Day Two - A Warm Welcome

The last twenty four hours for our South Africa delegation has been as varied as the beautiful coastline…and as warm as the welcome we have received from our “cousins” we have waited nearly a full year to reconnect with!

This year’s travelers are split evenly between new delegates and those who are returning. 

We’ve seen evidence of the growing usage of community gardens—a new indication of Gugulethu’s increasing reliance on neighborhood vegetable plots. Weather has been a challenge this year and residents are utilizing their limited water supply as they are starting the process of getting closer to a more sustainable fresh food supply.

We also had the opportunity to meet with Father Michael Lapsley—the International, award-winning anti-Apartheid activist who founded the Insititute for Healing of Memories. 

Since our arrival this week, we have started meeting with some long-time community partners and discussed ways that we can support each other.

For the past 23 years, Arm in Arm in Africa has partnered with organizations in both Cape Town area townships and the rural Eastern Cape.

This year our goal is to further develop our relationships to even better understand the most effective ways to maximize the dollars of our generous donors.

Tomorrow, we will visit the homes of some recipients of the food and resources who have already thanked us for the impact that has made.

#fooddistribution #nonprofit #education #southafrica #capetown #aiaia #arminarminafrica #jlzwaane #heathcare #guguletu #tablemountain #bongokuhle_hlongwane #southafriciantownships #fathermichaellapsley #healingofmemories