currently in the process of raising money for Khumbula so that he will be able come to NYC in January. I would ask each of you to firstly contribute whatever you can afford, there really is no amount to big or to small and then secondly to maybe forward this link onto other people you know who might also be willing to help.

Please view the video above which was recorded by Khumbula and to find out more about him.

For those financially inclined people out there, ACT Inc is a registered charity and your contributions are tax deductible :)