Day Four

Peace Meditation from the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; Only love can do that." O God, make us a people,of light! Make us a people of peace! AMEN Today was our fourth full day in the Cape Town area; a day of stunning contrasts. It should be noted during apartheid, black people were legally defined as being 4/5 of a person, thus opening the door to eliminating the majority of civil rights. Bantu education made it illegal for black people to achieve more than a fourth grade education.     This morning we had the privilege of meeting two volunteers from a newly formed program entitled FLY (Fun Learning for Youth). This innovative education program has found a new home at the JLZwane Centre.  It was specifically designed for high school students to be adequately prepared to attend college. Students who qualify for this program and are determined to succeed in their studies attend weekly classes for tutoring and to learn life skills.  The group who began this program were born and raised in the townships and have gone on to college and rewarding careers. Their goal is to give back to the community and give others the same opportunity today.     Arm In Arm In Africa looks forward to exploring ways of supporting this new educational program. The afternoon was spent in the city of Stellenbosch where we visited the University of Stellenbosch, the birthplace of apartheid.  In 1948, the School of Divinity, using Mein Kampf as a template set about dismantling the black community. As the group assembled in front of this institution on a beautiful warm afternoon, it was difficult to fathom that such a hateful policy would have ever been developed from this institution and that the devastation would reach into the present. Proof of this was in our visit to Kayamandi, the extremely poor on the outskirts of Stellenbosch.  This area is a well known for its wine production. Many of the farm laborers reside in this township.  In talking with one of the workers, we learned of a commonly used payment method called "doping."  Farm workers are paid 105 Rand ($10.50) per day or can be paid with wine, causing many to become chemically dependent. We look forward to celebrating Sunday service with our family in Guguletu. Please know that you are in our prayers. Quote from Carter G. Woodson "If you can control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his action.  When you determine what a man shall think you do not have to concern yourself about what he will do.  If you make a man feel that he is inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status, for he will seek it himself.  If you make a man think that he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door.  He will go without being told; and if there is no back door, his very nature will demand one." Peace blessings, The 2013 AIAIA Delegation