On my first week in Cape Town, what seems like ages ago, we heard the touching Amy Biehl story and first experienced the poverty in the townships. Kevin Chaplin, the managing director of the Amy Biehl Foundation, taught us about the history of the organization and offered keen advice for our future careers. His lecture and story really touched my friend Zach and I. So, for the next few weeks, we emailed Mr. Chaplin in an effort to learn more. Thankfully, he agreed to meet with us yesterday! (Picture: Zach and I)
After getting slightly lost in the Cape Town business district, we arrived at the seventh floor foundation office. The walls were filled with pictures and articles about the foundation as well as art from the students. Within a few minutes of our arrival, Mr. Chaplin escorted us to his office showing his favorite children’s artwork. Throughout the meeting, we discussed everything from how we foresee our futures to the foundation’s marketing plans to how to start a non-profit organization. He is full of knowledge and life experiences and so willing to share!
Of course, Mr. Chaplin is a busy man so our meeting did not last too long. However, he introduced us to his staff who gave us a tour of their office. We even met a student from John Hopkins University who is serving as an Amy Biehl intern. What a great job! Additionally, Zach and I had a long, deep conversation with the marketing director. This sweet man worked as a high-paying construction company executive but had an addiction problem. One day, we realized his life was not what he wanted. He quick his job and began working for the Amy Biehl Foundation and couldn’t be happier. He even told us a story of how he participated in the New York marathon within months of having hip replacement surgery. Unbelievably, he took twelve Amy Biehl disabled students with him to complete the daunting task. After nearly nine hours, everyone crossed the finish line. He explained that the students’ determination inspired him on that day and continues to do so everyday since then. Children are miracles for sure.
The rest of the afternoon consisted of a Mc Donald’s McFlurry and last minute souvenir shopping at the Waterfront before going to dinner. Ish, Corbus, and Lance planned our evening on Edward Street. They drove us to the Starlight Diner, an American inspired menu. America in South Africa?!? They thought we missed home. Sweet boys! At dinner, I even met a member of the South African parliament who graciously shared with us the best places to visit in Cape Town. I think we impressed him when he realized we had visited most of his suggestions.
Then, we danced the night away at a local club. The fog machine, strobe lights, and techno music made for quite the party!
Just in case you are curious: http://www.amybiehl.org/
Random Fact: June 16th is national Youth Day. During the apartheid, the government instituted a law that school must be taught in Afrikaans. However, in the poorer districts and townships, most of the black students spoke other languages essentially setting them up for failure. In 1976, student protests scaled to riots. In a riot in the Soweto township, a photographer took a picture of a young man and girl carrying a twelve year old boy, Hector Pieterson. The picture spread the cruelty of the apartheid becoming incredibly iconic. In fact, the students have a poster of the picture in their Sir Lowry’s classrooms. So, every June 16th, the country celebrates the protestors’ bravery and South Africa’s future generation.
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