Volmoed Youth Leadership Training Programme

17/10/2026

Volmoed Youth Weekly Update: 12 - 17 October 2026

Dear friends:

One of my favourite quotes from a saint (Julian of Norwich) is: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” Those of us who try to live as consciously as possible, need to constantly remind ourselves of these reassuring words of Julian: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” We see what is happening, and shine a light: “Evil will never have the last word.” (Tutu) And therefore “All shall be well….”

With these words in mind, let me therefore dive straight in.

This week, we started two new initiatives: (a) as we continue to build a safe space, as well as a “brave space” for the young people entrusted to our care, I composed a relatively compact daily pledge to be said by the young people every time we gather.

Whenever we meet, we read it in all 3 languages of the Western Cape: English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa. Below, for your interest, is the English version:

VYLTP DAILY PLEDGE

“Today, I pledge to listen, to learn and to lead by serving others.

I will respect the dignity of every person, practise ubuntu, and stand for justice, peace and reconciliation.

I will act with honesty, integrity, discipline and responsibility.

I will do nothing, in person or online, that brings shame or disrepute to myself, my fellow participants, VYLTP or Volmoed. I will strive to make my words and actions a source of pride and hope.

I will use my gifts to make a positive difference in my community.

I am a leader. I am an ambassador of VYLTP. My actions matter. Together, we build a better world.”

We hope that this will strengthen our little beloved community. Similar to our 5 themes, it will also serve as another reference point (our still-point) for our life together.

(B) The second thing we did was to welcome Sal Carter to the RDP, who will be with us for the next few Fridays to listen to the stories of the young people, to help us with admin and to ensure that we have all the important details of the young people on file. For many reasons, please keep Sally in your prayers over the next few weeks.

In other news:

1. It is always a privilege to welcome our good friend, Erik de Jongh, from the Netherlands. For years now, he has been spending significant time with and resources on the young people. He has some interesting ideas for early next year, but I will share that with you once it is concrete. Thank you for your great presence, Erik! We look forward to welcoming Rob in January 2027.

2. Before that however, we will welcome two Taize brothers on 12 and 13 November here at Volmoed and in Hermanus. They will be in Southern Africa for about 3 weeks. For those who do not know, it was at Taizé in France where I first learnt about “Contemplation and action” or “Silence and Solidarity”.

3. And even before we welcome them, we will gather at Wortelgat for the second SACC Wcape/VYLTP weekend (6-8 November). David Daniels and his colleagues have done a great job to convene us and we look forward to the first weekend in November.

4. Of course our local elections are on 4 November and the USA mid-terms are on 3 November. Anything can happen before or after. In South Africa, we need to pray against the division and violence that arises during these periods, and for great wisdom and patience afterwards as we figure out the best practices for “coalition politics”. Ultimately, the question is: what serves the people best?

5. We are still overjoyed at Judge Navi Pillay being awarded the Nobel Peace prize. I was reminded yesterday that the symbolism behind this award to her is especially powerful at this time. Pillay represents the voice that shouts out for all of us to respect international law. Last night, Mike Spath led Bob Herbst and I in a conversation about what it might mean, especially on what it means for the prevention of genocide. We will let you have the youtube link for this soon.

6. To get back to the present: This afternoon at 3pm, we will be at the United Church to support not only a wonderful ecumenical initiative of music and song, but also to support the Zwelihle youth choir. If you are in Hermanus, please join us. R100 per ticket. Many thanks and many blessings on all of you. All shall be well…..

Rev Edwin Arrison
Director: VYLTP
Email: [email protected]

17/10/2026

Volmoed Youth Weekly Update: 4 - 9 October 2026

Dear Friends,

South Africa is, as many of you know, a nation of extremes and paradoxes. While a South African judge (Navi Pillay) was awarded the Nobel Peace prize yesterday, a small group protesting immigration tried to break into our highest court, the Constitutional court. This is both the highest and lowest of South Africa. And it happens at the same time….all the time.

