My Commitment
Submitted by: Ntombizethu Ngceza
South Africa
My name is Ntombizethu Ngceza, but you can call me Zethu. I am 17 years old. I lost my father in 2004, and my mother died in 2005 because of HIV and AIDS. My siblings and I were left with no home and no hope. It was very hard on me, but I had to face it because I love my siblings and they deserve the best.
One day at my primary school I met Sister Guza from Ubuntu, and she introduced me to Sister Mzalazala. Sister Mzalazala works so hard in order for us just to get a safe place just as every child. Ubuntu plays a big role in my life because each and every month they make sure we’ve got a food parcel, each and every month they make sure we’ve got electricity, and they make sure that that we don’t pay school fees because we don’t have money.
I don’t know where I would be without the Ubuntu Education Fund. Mr. Vincent Mai and Ubuntu’s commitment through the Clinton Global Initiative didn’t just help me and my family only, it helped hundreds of children. I believe that a commitment is a promise that can change the world. In return I have decided to make my own commitment to start an orphan support group for orphan girls in my school. Just like the many organizations and people who have made commitments through CGI, this is my way of changing the world.
How will you?
Watch Zethu tell her story and make her commitment at the Mid Year Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative in 2007.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
What an inspiring story! Thank you President Clinton for challenging all of us to make the change we want to see in our world and not wait for others to do it for us.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I am very inspired by your commitment Zethu. Today in our office we had bring your child to work day. I am going to volunteer and teach my technology skills to under-priviledged children in my inner city work neighborhood. I hope my co-workers will join in. Maybe we can start an after school program. Good luck with your endeavor.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I am working with wonderful women who are part of the Ugandan Womens Network (UWONET) to help create a sustainable village with “tree free” ECO Housing inspired by the CalEarth Institute’s founder Nader Khalili.
It is called the Asante & Zawadi Center for Reciprocal Learning and will be expanded to include a new model of micro-finance guided by the internationally recognized WORTH Program. The community builders are survivors of domestic violence who are joining together to create a village for themselves and their children.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
I admired the wonderful things that Prez Clinton is trying to do to make a difference in this world of violence, sickness, hunger and despair. I hope others join him in this wonderful and committed effort. Anytime you help anyone its a good cause. Thanks Prez Clinton.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Outstanding, I think President Clinton deserves a hearty well done !
July 19th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
I have no real conception of what it would be like to go without food and electricity, Zuthu, let alone losing both of your parents at such a young age.
I have a feeling that with your determination and insight you will one day do great things in Africa to help promote change.
Thank God you are in a safe place now, due to the help of Clinton Global Initiative.
July 19th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Zuthu, It is the women, young and old, who raise a country. It is your ideas and determination that will make a difference for those you love and who love you. I pray for your continue strength and willingness to not give up.
I hope that the Clinton Global Initiative will not stop until many are helped and those who are helped will reach out and help others.
July 19th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Dear Mr. Ntombizethu Ngceza
Your challenges have been HUGE compared to my own experiences. As a Mom, I’m sure your own parents would be very proud of the things you have done to protect and guide your own siblings as well as other brothers and sisters of your country. I’m glad the Clinton Foundation has been able to help empower you to make our world a better place.
Thank you for all your efforts.
Peace for all,
Donna
July 19th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Dearest Zethu,
I also believe that a commitment is a promise that can change the world!!! That is a wonderful commitment that you have made in starting an orphan support group for orphan girls in your school. Many of us here in America are aware of how hard it is for the children over there–especially orphan children.
Although I can’t imagine the depth of your own devastating losses and what you have seen and lived through— I too have lost both my parents to disease, and I am an only child. I am quite a bit older than you, but in this sense I can feel your loss.
Please know that you and your siblings are always in the prayers of many who pray for the children of Africa. And know that the world is your home full of the mother and father energies of love and support forever, to surround you always!
The very best wishes to you always!!
Tracey
July 19th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
I am inspired by your story of hope, Zethu. You are strong and courageous! I pray that God will watch over you and keep you safe. I feel you have a special gift to share. May God bless you, President Clinton for showing us how we can each make a difference in the world by compassionately sharing our gifts. There are so many needs in Africa that we should each be concerned about and doing our part. Thank you for your leadership in this endeavor!
