Africa Day 2

Late to bed and early to rise… At 9AM I was back on a bus to visit the Amy Biehl Foundation of Trust. I knew this would be a great experience and I was very excited about it, but still tired from the night before. I knew basic information about the foundation before going, but for those who don’t know who Amy Biehl is… She was a student doing work and service in Africa when she was awarded a Fullbright Scholarship to the establishment of a multi-racial democracy in South Africa. She worked with members of the ANC and UWC on South Africa’s new constitution and women’s rights and also helped with voter education for South Africa’s first free elections (where Nelson Mandela was elected President of South Africa). In 1993, Amy was driving a friend home to in a township when her car was attacked by a huge mob and she was murdered. Four men were convicted of her murder but they applied for amnesty upon the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Amy’s parents worked with the Commission and supported amnesty of the young men. They were released from prison after serving four years and in 1997, the Amy Biehl Foundation in South Africa was founded. The foundation serves to provide community programs that are designed to develop and empower youth in the townships. They build efforts in reducing levels of crime and violence in those areas and work hard to provide the children with brighter futures. We first stopped by the office in downtown Cape Town and were taught the details of Amy’s Life, her death, and the purpose of the Foundation. We then went to the Guguletu Township for lunch with our tour guide (who was one of the four men convicted of killing Amy and who now works for the organization). Then, we toured the township where Amy spent a lot of time and where she was killed. We drove past the memorial site where she was pulled from her car and murdered. Following the tour, we went to three of the schools where the Foundation does most of its work with youth. The first school we visited offers an ecology and gardening education to children. We were able to mingle with some kids as they were being let out school and I spent 35 minutes playing tic-tac-toe with a handful of boys. The kids all love to have their picture taken but because everyone has digital cameras these days, they love even more that you can show them their picture right after you take it. They get so excited to see themselves on the camera, it just makes you smile. After wrapping up the tic-tac-toe tournament, I gave one of the little boys, Branden, a little notebook I had with me. I wrote both of our names in it and made out a new tic-tac-toe square for him. He was excited to get it; all the kids loved getting free stuff from us. Then we were off to another school where the kids are divided into several sections and they learn one of many things including music, drug/sex awareness education, sports, arts and crafts, and dance. The kids are so talented at the things they are being taught. It is truly impressive to watch someone half your age, with much less than you, be so good at something they love to do. There were three boys that played different xylophones. They are so good at it and they just stand there and play for you all day. They love it and they were far more than impressive. After that school, we went to another school where they were prepared to offer us a showcase of their different works. There was a large group of younger kids who danced, a group of older kids that danced, a band of saxophones and trumpets, a choir, and a drumming group. Each group just loves what they do and the kids can’t stop smiling while they are dancing. I sat on the side of the gym where a few kids were sitting when we all came in the door. It didn’t take long before I had about twenty kids all trying to sit on my lap. They want to know your name, where you’re from, and most importantly, if you can take their picture. Once they were all called to do their dance routine, I watched them and sat there amazed that they are so happy with so little, and they just dance… they love to dance and sing. I took several pictures of them dancing and they really enjoyed seeing them when they were finished. The kids from the townships offered a lot to reflect on. I was also left thinking a lot about the man we shared lunch with. Fortunately, he sat right across from me and I was able to talk with him about Amy Biehl, his work with the foundation, and his involvement and conviction. Your jaw just hits the floor when you suddenly see something in a different light and this man really has an incredible story. Another one of the four men who was convicted for her murder also works for the foundation now. I didn’t get to spend any time talking with him, but I would imagine the road of forgiveness is pretty similar between two. The men, the children, and the entire purpose of that organization is truly incredible. I returned to the ship for dinner and spent the rest of the night trying to catch up on some sleep.