This is not likely to change anytime soon. Local and global criminals will act with impunity if they are allowed to get away with it. We need to support each other and pray for South Africa as we approach the elections on November 4. Buckle up, and hold on tight. It is not going to be easy….

The USA visitors who have been travelling with us throughout South Africa these last two weeks, saw this reality daily. Their own country, more complex than ours, went one step further yesterday, probably because poor Donald did not win the Nobel Peace prize: they sanctioned the whole of the ICC! The current USA administrations’ attack on international law puts South Africa in their cross-hairs. We look forward to Navi Pillay’s speech on 10 December where she will probably re-affirm the sanctity of international law.

As a nation, we remain on the right side of history: South Africa will continue to defend and uphold international law, even if we get sanctioned. For this principled stand, South Africans have to buckle up and hold tight. The current USA administration will do everything to divide us.

Is there a way to get all South Africans on the same Navi Pillay page? If so, what an incredible nation we would be! But Kallie Kriel and Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma refuses to even begin to understand what Navi Pillay stands for. That is the stark challenge we (VYLTP) face right there: we must ensure that we train the young people in Navi Pillay’s morality and ethics lest they fall into these other base instincts that exist. We can say with confidence that we are doing just that.

We are really very proud of our current cohort of young people: the feedback we received from our USA visitors were incredible. We also received some wonderful feedback from our Avreq researchers and from a group who came to do some democracy training with them. While they often turn in on themselves, I reminded them on Friday how good they are. If we don’t do and say this, who will? God made them not only good, but very good (tov). If you have not seen a letter of encouragement I wrote to young people a while ago, please read it at https://volmoedyouth.org.za/2025/05/18/on-worthiness-rev-edwin-arrisons-message-to-young-people-in-english-isixhosa-and-afrikaans/

Big thanks to our USA visitors who have already begun to support us. Michael Spath has pledged to raise at least $3k for a new shipping container at RDP. Thank you dear friend and brother, Michael Spath! You are an amazing support for us. While Donald represents the worst of the USA, Michael represents the best.

We are not optimistic but we are hopeful. We will not only survive but thrive. Already South Africa plans to host the Olympics in 2036, the first time it will happen on the continent. Some of us are dreaming of re-enacting the 1980 Pilgrimage of Hope to Taize, Jerusalem etc in 2030. There are plans for a possible VYLTP trip to Oregon in 2028. Several groups and individuals will visit here in 2027. I know this because they are talking to me. There is therefore much to hope for and to live for.

We therefore shout: Ubuntu! In good Cape Town Afrikaans we say: “ons gaan boentoe”! (We are going up). Indeed…. Ubuntu! Many blessings of ubuntu on all of you.

Rev. Edwin Arrison
VYLTP Director
Email: [email protected]

My message to the young people Each one of you has a story. All of your stories are of infinite worth: worthy to be listened to, and worthy of being redeemed. Why? Because each one of you has been …

17/10/2026

*Volmoed Youth Weekly Update: 28 September - 3 October 2026*

Dear Friends,

Where do I begin? With Gratitude. There is no better starting point, especially daily. Thank you to those who journey with us in our ministry. Some of you give monthly amounts, some support us with once-off amounts, some give us deeply prayerful support . But each one of you are very very special to us. Desmond Tutu, the saint whom we focus on at Volmoed this week, would have said: “Buti: you are right. Always have gratitude, and always express it”. I wrote a short bio of Arch Tutu this week, and it will soon appear on the Volmoed website: https://www.volmoed.co.za/pages/volmoeds-40th-birthday/

We are currently hosting a wonderful USA group at the moment, under the leadership of our dear friend Michael Spath. They have many deep questions about South Africa. I admire them because they did not simply come as tourists but really as pilgrims. Yesterday they walked with the young people through Zwelihle township. Residents were surprised to see this group of “umlungu” being really present with them amongst the shacks, and showing great respect. The children were especially great, and also very surprised!

