Velokhaya - Cycling for a Purpose

Molweni (hello everyone)! This has to be a quick post, but I really wanted to let everyone know what a great time I'm having here in Khayelitsha. My host family is wonderful!! There are two little ones who I adore and hang out with everyday, as well as two older kids who I am really getting to know quite well. The family is great and I feel really comfortable with them, which is making my time that much better.
I wanted to let everyone know about my placement in Khayelitsha. I am working at an organization called Velokhaya, which is an after school BMX cycling program for kids and youth to get them off the streets and passionate about a healthy alternative. I met the founder of Velokhaya, Amos, who completely lit up when he told us all about how it started as a dream - a way to give back to the community and provide kids with positive mentorship. I couldn't help but stand in awe of his passion for kids and the dedication it has taken him to build this centre from the ground up. He has accomplished so much in 11 years and is an inspiration to the kids!
Please check out the website to learn all about Velokhaya! (Kyle, I wish you were here, you would absolutely love this place) www.velokhaya.co.za
For now, that is all the time I have, but I have lots more to come so please keep checking!
Lots of love and hugs!! xoxo

Off Again!

After an amazing last year in Guelph, I finally completed my undergraduate degree (thanks to the friends and family who got me through)!! It was a great year full of ups and downs, but rewarding nonetheless! I feel really excited and ready to take on whatever lies ahead of me. So guess what? My bags are packed and I'm off to rekindle my love for travel and an area that captured my heart this time last year. I'm participating in another Project Serve International, this time in South Africa. For four weeks I will be staying with a host family in Khayelitsha, a township just outside of Cape Town. The focus of the trip is HIV/AIDS and we will be partnering with Canada World Youth. So far, this is all the information we have and will be finding out our placements when we arrive. After the 4 week program is up, I will be travelling with two other girls around the southern region. This is part of the reason I decided to go on this adventure - I really felt drawn to Botswana, especially the SOS Children's Village I volunteered at last summer. The kids, teachers and everything about that community was so welcoming and loving I couldn't resist returning for a visit! If you want to know more about my experience last year, check out some of the older posts on this blog. And please continue to read up on my journey, as I will be updating this blog from time to time.
I have no idea what awaits me, but I know it is going to be unreal! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
Lots of love xoxo

An excerpt from the book, Iron Butterfly, by Birute Regine

You were born with potential.
You were born with goodness and trust
You were born with ideals and dreams
You were born with wings.
You were not meant for crawling, so don't
You have wings.
Learn to use them and fly.

Rumi