Please don't go!

"Please don't go..."

                                                        Lisa and Paul saying goodbye
It's hard to believe our time in Durban is coming to an end. On our third and final visit to the Westville Prison we were greeted with smiles and excitement from the male inmates in Medium C who were so happy to see us returning to spend one more morning with them. We were fully integrated into the Life Skills Programming today. Benjamin started the gathering off by leading the group in a boisterous round of "Boom Chica Boom". Imagine the prison filled with a sound not commonly being heard from inside those walls...25 plus grown men singing and laughing at the top of their lungs! The dingy prison walls seemed to glow with all the bright smiles. Benjamin said this group gives the kids at Camp Kici Yapi a run for their money in terms of participation and sheer volume!

Sthe allowed us to each facilitate our own segment of the program today. Benjamin lead an exercise on health and self awareness while Lisa's activity focused on values and prioritizing those in life we each personally value for self improvement. The session ended with each of us taking time to thank each participant and it was at that moment the impact of the work the YMCA has on the lives of these young men could truly be felt. One of the inmates said he felt that he had been touched by an angel and others asked if the YMCA could please do another session of Life Skills Part Two because they felt it was the most valuable thing they have in the prison. Sthe was so happy with our facilitation he said it was like we had always been a part of the group. This only solidified what we already know in that the work we do at the Y is so similar and that the impact of programs focusing on Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility can be felt throughout YMCAs around the world in all settings.

Upon returning back to the Y, staff and volunteers from the National Office were coming to us to say their goodbyes and it began to sink in that we would be leaving soon. We fortunately were able to share in one last dinner with Paul and Sanele reflecting on the goals that we had accomplished up to this point and brainstorming ways to further collaborate in the future. Upon leaving the restaurant, we walked past a stone wall with mirrors with the words "please don't go" etched in them. This couldn't have been more reflective of the thoughts and feelings on all of our minds that night.

As we said our final goodbyes, tears flowed as we truly felt the connections as family but also because we were so thankful for our time together. We cannot thank the YMCAs of the Greater Twin Cities or the Durban YMCA leaders and staff enough for this life changing opportunity. The hospitality and love we felt made this quickly and effortlessly our second home and family and we all agreed to remain committed to continuing this invaluable relationship.

                                    Benjamin and Skimbuzo (Durban Y Volunteer) saying goodbye

Wrapping up work in Durban

                        Benjamin, Deanna, Lisa, and Ceaseway (visiting the University Y in Durban)

Wow, we can't believe it is already our second to last day here in Durban, time truly has been flying by!  It is only lunchtime and the bittersweet reality of us leaving is starting to settle in.  We have new YMCA family here, and it is wonderful!  The Durban YMCA has invited us into their community in every way possible-from YMCA site visits to generous invites to family dinners-not a moment has gone by that we haven't felt a part of the Durban YMCA family.  Although every minute of every day is filled here, there never seems to be enough time to spend with all of the wonderful staff and volunteers of our new YMCA family.

We had an eventful weekend, filled with wonderful opportunities to connect and learn from our new found YMCA friends and colleagues.  We started the weekend with a collaborative Skype workshop with Paul, Senele, and fellow Y USA Emerging Leaders Resource Network steering committee members Heather Evans and Tabitha Durham.  Our topic of discussion was the Global YMCA and Emerging Leadership, and the conversation and peer-teaching was an inspiration to us all.  Over the weekend, we were graciously invited to two "Braais" (South Africa BBQ), tasting many of the various dishes South Africa has to offer and enjoyed lively conversation with fellow YMCA family members.  In addition, we had the chance to spend time with our Y buddies, visit lions and elephants in the "bush", and attend local church services with Paul and Ian (CEO of YMCA).

                                                          Lions at Natal National Park

                                             Lisa with an Indian elephant at Natal National Park

Goodbye Cape Town, Hello Durban!

Greetings from The continent of Africa! Unbelievably so, we are already at the half point of our professional journeys throughout Capetown, Durban, and soon coming, Johannesburg.  Since we last updated you, We have seen and learned quite a bit about the Y movement here.

Lisa and Paul at Anchor House Durban Y

Last week while in Cape Town, we were honored to meet youth from throughout the nation of South Africa at the National Youth Council meetings. One of the most astonishing and inspiring pieces on this journey has been to witness such authentic youth leadership from within the Y movement. Whether a volunteer, a participant, or a staff, youth actively participate in the governance and vision of their organization. Not only were we encouraged by their leadership, but we had the opportunity to share meals and fellowship after hours and see how the Y impacted them on the various levels in their lives.

