The itinerary today began with a driving tour of Soweto, a township of 3.5 million people. Blacks were displaced here during the apartheid. Since then, many parts of Soweto have been developed and become affluent, whereas other parts have changed little since the apartheid. The people in the more affluent areas choose to stay in Soweto, instead of moving into Johannesburg, because they see it as a source of pride. 
The 2010 World Cup Statium is located in Soweto, along with the freedom square and Nelson Mandela's home. We stopped by the freedom square, which is where the freedom charter was signed. In honor of that, the square has 10 pillars starting the basic rights blacks wished to receive; the people shall govern; all national groups shall have equal rights; the people shall share in the country's wealth; the land shall be shared among those who work it; all shall enjoy equal human rights; all shall be equal before the law; there shall be work and security; the doors of learning and culture shall be open; there shall be houses security and comfort; there shall be peace and friendship. The square also had 9 X's that presented different provinces, along with a tree native to that area. All the rights were described in detail in a free standing cone shaped room. It's so saddening that they were denied the simplest rights.
We were then treated to a traditional lunch at Sakhumuza. It was gorgeous to sit outside and try delicious chicken in curry sauce, rice with a tomato based sauce and beef sausage. We enjoyed sipping an appletizer ( a sparkling apple juice drink) and watching some young men perform some native, most likely Zulu, dances. After lunch, Nelson Mandela's house was a short walk away. His house has been turned into a museum since his passing last year. He lived humblely in a small house, until he was forced to move into Winnie's house due to safety risks and constant freedom songs be sung out front. While freedom songs sounds great, a man who is trying to change a country needs his sleep.
With about a hour to spare before we were expected at KYP, we stopped by the Peterson memorial museum. Hector Peterson was a 13-year-old boy who was shot and killed by police during a non-violent protest. The students were protesting the the implementation of Afrikanns as the main language in schools. There are nine plus native languages spoken in Soweto, but Afrikanns was a language created by the Dutch immigrants that was used in the mines for the Dutch mine owners/ bosses to be able to communicate to the black/ native workers. The language was difficult for the students, and honestly, it was destined to keep them uneducated and unable to rebel. Hector's sister said she did not want Hector to be thought of a martyr, because he was just an innocent boy caught in the cross fire. However, he still became the symbol of an unjust nation.
Our final stop of the day was our most exciting, KYP! Entering Klipptown reminded me a lot of the streets of India, dirt roads, shacks, trash, dirty water running down the roads, barbed wire on fences and lots of dirty faces.
However, every face had a smile and a hello and every door was open. We could hear the singing before we reached the gates of KYP. Hundreds of children were lined up singing our welcome. KYP was located in the center of Kilptown and consists of about four building, including a computer center, a kitchen, an office and classrooms. KYP is an after school program, which you have to apply to and be accepted to. There is currently a very long wait list. This first afternoon was mainly about introductions and having a good time! I cannot explain how friendly and warm everyone was, child and adults alike!
It left us very excited for the days to come!
