Annual General Meeting

SAEP's AGM was today. The township school principals, teachers, and learners (many of whom comprise the organisation's management committee), along with SAEP staff and volunteers all gathered at a township creche for peanut butter cookies, a live marimba concert, and a solid re-cap of a successful year. Jane delegated the task of minute-taking to yours truly, so I spent most of the time with my head down, writing furiously, but nevertheless learned a ton about what makes this kind of grassroots work tick: tight community partnerships and intense personal investment by all involved, both providers and beneficiaries. We invest in you, you invest in you. That's the deal.

There were a lot of tears as various parties talked about the work that was done and the difference it made to them personally and their township in general.

Mfanelo said, "SAEP has brightened our futures. You have shown us the way." And Luyanda, "Sometimes I sit at home and wonder where I would be now if it wasn't for you to give me a chance in this programme. Lots of things are happening in the township: bad influences, peer-pressure and temptations. Through this programme I managed to resist all those habits. Even now some elders ask how I do it and I tell them just like it is: SAEP."

I would like to add that I think these students are giving SAEP a bit more credit than it deserves because they met the organisation half-way at every turn. But it's not like them to take credit for themselves, and I suppose their humility and gratitude is my favorite thing about them.

Pictured is Thobela, Letsekang, and Mfanelo. All gap year interns.