Freedom Day is a South African public holiday celebrated on April 27.  It celebrates freedom and commemorates the first post-apartheid elections held on that day in 1994.  The elections were the first non-racial national elections where everyone of voting age of from any race group including non-citizens were allowed to vote, no voters roll was used.  Previously, under the apartheid regime, non-whites had only limited rights to vote.

Situated on the southern tip of Africa between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the beautiful country of South Africa is hailed as ‘the miracle nation’ for its successful transition from an oppressive apartheid system to a democratic government in 1994.

Boasting abundant natural resources and excellent infrastructure, South Africa bears all the hallmarks of a highly developed country.  However, considerable economic and social problems remain from the apartheid era and unemployment figures are high.  One third of the population lives on less than two dollars a day.  Extreme poverty in rural areas continues to drive people to the cities in search of employment, with 57% of the population now living in overcrowded urban areas.

Amor has been working to fight the extreme poverty in South Africa since 2007!

Learn more about Amor’s work in South Africa here! Be sure to come back this summer and check here for more opportunities in South Africa in 2012!

As part of our 30th Anniversary celebration, we have been asking Amor Mission Trip participants to share their stories of how Amor has had an impact on their lives.  Submit your Amor story today! www.amor.org/MyAmorStory

Here is Kyle Ozawa’s “My Amor Story”.

Kyle’s Amor Story:

A few weeks ago, my friend and I returned from South Africa where we spent a week with Amor Ministries, building a house for “Mama Maria” in the township of Delmas. While I have built many Amor houses in Mexico prior to this trip, there was something very unique and powerful about this particular experience. From day one, our group was joined by members of the local community, churches, and schools. What was fascinating was the diversity of the group. They ranged from affluent white Dutch Reformed Church members to local neighborhood kids. Yet, despite their apparent differences, everyone got dirty, picked up a trowel, and helped get the house built in just under a week’s time.

There were moments when the situation was a little chaotic with so many people, but it was an amazing sight to behold. We later learned that for many of the white community members, especially the children, this was the first time they had been in an impoverished “township.” For the local black community, seeing members from the affluent white community work to build a house for one of their neighbors sent a powerful message that reconciliation can truly happen. What I realized in the end was that our work would have a much greater effect than the structure that we left behind. The irony of it all is that in the end, we broke down more walls than we actually built.

Kyle & Bill with Kids

Are you ready to see pictures of the actual house being built in Delmas, South Africa?  Today is your lucky day!  You have heard most of the stories and seen just a glimpse of what happened on the Amor Mission Trip, so check out all of the photos by clicking on the link below.

Flickr Site – South Africa Photos

Today we have a fun story for you!  It is the perfect story to show how much fun the group of participants are that traveled to South Africa for their Amor Mission Trip.

After arriving to the Maria’s house, the worksite, the Amor Team Members quickly discovered that we did not have some of the proper materials to begin work that morning.  They quickly contacted the materials vendor and remedied the mixup, but in the mean time the group DANCED IN THE STREET!  Since the group participants were eager to learn about all things South African, one of the Pastors led them in a typical South African dance.  It resembles a country line dance as it is known in the United States, just a bit different.  Nearly the entire group of participants jumped in to learn the dance.  Everyone loved it!  Check out the photos below to see the group of participants dancing in the street.  So much fun!

Group of participants dancing in the streets.

More dancing...

And some more dancing!

In yesterday’s post, you learned that the 2010 Amor Mission Trip to South Africa build a complete house for Maria.  Today, we would love to share a little bit about Maria with you.

Maria has lived in Delmas most of her life with her family.  She worked for the Mayor’s office but is now retired.  Thanks to the governing parties in the Delmas area, individuals and families receive a “housing allowance” of sorts to provide them with the means to build a decent place to live.  There is a specific protocol to get the “housing allowance” of $4,000 which requires individuals and families to get their name on an ongoing list.  The typical individual or family has their name on the “housing allowance” list for 20 years!  Maria and her family had been on the list and received their housing allowance years ago.  Unfortunately, the contractors that Maria hired to build her new home took advantage of her and stole all of her “housing allowance” money without doing any work on her house.  Her hopes of a decent place to call home for her family were completely demolished, she had given up hope.   One of the Pastors on the Amor Ministry Planning Board in South Africa, Pastor William, found Maria and requested that Maria receive the first Amor house to be built in a South African neighborhood.  Pastor William has a big heart for his community!  Through the end of the year, many of the Pastors and their congregations have decided to build homes for the poorest families in their communities.  They are reaching out to their communities and sharing the love of God to each and everyone.  We can’t wait to get back to that community and see all that God is doing!

Maria's neighborhood.

Joyful Maria

Maria making memories with Amor participants.

Maria with some of the local students that come to help build her house.

Maria working alongside the team to complete her house.

Maria's daughter joining in on the house building.

Dancing Maria!

We can’t wait to share more of the trip with you all, check back tomorrow!