It's not just rugby

We are freshly back from Greenbelt and any day now Ade will be flying to South Africa, he is going for the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in Cape Town, but will also spend a few days in the Eastern Cape saying the briefest of 'hello's to our partners and friends there. 

In some ways a chance conversation at Greenbelt in 2017 was the spark that led to Khanya. Ade and I had spent a fortnight volunteering at Amasango Career School at the beginning of the year. That August bank holiday, over a pint at the Jesus Arms, Ade said he couldn't get out of his mind that many of the learners wouldn't go on to high school and would have a trade or skill with which to earn a living. He was thinking about going back and talking to a few people, he said.

Ever one to grab an opportunity for some winter sun, I invited myself along for what turned out to be a fascinating visit. We returned knowing that we needed to raise some money and to do that we needed to have a proper organisation charity).

My desire for a bit of winter sun led me to something infinitely more worth while. Ade's trip to the Rugby World Sevens will be so much more than just that. Visits to partners in South Africa, no matter how short, are valued by them and always valuable for us.

Greenbelt?

As for Greenbelt – just in case you were wondering, it's a faith, justice and arts festival. Where else would you be able to hear refugee Gulwali Passarlay above (The Lightless Sky), Richard Dawkin, Rowan Williams and Caroline Lucas in the same weekend, learn felting and willow weaving or join a pop-up choir?