On Sunday May 19, 2002, five young South African environmental justice activists began Project X-Change, a three week environmental justice tour of the United States, with a kick off event at Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth St. in Jamaica Plain from 4-6pm. The South African young people shared their experiences both growing up in a new South Africa and organizing for social justice in their communities. Alternatives for Community and Environment (ACE), the Boston host organization, took the young people around communities of color in Boston that are fighting for a clean and safe environment.

"As future leaders of their respective communities, this visit provides a unique opportunity for these young people from both countries to connect with each other and share their experiences. This visit is part of a larger effort to build global bridges to fight for environmental justice." explained Ravi Dixit, US Coordinator of the Boston-based South African Exchange Program on Environmental Justice (SAEPEJ).
 
 
 

Patrick Duma from Secunda describes the health effects of living next to polluting oil and mining industries.

Caroline Ntaopane from Sasolburg leads the South African youth delegation in song at the Boston kick-off for Project X-Change.

 
Elisa Hlongwane (left), Thulisile Ngcobo (facing back) and Seipati Mokoka (right)
dance some South African kwaito for the audience.
 

On Monday the 20th of May, ACE hosted a lunch at which their staff introduced the delegation to the organization.

 
ACE's David Noiles shows the delegation a map of Roxbury
highlighting the trash transfer stations, bus depots and toxic dump sites.

That evening, ACE hosted a youth pizza party where over 50 youth activists from all over Boston came to share with the South African delegation.
 

Thulisile Ngcobo talks about Secunda.

Over 50 youth came from all over Boston for ACE's Pizza Party for Project X-Change.

Elisa Hlongwane listens to a Boston youth's experience living in the city.

On Tuesday, May 21 2002, the delegation had the opportunity to visit Boston's Black Heritage Trail.
 

The delegation at the Robert Gould shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial.

The delegation with National Park Ranger Bernadette Williams at the African Meeting House, the oldest standing Black church in the nation.

That afternoon the delegation met with the Nia Project in Boston's South End. The Nia project works Black college and high school students in the South End/Lower Roxbury and Somerville.
 

J.R. from the NIA Project explains their Asset Map of the South End.

The delegation with members of the NIA Project after a walking tour of the South End that included Lenox Street.

Later that afternoon ACE's youth project, Roxbury Environmental Education Project (REEP) led a toxic tour of Dudley Square.
 

The delegation hears REEP intern Jenina Tyler talk about the 33,000 commuters who board diesel busses in Dudley Station every weekday.

Parris Sanford, a REEP intern, talks about the air monitoring station in Dudley Square.

Go see what Project X-Change did in Mississippi

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