Saturday - Circle of Empowerment
Education is what opens minds and doors to opportunities, growth, and ultimately changes lives and society as a whole. However, education, which we know as a right and requirement, has been a privilege denied to many around the world. Here in South Africa, apartheid refused to allow black children to go beyond a 4th grade education; this law has had devastating consequences on the lives of black South Africans to this day. AIAIA has education as one of its 3 foundational pillars, and today, we had the joy of seeing professional men and women making a huge impact on the lives of young people growing up in the townships.
We started our day sharing breakfast with a group of extremely inspirational women who belong to The Women of Substance. They are a group of dedication female professional mentors who grew up in the townships and have degrees in subjects including accounting, social work, and teaching. They dedicate time outside of work to engage in community building projects that support career exploration events for schools, financially assisting youth through graduation in their adopt a child program, as well as other activities aimed at empowering women and young people to reach their full potential.
Our next stop was a visit with the FLY Program (Fun Learning for Youth) which takes place weekly at JL Zwane Church in Guguletu. In the past 15 years since its formation, FLY has grown from serving 20 students to over 150. As we entered, uniformed youth filled the 5 classrooms on a Saturday morning to study math led by volunteers who once experienced their own struggles growing up in the townships; in the spirit of gratitude and empowerment, they have returned to offer their time, skills, and mentoring to help the youth succeed in school and discover their own career paths. It was incredibly inspiring to hear the tutors speak of their students with great pride, saying we are here to “show them how great they really are and what they can do.” Students also shared hopes of becoming a pediatrician, an ophthalmologist, and an accountant.
AIAIA started assisting FLY with school supplies, textbooks, transportation fees and meals in 2013.
We enjoyed a lovely potluck dinner tonight as a delegation with a very special guest. Father Michael Lapsley, one of our long term partners and founder of the Institute of the Healing of Memories joined us; he shared his personal journey to South Africa, insights into his life as a priest and activist before during and after apartheid, as well as the inspirational work at the Institute and around the world that promotes peace, healing and reconciliation.
Tomorrow is our last day in Cape Town before we head up to Malungeni in the eastern cape. We thank you for sharing in our journey and keeping us in your prayers.