WhatsApp weekly update: 24–29 November 2025
Our leadership team met online this week. Sam White from Atlanta joined the team for the first time this week. Welcome Sam. He, together with his wife Janalene (originally from Durban), are alumnae of VYLTP 2016.
One of the decisions we made was to hold our 10th anniversary celebrations from
12–16 June 2026 as we can take advantage of that weekend. We hope that many of the alumnae as well as others between the ages of 18 and 35 will join us. Our theme will be “I call you friends” with a sub-theme of “From fear to courageous community”. How do we build friendships rather than fear? We look forward to some deep and joyful reflection on those themes.
We said goodbye to Lucas, one of Volmoed workers, who has been with us for more than 20 years. He was very excited about the drum we gave him as a gift and will take it to the Eastern Cape with him.
The drumming on Tuesday at the launch of the 16 days of activism against GBV brought a special vibrancy to that gathering. I received the following note from Marcia:
“Thank you so much to the ever awesome drummers! Their performance was incredible, and they bought energetic magic to the event! Lots of wonderful feedback about their talent. Well done to you 👏”
Our wonderful volunteers (Walter and Sarah) cooked some great spaghetti bolognaise for the young people on Wednesday. We do not normally meet on Wednesdays, but we did this week as they are busy working on 20 new drums.
Thank you again for those who continue to support us financially. Mike from Iona did not only donate to VYLTP, but also to the workers at Volmoed! Big thanks, Mike! Those who wish to donate on Giving Tuesday, please go to https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/volmoed-youth-leadership-training-program-vyltp/. Once again, Happy Thanksgiving!
Spotlight on wellness and disability rights
This coming week we will be meeting at Avreq (the Center for the Afterlife of Violence and the reparative quest) at Stellenbosch University to take one step forward in our 3-year Transgenerational Wellness project. Louis and Gerna (who has the Youth programme on their hearts) will join us for this.
Finally, we are elated to announce that the drummers will be in Hawston on Wednesday for the launch of “Disability rights” awareness month. We have actually not drummed in Hawston (even though it is so close to us) so this will be new. We look forward to that!
Volmoed Youth 