“I CALL THIS PARTNERSHIP A SACRED PARTNERSHIP. I CALL THEM SACRED PROMISE, BECAUSE THEY DON’T DISAPPOINT. WHENEVER THEY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING, THEY WILL DO IT.”
MR. ZUKILE MARWAYI
MOSES MABIDA SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
A Dream Fulfilled (Forever)
(left)
The video on the left is the result of a collaboration involving
poet Ken Moldow and vocalist de_claire.
We appreciate both of them for describing Universal Promise and our mission this way:
A Life That Promises A Dream Fulfilled Forever.
Video testimony of the impact of volunteering
with Universal Promise in South Africa
(left)
[Note: Martha, as mentioned in the video, is the
Founder and Executive Director of Universal Promise.]
The Soldiers of the Entire World | The Pillars of Strength
by Norah K
(left)
I dedicate this poem to Universal Promise.
You came with brightness while we were sitting in darkness.
For us there was no reason to be educated,
but you have changed our mindset.
As the parents of Addo Village all these years,
we thought working in citrus was the only option for us and our children.
You opened our children’s mindsets.
You bring light and joy to their hearts.
You encouraged them when they had lost hope.
You show them love. You care for them.
You've given them what we couldn’t give them.
We are grateful to have Universal Promise.
You are the Soldiers of entire world.
You are the Pillars of strength.
You have Ability and Power to make things happen.
You show us Ubuntu.
We are so grateful to have Universal Promise.
A Letter from Charlie Josephs, a South African UP Board Member,
following a UP board meeting in the wake of the murder of Mr. George Floyd
Good morning, Nobuntu:
Thanks for the privilege to be part of the Universal Promise family. To be part of a team with a wealth of knowledge and experience is something I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Yesterday I could see, feel and experience the pain, frustration and anger expressed by the Directors of what happened to the late George Floyd. What an honor to be part of a team with passion and love for human beings who stand for justice for all. UP’s letter that expressed how we feel about the unjust and racist act of the police officer who misused his power is commendable and appreciated. This letter will also go to the schools where UP is involved and to the local and provincial government because they must feel our UP heartbeat and know that we will not stand and be onlookers when human beings are been denied their basic human rights – the right to life.
What UP does in Nomathamsanqa’s community is where we all should be, at the start of our children’s journey, providing the leaders of today and tomorrow with EDUCATION, HEALTH, and LEADERSHIP. This is how we will bring about the change we want to see in this world. Knowledge is indeed power, and by changing our children’s dreams to be educated and to reach for their dreams is a powerful contribution – because no one can take it away.
Stay blessed.
Yours in UP,
Charlie Josephs
DONOR: “One love! Your efforts, with the others taking care for these lovely people in need, makes the 100% difference in their lives. Love what you do, wish you all the best and strength with your continued efforts to make a difference and to do good.”
STUDENT: “I can see exactly what you want for us. You want us to be better people in future. You don’t want us to have dark future plans. If you were never there for us, I am wondering where some of us would have been by now. When I grow up, I want to help other children like you do.”
DONOR: “I feel directly connected to UP and its mission because there is nothing between me and my involvement - no bureaucracy, no middlemen, no pricy ad campaigns, no hype. The initiatives are smart, the mission is focused and UP makes things happen in a way I can see and support.”
UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL: “I cannot thank you more for the job that you are doing for the Addo community. I cannot imagine the joy and sunshine you are bringing for our people.”
DONOR: “I just recently discovered Universal Promise and Martha while browsing DonorSee. As I learn more about all that they are doing and the ways they are helping so many children and young adults be set up for success, I was honored to donate.”
STUDENT: “You have been a good mother, teacher, leader, and friend to us, not only to me. The things you did for us are amazing and also our parents cannot do for us. I am so happy to have you into my life. You have been such a good example to us and we love you so much.”
DANCE GROUP: “We as a group of dancers, we wanted to say thank you so much for everything that you have done for us. May God bless you and give you power to move on with the great work you are doing to us as children. We will miss you guys and you will always have special places in our hearts.”
DONOR: “Thank you, for the work you do for the children and their families in South Africa. Universal Promise has had such a profound impact on so many lives. I am so grateful to you for bringing the needs of the children and their families to our attention.”
