The Power of a Second Chance
A year after leaving, Nkosinathi realized she missed the LaunchPad. She missed the team, her peers, and the sense of belonging that came with being part of something larger than herself. So she came back, agreeing to months of probation before being matched with a new mentor in April 2025.
Today, she says with unmistakable conviction: "I am very happy with this relationship and am not going to leave any time soon."
Her parents' relief was palpable. They had witnessed firsthand how the program's absence negatively affected their daughter. Now in Grade 11, Nkosinathi has clear plans: pursue digital marketing, save money, then venture into crop and animal farming. But her vision extends beyond personal success.
"I'm excited that I will be able to create jobs for other young people," she explains, already thinking about how her future success can lift others up.
From Recipient to Giver
Perhaps the most powerful testament to Infinite Family's impact comes from what Nkosinathi plans to do once she achieves her goals. "I will donate 5 cattle to Infinite Family because we are a very big family," she declares. Her promise reveals that she views Infinite Family not just as a program that helped her, but as family, worthy of the kind of tribute historically reserved for honored leaders and beloved family members. It demonstrates that she fully expects to achieve meaningful prosperity and that her first instinct when imagining that success is to honor those who invested in her.
This August, she took another step in her transformation. When Infinite Family hosted visitors at the site, Nkosinathi volunteered to deliver a motivational speech about peer pressure and good decision-making.
Her motivation came from "seeing a lot of young people showing dedication to changing their lives despite the circumstances they are growing up under." She wanted other teens to know that they're capable of making bad decisions and learning from them—just like she did.
What Makes the Difference?
When asked what changed her trajectory, Nkosinathi points directly to mentorship. "Sometimes I don't know what happens in our brains as teenagers, but once you have a mentor, your way of thinking changes for the better."
She values having someone who provides "a safe space to open up about anything happening in her life because she knows the conversation will lead to solutions." The LaunchPad isn't just a meeting space—it's a source of positive energy where she's surrounded by her mentor, the Infinite Family team, and her peers.
Despite describing herself as having a "dramatic personality," Nkosinathi feels "loved and accepted" by Infinite Family's global community. This acceptance has been transformative for a young woman who once walked away in anger and frustration.
Why Your Support Matters
Nkosinathi's story illuminates why donor support of programs like Infinite Family represents the highest form of generosity and philanthropy. You're investing in young people who cannot repay you directly but who will pay it forward in immeasurable ways.
When you sponsor a Net Buddy, you're not just supporting one teenager through difficult years. You're investing in someone who will:
· Support themselves and their families,
· Create opportunities for others in their communities,
· Become mentors and role models for the next generation, and
· Strengthen the social fabric of entire neighborhoods.
You're investing in potential, believing in second chances, and demonstrating that every young person deserves someone in their corner—especially when they stumble.
The Ripple Effect
From a 13-year-old who struggled with boundaries to a Grade 11 student planning her future and inspiring her peers, Nkosinathi's journey embodies the resilience that Infinite Family nurtures in every young person they serve.
Her wish for the organization reflects her own transformation: "I hope Infinite Family can grow and extend the services to more young people because whatever they are seeking to do with young people, it is working."
She's living proof that when we invest in teens, they invest in themselves.
When we believe in their potential, they rise to meet it.
When we offer second chances, they transform not just their own lives but the lives of everyone around them.
This Giving Tuesday
As we reflect on stories like Nkosinathi's this Giving Tuesday, we're reminded that the most meaningful philanthropy often involves supporting those who face the longest odds. It means standing by young people through their mistakes and celebrating with them when they find their way.
It means understanding that today's struggling teenager can become tomorrow's community leader, job creator, and donor who remembers where she came from and wants to help others rise too.
And this year, your Giving Tuesday donation goes even further. When you give through Infinite Family's GlobalGiving link, you'll help the organization win a share of $500,000 in matching funds. The more donations received on Giving Tuesday, the larger Infinite Family's portion of these bonus funds—meaning your gift has multiplied impact.
That's not just charity. That's investment in human potential. That's building a better future, one young person at a time.
And that's why donors to organizations like Infinite Family deserve our deepest gratitude and respect. You're not just giving money—you're giving young people like Nkosinathi the chance to become who they were always meant to be.
This Giving Tuesday, consider sponsoring a Net Buddy through Infinite Family. Your support provides weekly mentoring, access to LaunchPad facilities, and connection to a global community that believes in the power of young people to transform their own futures.
When you donate via Infinite Family's GlobalGiving link on Giving Tuesday, you'll help them secure a larger share of $500,000 in matching funds—multiplying the impact of your generosity. |
