GUGULETHU

The Arm In Arm In Africa delegation has been traveling annually to the townships near Cape Town, South Africa since 2000, partnering with the JL Zwane Center, a Presbyterian Community in the Gugulethu, population 360,000.

Over the years, with the leadership of Rev. Spiwo Xapile, AIAIA has made many connections with this community, building trust, support and the bond of “Ubuntu,” the African word meaning “humanity to others.”

In this spirit AIAIA began a quarterly food distribution in 2016 to 100 senior citizens who are in need of food for extended family members. Among those who benefit from the food parcels are grandchildren who attend the Rainbow School tutoring program at the JL Zwane Centre, and participants in the Fun Learning for Youth (FLY) program, a tutoring program for high school students. The recipients of this distribution are determined by the Zone leadership (neighborhoods) and the JLZwane Community Centre.

All food for this program is purchased in South Africa with generous contributions from Arm In Arm In Africa donors. We now provide 145 food parcels quarterly.