We visited Lukhanyo primary school where we planted a tree. One delegate (a member of Rotary) wants to go back to the USA and hope to give the school the 18 projectors they still need! Volmoed Youth is truly acting as the leaven in the lump in Zwelihle and Mount Pleasant. People in Mt Pleasant were really surprised when they saw us building the little shack. They know that many talk; but only some act. May this ministry of loving action, undergirded by deep spirituality, continue for many years!

FinGlobal collected their 23 drums this week. Please pray for their staff members there as they make use of these drums. Jayrodene did a great job at painting them in such a short time. Dankie Me Geduld! You remain part of us. The same goes for someone like Ayabonga, who returned this week, as well as Amanda, who accompanied the pilgrims and shared her thoughts with them. The USA visitors were very impressed by all the young leaders! The highly skilled Arone also remains a stalwart. He got the children to dance on Friday morning.

Our drummers have been invited to open the Blue flag beach on Thursday this week, and this will be followed by a workshop on democracy and citizenship. Our Avreq researchers will also visit on Tuesday.

The last 3 months of this calendar year is going to be intense! Please hold in your prayers both the leadership team (Rene, Seth, Wilma, Thobeka, David, Sam, Mona, Siya and myself) as well as the young people as we engage the five themes of Volmoed: creation and creativity; peace and justice; healing and wholeness; beloved community; and reconciliation.

Let me end with a wonderful ecumenical initiative in Hermanus, as these local churches pursue the kind of unity that we need in South Africa: the United Church, under the leadership of the incredible Rev Bevan Sylvester, will be hosting an afternoon of quality music in aid of St Peter’s church organ at United Church on 17 October. Tickets are R100 per person and can be bought from the St Peter’s church office. We encourage those who can, to attend! Besides our presence there, the Zwelihle youth choir will also be part of the line-up. Let us continue to build and strengthen these amazing bridges. We thank you in advance. Selah!

Rev. Edwin Arrison
VYLTP Director
Email: [email protected]

The program will kick off in November 2025, with a time of discernment about what it means to be a sustainable intentional community of faith in our current context. We are in the process of setting up a series of other events to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Volmoed and the 10th an...

26/09/2026

Volmoed Youth Weekly Update: 21 - 26 September 2026

Dear Friends,

I love starting these updates with good news: Last week, a Hermanus resident, a woman of deep faith, approached me and said: “I have R50k that I want to spend on the townships. How would you advise me?”.
I gave her several options and she decided to do two things: firstly, she went with me to Lukhanyo primary school and decided to buy two projectors for two classrooms, something they desperately need; and the rest of the money will be spent on the food-garden at the RDP. This kind of generosity and resources exist in Hermanus and does a world of good to build bridges between South Africans, and to empower children and young people. Long may this generosity and bridge-building continue to happen! Unfortunately, the “white genocide crowd” are doing the exact opposite, and I am happy that there is significant pushback to their narrative from within the Afrikaner community in South Africa.

The second piece of good news is that our friend and brother, Dr Michael Battle, is on the mend. I had conversations with him this week, and his healing has been remarkable since the last time I spoke to him. Much more healing needs to happen, so please continue to hold him in prayer.

Then: last weekend, we had a really wonderful and energizing gathering at St Peter’s, Hermanus, of almost 40 young people from across the Western Cape.

At the end of the weekend, the young people pledged what is in the slide above.

They worked on 5 day plans, 5 week plans, 5 month plans and 5 year plans and presented these. We wish them strength as they implement. SACC WCape Youth and Volmoed Youth will gather them again in mid-November to assess what they have been able to achieve and empower them further. Our 10th anniversary work of empowering and organising the young people in the faith-space continues!

