Nontlahla Pearl Labatala shows off the
tree decoration she has just made
The apparent paradox (for us) of a hot midsummer New Year in South Africa serves to remind us how vast and varied life is on our beautiful planet. We look back with deep gratitude on a full year of rich contrasts, and in particular at the last few weeks since returning to South Africa at the beginning of November for another extended stay. Our Releasing work has continued with old friends from our previous trips, and many exciting new connections.
- Our collaboration with Ginn Fourie from the Lyndi Fourie Foundation continues, and we eagerly await Ginn's return from being with her son and daughter-in-law for the birth of her third grandchild.
- The Youth for Change team in Khayelitsha, including Commander Zet, have received government funding for a bicycle education project which keeps the youth of the township off the streets by providing them with the opportunity to learn bicycle maintenance and road safety as well as a small fleet of bikes for them to ride.
- Rev. Constance Thiyeka lives in an "informal settlement" (shacks) in the neighboring township of Philippi and has been organizing our workshops for her enthusiastic branch of Youth for Change, and also supporting us in bringing Releasing to adult members of her community.
 "Mama" Constance Thiyeka (wearing orange, center rear)
and a Releasing group in Philippi
- Old friend, long-time Releaser, and new Lindwall Foundation Board member Renee van Kraayenburg hosted us in Johannesburg and organized a wonderful workshop which we gave together for members of the various healing communities which she and her husband Frikkie support. Monthly Releasing gatherings have been taking place in Johannesburg since Isa and Yolanda's first visit over ten years ago, for details contact renee@healthwakeup.co.za.
 Frikkie and Renee van Kraayenburg. Renee is a long-time
Releaser and new Foundation Board member.
Exciting new connections include:
- Working with the Amy Biehl Foundation sharing Releasing as part of their after school program in the township of New Crossroads. Youth members of their HIV Peer Counselling group were enthusiastic participants in a series of workshops. We have also been delighted to have Stephi Pongratz, an Austrian intern at the Amy Biehl Foundation, join us for a number of our workshops and other activities.
 Releasing training with HIV Awareness Peer Counselling group.
- The Shaster Foundation runs a community healing project in an area of Khayelitsha called Monwabisi Park. Community members have participated in erecting three two-story building amongst the shacks of this informal settlement, with a fourth on its way, providing a youth center, a health clinic, a creche, offices, a Bed and Breakfast, and shortly a community center, a school and a computer center. We will be offering Releasing workshops after the holiday break.
 In the foreground, the Shaster Foundation's "Inclovu Project"
clinic and youth center. Behind, the new admin and B&B building.
- Inspired by the wonderful film "Freedom Writers" based on the work of Los Angeles teacher Erin Gruwell and the book "The Freedom Writers Diary" where former gang member students were inspired to write about and through writing transform their lives, we have begun to integrate diary writing into the Releasing work with the township youth.
 Members of Youth for Change intensely focussed on writing
their personal diaries during a Releasing workshop.
As 2008 approaches, we send our love to you and look forward to the work ahead of us.
With best wishes for a joyful and fulfilling new year.
In love and light,
Stephen Marcus & Barbara Kroll
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