Celebrating our Facebook Friends of the Family

Facebook can be a source of joy and frustration, sometimes all in the same day. At Infinite Family, we would like to add “surprise” and “gratitude” to the list of adjectives used to describe this community. Without fanfare - or even notification – you, our generous Infinite Family is regularly using FB to share celebration of your birthdays with our Net Buddies. In just the past few years, you have raised awareness and funds among your communities via 22 separate FB fundraisers. Altogether, you have raised more than $6,200 so far and supported everything from emergency food parcels to Covid cleaning supplies and masks to webcams, headphones, and laptops. You have kept our Net Buddies healthy and connected to their Video Mentors and studies. For all of this, we are extremely grateful. The surprise part is that we never expect these gifts – FB doesn’t notify us about your acts of generosity or commitment to our Net Buddies. In the future, if you let us know about your campaigns, we will share your good deeds even further. 

While many things on Facebook may never turn out to be “a thing,” support from our Infinite Family definitely IS! We thank you!

   Amelia Antes   |   Ariel Oosthuizen   |   Deena Boykin    |   Dona Laketek   |    Gabi Strijp   |   Joan Goldberg Fischer   |   LaShunda Martin   |   Laura Henderson   |   Lesley Yaniv   |   Luis Leal   |   Maria Justice   |   Mark Toncray   |   Paula Derrow   |   Sheena Davis   |   Sinenjabulo Jacqueline Nene   |   Virginia Rose

How Cold Can It Go?

How cold does it get in South Africa? Winter is coming fast, which means temperatures will drop to the low 40ºF's/5ºC, sometimes even to freezing! Sadly, our Net Buddies’ homes don't have a reliable source of heating or insulation so the drafts really chill to the bone. This year, things are worse than normal: even if they have space heaters the electricity network struggles and already fails to meet the demand at least twice each week. 

Since it’s only going to get worse, you can ensure our Net Buddies stay warm to study at night and energize them to exceed all expectations at the same time.  Made of the warmest weight fabric, these high quality hooded sweaters will be what our Net Buddies reach for daily when they take off their school uniforms. Designed by our own South African Team, the sweaters have the Infinite Family logo on the front and the words “Net Buddy - Resilient, Resourceful, and Responsible for My Future!” on the back. Since we know that none of them enjoy doing laundry by hand in the cold, the team chose the color black for more time wearing than washing.

We know you would share your own electricity with our Net Buddies if we could package it up and deliver it. Since that’s not possible, the next best way to help our Net Buddies is to send them a sweater, if you can. Your $20/R350 gift today wraps a lucky Net Buddy in warmth before the real cold sets in. 

Think you’d like to only send one sleeve today? That’s great too because you’re not alone and will help someone who wants to send the other one. #teamworkmakesthedreamwork

Investment in Partnerships Pays Off

Only one if you know the best electrician living in the community and he’ll come on short notice! “Lights out” in Alex this week wasn’t due to faulty lightbulbs, but rather disrupted end sockets. It’s always something-right?

Infinite Family’s partnership-based model shines well in “dark times” like this. Forming long-lasting and committed relationships with our NGO partners (BIG shout out here to Alexandra Childcare and Support Centre!) means Infinite Family is accepted and supported by the community, which goes a long way when expertise, like dealing with electricity, is needed. Thanks for your help “lighting the way” Mr. Msebenzi! 

Thanks also to all of our committed donors who makes gifts that “Support our Greatest Need.” We never know what might hinder our teens from connecting with their Video Mentors or doing their homework. YOU are the reason Net Buddies’ emergency needs are met, masks are available, lights get fixed – and so much more!

Net Buddies and Video Mentors are the heart of our Infinite Family

Click here to see the Mentorship and Member Anniversaries we celebrate in June.

Thank you for being our Infinite Family

"We grew up with limited resources - we watched numerous people fail and fail again, so there was no reason to take a chance. That is one thing that has changed about me. I've come to be surrounded by people who failed but tried again, and then succeeded.   ~ Net Blazer, Andrew Johns