Those who catered for us and who hosted the young people at St Peter’s were absolutely magnificent! The quality of the food was great! Thank you, St Peter’s team. May God continue to bless you all. The 3 St Peter’s parish young people (Keegan, Jasmine and Omolemo) were very very impressive in all they said and did. And hopefully more young people from the parish and the archdeaconry will join them. For now, they are the pioneers!

One can only admire all these young people. They are willing to be or become active citizens, despite all the challenges that life in present-day South Africa throws at them. In some ways life is harder now than what life was like in the 70s and 80s. Then we had a “cause” to live (and die) for and it energized us. Today, they have social media - that creates impossible expectations - and not much else.

Of course, we - those who were and organized youth in the 70s and 80s - really expected life to be better for the next generations, and yet it is not. Many of the young people are still victims of bad education outcomes and a toxic social setting, despite the fact that we have what has been described as the best constitution in the world. Unfortunately, when those other foundations (good education, safety and security, food security) are not properly laid, the rest becomes wobbly. Constitutionalism becomes a pipe-dream. How can we continue to journey with our young people under these circumstances? How can we support them? These questions keep me and the rest of the Volmoed Youth leadership awake at night.

To give just one example: Three taxi drivers were killed in Zwelihle this week. This is the trauma that our young people are having to contend with. We (the adults) have a huge responsibility to say: “This is not normal. We will do all we can to ensure that you experience some normality”.

I know that some of the young people do not want me to say or write this, but I write it to demonstrate several things. Here goes: When God calls me home one day (whenever that may be), please write the following words on my grave-stone or wherever: “Organise the young people of faith! Organise the young people of faith!”. Without good organisation of this particular group, very little that is good and hopeful can happen in the church. The future of the church and society on the whole continent literally depends on this. These organised young people can push back against the doom and gloom, against hopelessness and despair and the systems that produce and re-produce these. Let’s continue to work hard to create the safe spaces in our faith-communities that will allow them to organise themselves well.

To all those who support this work, a big thank you! We appreciate your tremendous support for this work with young people. May God bless you.

Edwin Arrison
VYLTP Director
Email: [email protected]

19/09/2026

19/09/2026

Volmoed Youth Weekly Update: 14 - 19 September 2026

Dear Friends,

Thank you again for reading this weekly update/reflection.

Those of us working closely and daily with the most marginalised part of our population are always searching for signs of hope, no matter how small. When we see even a glimpse, we really hold onto it, we treasure it. Of course, we distinguish between optimism and hope. We know that optimism is here today (when we win at rugby, for example) and gone tomorrow (when Trump decides to again target South Africa and South Africans). The hope we have, and hold onto, is fortunately beyond all of this. Hope endures for ever, hope gives life and light and energy.

I can just imagine a Desmond Tutu in deep despair on some days, and still coming out on a Sunday to preach a most hopeful sermon. I actually know that this happened for real. Our hope is deeply rooted in the One who overcame death, and this is who continues to sustain us. Nothing and no-one can take this away from us. Those who cause despair - even those responsible for the killing of South African women this week in Ekhurhuleni - can try to break our spirit (and they do try ALL the time), but they will always hit a brick-wall of hope. We will continue to engage in actions of hope against injustice, inequality, femicide and genocide. Unfortunately for them, that is who we are. That is our faith. We can do and be no other.

1. This week, in one such glimpse of hope, Rotary Hermanus hosted someone called GG Alcock, the author of “kasinomics” (economics in the township) at the United Church in Hermanus. It is important to note that a church building was used to gather people to display hope. This is not a small thing. Rotary was very intentional to ensure that people from across the different communities in the Overstrand attend. Well done to Rotary and the United Church!

15 of the Volmoed young people attended because others sponsored their attendance. Alcock grew up in a Zulu village and speaks isiZulu and even some SeTswana fluently. Like the musician Johnny Clegg, whose son, Jesse, led our national anthem in Baltimore, GG is a “Zulu blanc”. In his person, he is a bridge. And he is able to build bridges. He and others like him (eg Allan Knott-Craig) have all the datapoints to build up some really strong arguments. The great mission in South Africa is (has to be!) to build bridges between the different economies and economic approaches at play here as we live in completely different worlds. We try to do this at Volmoed all the time. Since we started the youth programme, it has become the most natural thing for us to bring these worlds together, and we must hold onto this gift. It is unfortunately something we can lose very easily if we do not deliberately nurture this gift.