Youth of National Youth Council Meeting

Following the National Youth Council meetings, we traveled throughout the Cape Town area with board leadership and staff from the Cape Town Y. We were able to see so many YMCA landmarks, from the breathtaking property of Little Stream, to the Cape Flats YMCA, and the student Y at the University of Cape Town (one of the most respected educational institutions in all of Africa).

With so many fond memories  and smiles, Saturday we departed Cape Town and headed to Durban to start our energizing journey of connecting with our partner YMCA. Just a brief 2 hour flight from Cape Town lies Durban-a bustling city on the Indian Ocean where a melting pot of cultures come together, primarily Zulu, Indian, English, Dutch, and people of blended ethnicities. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by Meryl (wife of Ian, CEO of Durban Y), and spent the weekend getting to know community members here in Durban. Ian generously invited us to dinner and to his church where we were able hear him preach and lead his congregation.

Buddies!! Sthe and Benjamin

Over these last few days, we were welcomed one by one by our buddies and even shared some of the buddy scrapbooks with them.  First Sanele, then a wonderful afternoon with Paul catching up. And this morning we were surprised by a very special visit from Bongiwe (a brand new mother), and Sthe, whose gentle nature was so welcoming to us both.  Thanks to the Skype opportunities created with the Y-GEO kit, the year plus "buddy" bond created fertile ground for face-to-face instant connection.  In addition, today we had the chance to sit-in on two different computer literacy courses with Sanele, and see the inner workings of daily life here at the Durban Y. Thanks to a great conversation with Ceaseway (new programmer manager), we received the chance to address programming, monitoring, and outcomes in youth justice and youth intervention programs.

Lisa, Paul, and Benjamin at Indian Ocean

A special thanks to those of you that were able to join our Skype today! We understand the busy lives you all lead in the Y, and we were greatly encouraged and inspired to have the chance to see and hear so many supporting faces and voices.

Until soon, take care!

Home away from home!

Hello! Thank you for taking the time to read about our journey!

We departed Tuesday from MSP airport for Africa, packed with packets of info about our YMCA association, gifts for our newfound friends, and full of excitement for the conversations and inspiring people to meet!  Two planes and 36 hours later we arrived in lovely Cape Town to the sight of a big YMCA sign.  It truly felt like a bit of home!  Being awake for virtually 36 hours straight, there was nothing like seeing fellow movement members to welcome us and a "Y" everywhere we looked.

We were fortunate to be here for the annual National Council meetings of the South African YMCAs. Twelve of the eighteen YMCAs were represented at the meetings and we were pleasantly surprised to see familiar faces including Ian Booth, CEO of our partner Y in Durban, along with Quinton Mitchell, YMCA board volunteer, who visited with us in Minneapolis earlier this year to learnmore about our Y work. It was also wonderful to meet many influential leaders of the South African YMCA movement whom we had heard many wonderful things about from our Senior Leaders, including Siepho, the National General Secretary, Llowelyn, CEO from the Capetown YMCA and other dedicated and passionate staff and volunteers such as Ricky From the Cape Flats Y.

The first morning began with devotions relating the YMCA as a "family" and "where we are from" . We were invited to share with the group, and so we shared our concept of a "mission moment". We talked about the sense of welcomeness we felt from the moment we arrived.  Through this brief sharing we were able to articulate with the group how impactful this experience had already been on us.  Over the next couple of days we witnessed further conversations and discussion regarding the future of the South African YMCA Movement. We also were blessed with the opportunity to hear from some of the youth that were involved with YMCA in leadership or in the University setting.

A special highlight for us entailed a visit to the Constantia prison that took place today.  Our YMCA van with the mission "Empowering youth for life, leadership and service" was waived passed the armed guards and through the tall barbed wire fence gates.  Our fellow YMCA staff, Rufus, led us in programming with inmates inside cell block "C" at the prison.  For two plus hours the group huddled in a circle sharing from their heart.  The discussion started with all of the inmates reading from a piece that they prepared, "What I am thankful for". This piece was insightful for us both as it not only related to some of our work back home with the Y, but also gave us a peek into the daily livings of the men present.  We no longer felt inside a prison but rather part of a group that believed in each other and the power to make our lives, the lives of others, and our communities better.  It is amazing how the Y brings people together and transcends all barriers, including the bars of prison.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read, until next time!

Thank you for such a wonderful send-off!! We are off tomorrow morning!!