Monthly letter – May 2021

Although a monthly newsletter is not bound by when in the month it is sent, it is, however, bound by the month in which it needs to be sent. And so, considering my time restrictions my aim is density contained in brevity.

Our third calendar event – the amazing race – was an extraordinary event. Executed in a manner described by its own self-referentiality – amazing! What a race it was; after 4 checkpoints two teams were running to the final stage. Winners separated by mere seconds. To Daniella, Claudia and Daniella, thank you. Your effort, ideas and creativity were wholly felt by all those who participated.

A quick note, with Elena and Luchy’s arrival in July, we ask if everyone can keep Sunday day 25th July and Monday evening 2nd of August free. More detail will be given in next month’s newsletter
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Umazisi

This month saw some important events for the Umazisi project. The core team had their first meeting – passion, ideas and desire were evident within everyone. Going forward, Robyn and Tshepo will lead the project and self-organize in terms of executing all necessary actions to move forward. Tyra and Elena will lend their vision and commitment to seeing that the project maintains its purpose

Last week I met with Greenside and learnt that they are undergoing a change in leadership. Despite their interest and desire, their position means we will not be able to use Greenside as a school for the mentorship in 2021. Discussion, as asked by them, will resume for 2022. A disappointing outcome, yes, but a reflection of our hard work, no. The Umazisi team will continue to look for schools, to create content, to train mentors and to develop its own identity.

Idea of the month

An experience which also shaped my desire to write this letter with succinctness was that of the movie “The Prince of Egypt”. A movie that reminded me of how the power of a story, told with purpose and beauty can, in a single moment, express a feeling or idea shared by generations of humans. In one second, one lives a millennia of shared experiences – a spiritual ear listening in on the echo of life.