One of the days in the townships, we visited a woman named Priscilla who has taken in about a dozen children in addition to a number of her own. They all live in a house the size of a small apartment. Over 15 people inhabit that house. I feel cramped living in a two bed room apartment with two girls, yet this new found family lives in the same space.
Since this woman struggles to put food on the table for these kids, we wanted to ease that burden for her. At least for one day. On the day we visited her home, we brought sandwich staples, chips, apples, juice, and chocolate and made lunch for the entire family. Additionally, we brought along toys for each child. I gave out a couple of bracelets to these two beautiful little girls who couldn’t have been more than four or five. I’ve never seen such illuminated faces over costume jewelry. To me the bracelets were plastic; to them, they were gold.
Priscilla is truly an amazing woman. She struggles to make ends meet for her self and family, yet finds room in her heart, as well as her home, to take in additional children, all so they don’t have to remain as orphans. Because this woman is so amazing, we students felt that we should help her cause. The house these people inhabit is in dire need of repair. As a class, we intend to raise funds to aid in the cost of fixing her home, as we really made a connection with Priscilla and her family. She is somehow able to provide a roof over their hands, so we feel that it is our duty to help make sure it is a solid one.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Sorry for the double post yesterday!
My host family was incredible. Their home is situated on one of the main roads in Guguletu and was incredibly modern and I feel so fortunate to have been able to stay with these amazing people. The accommodations were so comfortable and I think for the first time in this country, I was warm and dry at night. My family had running hot water; this is actually a luxury for many in this community. Our breakfasts they provided us were brought out in courses, they drew the bath water for us, made our beds, and constantly made certain that we were comfortable. Staying with this family, Hilary and I felt just as content as if we were staying with our own parents. Mama was always holding our hands and grabbing our arms, always showing affection. Dada was a very intelligent man who was always talking your ear off or providing it to listen. Noku, our 21 year old sister was constantly providing us with insight about how people our age live in South Africa. This experience was more than I could have asked for. I can’t gush enough about how lucky I was to have lived so lavishly in such a loving household.
Some of the homes that we visited were literally shacks. Many of them were built of railroad car parts, posters, random pieces of plastic and other mismatched building materials. In severe weather, it is inevitable that these homes would be destroyed. Also, some of these places didn’t even have doors. To think, living in a shelter where anyone could walk in and out. And someone calls this place “home.”
My host family was incredible. Their home is situated on one of the main roads in Guguletu and was incredibly modern and I feel so fortunate to have been able to stay with these amazing people. The accommodations were so comfortable and I think for the first time in this country, I was warm and dry at night. My family had running hot water; this is actually a luxury for many in this community. Our breakfasts they provided us were brought out in courses, they drew the bath water for us, made our beds, and constantly made certain that we were comfortable. Staying with this family, Hilary and I felt just as content as if we were staying with our own parents. Mama was always holding our hands and grabbing our arms, always showing affection. Dada was a very intelligent man who was always talking your ear off or providing it to listen. Noku, our 21 year old sister was constantly providing us with insight about how people our age live in South Africa. This experience was more than I could have asked for. I can’t gush enough about how lucky I was to have lived so lavishly in such a loving household.
Some of the homes that we visited were literally shacks. Many of them were built of railroad car parts, posters, random pieces of plastic and other mismatched building materials. In severe weather, it is inevitable that these homes would be destroyed. Also, some of these places didn’t even have doors. To think, living in a shelter where anyone could walk in and out. And someone calls this place “home.”
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Alrightly, where does one even begin in describing the weeks’ events? The most talented writer, the most skilled painter, or the most descriptive story teller could not even begin to enlighten their audience about the things that went on in the townships this past week. So, how am I to do this experience any justice?
Driving through the streets of Gugulethu, my head was spinning. I really didn’t know what to think. Our bus tour was interrupted with stops at various sites—monuments, city buildings, community member’s homes. Just about each place we visited brought about a new wave of tears. The waterfall broke when we were standing around the monument where seven men in the township were shot and killed. As we eighteen were somber in respect of the deceased, an elementary aged girl in a school jumper was playing leap frog with the memorial tombstones. I don’t know why that hit me as hard as it did, but seeing this girl so happy amongst our sorrow was so much to handle. After approaching her and taking a few pictures, she hopped off the monument on which she was perched and skipped off and disappeared into the masses of pedestrians. It was so movie-like.
A great deal of our time in Gugulethu was spent at the Z L Zwane community center; so much of the Township’s life takes place in this gathering space. In addition to housing a dominant Presbyterian congregation every Sunday, Z L Zwane is also home to a number of other programs including an HIV/AIDS support group and an after school tutoring center called Rainbow, among many other groups and services. We were fortunate enough to use this facility to participate in all three programs as well as receive lectures each morning.
