Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Infinite Family Opens 4th Video Lab in Soweto

News Release: Soweto, South Africa

Infinite Family, a non profit international organization that connects sub-Saharan children affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty, one on one, with mentors from around the world through video technology, opened its fourth video lab at Tsogang Sechaba in Soweto on 16 February 2010.

Founded by US citizen Amy Conrad Stokes in 2005, Infinite Family expands opportunities for vulnerable children by improving their communications, life, academic, technology and work skills through face-to-face relationships with video mentors worldwide.

Opening the Soweto facility, Stokes said she hopes that the results experienced at the other existing labs - two group homes and two after-school programs with outreach to Berea, Alexandra township, Lanseria and three informal rural settlements, will soon be felt by the local Sowetan community. Early evaluations point to children’s clear gains in English, computer literacy, self confidence, conflict resolution and problem solving skills. In addition, Infinite Family mentors report a uniquely inspiring experience and seek greater involvement. To date, more than 200 tweens and teens have increased their technology, academic and life skills via these direct relationships.

“Strong partnerships are integral to the success of each of these centres and we have been blessed with the best,” says Stokes. “Currently the computer labs are jointly equipped and managed with our local NGO partners, who choose the tween and teen Net Buddies from their local communities. On the technology side, local converged communications service provider Internet Solutions provides the high speed satellite internet connections; Dial-a-Nerd installs and maintains computers in the labs; Bombardier Transportation sponsors the computer labs, employee mentors and a career development program; and apart from our global mentors, IBM (SA) has started an employee mentorship programme.”

“At Tsogang Sechaba, Ma Tony Gloria Bodibe, an icon in the local community for her support and daily feeding scheme of more than 1000 HIV/Aids affected kids from six local primary schools and two high schools, has been a source of inspiration to us all,” continues Stokes. “She has opened her home and her heart to us and given up precious space for the new Computer Lab and the response from families has been heart-warming. We can see that this Soweto outreach is already making a difference.”

Infinite Family has a small number of on the ground management staff in Johannesburg and provides each facility with a Lab Manager. Stokes, from New York, and her dedicated staff of two in Pittsburgh and two in South Africa, spend most of their time fund raising, building relationships with new NGOs and corporate partners and recruiting mentors to continue and spread the Infinite Family network.

Partner Comment:

Dial a Nerd
“Dial a Nerd chose to sponsor this facility, and Infinite Family, due to the valuable work they are doing to not only promote a sense of “family” amongst those of us that are less fortunate, but are doing so with the help of technology which in turn assists greatly in opening up a new door to children that wouldn’t otherwise have access to things like computers and the internet. As one can imagine, this is something that would appeal to us Nerds, as computers play a valuable role in our lives and it’s exciting to see children benefiting as they are.”
Aaron Thornton
General Manager
Dial a Nerd

Internet Solutions
“Since inception, Internet Solutions has been proud to be the connectivity sponsor for this unique and hugely effective initiative. We now sponsor four centres, some of which are in remote areas. Due to the locations of the centres, IS found it more effective to use satellite connectivity as this proved to be the more stable connectivity route.

IS has seen the positive effects that the Infinite Family programme has had on the lives of many young South African children through allowing them access to adult mentors, motivating them to contribute positively to their own future as well as the future of our country.”
Lebohang Thokoane, Marketing Executive


About Infinite Family

Infinite Family is an international organization that connects sub-Saharan children affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty, one on one, with mentors from around the world through video technology. Via webcams, computers, and a secure, interactive internet platform, caring adults around the world see and speak weekly with their “Net Buddies,” motivating them to define and work toward their goals and helping them learn academic, technology, and life skills. It starts with a face-to-face weekly conversation through the computer, but quickly becomes so much more. The impact of these relationships is profound on both ends of the relationship, expanding interest in all things South African through its mentor base in five countries, including South Africa, and across the U.S.

Infinite Family NGO partners include two group homes and two after-school programs with outreach to Berea, Alexandra township, Soweto and Lanseria and three informal rural settlements. Early evaluations point to children’s clear gains in English, computer literacy, self confidence, conflict resolution and problem solving skills. In addition, Infinite Family mentors report a uniquely inspiring experience and seek greater involvement. Our website (www.infinitefamily.org) contains video samples and an overview of the scope of Infinite Family’s work.

Amy Conrad Stokes had the idea for Infinite Family when she and her husband adopted Calder Qhawe from South Africa in 2003. In 2005, Dana Gold joined as Program Director, accelerating the program and providing much needed support. Dana is also the adoptive mother of a South African son.