In April 2008, Hilary took a group of 23 choir members from across all three choirs on a return visit to Cullinan. The purpose of the visit was very much a cultural exchange, rather than a fund raising or concert tour

The aims were:

•To build lasting friendships between the choirs.

•To experience the joy of singing together,

  sharing songs and performing

•To learn more about each others lives and culture

•To learn more about the needs in the Cullinan area

 •To help raise the profile of the Diamond Choir in

  and around their area

 •To support them in their work of raising awareness     of HIV/AIDS issues and supporting local projects

•To learn to sing and dance at the same time!!

The visit had a profound effect on the UK choir members.  Here are some thoughts and memories of that trip:

BEFORE GOING:              

MOIRA:

Since I was a teenager there was something about the brutality of apartheid that hit me hard, and when I lived in London as a student in the early 70's my first political activism was to volunteer at the Anti Apartheid HQ down the road from where I lived. I also had some white SA 'leftie' friends and flatmates for a while in the 70's. So I watched the developments there very carefully and, like everyone else, can remember the day of Mandela's release with crystal clarity as I was glued to the screen. It became my ambition to go to SA one day. My other love as a younger person was singing; so when I rediscovered this joy through Volcano, and got the opportunity to combine the two passions through this trip, I was beside myself with excitement. However, I was also quite anxious about what I was going to find there - did these people, whose lives were so different from mine, really want to spend time with me? Could I understand their issues without being patronising? How could I make a difference?
 
So to be greeted with such genuine warmth and enthusiasm by the Diamonds absolutely knocked me out.

EVENTS

MOIRA:

• The trip to the AIDS clinic in Refilwe and the lack of resources;
• The horror of losing someone to AIDS, as just about everybody has done and will continue to do unfortunately, and Maureen's dignity coping with her grief in the middle of our visit, made at least a bit easier by the fantastic support from Regina and others
• The school garden where the children and staff grow nourishing vegetables and raise chickens, to ensure that those who may not get much, if any, food at home, will get something at school at least.

• The lovely dancing lunch club ladies, and the fact that the lunches are provided by youngsters the same age as my own children, volunteering to stand over great big cooking pots outdoors so that their grannies and other people's grannies can have a meal.

• The funeral: arriving early in morning at the house, honoured seats, feeling so privileged and humbled and moved by the whole ceremony. Seven of us in poor voice singing Tebe Poem, so moving. Processing to the graveside, sharing with the whole family and community the loss of this young woman. Maureen with the baby, so strong and dignified.
• "Something inside so strong" became our anthem and show-piece. Had an amazing effect on our audiences - they went wild. Great to feel the power of a song and its lyrics so intensely. Brilliant buzz! (probably what wrecked my voice!)
• Elderly ladies' club - wow, it was like we switched on some hidden energy source  - and there was no stopping the women! Wonderful spirit - and genuine sharing of music and care for each other. The power of music is so strong.