South Africa's Next Generation: Youth Empowerment and Child Well-Being in Post-Apartheid Society
This trip examines youth empowerment and child well-being in South Africa, in a post-apartheid context. This trip seeks to explore the root causes and implications of the welfare, health, happiness, and fortunes of South Africa’s next generation. Taking into account what we presume to be the roots of the problem—post-apartheid divisions (economic and social), poverty, high HIV/AIDS prevalence, low youth empowerment, etc.—the guiding question becomes centered on implications and resolutions.
Each morning during the trip, participants will work in small groups at two Cape Town-based organizations. Africa Jam is a youth empowerment program based in Khayelitsha Township that runs safe programs after school hours and offers camps during summer holiday, providing camp experiences, HIV/AIDS awareness, and Christian fellowship. Throughout all its programs, Africa Jam empowers youth through the arts of music and dance. The second service site, sisters4sisters, is a growing community-based group in Cape Town, dedicated to the empowerment of women and girls. The Sisters raise awareness about issues like domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, and homelessness. They provide support for women and children in these situations through mentorship, workshops, and direct assistance. It has created a Young Girlfriends and Boyfriends program for its youth, a program that educates and empowers youth on important issues like HIV/AIDS and sexual education—issues that may be hard to talk about at home.
At these sites, participants will investigate youth empowerment and well-being from multiple viewpoints through conversation, service, and other interactions. In the afternoons, participants will gain a deeper understanding of South African culture, history, and youth-based NGO efforts through a variety of meetings and tours. Evenings will consist of cultural immersion activities and group reflection sessions.
Trip Issues
We are interested in how social problems affect rising generations in South Africa; how they are dealing with & interpreting the problems; and how they are overcoming complex issues and shaping their future in the face of such overwhelming challenges.
We know that there are many paths of opportunity available for South Africa's youth, from strengthening their religion to becoming “big sisters” in community-based programs, like the sisters4sisters program. By comparing and contrasting the obstacles and opportunities of American youth with that of youth in South Africa, we will see this social justice issue is especially relevant in South Africa today—in a country where apartheid has ended but injustices still linger.
About the Student Leaders:
Ryan Youra is a sophomore double majoring in International Studies and Anthropology. He was a participant in the 2010 South Africa Alternative Break trip that focused on the Rights of the HIV/AIDS Positive and At-Risk Populations. He participates in the Model United Nations club and coaches youth in competitive rock climbing.
Meredith Daniel is a junior majoring in Public Communication and double minoring in Sociology and Education Studies. She was a participant in the 2010 South Africa Alternative Break trip that focused on the Rights of the HIV/AIDS Positive and At-Risk Populations and is excited to return to Cape Town once again.
Tentative Schedule (subject to change)
Day 1
Arrive in Cape Town, South Africa
Program briefing
Stay at guest house in Observatory (entire trip)
Day 2
Introduction to Service Sites: sisters4sisters, Africa Jam
Visit Mama Thope’s Bed and Breakfast
Tour Khayelitsha township
Xhosa lesson
Day 3
Morning Service
Braai at sisters4sisters
Day 4
Tour Robben Island
Visit Table Mountain
Day 5
Visit Spier Estates and Markets
Meet with Spiers Estates
Dinner at Moyo
Day 6
Morning Service
District 6 Museum
Tour Oudekral
Day 7
Morning Service
Meet with Africa Jam
Day 8
Morning Service
Meet with Grassroots Soccer
Visit Signal Hill
Day 9
Morning Service
Meet with Rebecca Hodes, University of Cape Town AIDS Social Research Unit
Day 10
Morning Service
Meet with PEPFAR, US Embassy
Day 11
Equal Education Camp
Green Market Square
Music Festival
Day 12
Camp’s Bay Beach
Day 13
Morning Service
Meet with Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS (GAPA)
Visit Heartworks
Day 14
Morning Service
Meet with Habonim Dror Youth Movement
Meet with Muslim Youth Movement (MYM)
Day 15
Depart Cape Town