The people here are amazing. Edwin, the reverend who was instrumental in the success of this trip; Paul, a coordinator, I believe; and all of the host mothers and fathers were absolutely the most compassionate people. Additionally, the cooks, groundskeepers, and drivers were exceptional. I don’t know what they put in the water in Gugulethu, but something makes these people extraordinary.
Driving through the streets of Gugulethu, my head was spinning. I really didn’t know what to think. Our bus tour was interrupted with stops at various sites—monuments, city buildings, community member’s homes. Just about each place we visited brought about a new wave of tears. The waterfall broke when we were standing around the monument where seven men in the township were shot and killed. As we eighteen were somber in respect of the deceased, an elementary aged girl in a school jumper was playing leap frog with the memorial tombstones. I don’t know why that hit me as hard as it did, but seeing this girl so happy amongst our sorrow was so much to handle. After approaching her and taking a few pictures, she hopped off the monument on which she was perched and skipped off and disappeared into the masses of pedestrians. It was so movie-like.
A great deal of our time in Gugulethu was spent at the Z L Zwane community center; so much of the Township’s life takes place in this gathering space. In addition to housing a dominant Presbyterian congregation every Sunday, Z L Zwane is also home to a number of other programs including an HIV/AIDS support group and an after school tutoring center called Rainbow, among many other groups and services. We were fortunate enough to use this facility to participate in all three programs as well as receive lectures each morning.
The people here are amazing. Edwin, the reverend who was instrumental in the success of this trip; Paul, a coordinator, I believe; and all of the host mothers and fathers were absolutely the most compassionate people. Additionally, the cooks, groundskeepers, and drivers were exceptional. I don’t know what they put in the water in Gugulethu, but something makes these people extraordinary.
Alrightly, where does one even begin in describing the weeks’ events? The most talented writer, the most skilled painter, or the most descriptive story teller could not even begin to enlighten their audience about the things that went on in the townships this past week. So, how am I to do this experience any justice?
Driving through the streets of Gugulethu, my head was spinning. I really didn’t know what to think. Our bus tour was interrupted with stops at various sites—monuments, city buildings, community member’s homes. Just about each place we visited brought about a new wave of tears. The waterfall broke when we were standing around the monument where seven men in the township were shot and killed. As we eighteen were somber in respect of the deceased, an elementary aged girl in a school jumper was playing leap frog with the memorial tombstones. I don’t know why that hit me as hard as it did, but seeing this girl so happy amongst our sorrow was so much to handle. After approaching her and taking a few pictures, she hopped off the monument on which she was perched and skipped off and disappeared into the masses of pedestrians. It was so movie-like.
A great deal of our time in Gugulethu was spent at the Z L Zwane community center; so much of the Township’s life takes place in this gathering space. In addition to housing a dominant Presbyterian congregation every Sunday, Z L Zwane is also home to a number of other programs including an HIV/AIDS support group and an after school tutoring center called Rainbow, among many other groups and services. We were fortunate enough to use this facility to participate in all three programs as well as receive lectures each morning.
The people here are amazing. Edwin, the reverend who was instrumental in the success of this trip; Paul, a coordinator, I believe; and all of the host mothers and fathers were absolutely the most compassionate people. Additionally, the cooks, groundskeepers, and drivers were exceptional. I don’t know what they put in the water in Gugulethu, but something makes these people extraordinary.
Driving through the streets of Gugulethu, my head was spinning. I really didn’t know what to think. Our bus tour was interrupted with stops at various sites—monuments, city buildings, community member’s homes. Just about each place we visited brought about a new wave of tears. The waterfall broke when we were standing around the monument where seven men in the township were shot and killed. As we eighteen were somber in respect of the deceased, an elementary aged girl in a school jumper was playing leap frog with the memorial tombstones. I don’t know why that hit me as hard as it did, but seeing this girl so happy amongst our sorrow was so much to handle. After approaching her and taking a few pictures, she hopped off the monument on which she was perched and skipped off and disappeared into the masses of pedestrians. It was so movie-like.
A great deal of our time in Gugulethu was spent at the Z L Zwane community center; so much of the Township’s life takes place in this gathering space. In addition to housing a dominant Presbyterian congregation every Sunday, Z L Zwane is also home to a number of other programs including an HIV/AIDS support group and an after school tutoring center called Rainbow, among many other groups and services. We were fortunate enough to use this facility to participate in all three programs as well as receive lectures each morning.
