This morning I woke up to an email telling me that I have been placed at the Amy Biehl Foundation as my service site this semester. I have heard only wonderful things about this site, it has been recommended to me by other students who have been in the program before and I find the history and mission of this foundation to be incredibly inspiring.
For those who are unfamiliar with Amy Biehl's story, she was an American woman working in South Africa during the end of the apartheid. In 1993 she was tragically killed in an act of political violence by four young men. The four men applied for amnesty through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and were released, but not before facing, and being forgiven by both of Amy's parents. This foundation was set up by her parents to continue her work in South Africa, "Weaving a Barrier Against Violence". The Foundation has many different projects. I believe I will be working with the Youth Reading Role Models Program, where I will be working with children, helping them develop reading skills, self-confidence and character. I won't have any other details until I arrive and get started but it is so much more real now to have an idea of what I'll be doing a few days a week for the next five months!
On that note, I cannot believe I will be leaving in only three days! I am so incredibly excited and also really really nauseous right now! It's not so much going to South Africa that freaks me out, but 5 months just sounds SO long. However, I am confident that not too long from now I'll wish I had even more time there.
Thanks to everyone who has shown their love and support as well as generosity as I prepare for my adventures! I really appreciate it and I am so fortunate to have the love and support of so many of you here at home, and I will take it with me, wherever I am in the world.
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