An initiative dreamed up over a cup of coffee is now set to guide two women through 2024. Their idea—an activism advent calendar—circles 24 missions of kindness and connection for 2024!
South Africa (05 December 2023) — Over a cup of coffee, Carrie Pratt and Ilka Stein dreamed up a one-of-a-kind idea. What if there was an advent calendar-styled vision board to make changes for several communities and the organisations that support them? How much good could then go around? Setting to task to answer these questions, the two decided to launch a one-of-a-kind activism advent calendar.
24for24 in short, embodies 24 missions of kindness that the duo aim to undertake in 2024. Taking to an advent calendar style was one way to make the idea easy to understand, whilst breaking down the big goal of change into smaller activities.
“It is our contribution to a better future and a way for others to join us in supporting people and organisations working to effect positive change,” Carrie and Ilka share.
For three decades, Carrie has been entrenched in supporting initiatives bent on uplifting others through CBOs and NGOs, sustainable missions and economic development. Ilka on the other hand, is a powerhouse in environmental realms (evident in the mobile zero-waste grocery store she runs) and is a self-described social change agent due to her love of connecting others toward a regenerative society.
Together, their advent calendar goals embody a bit of both their areas of expertise.
24for24
“To start, we have primarily chosen projects to support two communities in which we work and where we have established relationships, one urban and one rural. Bertrams, an inner-city neighbourhood in Johannesburg and Mautse, a township of Rosendal in the Free State,” the pair add.
Here are Some of the Missions!
- A Reflection workshop that aims to give activists the chance to take a break and enjoy a knowledge-exchanging experience whilst reflecting on what they learned the year before.
- A self-defence class for the young women in Mautse township.
- A day hike with the youth of Bertrams
- A DIY workshop for the young women in Bertrams so that they can learn the art of upcycling to create furniture that they can use or pay forward as a business skill.
- A theatre experience for 20 young Bertrams locals that focuses on social issues at The Market Theatre.
- Reuseable coffee cups initiative which aims to help coffee shops in Johannesburg jump onto the reusable cups train for the betterment of environments like the James and Ethel Gray Park in Birdhaven.
- Connections for changemakers event so that 15 changemakers can meet with others like them and be inspired.
- A Climate Cafe dialogue session, so that more eco-conscious people can unite and brainstorm
- The Art of Facilitation development programme that will help young activists hone their change-making skills
- A Yoga in the Park event for Women’s Day where women working to create positive change in Joburg’s communities will be invited to participate.
Other mini missions include a giving back sound healing journey for caregivers working in NGOs and CBOs, a local clothing fair so designers without many resources can showcase their work and a household permaculture garden initiative.
The ladies behind the idea hope that the momentum won’t stop when the New Year rolls in, and that it’ll get even bigger and more impactful as the years go on.
You can find the full 24for24 goals here.