Mamelodi Township to Hold National Youth Day Celebration of Global Proportion

US Mission Group Bridge to Cross to Bring 31 Volunteers

Mamelodi Township, South Africa — A National Youth Day celebration of global proportion is coming to the Township of Mamelodi. Bridge to Cross Ministries (B2C), an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of HIV/AIDS orphans and underprivileged children, is bringing an international party of thirty one people from the United States to celebrate with Mamelodi youth. They will host a Youth Day festival at the Rethabile sports grounds in Mamelodi East on June 16 beginning at 9:00am. A variety of exciting and enriching education, music and arts, and soccer events will provide something fun for everyone. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Mamelodi East Youth Day Festival Events

·        HOPE Cup Youth soccer tournament with teams from Umlazi, Mamelodi and the US

·    Music performances by: Mamelodi artists; B2C musicians; an Umlazi choir; well-known recording artist Mirka; and David Kisor from Growing Sounds Music, USA

·    “Mamelodi Idols” competition in search of the best youth music talent in Mamelodi

·    Lego League competition showcasing creative Mamelodi youth building and design skills

Co-Founder Frikkie Koen of Bridge to Cross said, “We are excited about celebrating Youth Day in Mamelodi in true international fashion. The festival is for the sole purpose of bringing hope to the children, and connecting them with their American brothers and sisters. The events we have planned will inspire the children to eagerly and energetically participate, and will be sure to thrill them. The Youth Day festival, or as B2C likes to call it ‘Hope Day’, will be celebrated with some international friends from the USA and we are excited to share this day in a truly cross cultural way.”

B2C co-founders Tina and Frikkie Koen who moved to the US in 1998, are returning to South Africa with their family to work in ministry full time. Six months in the planning, they are excited to bring a US envoy to celebrate Youth Day in Mamelodi. B2C is bringing select athletes from Dave Woeste Soccer School in Cincinnati, Ohio; education representatives from Northern Kentucky University; as well as videographer and journalism volunteers to document the events for B2C, and the US and South Africa media. 

About Bridge to Cross

Bridge to Cross, Inc. is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization founded to bring hope to the hopeless by connecting people. The mission of Bridge to Cross is to transform the townships of Africa by providing programs and facilities that support, promote and strengthen the quality of life for orphans, vulnerable children, families and communities affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Bridge to Cross is driven by a moral obligation to step in and do something—bring HOPE to Mamelodi and the townships of Africa. Contact Bridge to Cross at www.bridgetocross.org or info@bridgetocross.org

Additional Bridge to Cross programs include: 

Journey Jersey – A program fostering relationships between the youth of different cultures, and an opportunity for women to learn a skill to help sustain their families and break the cycle of poverty.

Art of Giving – Provides people of North America and Southern Africa channels to showcase their creative ability for a cause greater than themselves.

Future Fund - An international investment fund providing micro financing to Southern African township people to help them establish businesses.

Township Tunes - Southern Africa’s orphaned and vulnerable children with musical talent can develop and showcase their gifts to an international audience to help break the cycle of poverty, one tune at a time.

Hope House – Provides international people an opportunity to offer financial assistance and ‘hands on’ help in the building of permanent homes for orphaned and vulnerable children living in the townships of Southern Africa.