Every January, youth from the Bokamoso Life Centre in the rural township of Winterveldt, South Africa, come to the United States. They live with St. Andrew's students for four weeks, attending classes and performing at venues throughout the Washington, D.C., area. To complete the exchange, St. Andrew’s students travel to Winterveldt during their spring break. St. Andrew's students form close bonds with the Bokamoso youth and engage in transformative cross cultural experiences. St. Andrew's and Bokamoso have been working together since 2002 to raise awareness of the challenges that young people face in Winterveldt and to widen the circle of support for at-risk Bokamoso youth. Read on to learn more about the exchange and how you can be a part of it.
January 12: Westminster Presbyterian Church 400 I St. SW Washington, DC 11 a.m.
January 19: First Baptist Church of North Brentwood 4000 Wallace Rd., North Brentwood, MD 9 a.m.
January 26: All Souls Church 16th & Harvard Streets NW Washington, DC 9:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.
February 2: St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church 5450 Massachusetts Ave, Bethesda, MD 10 - 11 a.m.
February 3: Blue Monday Blues Appearance at Westminster Presbyterian Church 400 I St. SW Washington, DC 6 - 9 p.m.
February 9: Seekers Church 276 Carrol St NW Washington, DC 9:30 a.m.
Meet the 2020 Bokamoso Tour Youth
Meet the Bokamoso Youth that will be visiting us this year between January 11 - February 12, 2020 below. Click on any name to be directed to Bokamoso's website to learn more about the youth and program.
"I have always been interested in art and drawing. I like that I am the shaper of an image, the creator of a pictorial representation of a feeling. I designed the current Bokamoso Tree logo."
Age: 19 | Home Language: isiNdebele Goal: A career in Pediatrics
"I am interested in pediatrics because there is a real need in the medical field for qualified people to care for infants and young children. I am inspired to pursue this career by my Aunt, who is a nurse."
Age: 21 | Home Language: Sesotho Goal: To be a Medical Professional
"At Bokamoso, I like to discuss socioeconomic issues and relate them to our challenges in Winterveldt. I also enjoy playing board games and outside games like Khokho (a traditional game)."
"I started at Bokamoso looking for a safe space where I could grow as a person, and didn’t have the resources to go university. Bokamoso has helped me to express myself better and be more confident."
Age: 24 | Home Language: Sesotho Goal: A career in Film and Drama
"I love to tell stories. I find satisfaction when my stories are understood and appreciated by others, especially if the stories make a positive impact on someone’s life."
Age: 21 | Home Language: Tshivenda Goal: A career in Security
"Bokamoso’s educational opportunities attracted me to the Centre. I really enjoy reading books; also writing and reciting poems. I would like an opportunity to publish my poems."
"I consider myself a brave, talented and tenacious person; I believe I can do whatever I put my mind and heart on. I love sports, especially soccer and netball. I look forward to visiting America."
Age: 18 | Home Language: Sesotho Goal: To be a Pharmacist
"After high school, I wasn’t sure about my future. Bokamoso offered me an alternative. I am now more confident, and I can express my thoughts without the fear of being judged."
Contributions to support the Bokamoso Life Centre, which are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law, may be made by check to the Bokamoso Youth Foundation, 5614 Connecticut Avenue NW # 167, Washington, DC 20015; or online – www.bokamosoyouth.org – click on "Support," then select "Donate."
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School is a private, coeducational college preparatory day school for students in preschool (Age 2) through grade 12, located in Potomac, Maryland.