In terms of content, Alcock spoke about SCALING UP what is already happening in our townships. This is the opposite of what someone such as Clem Sunter would have said. Clem spoke about starting a million new businesses, but Alcock says: “These businesses exist: acknowledge it and help grow it. If today they employ 3 people, tomorrow they will employ 6”. This would even apply to our little drum-making experiment (that’s all it is at the moment) as well. If orders increase, production will increase. The future of this is still being discerned, but thanks be to God for this tremendous gift! 3 options are possible for us (as far as I can see): we keep it at its current level, or it grows, or it gets closed down. The jury is still out. Watch this space.

2. So: As you receive this update, we (Volmoed Youth and SACC Western Cape Youth) have gathered 40 young people from across the Western Cape from different denominations at St Peter’s church in Hermanus to continue to build beloved community. We are literally building the ecumenical movement from the bottom up. If we do not do this, if we do not love, nurture and organise our young people, others such as the gangs will do it, even if their motives are the opposite of ours. Actually, they are hard at work doing just that. We are just playing catch-up. I am personally very very encouraged by the young people who are gathered here.

This hard yet joyful work must continue to counter the violence of this post post-apartheid society, one in which young people are seen as simply expendable.

We have a choice: either we go GG Alcock’s route (which we as VYLTP generally follow) or we go the route of the gangster criminal state. The next 5 years is going to be absolutely critical as it will determine what South Africa’s longer-term future will look like.

To strengthen what we do, groups such as VYLTP will have to grow. We definitely need more staff. The challenges our young people face are much bigger than the current team. Our Fellow, Natalie, is with us in Hermanus and ready to help us do that. She had a great meeting with the team of betterfundraising.com and we are excited about the way forward.

Am I still hopeful? Absolutely. I am not optimistic, but I am hopeful. Thank you for all those who are journeying with us. We appreciate you. Much love

Rev. Edwin Arrison
VYLTP Director
Email: [email protected]

12/09/2026

Volmoed Youth Weekly Update: 7 - 12 September 2026

Dear Friends,

1. Thank you for reading these updates and for great feedback I receive on a weekly basis! Where in the world is there another youth programme that puts out a weekly update? Let me start with some really surprising good news first. This week, out of the blue, a highly respected local business in Hermanus ordered 22 drums from us for their staff after visiting our young people and seeing them making the drums. We do not currently actively market our drums so this is partly why it surprised us. Thank you, Theo Krynauw, for introducing this local business to us.

2. Also, out of the blue: 4 new young women from Mount Pleasant joined the Volmoed Youth team this week. Again: we do not advertise what we do; some people are simply drawn to us. In South Africa, it is unusual to see Afrikaans and Xhosa-speaking young people forming this kind of beloved community, but at Volmoed Youth we make it happen almost daily. Great credit must go to my colleague, Siyabonga Vonco, for managing this for many years now. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

3. On Thursday, as part of our September focus on “Creation and creativity”, we took the young people to the water-treatment plant here on Rotary way in Hermanus, then to Enlighten Trust (for those who want to continue their schooling next year) and then to the Space agency. It was a really wonderful day, stretching the young people’s knowledge and imagination to capacity. May we never stop doing this! As one friend said: “The township kills dreams, visions and imagination of people. It kills creativity and humanity. We must push back against that”. Yes, we will….

