By Wilma Jakobsen | Project Leader
It has been an exciting few months for the Volmoed Youth Leadership Training Program. The highlight was the 10th anniversary five day conference in June, what an amazing, joy-filled event it was! Based in Hermanus, hosted by an energetic group of people whose hospitality, cheerfulness, love and kindness spread through the whole gathering.
Young people gathered from all over the Western Cape and other parts of South Africa, along with our local young people and people, and volunteers and visitors from Stellenbosch and the USA . Our leadership team usually meets online but this diverse, gifted team was complete in person.
Content and discussion sessions focused on youth movements and young leadership in the past, the present and future. Intentional diversity of people at round tables, of culture, language, race, denomination, age, country, ensured rich discussions and shared stories - a rare gift.
Discussions and overarching goals for the future were formed in groups with great creativity, focused on the five themes of VYLTP: Creation and Creativity, Healing and Wholeness, Peace & Justice, Beloved Community, and Reconciliation. https://volmoedyouth.org.za/vyltp-2036-aspirations-plans-ideas/
On 16 June the actual 10thanniversary, a great gathering of younger and older folk took place at Volmoed on a gloriously beautiful day. Addresses by Prof John de Gruchy and Dr Allan Boesak bookended the event and five members of the original 2016 cohort were present.
In director Edwin Arrison’s words: “It is clear that Volmoed gave birth to something really special in 2016. The alumnae of 2016 who returned saw that they had multiplied: just stronger, wiser and more hopeful. By 2031 and 2036 we hope to see something even more special! After encountering this group of young people over the weekend, one of the older people said to Edwin: “Before this conference I was very worried about the future, but these young people gave me new hope!”. Their combined energy brought some of us to tears several times during the event, which was full of new hope and new possibilities. What a gift it was.
It is a year of anniversaries – in April the young people joined with staff and residents of Volmoed to celebrate Volmoed’s 40th anniversary and four decades of providing a beautiful, peaceful space to bring people together for the work of reconciliation, justice and healing.
In May, one of our regular Taizé youth days brought young people together from the Western Cape and locally, to reflect, sing, attend workshops and walk the new path to the grotto, led by the new manager, where the group sang from the back of the grotto in beautiful harmony.
That same day, two of our young people left for Taizé in France to volunteer with the Taizé Community. Ten weeks later they returned, with greater confidence, wonderful experiences, many learnings from living and working together with young people from all over the world, and spending time in silence.
For Mandela Day on July 18, VYLTP drummed for 67 minutes, right at the ocean in Hermanus. It was wonderful to see people of all ages, races, cultures, languages and countries coming together to drum to remember Mandela, while looking at the gorgeous view of rocks, ocean, waves that is Hermanus. It was a fitting tribute to Nelson Mandela and his leadership and legacy. It filled us with hope and gratitude, amongst all that challenges us in our life together in South Africa.
As part of Mandela month, the young people have been building a wendy house (tiny home) for one of the cohort who needs housing for herself and her child, which is almost finished. It is a wonderful achievement and they are proud of what they have done.
Other achievements for individuals these past months include one young person who wanted to finish high school, was accepted into a local school and started classes.
Another got a job in a local picture framing shop. These opportunities were made possible through their involvement in our VYLTP program that works with unemployed young people, builds confidence, teaches leadership skills, drum making skills, and prepares them for possible opportunities that are life changing for them. It is a privilege to be involved in this work.
THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ONE FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS
WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT THIS MAKES OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
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