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Cape Town Field Trip (every alternate Tuesday)


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Important:

Kindly note that variations to this itinerary are possible, the operation of  many of the Uthando projects are dependent upon many unpredictable factors.

Notes, Excludes & Includes

Cost: 650.0


Notes

The townships are safe, but of course it is better to take precautions, please leave valuables in the hotel (ie jewellery, expensive watches etc). Bring a camera and sufficient cash to purchase arts and crafts at one or two of the stops.

Tour Day every alternateTuesday
Tour Duration 13:30 - 18:00 (approximately 4.5 hours)
Start Location Cape Town
End Location Cape Town
email: tours@uthandosa.org
tel: +27 21 469 2650
click here for the brochure

Experience South Africa like never before…..its not a township tour, its not a trip down guilt lane, it’s not a begging bowl route ….it’s a field excursion to discover, learn, understand, see, experience, feel and most importantly, be inspired!

While the world goes about its daily chores, earning a living and living a life, millions of people around the globe are making amazing human stories in the face of almost insurmountable adversity. Uthando (Love) South Africa now offers visitors to South Africa, the opportunity to obtain a glimpse into these amazing stories. We have tried as far as possible to present an authentic, non-commercialised view of this aspect of South Africa.

The tour will commence with a visit to the halfway house and prisoner rehabilitation project called Beauty for Ashes, located in the culturally diverse and bohemian suburb of Observatory. In South Africa, statistics indicate that 80 percent of ex-offenders will be back behind bars within 3 years of their release. With unemployment in SA at around 40 percent, and prisons operating over capacity, the prospect for rehabilitation is bleak. At Beauty for Ashes you will learn more about the myriad of issues confronting ex-prisoners in a society where crime is a very important issue.

We then travel to Hout Bay and pay a visit to Imizamo Yethu township. Time permitting, visit one or all three amazing empowerment projects in the valley where you can buy hand made and highly unusual bits and pieces, T-Bag Designs ( www.tbagdesigns.co.za ), Mandela Park Mosiacs ( www.mandelaparkmosiacs.co.za ) and Iziko Lo Lwazi.

The picturesque valley of Hout Bay has a so-called coloured and black township with populations of approximately 8000 and 15 000 respectively. Many of these people were drawn to the valley by employment opportunities offered by the thriving fishing industry at the time. In the year 2000 the authorities withdrew many of the fishing quotas, with the consequence that today over 50 percent of the population live in abject poverty.

We visit two projects in the valley aimed at assisting and developing the youth, giving them an opportunity to escape these harsh realities and find meaning, purpose and opportunities in life.

First stop is James House, a child and youth care centre. Started in 1986, James House serves  abandoned, abused and neglected children and youth; young people and families made vulnerable through HIV / AIDS, unsupported and abused mothers, and young people in trouble with the law.

Hear and see the miracle stories that have been created through the dedicated work of James House, the home that love built.

Finish the afternoon off with a truly inspiring visit to Jikeleza Dance Company.  Founded in 2002, Jikeleza now has approximately 150 children between the ages of 6 and 18 years old enrolled in the programme, and the children receive daily classes in classical ballet, contemporary, street, African and Spanish Dance. The love, passion and dedication of the team at Jikeleza are truly making a difference in giving underprivileged children “A Chance to Dance”.