Four young people from our diocese have travelled to our link diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman in South Africa as the second part of our Youth Exchange Programme. Our two dioceses have been walking together and learning from each other for many years and we hope that this exchange will pick up some important threads in our relationship that came from the Summit meeting we held in Kimberley in October 2023.
During the Summit, we pledged to prioritise young people as well as the environment, gender justice, training and community engagement. The young people will take part in activities around our priorities and help us to develop our thoughts and plans as we move forward. Part of this will be to make links with the other young people in the exchange group on both sides and to contribute to a report that is shared between the dioceses.
We will be regularly sharing what our group get up to on their trip, we ask that you pray for Hannah, Helen, Kaid and Kierce as they journey together.
If you would like to see what the young people from Kimberley and Kuruman did when they visited us in July, you can read about their trip.
13-17 September
The group spent time in the Archdeaconry of Gariep, South Africa, visiting various schools, churches, and community initiatives, led by the Revd Teresa. They visited Volop School during a celebration and fundraising day, where children had saved money over the year to purchase treats such as cakes and toasties, with proceeds supporting school trips to a local nature reserve. The day included parents who were brought to the event in taxis, and a local charity, Love Life, provided education on physical, mental, and sexual health for the young people. The group assisted as a 'bank,' exchanging money for tokens to help manage the fundraising process.
During their visit, the group observed how much the local churches value their connections with their link churches abroad. At St Phillip’s in Boegoeberg, they were shown quilts and tea towels from their linked church in Dorchester, representing the strong ties and support between the congregations. Thanks to contributions from these links, a stoop was built at St Phillip’s, enabling the church to run a soup kitchen even during power outages, a common issue in the area. The visitors also met with parishioners who shared their struggles with infrastructure challenges, including theft of vital resources such as pipes and electricity wires.
Additionally, the group visited another school in Boegoeberg, where they were impressed by the dedication of the teachers despite the lack of resources. They also spent time at a local soup kitchen, where volunteers provided meals for many children in need. The trip continued with visits to historical and cultural sites, including Moffat Mission, Robert Moffat was the first to print the Bible in Setswana for the people of the area and a meeting with Chief Kgosi Jantjile, who shared his vision for the local community. Through these experiences, the group witnessed the profound role the Church plays in supporting and uplifting its communities.
11-12 September
The young people have safely arrived in the Archdeaconry of Gariep. During their stay they will be visiting the Parish of St. Phillips Boegoeberg who has a link with the Dorchester team. They will be there until Saturday.
Reflecting on her first week Helen said:
A huge joy in Kuruman so far for me has been spending time with the young people of the diocese - Chandler, Kaone, Silva and thabiso have enriched our time in Kuruman so much and I’ve laughed so much with them. They felt like they’d been on the exchange for much longer! I’ve grown close and enjoyed sharing faith with them so much.
9-10 September
The group climbed a mountain in Kuruman which is nicknamed 'Holy Mountain' or 'Mount Zion'. They then spent time with the youth from St Paul's, Mothibistad (Kuruman). They talked with them and answered questions about the schools in England, English churches, what we eat, the languages we speak, and how we greet people. They then played fun games and ate dinner with together.
The next day they had lunch at St Michael, Batlharos who have a link with Newbury deanery, visited one of the tribal chiefs and went to a farm with goats, cows, and sheep, then spent time with the children from the farm.
7-8 September
It was a very busy two days for the group. They had lunch with the Revd Drake and his wife Hope, the Revd Drake was a political prisoner in the apartied and fled to Glasgow to avoid 5 years house arrest. They raised 2 of their 3 children during this period and their third born in Botswana when they returned to Africa.
The group visited Tsiamelo school for children with learning disabilities, helped with the recycling at St Stephen's church and worshiped with the youth of St Stephen's and St Phillip's (Vryburg).
They also visited Canon Thibat's farm, where they had their first braai and tried pap for the first time! Canon Thibat showed them his spinach and strawberries that he is growing and a water reservoir for the farm, drawing up water from a borehole using a small windmill (pictured below).
Reflecting on the past two days, the group shared that they were moved by listening to tough stories from people whose faith in God is still so strong despite all the challenges and that they found it inspirational to be with people that have been so tested and felt that God was beside them through it all.
6 September
Our young adults volunteered at a soup kitchen which is run by the Revd Simon's church, St Phillip's in Huhudi. The group found this a very difficult and moving time, with many children coming for food and donated clothing, as well as adults. They shared that it was good to see the church doing this very needed outreach with a group of committed volunteers.
The group were given a tour of Tiger Kloof School by a current student. The school was started by missionaries in the early 1900s and was closed during the apartheid. The school reopened afterwards with grant funding from donors abroad. Some of the boarding students are sponsored by people overseas to enable good education and to escape some difficult home situations.
The group also visited a nursery and early years school in the morning started by a parishioner in Huhudi.
5 September
The young people arrived safely in the Archdeaconry of Molopo, at St Chad's Taung, accompanied by Dr David Morris. St Chad's is one of the link parishes in the diocese with a link that as been active for a long period with Summertown and Wolvercote. When they arrived, they visited MM Sebitlwane school for children with special educational needs or disabilities. They also got a chance to see the Taung Dam/Reservoir. The Archdeacon of Molopo Ven Morake and The Rev Canon Kubheka were in attendance.
4 September
Bishop Brian popped in to greet the young people during their tour of the Cathedral Church of St. Cyprian the Martyr, the tour was led by Dr David Morris.
2 - 3 September
The group set off on their travels, starting from London Heathrow airport and landing in Kimberley, South Africa.
