As their peers headed off for vacation, 22 students and six adults from Santa Fe Christian Schools left for Paarl, South Africa for two weeks. The students are members of SFCS’s choir.
The group partnered with Monte Christo Ministries, a group responsible for feeding refugees from civil unrest. With tension in South Africa stemming from high unemployment and immigration to South Africa to seek gainful employment, SFCS students’ visit came at a critical time for Monte Christo Ministries.
As a result of this tension, shops and homes of foreigners have been vandalized creating villages of refugees. Monte Christo has served as a food pantry during South Africa’s tumultuous time. The SFCS students were able to help Monte Christo Ministries prepare over 1,000 cups of soup, perform a concert, and invite the children to have a meal.
The group also spent their time performing at ten schools, a TB hospital, and an AIDS home. Their goal was to use the musical performances as a platform to build relationships with South African students. They would then invite the South African students to the after-school programs that Monte Christo offered.
Daniella Wolf, a senior, shares, “I have been blessed beyond my imagination and I am very glad I had the opportunity to come here and use our music to minister. These little kids have taught me so much about being joyful always and loving one another no matter what.”
Prior to going on the trip, the SFCS students collected over 15 boxes of sports equipment and jerseys through the help of a local San Diego church. During SFCS’ trip, Monte Christo’s leader received an exciting phone call from the South African government. After two years of waiting, the government notified them that they could have a plot of land. This land will be used to build a soccer field, which Monte Christo Ministries will use for their soccer program. The students at SFCS were excited that their donation could serve as the foundation of the new program.
Santa Fe Christian Schools is a Christian, college-preparatory school located in Solana Beach, CA. For more information please contact us at: (858)755-8900 or www.sfcs.net.
