Dumingu Vikunga, 34, is the brain behind a number of civic organisations, each with their own purpose. At the SOS Children’s Villages, his aim is to provide technology skills and training to children, so they have the opportunity to fare as well as other children who have the resources and opportunities. As a member of NetHope, he works other people to improve IT connectivity in humanitarian organisations in developing countries that have been hard hit by disasters. As the director of Gatvol Wear he gives local talents the opportunity to show their work on big platforms. He is also the co-founder of Real Men Rising, where they teach boys and men about the role they play in gender-based violence against women and girls. At the Precious Life Foundation, they raise funds to provide sanitary towels to girls in need. They have also organised blanket drives and donated food and stationary to families and children. Working across spaces that include bridging the digital divide and charity work, Dumingu says he has learnt about the effectiveness of collaboration and building relationships. “The value of kindness and compassion for others. That even modest donations have a remarkable power and can effect change.”
BSc Computer Science, CTI
BSc Business Management, UNISA
As a co-founder of Precious Life foundation we have coordinated a number of events that have changed peoples lives and left an indelible mark in hearts of our beneficiaries.
We have raised funds for the following campaigns.
Sanitary towels, also called dignitary packs. The United Nations states that these are used to protect the health and dignity of women and girls. A study found that 25% of girls miss school during their menstrual cycle, which has a negative effect on their education. We have also donated food, blankets and essentials to a family that lost everything when their home was engulfed by a raging fire. This was the smallest donation that we have given any beneficiary but the effect that this had on the family will forever be special, I will forever hold this dearly in my heart.
We run four campaigns every year. One that provides uniform and stationary for schoolchildren, another for blankets in winter and a year-long programme to provide sanitary packs to women and girls.
The most important lesson we learnt is the power of collaboration and building relationships. The value of kindness and compassion for others. That even modest donations have a remarkable power and can effect change.
Nelson Mandela. He has reached billions of people and has galvanised the global community to give back to communities. He’s taught me patience, perseverance and most importantly forgiveness.