Cape Town day 2

We had the most amazing opportunity to visit the University of the Western Cape and the Mayibuye Archives  - basically the archives of Apartheid. They have over 200,000 photographic images, Robben Island archives, art, materials for the ANC, oral histories, over 4,000 documentaries, newspaper articles from other countries, the International Defense Aid Fund, and so on. It was like being in history heaven!! One striking fact was that the because they had to send the archives out of the country at one point during the apartheid era, this is why the truth became better known outside of Africa. Also cool to be at a large University, if almost completely people of color.  Until 1994, only people designated as "colored" were allowed to attend- no "blacks" or whites.  But it is changing now.  

We had the most amazing lunch at a B and B in the Khayelitsha township (established in 1985  and where large numbers of blacks were forced to move during the final years of apartheid) -home made traditional meal - colorful and delicious. Beef, chicken, rice, sopa beens, veggie currie, rice, watermelon and birthday cake for one of our students. We heard the story of the owner, an older Black woman whose family was forced to move there. She's had a long career if development work with women and got a fellowship in the U.S. to go into entrepreneurship. She came back, saw all the tour busses going through but never stopping and getting out, so applied to be a tour guide and eventually opened a B and B that includes walking people through the neighborhood to break down barriers. Really awesome and eye opening. She's helping other women go into business as well. 

We also visited the Philani Child Health and Nutrition project - focused on low income mothers and children.  The idea is that the first 1000 days of a child's life are critical to later success.  By ensuring good nutrition early on, they are making a critical difference.   They have a number if programs - the "mentor mother" program has trained women from the neighborhoods go door to door in the settlements and identify woman who are pregnant as well as malnourished kids - they offer support and education, trying to reduce the 20% child mortality rate before age 5.  They also have a weaving and art program for income production and to give women the skills for financial independence.  Many of us found items to buy in their shop - glad to support the cause and to find beautiful items. 

Ended the day with a good group processing session. We really have been blessed with a great group of young women eager to learn, examine, engage and cooperate. 

Donna & Martha