Anna experiences beyond her imagination

I guess by now, I shouldn't be surprised that no experience that we have is anything like how I imagined it will be. That's why in preparation for our home-stay in Ocean View this past weekend, I did my best to remain expectation-less, and open minded about the experience, prepping for any host of possible outcomes. We were greeted by Chantal at a shopping center across from the community of Ocean View and led on a walking tour through the township, ending up at a member of the community's home. We shared a dinner of traditional African food, prepared by residents of Ocean View. After dinner, we split into our roommate pairs and headed off for the weekend to our host family's homes. Brianna and I were placed with Beta, her husband, three children and niece. We shared an evening of polite conversation, before heading off to bed exhausted from a long day of class.

Anna with host sisters Cleo & Chole

We woke in the morning to a set of eyes peering into the room through the slightly cracked door. After a few moments of hesitation, in busted our host sister Cleo, eager to introduce herself. Come to find out I was actually sleeping in her bed. After Cleo, followed Chloe her older sister and Cleon her older brother.

Anna's day at the creche

We spent Friday in the “Creche” that our host mom runs. By the end of the day I was essentially a human jungle gym. My legs doubled as slides, my hair being the main object of fascination. Nearly every child that I have come in contact with has commented on my hair, blonde is not a color that they are accustomed to seeing.  Friday night, we went to a local church for a talent show. Members of the community performed along side some of our Uconn students. I continue to be amazed at the extraordinary musical talent that nearly everyone here seems to posses. Music and faith  have remained two constants for the families and communities affected by extreme poverty. No matter how much money you have, God and music are always there.

On Saturday our host mom brought us to the local mall and we shopped for our braii. We purchased snoek, a commonly eaten fish straight off the boat. Saturday night, Brianna and I had our hair cornrowed by a family friend, something I have been wanting to do since our arrival.

Sunday morning we woke up to hot cereal. Not your typical hot cereal, oatmeal or the like, but a bowl of corn flakes, with hot milk. The home that we were staying in also did not have a shower, an element to the weekend that we were not expecting. We kept in mind that while we were living in this home for three days, this family will most likely live in the same situation for the rest if their lives.

Sunday morning we accompanied our host family to church, cornrows and all, where our mother sang and father played piano in the church's band. I have had the opportunity to experience a wide range of religious services, but this was unlike anything I had ever been apart of. Churchgoers were passing out after being “touched” by God. Women would then fan them with colorful clothes and coat their hands in oil. 

We had toured the townships, worked in them, talked to the people who call them home, but this experience was something entirely different. I view the townships and the people in a very different light now. Before the home stay during our tour, when we were driving through the townships I physically saw the people that lived there, the hundreds of children roaming the streets that should be in school, and grouped them all together, not thinking about their individual stories, not actually seeing. Now after having spent a weekend getting to know a family, I see the faces of the people who are sitting on the side of the road and wonder who they are, what their stories are.

           

It was very comforting to be in an actual home again for the weekend, a sentiment echoed by many of us. It was amazing to see the transformation not only in my peers, but myself as well, from a very hesitant Thursday afternoon and evening, to a Sunday afternoon of goodbye tears and plans of reunion and return.