Peace and possibility - our patron's 80th birthday party

Project HOPE UK's volunteers Alyson Krucher and Carola Michielsen had the honour to be invited to the 80th birthday celebrations for Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Read Alyson's account of this amazing day:
"What an awe-inspiring weekend of peace and possibility! When Archbishop Desmond Tutu enters a room, you can feel the warmth, love, and genuineness he exudes and you just want to run up to him and give him a big hug. We were in his presence this weekend to celebrate his 80th birthday, as he is patron of Project HOPE UK's The Thoughtful Path: Munsieville (where Desmond Tutu grew up). As we waited for the Mass to begin in St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town, Tutu soon entered the room. The media cameras all pointed to him as he moved from pew to pew greeting everyone, but it wasn't for show. It was genuine as if he was the host of his own party and wanted to say hello to everyone. After the Mass, Archbishop Tutu took the podium to thank many people. He asked for all his overseas friends to stand, he thanked us, and the congregation applauded and cheered with such respect, admiration and thanks. Then we were all bused to Stellenbosch (wine country) to Waterford Estate where we celebrated the amazing life of this 80 year old man with his family, friends, and other organisations that he supports. It was a beautiful day: blue skies, no clouds, warm with no humidity and a slight cool breeze, all over looking the Helderberg Mountains.
Attending the first Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture was another milestone. The interaction between 'The Arch' and His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama is very special to witness. It is playful, sincere, peppered with mutual respect and admiration. The theme of leadership was threaded within this moderated question and answer session. During my time in South Africa, I have spoken to Ward Councillors, Department of Education employees, government officials, teachers, Afrikaans people, business owners, staff of leadership academies and young adults. They all say that what this country needs is leadership. It is vital to train the youth of South Africa to become informed, productive, honest and motivating leaders of tomorrow's Africa.
The importance of leadership resonated throughout this weekend of celebration. The thread of peace and the prayers of possibility of a stronger Africa rid of poverty were palpable in the gathering of people from different nations and cultures all coming together to celebrate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
It was a truly wonderful, unforgettable experience!"