Carla Giger Makalima, Global Mission Intern working
with the UCCSA at the Bridgman Youth Center, South Africa
Bridgman Youth Centre
An outreach project of the United Congregational Church of Southern
Africa (UCCSA)
UCCSAUnited Congregational Church of Southern
Africa
5 countriesBotswana,
Mozambique,
Nambia,
South Africa,
Zimbabwe
“In Christ there is a Future”
South Africa Democracy 11 Official
Languages Xhosa Zulu English Afrikaans Ndbele Pedi Swati Tswana Sotho Venda Shangaan
Apartheid 1948 Nationalist
Party “Separateness” 1950’s passage of
laws and acts Forced Removal
Act Homelands Act Pass book laws
Uprisings June 16, 1976
SOWETOSouth Western Townships
Established in the mid 1950’s
Simple Homes Estimated 3 Million Sowetan Pride
19942010
Local Community
Zola TownshipGang ActivityPetty crimeHigh teenage
pregnancy rateHigh drop out rateHigh
unemployment
Bridgman Youth Centre
Built in 1975 as a conference centre for Ministers
Rev. Bernard Spong
Bridgman Youth Centre
Bridgman Programs
MorningsCommunity CenterVolunteer Program
AfternoonsAftercare
• Grades 1-7
GASA• High School Girls
Other ProgramsSaturday SchoolDecember Holiday Bible School
Volunteers
Bible Study
Mondays…. Special Snack
1:30-3:00 Kids Arrive
PreActivity
3:00-3:30 Homework
or Fun Activity
3:30-5:00 Special Snack
Tuesday- Thursday
1:30-3:00 Kids Arrive PreActivity
3:00-3:30 Homework or Fun Activity3:30-4:00 Devotion and Meal4:00-5:00 Activities
Tuesdays•Life Skills•Crafts
Wednesdays•Board Games •Computers
Thursdays•Recreation•Computers
Fridays
1:00-2:30 Kids Arrive
PreActivity
2:30-4:00 Movie with
snack
GASAGirls Against the Spread of AIDS
Began in 2005 TAP Program Goals
Empowerment of teenage girls
Prevent HIV/AIDS
Service to the Community
Peer Educator Training
•Abstinence •Condoms•Healthy Dating
Relationships•Facts about
HIV/AIDS•Drug Abuse•Body Image•Self Esteem•Self Defense
Weekly GASA Meeting
GASA Service Projects
UCCSA Soup
Kitchen
Visiting an Old Age Home
GASA Trips
Botanical Gardens GASA Retreat
“In Christ there is a Future”
The Global Mission Intern program of which Carla was a part, is funded by Week of Compassion.
Global Ministries is able to send missionaries, like Carla, on behalf of Disciples and UCC because of
your generous support of Week of Compassion/Disciples Mission Fund (DMF) and One Great Hour of Sharing/Our Church’s Wider
Mission (OCWM).
Thank you for sharing the story of God’s mission in South Africa in your congregation!
Visit globalministries.org for other information