2010 has been an incredibly busy year with several activities taking place from the rolling out of several projects to a renewed marketing (including a brand new active and modern website), fundraising and operational strategy. There were also new staff compliments to the organization including the return of some staff members who had gone abroad. The year commenced with a strategic as well as an operational planning session providing the organization with a 5 year strategic plan.
Where on earth do I begin? And what is there to add in addition to the wonderful words of reflection put down by Claudia, the Projects Director, in this report. I thought I was being clever when I said to Claudia to “go ahead and write your report... I will write mine later”. Clearly this was a massive mistake because she has said it all! Then I tried to get out of it by saying “Please go ahead and take up my directors report space too (as she had so much to say for once)” but it was a no go because as soft, gentle and humble as my co-founder can be, she can also be STUBBORN beyond words. So it is with exasperation that I attempt to write a Director’s report as I was told that it is my DUTY!
2010 – A 5 year milestone in REACH’s lifespan…I can barely believe it. Looking back over these last five years I’m reminiscent of our early days and the journey that we have travelled thus far – a journey that was and continues to be sometimes bumpy and dirty as we deal with the many challenges that we are faced, be it those internal challenges that many organizations are faced with or the challenges that we face in being confronted with the often very ugly reality that is the downtrodden, abused and scalded lives of some of our beneficiaries. But this journey has also most certainly been filled with magnificent scenery and awe-inspiring moments as we work hard to achieve our dreams and empower others to achieve theirs.I have never officially shared on paper (I don’t think) of how my journey began with REACH. I think it is apt to do so now.