Chicago

Day 4: The Cost of Freedom is Sacrifice A lot of what this walk represents is inspired by the youth of 1976, who against all odds refused to let their culture, heritage, and stories written in their language be erased. What many forget is that the movement was started by younger students, lower primary children who disrupted upper primary and high school exams to get the attention and endorsement of their older counterparts. That has always stayed with me. It reminds me that change starts with young people. They are not simply the future, when awakened by freedom, they are the present. That is why along this journey, we have planned strategic pit stops at schools, to speak, to listen, to mobilize support, and to invite young people into helping solve the housing crisis in South Africa. After Pennington Town, I had to rush to the airport to fly to one of the oldest high schools in Johannesburg, Jeppe, where I was invited to speak for their Freedom Day under the theme: “The Cost of Freedom is Sacrifice.” I spoke about how the cost of not caring is often far greater. Had Mandela chosen comfort over courage, we might still be living under apartheid. Had Steve Biko chosen silence over sacrifice, we could have fallen deeper into division and violence. The responsibility we owe our forefathers, who fought for us to sit in rooms across race and dignity, is the same responsibility we owe our children: to leave this beautiful country better than we found it. For me, that begins with home. I believe the minimum requirement to have a dream is a dignified place to call home. For the students I spoke to, that dream may look different, because pain points differ. My challenge to them was simple: lean into that pain. Let it guide your purpose. It was a beautiful experience. After my talk, this historic rugby school stood and gave me a war cry. I believe that war cry will carry me through some of my darkest days on this walk. I am now back on the trail, walking through Port Edward, one town away from entering the Eastern Cape. Honorable mention to my good friend Zintle Oyiya, who hosted me with such tender love and care during my short stint in Joburg. We are the change. We are done waiting. If this story moves you, please support by donating to my GoFundMe or by sharing this with your friends, family, church groups, WhatsApp groups, and anyone who believes every South African deserves a dignified place to call home. Even one share can help move this mission forward. Support here: awalkforhome.com #WalkForHome #FreedomDay #YouthOf1976 #HousingForAll #SouthAfrica #WeAreTheChange

Dearest donors, I want to thank every client, friend, and family member who has helped support us during this tragedy. I am happy to report that so far, we have been able to get the following things for the temporary salon space: •Dual Stylist Station •2 All-Purpose stylist chairs •Shampoo chair and bowl •combs, brushes, tint bottles, foils •Salon-Specific cleaners/disinfectant Today I will be ordering: •Shampoos, conditioners and treatments •hair color and swatches •styling products As of right now it still may be a week or so before we can start operating, but now that we have some of these things, we are almost ready to get back to doing what we love! This fundraiser will continue, as the Higgins storefront is set to be torn down and rebuilt. We expect it to be quite a few months before we can go back, so for now the location you see in the photo will be "home" until further notice. It may be a bit bare-bones for awhile, but it truly will feel most at home with our clients in it! Thank you for your kindness and generosity, we are ever grateful for our community! Warmly, Allison and Rebecca

Due to financial difficulties and mental health struggles, I have forcibly been put on Academic Suspension (Forced Medical Leave) by Connecticut College and I will not be allowed on campus after May 12th until the following spring semester. This decision while probably done in good faith, will actively put my wellbeing and safety in danger as a homeless youth. As of right now, I have not secured stable housing nor the finances to keep myself safe.