July 20th, 2007 at 1:31 am
Zethu what a strong, brave young woman you are:)
My belief has always been that every child has a right to a roof over their heads, a warm bed, & good food in their tummies, & medical care. (I will continue to advocate that)
Though you lost your parents in human form, I truly believe they are there with you (like guardian angels) watching over you:)
When I was a child I wanted to save the world, but as I got into my twenties I realized I couldn’t possibly do that, so I’ve had to settle for saving my little corner of the world. We are raising our granddaughter, I care for the feral cats in my neighborhood. We are helping a family that the dad just got laid off. We care for the wildlife in the woods behind us, donate to the humane society and I’m a huge animal activist. The State we live in is sending our jobs overseas so though our lives are not as hard as the people of Africa, we are struggling.
God Bless You
Kathy
July 20th, 2007 at 8:09 am
HI SISTER
yOUR COMmitment is great to see you with the heart of helping others is great is serves as a challenge to others.I have also engaged my self to help destitute needy children in sierra leone.Children whose parents suffered in the 10 years of rabel war.If we all in africa should immitate our brother bill clinton to help others that will be remarkable.Weather we have little or plenty it will serve as a model to others.Those who benifit from our help will noe remain the same as they were and that will go long in their lives.Through our organisation we have help a lot and today they can boast of being in school can boast of having good clothing,proper medical services.You are a model to be immitated.
Nat komba
sierra leone
July 20th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
your trip is most important for all of humanity. Africa peoples have for a long time been forgotten by the developed world. Pres. Clinton You have already made a difference in the minds of millions. The world is already a better place because of your efforts. As a poor black american You are the best President we ever had.
Cyril
July 21st, 2007 at 6:58 am
It really makes a difference to hear the stories of people being helped, not just in being saved from tragedies, but also helped to achieve their goals in life.
When I was in high school I talked to a man on a bus who was from South Africa. He explained that there was a great controversy about excluding the word “apartied” from dictionaries. He said that if people do not have a word for injustice then they cannot name what is harming them.
Similarly, the word “ubuntu” expresses something we can all know more about. Our best wishes to Ntombizethu. He seems like a very nice young man and we all wish him well in organizing his group to help orphaned girls at his school.
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:46 pm
I consider Africa the ‘future of tradition’ and the ‘continent God held in reserve’. Even in its tumultuous environment, I believe that with the awakening of its sons, daughters and the efforts of the likes of Prez Bill Clinton striving on life’s improvement, that statement will hold true.
Mr. President, thanks for the vision, the journey and the efforts. May the Lord and history remember you for good!
July 24th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Dear President Clinton,
This story about Zethu describes exactly what all of us must do, start right now in diligently dedicating ourselves to changing the world. Zethu has learned this lesson so well and I’m eager to see all of our beautiful new generation reflect the same level of commitment that Zethu has. May God bless her and you in all that you do.
July 24th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
what a powerful story.
August 7th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Dear President Clinton,
Thank you for the wonderful things that you are doing around the world for individuals, families and communities. In my opinion, you will go down as being one of the best presidents we have ever had, but I always knew that you would do something even greater than being President of the United States. Through your leadership and guidance, many people around the world will have a better and more prosperous future.
As a former teacher, I was inspired to help troubled kids to become the best that they can be in life. I have devoted over twenty-five years to accomplish this end by developing a Self-esteem Training Program that appears to work for most everyone, especially young people even in a group setting. I will be more than happy to volunteer my time and my services in anyway that I can to help kids around the world.
I have a lot of admiration for President Clinton, and one of my greatest goals and objective is to meet him someday in person at the Clinton Presidential Library.
August 8th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Zethu’s story is just one of the many inspirational stories that have been the hallmark of President Clinton’s foundation.
Dear Sir, your commitment to making a difference especially in Africa continues to be a source of hope and challenge to many of us. You are one global leader who though dines with kings and queens, yet has not lost the common touch and that’s why you are my 2nd most admired global leader after Nelson Mandela (see http://www.andyemegbo.com/interest/myfives.html).
Because of people like you, I was encouraged to leave a career in medicine and pursue one in consulting, Today, I’m working in partnership with others friends to build the human and intellectual capacity of Africans.
I am currently working on a project to bring you to Nigeria in Feb 2009. I have completed the contact form.
I look forward to seeing you there sir. Keep up the great work. ‘My Life’ is really a must read for aspiring leaders and indeed everyone.
August 9th, 2007 at 5:53 am
I have been looking forward to join with you since 1996 and I am so happy now I am with you sir, we are going to elect you as the global leader who is willing to help and most successful person as a charity Organizer. If you can, rganize, to have a TV Channel to Promote your foundation activities which whole world is able to watch.