It's orgs like CTAOP Program Partner Brave Rock Girl that drum this steady beat: #HopeIsALIVE in South Africa! Tune in Sund 9/14 at 3pm SAST/9am EST to hear from BRAVE's girl leaders at radiosa.org/voc/. Major shouts to Voice of the Cape for giving these young changemakers a platform and microphone!

"There is more potential than ever before to end the HIV epidemic, scientists & public health experts say. But now, HIV programs across Africa are scrambling to procure drugs that the U.S. once supplied, replace lost nurses & lab technicians & restart shuttered programs to prevent new infections."

On July 1st, the new U.S. administration officially shut down USAID, which for over 6 decades has led the country's foreign aid efforts.

"This was supposed to be a breakthrough year in the 44-year-long struggle against HIV."

Graphics via @nytimes.com

One of the best ways to make the largest impact on the world is to help create the conditions required for young people to thrive & step into the power they were given at birth. Today, we're celebrating the rising generations stepping into their power to make this world more equitable for ALL ✊🏽

Earlier this month, we brought together all our YL Fellows – members of our Youth Leaders Fellowship – for a week of restoration, connection, and as one Fellow described it: "the opportunity to become the strongest foundation [of] the most intentional, conscious and effective leader."

Today is YOUTH DAY in South Africa, a day when we honor the contribution (and sacrifices) made by young people in the struggle for freedom and equality.

Since Day 1, young people have been the very heart and core of all CTAOP does and is in service of.

Back in February when our team had the opportunity to visit Vaul Institute and see their team in action, we were lucky to get to experience this mindfulness tool (and the Vaul team's phenomenal stewardship of it!) firsthand.

Through a meditative VR journey, the participant learns to breathe consciously utilizing a variety of breathing techniques. This promotes a sense of calm by lowering heart rate and activating the body's relaxation response, helping to decrease anxiety and improve mood.

We had a super exciting addition to our Cape Town regional #SwidlerSummit last month: CTAOP Program Partner Vaul Institute brought their VR headsets and led everyone through their Virtual Reality program for well-being 🧘🏾

This past month as we shared our 2024 Impact Report, we've talked about our high level impact and the main themes that drove both our & our Program Partners' work.

Today, we look ⏩ FORWARD ⏩ to the overarching learnings from our collective work over the past year, & what we've brought into 2025.

CTAOP Program Partners and the young people they serve are the guiding light of CTAOP's work, continually helping us navigate and redefine our role as grantmaker, convener, and storyteller.

CTAOP team member Busi joined BRAVE for the launch of their newest bench: On the iconic Table Mountain! ⛰️

Co-founder Lee-Anne reminisced about BRAVE's early days: "It was the beginning of a journey, one that would transform how we viewed the world and, more importantly, how we would change it."

Earlier this year, after our hike up Lion's Head with CTAOP Program Partner Brave Rock Girl, we shared with you all the origin story of this amazing, youth-led organization, and their safe space benches which can be found all over Cape Town.