STUDENT: “As a child raised by a single mother, you change many things in my life. Even I feel like I have both parents. You were sent by God in South Africa to help many people. You give us hope, love and humanity (ubuntu)."
PARENT: “I write this letter to thank you for being there for me at the time of life and death. You showed me love, kindness, which means ubuntu. I will never forget what you did for me.”
DONOR: “I'm thrilled to be able to support the kind of work Universal Promise is doing in South Africa. Martha's micro-targeted approach is making a real difference in the lives of these children and their families by ensuring they get an education.”
STUDENT: “God sent you to us with a purpose. He knew that you will be happy to help. You have helped and motivated us to be more positive about our school. I pray that God grants you even more years to live so that you can live to see our successes. You have invested so much in our education and we intend to also produce results that will make you proud. We will surely make it a point to make you, your colleagues, parents, teachers and ourselves proud.”
PARENT: “Universal Promise, thanks a lot for everything you are doing for our children at our schools. We appreciate and we want to say you are amazing, adorable, helpful and kind. You are my rock.”
DONOR: “As a donor I am motivated by projects that offer opportunities for children in an academic setting. Such work is at the core of the mission of Universal Promise. The financial support I offer is due to the principle of improving the academic setting. Universal Promise is steadfast in this principle. Thank you, UP.”
PRINCIPAL: “We wish to thank you once more for your tireless efforts in ensuring that Samkelwe become a better school for us teachers and learners. We will never forget our partnership with Universal Promise.”
STUDENT: “We surely hope and pray that you and your colleagues will never get tired of helping the needy.”
PARENT: “I can see now that the school is the children’s home. In my mind, Vusumzi is like a dream. When I look at the way that school was before, it was hostile. We thank God who brought you to Nomathamsanqa, Addo.”
DONOR: “Universal Promise is one of those nonprofits that truly makes a difference. I have had the opportunity to volunteer with UP in South Africa and observe the impact it has in the Nomathamsanqa community. It is amazing to see what has been accomplished in only ten years. UP not only provides a better education for the youth, but gives them hope for the future. The founder’s compassion and love for the people of Nomathamsanqa is genuine and inspirational. UP and the people it serves will always have a place in my heart.”
STUDENT: “My dream is to be a social worker. With Universal Promise on my side, anything is possible now.”
PRINCIPAL: “I wish to say that, as the community, talking about the teachers, the learners, and the community at large, that we are so much proud with the engagement and the partnership that we have formed with Universal Promise.”
DONOR: “Universal Promise will be FOREVER in my heart of HEARTS! I met the founder and team 10 years ago, and in addition to assisting with the annual fundraisers, I had the trip of a lifetime back in 2012 visiting South Africa alongside Universal Promise. The care, kindness, and love that go into each, and every one of UP’s projects is remarkable!”
STUDENT: “I have run out of words to thank you because you have offered us help and make promises to us that I surely know you will keep. Thank you UNIVERSAL PROMISE. May God bless you even more.”
PARENT: “Because of Universal Promise, your child will not have to swim in the same pool that I did.”
STUDENT: “Without your help, I don’t know where I would be. You have done so much for me. I am grateful about that. Yours faithfully.”
DONOR: “I have been a supporter Universal Promise since the beginning. The founder went beyond the normal tourist areas on a trip, saw a need, and has worked tirelessly to make a positive impact on this community. Universal Promise partners with individuals in the community to make every penny of their money do as much as it possibly can.”
DEPUTY-PRINCIPAL: “I like Universal Promise because they believe in transparency and accountability. Another thing I like about Universal Promise is that they do not impose on us. They do not use the top-down approach where they will dictate to us what to do. Instead they use a bottom-UP approach; they ask us, and then we agree, and then we implement.”
PRINCIPAL: “Universal Promise from the onset realized that our community is in dire need of help given the socioeconomic conditions, and Universal Promise saw this as an opportunity to improve the lives of the learners of this particular community through various engagements in education.”
PARENT: “Universal Promise does not just promise. They do.”
PRINCIPAL: Thanks once more for your sacrifice, love, and generosity that you have displayed to this community.