4. We cannot just complain about the high youth unemployment rate in South Africa: these young people are not mere statistics or talking points. They are firstly human beings with innate dignity, created in God’s image. Imagine that? Many of them have even given up on life and on themselves, but within a loving and disciplined environment, all things become possible. If every small township had something similar, “youth squares” if you will, South Africa would be buzzing. But it takes real commitment and great partners (which many of you are: thank you!) to do this work, and often we have to block out some noise just to focus on our primary ministry. We do not see ourselves simply as advocates for young adults: we are witnesses, because we see it daily: real, deep change is possible.

5. On a similar note: as we remember the victims of 9/11, today is also South Africa’s 9/12. Steve Biko, a young Anglican who was killed by apartheid police, died on this day in 1977. He and fellow-activist Peter Jones were already arrested in the Eastern Cape on 17 August 1977 and was severely tortured by the apartheid police. Besides being a philosophy of empowerment and dignity, the Black Consciousness movement, which Biko led, was a bulwark against mental slavery and it built both confidence and skills amongst its followers. In a year’s time, we will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Biko’s death. I hope we will not only celebrate an idea whose time has once again come, but actually build the hard and soft skills to turn this idea into reality in order to reverse the deep inequality of this society and re-affirm everyone’s humanity. Conferences and papers about this are not enough. Progressive academia without activism is merely theorising about a challenge. We need really urgent, wise and disciplined action and then reflect on that.

6. While many of us were greatly saddened this week (desolate) by the passing of our beloved Bishop Luke Pato this week, I was consoled by a wonderful visit to Fr Larry Kauffmann, a great Kairos theologian. He is based at the chapel where Arch Tutu had his last few annual retreats. I was privileged to spend some time in the chapel there. Please hold Larry in prayer. It was particularly good to listen to his reflections on the 1980 Pilgrimage of Hope when 144 young South Africans travelled to Taize, and he put me in touch with one of the participants. Some of us are dreaming of the 50th anniversary of this in 2030 (God willing), but this time with delegates from across the continent. Africa and Africans will unite!

7. Our chaplain, Rev Wilma Jakobsen, left yesterday for Taize in France until end of September. Please pray for her as she prays for us.

8. Enkosi kakhulu, baie dankie, thank you very much for all your prayers and support. By next Saturday, 40 young people from across the Western Cape will again have been meeting since Thursday night in Hermanus. And finally…. Drumroll….Today, our Springboks take on the All Blacks in Baltimore, MD. 5pm Maryland time 11pm SAST. May it be as epic as the previous games and go down to the wire!

Rev. Edwin Arrison
VYLTP Director
Email: [email protected]

06/09/2026

🙏🏽 A Prayer of Hope for VYLTP & Volmoed

6 September 2026

O God, our Way Maker,
Today we give thanks for the seeds planted,
the lives touched, and the relationships that have carried us this far.

Move among us with your Spirit.
Guide our hearts with wisdom.
Steer our steps with humility.
Send us forward with courage and hope.
May we have the humility to honour the journey, and the courage to discern the road ahead.
Remind us that transformation requires
truth, grace and a willingness to grow.
Guard us from the things that divide,
the fears that limit, and the use of power that diminishes rather than empowers.

Teach us to choose:
🌱 Purpose over position
🌱 Service over self-interest
🌱 Collaboration over control
🌱 Courage over comfort

May personalities never become greater than purpose, nor differences deeper than our shared calling.
Help us speak truth with love,
listen with open hearts,
and build relationships rooted in trust, dignity and respect.
Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ
and attentive to Umoya-Spirit,
as we serve the young people and emerging leaders whose hopes and futures are at the heart of VYLTP’s ministry and mission.
May VYLTP and Volmoed continue to be places
where lives are shaped,
leaders are formed,
relationships are strengthened,
and communities are transformed.
May we draw wisdom from the past,
embrace the present with honesty,
and be sent into the future with:
✨ Courageous faith
❤️ Strength to love
🌍 Resilient hope

May we continue to embody Jesus, Justice and Jazz —
a faith that follows,
a justice that transforms,
and a rhythm of grace that brings people together.
Amen.

