Although this program is now 5 years old, it still maintains a strong presence among the Peace Corps community in Southern Africa. Knowing this, we have taken the time to update the curriculum to include more photos and additional stories. Specifically, there is a page with a note from the author requesting that volunteers who have started programs that were motivated by the Palala Club model should reach out to her with their own stories and photos. We want this program to continue for years to come, which means we want to hear what you’ve done with it to make it unique or improve it.

Additionally, if you are interested in purchasing this new version of the book or previewing the pages, please visit our ordering site for more details.

To order your aprons email us at palalaclubs@gmail.com.

The Palala Apron Project continues to sew up aprons for supporters of the Palala Clubs. Recently the leaders processed an order of 16 aprons with matching ‘dituku’, or head wraps, for a local society, all in a matter of only 5 days! Income from these and many other orders has gone to support a number of activities for the Palala Clubs this year. The first half of Palala North Girls Club 2009 has already passed. Girls this year have been able to learn how to bead, make earrings, sew quilt squares, create chain bracelets and tie dye socks. All of this has been possible through our apron sales. Thank you to all of you have supported Palala Clubs!

Due to the large quantity of aprons that have been sold recently, we will be working on updating our inventory on the website. During the month of May we will be acquiring more fabric and will have up-to-date availability for each style at the end of the month!

Unlike the PGC Curriculum, instructions are not provided for activities and projects. Only sample lessons and discussion topics are included for a 12-week club year. We hope you find this useful and that it can be a stepping stone for the development of bigger and better programs. Good luck!

When this project began a few month ago, we had no idea how successful or well received it would be, but it has never ceased to amaze us. It all began with approximately 40 aprons being taken to the SA15 Close of Service Conference to test the waters and see if it was possible to sell all of them. Well, we did not come back empty handed so to speak because while we sold out of every last apron, we had an entire list of new orders to fill with the promise of many more orders to come. So began the apron business as it is today. 

Even after every order was filled from this one-time sale, we continue to get orders from all over and were happy to just recently even send a portion of our aprons State-side! Because of the success that we continue to experience with the aprons, we were able to increase the price and are selling the aprons for R100-R150. 

For more updated information on our apron sales, please visit our Traditional Apron Sales page!

As the lavender cow bell rang and and music played in the background the leaders ushered in club with introductions, overviews of things to come, games, and the first craft project of the year. Each girl was given their own PNGC materials to add to their folders and had individual sets of earring making supplies laid out in front of them to enjoy with their homemade chocolate cupcake. After a short demonstration of the earring making process, the girls dove right in and leaders circulated through the room to assist where needed. Many of the girls caught on extremely fast and as they sported their chic new accessories they turned to help their friends finish up.

We ended the day with a quick photo shoot of all the girls. It is clear that none of these girls are camera shy. Our two hours flew by but left a very lasting impression for all involved. Girls and leaders alike were beaming from ear to ear and happily sporting their new PNGC earrings and materials as they strode home to show their friends and family. We are extremely excited to be off and running with PNGC and look forward to continuing the mission of Palala Clubs in Seleka.

To read more about PNGC visit http://africanwanderlust.blogspot.com

The Candlelight Memorial started just after sundown and was led by PGC Leader, Elizabeth Ditsela. There were approximately 90 youth in attendance, and as the night went on, many more came from young children to adults.

Elizabeth Ditsela spoke briefly to the youth about their role in changing the stigma that so many people hold against People Living with HIV and more specifically how our youth can stop the spread of AIDS by making healthy sexual choices. Her speech was followed by an extended time of youth-centered participation. Children recited poems, danced, gave motivational speeches and personal testimonies.

To read more about this event, please visit africandaylight.blogspot.com.

The primary goal of creating this Palala Clubs blog is to reach even more people with the resources that make this project possible and allow other volunteers the opportunity to adapt our materials to fit their own communities’ needs. The secondary goal of this blog is to provide donors with the purpose and mission of the Palala Clubs as well as the support options that will lead the project towards future sustainability.

Please take the time to look around this blog and let us know if you have any further questions. We want this to be a productive collection of information and resources.

Thank you for your interest and support!