I lived with Mapula and Makoma in Matshwi from 2005-2007. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in my early twenties, and they made me apart of their family. They embraced me and made their home my home. Since then Mapula and I have remained close.

Mapula and Makoma have always been the first to identify needs in their community and try to improve the lives of the people of Matshwi. When the pandemic struck they quickly realized that the children around them were going hungry. They, with the other women of Thushanang Children’s Foundation, began pooling their resources to provide meals and food packets to these children.

When their resources ran out, Mapula reached out to me to see if I could support with their fundraising efforts. Since then we’ve worked together to raise $550 each month to ensure there are no hungry children.

Working with this group of women and seeing the incredible things they’ve made happen in their community inspires me everyday.

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Caitlin Burkholder-Travis