WhatsApp weekly update 29 Sep–3 Oct 2025

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A consistent laser focus on the 62% youth unemployment rate in South Africa is the only thing that will solve this challenge: VYLTP is doing its little bit and if 1000 similar groups across the country do the same, we will give significant hope to young people in South Africa, and to the next generation. Thank you to all who are helping us to do this …we can overcome this Goliath.

  1. This week, one of our young women participants (Afikile) informed us that she got a job at an Indian curry restaurant in Hermanus. We rejoice with her! She made it clear that she is still part of us and turned up on Friday morning.
  2. A small action we did this week was to buy a “kota” from a sister of one of our young people for our Friday lunch. The more everyone support micro-efforts like this, the more we can break through the challenges we face. A “kota” is a unique South African township meal.
  3. David Daniels – a VYLTP leadership team member – is currently at Taizé. and was able to connect with Inathi there. Today he meets with Brother Matthew, the prior of Taizé. Next Sunday, Cleo and Masixole leaves for Taizé. Please keep them in your prayers. Thank you to those who are supporting them, especially Nigel!
  4. We met with someone at the Marine Hotel connected to the opening of the new cliff path in Hermanus. Some of the drummers will be part of that opening ceremony this coming Friday.
  5. Also on this coming Friday (but earlier in the day) a wonderful group of 27 American friends connected to those who hosted us in the USA last year, will be visiting us in Zwelihle.
  6. Bridget Fleming, an excellent geography educator who wants to assist the young people to at least get their Matric, will bring a group of educators from the UK to us on Monday, 27 October. Of course we have another session with Pro Musica and others on 25 October at the Grobbelaar hall. ⁠ October is turning out to be a very busy month!
  7. I started briefing Imtiaz Sooliman of Gift of the Givers this week about the drum-making project. We will meet in Cape Town soon. He is part of the News24 On the Record summit in Cape Town from 19–20 March, 2026, where international and local speakers will share their views on how to solve our unemployment crisis.

Thank you again for your supporting the Volmoed Youth Drumming project!

Edwin Arrison
WhatsApp: +27 847351835

“The best Heritage Day ever”!

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WhatsApp weekly update 22–26 September 2025

  1. Let me start this update by sharing a “hunch” I had on Monday morning to write a note to the head of the UCT Music Department to share with her about the work we do. She responded well. By Friday, I met a wonderful UCT music student at the Kairos40 conference. He is busy with his PhD and very interested in the work we are doing.
  2. On Tuesday, Kevin Johansson came to visit us, to see and hear about our work and to share some thoughts. Our conversations will continue!
  3. On Wednesday we did the opening performance at the Tourism Office’s Heritage Day celebrations. After that, Avreq (from Stellenbosch University) took us for “brunch”. We often assume that everyone understands a certain word. Almost none of the young people knew the term “brunch” as none of them has English as a first language. The brunch at La Pentola was a wonderful festival, where we were thoroughly spoilt by the chef and his staff. The comments from the young people were heartwarming. Most of them had never been in a restaurant. One said: This was the best Heritage day ever!
  4. Once again, a big thank you to those who support our work. Special thanks to Patrick and Stephanie who have decided to give a monthly amount. Others who wish to follow this example are free to support our 10/10/10 campaign.
  5. Inathi Paliso did our the first “Volmoed youth drummers” Instagram post this week! Those of you on Instagram, please follow “Volmoed youth drummers” and/or simply like the post.
  6. Amy, a priest from Boston, is now actively planning a youth visit to us for July 2026. Her plan is to bring USA young people here in 2026 and plan for a visit to them for 2027.

Edwin Arrison
WhatsApp: +27 847351835

WhatsApp weekly update 15–19 September 2025

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Dear friends

September and October are normally two difficult months in terms of cashflow. Thank you to those who have come forward to ease this burden, especially the Groote Kerk who ordered 20 of our drums. Please continue to support us either through Global Giving or through the 10/10/10 campaign. Easy, secure payment is also possible via PayPal.

Thank you again for your supporting the Volmoed Youth Drumming project!

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WhatsApp weekly update 8–12 September 2025

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Thanks to everyone who supports this important work! 62% young unemployed people in South Africa represents 2.1 million young adults. It is important to move beyond the statistics to the names and faces, stories, hopes and dreams of these young adults … and do something about it. South Africa cannot move forward with such a high youth unemployment rate. “Nature abhors a vacuum” and we should not be surprised at high crime levels or substance abuse or depression if we do not tackle this crisis head-on.

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WhatsApp weekly update 25–29 August 2025

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Friends: The 62% youth unemployment rate in South Africa is the greatest challenge we face as a country. VYLTP tries to tackle this challenge head-on and we are learning many lessons which we hope can be replicated nationally. Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement. Here and the highlights and spotlights for the week:

We paid small honorariums to the young people (all of whom are unemployed) this week, and this is only possible with your support.

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VYLTP WhatsApp weekly update 18–22 August 2025

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Several new people supported and joined our 10/10/10 campaign! Six Hermanus Rotary members supported us, as well as several USA friends: Elizabeth Stong, K Karpen (both in New York City); Sarah Nash (an alumni) and Mary Lasher. A big thanks to all of you. Thank you also to Hermanus Rotary for hosting us on Thursday night and for your great donation! We look forward to hosting you at RDP soon.

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WhatsApp weekly update, 28 July-1 August 2025

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The 10/10/10 campaign is picking up speed

  1. How do I say thank you enough for great support and for believing in the work and vision of VYLTP? A wonderful young dominee, Bonganjalo Mbenenge from Jo’burg, pledged and paid R1000 towards the 10/10/10 campaign! Thank you so much my godson! Thank you also to several others who have given over the past month and more, especially the Gambale family and others.
  2. Our young people have also begun to recruit supporters in Zwelihle and Mt Pleasant, people who are willing to give R10 per month from the little that they have. We look forward to the current trickle becoming a stream and then becoming a flood. I have posted the 50 10/10/10 campaign forms to Thobeka Dodo in Durban.
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WhatsApp weekly update, 21–25 July 2025

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Thank you again, everyone, for your love and support. On Thursday, someone who wishes to remain anonymous heard me speaking to the young people about 10/10/10 campaign and immediately pledged to give R1000 to the campaign! We are deeply grateful.

This week we also received the flight tickets for Cleo and Masixole to go to volunteer in Taizé (France) for 3 months in October. We must now apply and pay for their visas. Please pray for this process.

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