06/09/2026

Volmoed Youth Weekly Update: 31 August to 5 September 2026

Dear Friends,

Hope you are keeping well, amidst the craziness. There are weeks when two civilian aircraft flying over a stadium in South Africa barely register. And then there is suddenly a week when some people completely lose their minds about it!

Social media explodes. South Africans are crazy! they shout. Why was this allowed? they ask.

Someone pointed out that some of these same people seem far less outraged when planes — including planes they help finance — drop bombs on civilians in Gaza, Ukraine, Lebanon or Sudan. They truly excel at selective outrage.

It all became so intense this week that even our national aunty, Aunty Merle Abrahams from Belgravia Road in Athlone, had to enter the conversation. Please see her take on things here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BvsbRkqtY/?mibextid=wwXIfr

And for those of you who did not know that we have a “national aunty” in South Africa: well, now you know. Her real name is Marc Lottering!

Yes, we are crazy. But it is a good kind of crazy. We don’t do the bad kind of crazy — supporting genocides, shooting up schools, etc. Those are the things that should offend us.

Symbolically, the two planes reminded me of a quotation often attributed to Augustine:

“Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are Anger and Courage: anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not have to remain that way.”

Both are necessary if we are to act in hope.

Hope is not simply optimism that things will somehow get better. Sometimes hope means becoming angry about the way things are — and then finding the courage to do something about them.

Which is why anyone who thinks they can divide South Africa needs to think again.

We will push back — with hope, holy anger, courage and of course humour. We are not the rugby and Test-cricket (yes, five-day cricket!) World Champions for nothing!

This week we tried to put that hope into practice. We led hopeful conversations about the migration crisis in South Africa at a Catholic church in a local township (Zwelihle) and at Volmoed, in partnership with the Institute for the Healing of Memories. We look forward to continuing this work together.

We are going to need another million such township conversations. If that is what it takes to find our way back to ubuntu, then that is what we shall do.

We will not allow local or global criminals to push us away from the constitutional ideals that defines us.

It was a modest beginning. Now we need to see how we can accelerate it.

And imagine if there were no Volmoed Youth Programme — a place where intergenerational conversations can be had, ideas tested, mistakes made, where we can learn, create and discover new possibilities together.

That is why this work matters.

In other news…

1. We have been blessed to have a really high-quality candidate accept the part-time Fellowship position we are offering, with a focus on fundraising and deepening the sustainability of the youth programme. Her name is Natalie Sifuma. She will be starting soon, and you will hear much more from — and about — her. Natalie is currently an MPhil student at the UCT Graduate School of Business, and we will be visiting her class on 21 November. Welcome aboard, Natalie!

2. On Monday, we visited Lukhanyo Primary School in Zwelihle to drum with the teachers — they loved it! — and to do a fundraising workshop with them. We will also be taking a group of visitors from the USA to the school on 2 October.

3. Planning for our 17–20 September gathering in Hermanus, together with the SACC Western Cape Youth, is now going ahead at full speed. Registrations are closed, and the good people of St Peter’s Hermanus will once again adopt us for the weekend.Thank you so much. We are privileged to have your support. David Daniels will soon set up a whatsapp group to communicate directly with those who have been accepted.

4. The day before that starts, we will attend a session at the United Church on “kasinomics” — the economy in the ‘kasie (township) — with author GG Alcock. The session is being organised by Rotary and the Business Chamber.

5. I will also attend the National Church Leaders Consultation in Cape Town this week. And, for those who know him, I hope to visit one of my favourite Kairos theologians, Larry Kauffman. Please keep him in your prayers.

6. Thank you once again to all of you for your wonderful support — financial and otherwise. We simply cannot do this work without you. Many, many blessings to you all.

And, as we continue this journey, let us hold on to hope — and to its two sisters, holy Anger and Courage — as we work together to build a more just world.

Rev. Edwin Arrison
VYLTP Director
Email: [email protected]