Heritage Day

WhatsApp weekly update 6 Oct–12 Oct 2025

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Hope always wins

This was a week of new insights, new connections and new experiences, especially with the visit of 26 Americans.

  1. Cleo and Masixole were supposed to leave for Taizé yesterday (Sunday) but British airways insisted that they should have a visa to pass through Hillbrow airport. They will now therefore only depart on Tuesday via Amsterdam. Not sure what the Brits are thinking! Thank you to all who contributed to their pocket money.
  2. ⁠On Friday morning we hosted a USA group led by Dr Michael Spath. What a great group of people! They bought two big drums from us and are taking it with them to the USA.
  3. ⁠On Friday, some of the drummers performed at the Marine hotel in Hermanus, to celebrate the opening of a new section of the coastal cliff path. They enjoyed this experience and were exposed to many media representatives.
  4. ⁠We continue to be supported by several individuals, especially Prof. Hugh Corder who this week donated his speaking fees to VYLTP! Thank you Hugh, for all you are and for your great support.
  5. ⁠Two of the USA visitors are connected to the Iona community in Scotland and hope to connect Volmoed and Iona and also the Iona youth to the Volmoed youth. We look forward to that.

Please say a daily prayer for all unemployed young people in South Africa, and especially for those who are part of the Volmoed youth programme. Their challenges are legion but their hope is stronger. Hope always wins!

Edwin Arrison
WhatsApp: +27 847351835

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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