12/24/2000   Port Elizabeth   S 33°58   E 25°38   +13 David, the Bed & Breakfast's waiter where we are staying, says:"The township's children need desperately Father Xmas "... these few words immediately convince us. At 8:30 am, we drive to a huge mall in Port Elizabeth. Our friend helps us to fill our caddie with sweets and presents for the kids of his township. But we can't manage to find a Father Xmas suit...it's useless David says. A taxibus drives us to a local market, and we walk along barracks made of aluminium and cardboard. People immediately notice our presence, and, as soon as we hand out first sweets, some children surround us. After that, all of them accompany us outside the township. Giving these presents gave us an unprecedent energy... our most beautiful Xmas present! Townships are the african big cities shantytowns. Travel guides and locals strongly recommend us not to go...in vain! We enter Zwide, a field of barracks where 30.000 people live. Some places are owned by the government and others by international companies like Coca-Cola. In the porrest areas, a unit can accomodate up to 16 families, 3 per room; the average rent is 7 US$ per month. But there are also single beds called 'squares' that a man can rent for 5 US$ per month. Signs of hope: some people are now building their own house and dream of bigger ones, with big sacrifices. Few words during this day, but many intense moments that we won't forget.  Who better than Tracy Chapman could tell the african dignity (see the video). David tells us how, through the Xhosa ritual, he became a 'Man':"After being circumcised, every male from our tribe (around 15) is left in a forrest for about a month; if he survives and manages to return home, then he becomes a man." Through David's words, we will deepen our knowledge of Africa. Aleko will be starting the Team's thoughts of the moment. Guide our next steps,insert contacts & info on