The people here are amazing. Edwin, the reverend who was instrumental in the success of this trip; Paul, a coordinator, I believe; and all of the host mothers and fathers were absolutely the most compassionate people. Additionally, the cooks, groundskeepers, and drivers were exceptional. I don’t know what they put in the water in Gugulethu, but something makes these people extraordinary.
Friday, June 6, 2008
And we're back from the townships. While there, I felt that there was always such turbulent intense emotion. The people had so much to share and as a class we willingly soaked it up. I'm still not sure how to process and organize all of the stories and information gained in these past few days and I think it's rightfully so that I can't. A little time and reflection will help sort things out. I just wanted to say that safely, soundly, and to be honest, a little bit sadly, we are back in Cape Town.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Sunday
Coming to South Africa, I expected to be immersed into the culture. I should have known—but didn’t expect—to be so moved at church. The opening song was enough to make me tear up. This weirds me out sorta because I never used to be an emotional person. I used to be able to seem emotionless during even the most moving events. Now, apparently, all it takes is a set of bongo drums and some gospel music to bring tears to my eyes. I think I was just thinking too hard. I can’t even imagine what these people live like and how they endure the hardships that they do. It is as if the strife they undergo on a daily basis is being released in that two hour church service though their song and worship. I think maybe I am associating the power of their music with my feelings. The words they spoke carried a strong message of hope and compassion for human kind, but it was the music in Xhosa—the music that I couldn’t understand the lyrics too or make sense of, was what got me going. I sat there next to my host mother (who is super sweet, by the way) tears welling up, and I have no idea why. Maybe I will understand later on. All I do know is that it was powerful.
The lighter side of the day included a shopping trip to the waterfront. A friend with whom I was shopping was looking for a dress for an upcoming wedding. After bypassing Louis Vuitton, Ed Hardy, Gucci and the like, she found a very elegant and unique dress in a small boutique. This $200 dress was stunning but after much hemming and hawing, my friend decided against making the purchase. Guessing what we were to experience in the up coming week, she just couldn’t justify spending the kind of money that a family can live on for a month on a dress intended for a single day. We haven’t even been out there yet, and already we are being affected by it.
Following the shopping, a group of us caught the 5:30 showing of the Sex and the City movie. For those of you who don’t follow the series, it is about a group of women who have extravagant material possessions. It was eye opening to see just how high maintenance they were and how excessively they lived. Although I enjoyed the movie and understand it was fictitious, my head couldn’t get away from comparing their lifestyle to those of the people I am soon to meet.
The lighter side of the day included a shopping trip to the waterfront. A friend with whom I was shopping was looking for a dress for an upcoming wedding. After bypassing Louis Vuitton, Ed Hardy, Gucci and the like, she found a very elegant and unique dress in a small boutique. This $200 dress was stunning but after much hemming and hawing, my friend decided against making the purchase. Guessing what we were to experience in the up coming week, she just couldn’t justify spending the kind of money that a family can live on for a month on a dress intended for a single day. We haven’t even been out there yet, and already we are being affected by it.
Following the shopping, a group of us caught the 5:30 showing of the Sex and the City movie. For those of you who don’t follow the series, it is about a group of women who have extravagant material possessions. It was eye opening to see just how high maintenance they were and how excessively they lived. Although I enjoyed the movie and understand it was fictitious, my head couldn’t get away from comparing their lifestyle to those of the people I am soon to meet.
Saturday
Saturday was safari day! We woke up at 4:30am and rode a charter bus up to the safari grounds. Here we froze our behinds off, but saw lions, giraffes, rhinos, and cheetah. It really was an awesome experience. The cold, however, put me in a crabby mood, especially since African safaris are stereotypically warm. The experience overall was remarkable as I was literally just a few feet way from these animals. That evening we went out to a really nice traditional African restaurant. Although I ordered a coke light, a zuccini, red pepper and spinach pasta dish, and a brandy tart, I did sample other people’s ostrich, springbok, and alligator. I’m not a fan and will continue to stick with my trusted chicken.
That evening we went out on the town, sampling Long Street’s pubs and clubs. We met up with Ajith, a grad student who has been showing us around, and a few of his friends. It really was interesting comparing and contrasting the night life in South Africa and that of the US. Overall, I was just glad that all 17 of us made it home together at the end of the night.
That evening we went out on the town, sampling Long Street’s pubs and clubs. We met up with Ajith, a grad student who has been showing us around, and a few of his friends. It really was interesting comparing and contrasting the night life in South Africa and that of the US. Overall, I was just glad that all 17 of us made it home together at the end of the night.
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