Today was nothing short of incredible. We began our day with a visit to the Amy Biehl Foundation Trust and watched a video about the Amy Biehl Foundation.
For those of you who have never heard of Amy Biehl, she was an American who graduated from Stanford in 1989 and received a scholarship in 1992 to travel to South Africa to work for the future of a multiracial democracy. While doing this, she assisted in registering voters for the first democratic election and worked for the inclusion of women’s and children’s rights in the constitution. In August of 1993, Amy was killed during an act of political mob violence by four young men. She was stabbed and stoned to death after being pulled from her car while driving home through the township of Guguletu. She was killed by the very people whose rights she was diligently working for. The four men were sentenced to 18 years in prison but were released after just 4 years after applying for amnesty through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Amy’s parents supported their release and launched the Amy Biehl Foundation in 1997. Two of Amy’s killers currently work for the foundation.
To me it is absolutely amazing that Amy’s parents could have fully forgiven her killers and even employ them today when it is difficult for us to forgive a friend after a small wrongdoing. It was nothing short of incredible to meet all the workers of the foundation and to see how invested they all are in the program. The trust works in the township schools of South Africa and has organized programs that reduce the levels of crime, violence, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, sex, gangsterism, and idleness. The programs provide alternative s to these such as sports, arts, environmental programs, music, and youth reading and role models where 7th graders read out loud to 1st graders.
Today we got to see just a glimpse into these programs at the schools. We witnessed the reading program, listened to those involved in the music programs, and watched many students showcase their dancing abilities that they have learned through the creative arts programs. We had the chance to interact with the students and even joined in on the games and dances. It was probably one of the most life-changing days I have had on the trip. I hope to one day be able to come back here and educate students in HIV/AIDS prevention and the prevention of teenage pregnancy. Whether or not this actually happens, I will one day come back to South Africa.
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