Chestnut Hill Academy’s
Basketball Programme in Kayamandi: 25 June – 5 July
2008
Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia in the United States sent a group of 12
high school boys together with their coach and 2 other adults, to run a basketball
programme with the Kayamandi High School basketball team. The day after landing
the group took the traditional 2 Way Travel hike up Table Mountain to orientate
themselves to the city and get over any effects of jetlag. The winter weather
added some challenges but none that our team is not used to. The following day
saw the group taking a memorable trip to Robben Island before getting stuck into
the basketball programme in earnest. On Saturday both teams met and learnt a
bit about each before joining in a tasty lunch at Roots Restaurant in Kayamandi
followed by a competitive game of woofer ball. On Friday and Saturday nights
the group stayed with local families in Tambo Village, an experience they’re
unlikely to forget. On Sunday they joined their families at Khanyisa Community
Church where they got to develop some of their new South African friendships.
Lunch saw the group getting their hands dirty as they enjoyed a traditional braai
(barbeque) at the famous Mzolis Meat Market in Gugulethu.
On Monday the basketball programme got underway with
drills, set pieces and matches played between the teams.
Both teams worked hard and learnt new things from each
other. On Thursday and Friday the CHA team spent the
mornings at Luthando Creche where they played games with
the children and hosted fun activities, which was much
appreciated by the children and it made a change for
the CHA team from their regular basketball routine.
All in all, a fun time was had by all and both teams
parted having formed new friendships and learnt new skills
and life lessons. Hopefully next time the Kayamandi team
will be visiting Chestnut Hill Academy!
Ambassadors for Children: 11-21 June 2008
Ambassadors for Children sent yet another team to Cape
Town to volunteer at Life Community Welfare (LCW) Children’s
Home in Elsies River (about 15km outside of Cape Town).
This group of 7 did phenomenal work before arriving
and not only brought 6 large suitcases of donations
for the Home but also raised a substantial amount of
money which we were able to put to good use while they
were here. The group started their trip with a hike
up Table Mountain, braving some strong winds and chilly
temperatures! After their first day’s introduction
and orientation to LCW and some games to get to know
the children, the group headed to the first of 2 nights
in Tambo Village where they stayed with local families.
On Saturday, their host Mamas got to join them on a
trip to Robben Island, a first for most of the Mamas!!!
This special day was enriched by the personal significance
of having Freedom Fighters share this experience with
the group. On Sunday the group enjoyed a traditional
2 Way Travel Sunday with church at Khanyisa Community
Church followed by lunch with new friends at Mzolis
and an afternoon of shopping at the Greenpoint Market
– a truly local day!
Monday was Youth Day in South Africa so in celebration
we took them to the Two Oceans Aquarium, one of the best
in the world. Everyone loved discovering all the fascinating
shapes and colours of the underwater world and when we
got tired, we converged on the activity centre where
the children enjoyed reading with their new friends.
At lunch time we headed to the Sea Point promenade where,
after a good lunch, there was an opportunity to play
soccer, climb the jungle gyms and watch the crashing
waves. On the way home we made a surprise stop for much
enjoyed ice-cream cones, much to everyone’s delight!
On Tuesday morning, while the children were at school,
the group got stuck into what was to become a vegetable
garden at LCW. Much work was needed to convert the once
dump site into a clean and life-sustaining garden. With
some expert help from John Gathercole, the group was
soon transforming the land. By Thursday morning the garden
was largely completed so the group got stuck into putting
up a washing line, shopping for numerous items from LCW’s
wish list (including a double door fridge, fax machine,
cloths and so much more) and making numerous collages
from all the LCW photos and many other tasks that needed
to be done around the home.
In the afternoons when the children arrived home from
school, the fun began! We made Mr Eggheads, sock puppets,
musical instruments, steam bread, picture frames and
so much more. Each afternoon was filled with fun activities
and time to play leaving everyone tired yet satisfied
at the end of the day. On the final afternoon we prepared
songs and dances for our farewell concert. After a scrumptious
dinner together, the concert began with Dan and Mike
leading the way. The young children sang about being
in the Lords army while the older children danced about
the love of Jesus. Sara and Sophie led the AFC group
in some fun songs before the LCW staff performed a traditional
Xhosa dance, much to everyone’s delight! Everyone had
a turn to do something and Vusi even taught Dan and Mike
how to gumboot dance (or tried to).
As we said our farewells, there was much celebration
of how each of our lives was impacted by this time together.
The group capped off their memorable trip the following
night with a farewell dinner at Marcos African Restaurant
– a good way to celebrate all the work that was done
during these 11 days! 2 Way Travel looks forward to many
more AFC groups coming to South Africa and continue the
work that has been started.
Pittsburgh University Summer
in South Africa: 14 May – 22 June
Pittsburgh University sent 7 students and 2 lecturers
to South Africa as part of an exciting summer programme
of learning. While in Cape Town, the students spent 2
weeks in home stays with local families in Tambo Village,
a township just outside Cape Town. This unique experience
saw the students gaining African families while learning
about day-to-day life in the townships. In between lectures
and visits to local organisations, the group hiked up
Table Mountain, visited Robben Island, went to church
at Khanyisa followed by lunch at Mzolis and much much
more.
From Cape Town, they visited Stellenbosch University
from where Mike took them on a road trip to Jo’burg.
They stopped in Oudtshoorn where they visited the Cango
Caves, the beautiful towns of Knysna and Tsitsikamma
where some of the group braved the treetop canopy tours
and others the highest bungi jump in the world! From
there they cut inland and made their way to Lesotho where
they went on a pony trek in the majestic mountainous
region. After one more stop they were in Jo’burg where
thy spent much time at WITS University but still managing
to fit in memorable trips to places like the Apartheid
Museum. After Jo’burg, the group headed to Durban for
a week where they were involved with work at the Durban
YMCA. At this point, 2 Way Travel’s involvement came
to an end as the group continued up to Mpumalanga where
they were involved with a research project for a number
of weeks.
It was fun having this group in South Africa and to see
all that they were able to learn and discover!
