” First published in 1939 and subtitled The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism, the Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) ‘Big Book’, as it is commonly called, is the first text written about the experiences of the founders of the A.A. movement. It tells the story of Bill W., one of the co-founders of A.A. and how the program worked in the early days of the movement. It is full of much timeless and practical wisdom and is the first standard (and some would say the only standard) text of A.A. and, subsequently, of 12 step programs. ” – The Big Book

The promises are from pages 83-84 of the Big Book and cover the promises of what will happen when we diligently work the steps of the 12 step program.

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through . . .

We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.

We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.

We will comprehend the word serenity.

We will know peace.

No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.

That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.

We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.

Self-seeking will slip away.

Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.

We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.

We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Dear Ma Wendy

I trust that you are well.

On the 13th of April I will be graduating from the University of the Western Cape with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology.

I want to say thank you to you for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. Had you not funded my studies I would not be in this position today. While there are challenges ahead; my heartfelt and most humble gratitude goes out to you for what you have did for empowering me.

I am planning to pursue my honors in Psychology in 2017. Then the following year I will pursue my masters in Clinical Psychology.

This year I will focus my energy
on finding work and making time for social responsibility projects in the city.

Thank you for being an amazing role model to me. As a little girl I always knew I had big dreams. However it was the day I read an article on you and got introduced to you for the first time that I knew what I wanted those dreams to look like. At the end of that article, I said that’s who I want to be like. To not just live for myself but for a greater purpose. Your work ethic, your heart, and your integrity. You will always be an inspiration to me.

May I be to many other young girls, what you have been to me.

Enkosi Mama

God bless you
Zisanda