On Thursday, Kevin Chaplin, the Managing Director of the Amy Biehl Foundation, came to talk to our group. The foundation was established in the memory of Amy Biehl, a young American woman who traveled to South Africa in the early 1990’s to help promote the post-Apartheid elections. While driving friends home one night, she was murdered by a mob of angry blacks, the same people she vowed to save from persecution, simply because her skin was white. The four men who were convicted of Amy’s murder were pardoned after a five-year prison sentence due to the forgiveness of the Biehl family. Amy’s parents’ story in itself is a tale of human compassion and strength in morals, but what’s even more incredible is the fact that two of the murders work at the Amy Biehl Foundation today as service directors.
The main focus of Kevin Chaplin’s presentation to us was based on living a life of significance over a life of success along with the idea of “ubuntu.” “Ubuntu” is described as the connection between people through a mutual respect for all individuals and cultures. These ideas both especially pertain to the service mission of Global LEAD through connection with the locals while focusing on a fulfilling life of compassion. Kevin used to be the Cape Town area manager for First National Bank, but gave up his prestigious title to head the Amy Biehl Foundation. Kevin’s life truly is a testament to his mission: a man living his life not for the material rewards, but rather for personal fulfillment and service to others.
After lunch we loaded up the buses to head to the after school centers run by the Amy Biehl Foundation in the local townships. Driving through the townships was by far the most depressing thing I’ve ever seen. The average size of a house was about 15x15 feet and the shacks were basically stacked on top of each other they were so close together. The ground was covered in dirt and garbage was piled everywhere. There were more dogs roaming the streets than I could count. However, in the midst of the extreme poverty were hundreds of smiling children. They waved to us from the streets and ran behind our bus; their enthusiasm and joyful spirits was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. After our drive through the townships, we visited two of the Amy Biehl after school centers and were greeted by elaborate dance performances by the children. I used to think I could dance until I saw these little guys. They could easily be professional dancers, moving their bodies in ways I didn’t think was possible. It was probably the highlight of my trip up this point.
Friday was an extremely moving day for me. As stated before, it was hard for me to comprehend the inhuman living conditions in the townships. It was even harder for me to comprehend how the children could be living such impoverished lives yet have a joyful spirit a thousand times greater than any child I’ve seen. After some personal reflection, I realized the lives of the children in the township are a testament to Kevin’s message of a life of fulfillment. These children do not dwell on their lives’ of poverty and political corruption, but rather focus on the real significance of life: friends, family, faith, and happiness. This is by far the most inspirational thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. I have never been more thankful for the opportunities God had given to me in life.
Charles Purcell
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