Help me raise money: South African edition!

Well, I did it! This is late news, but in early November I was accepted to go to South Africa with a team of 12 other students, the director, and a graduate student to study the colonial impacts of the state on urban and rural development. I am very excited to embark on this new adventure, not only because I will be in a new place, but because I get to design my own research project for the first time! My research project, once I settle on one, will then dictate the kinds of questions I'll be asking in interviews when I'm there.

But aside from the academic side of things, I (and my peers) was asked to consider fundraising for the grassroots community projects we'll be visiting while in South Africa, both in urban and rural areas. We will be visiting at least four, and the one I am choosing to focus on is the Hleketani Community Garden in Limpopo.

This women's cooperative farm, consisting of twenty-seven women ages 40-86, is inspiring. The farm produces affordable and vitamin-rich vegetables to the village of Joppie, surrounding villages and townships, local people affected by AIDS, families hosting funerals, and for sale. Yet, thieves have been targeting the farm, stealing pumps, pipes, and taps - this means the women can't produce as many vegetables AND the surrounding areas suffer.

I am hoping to raise $2000 to hire a night-time security guard for the farm for a full year. I hope that this will break the cycle of thefts and bring the farm back to its original production levels! This will also provide stable employment for a young man from the village, in an area where youth unemployment is at least 65%.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-hleketani-community-garden/x/5711934

Please click through to view the Infiegogo page for this campaign, where there's a video explaining most of what I've already said and then some! If you feel that you can get behind a cause such as this, your donations are very much appreciated! Every single cent donated will go towards this project - if we exceed the $2000 goal, that would be a dream.

Thanks, all! Don't forget to share with your friends/family/colleagues as well! 

Help us make it happen!