Day 10: A Dream Deferred
Day 10: The Amy Biehl Foundation
Today we were fortunate to be able to visit the Amy Biehl foundation in Cape Town South Africa.
"On
August 25, 1993, Amy Biehl was murdered by radical members of the militant Pan
Africanist Congress while working to help South African blacks and women vote
in the countries first diplomatic election. The Amy Biehl Foundation (ABF) is a
non-profit organization that was founded in 1997 in Cape Town, and draws breath
and inspiration from Amy and her example. The foundation reaches out to
thousands of children in the Townships through After School programs. The aim
is not just to keep the children off the streets and away from all the negative
influences (drugs, crime, violence etc), but we are especially focused on
giving them that extra necessary education in crucial areas such as HIV/AIDS
prevention, reading, computers, greening and environment, music, arts, sports
and more. With these programs the children are given the opportunity to show
and improve their skills and creative development, which is crucial for their
future. Over the years the Foundation has flourished in its mission to ‘Weave a
Barrier Against Violence’ by emphasizing social, cultural and economic
empowerment through its programmes. Currently, two of the young men who were
convicted of Amy’s murder and granted amnesty, work for the Foundation to make
these programmes a success. They are a living embodiment of the values, such as
forgiveness, reconciliation and tolerance, which we strive to teach the youth
of Cape Town through our work" (ABF
South Africa Website // ABF US Website) After watching the story of Amy Biehl and listening to the opening remarks by the CEO, I was even more inspired and motivated by this organization about my own business endeavors. They are doing much of what I hope to be doing within the next ten years. Their business plan and methods are truly something to emulate as they seem to have figured out a wonderful formula to fund private enriching educational support, enrichment, and extracurricular activities for the Cape Town Township youth.
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| Post Participation photo-op |
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