We
have officially made it to Human Rights Day! There was so much going on in the
city and other areas of Cape Town. I loved hearing everyone’s discussions and
stories about the day that brought people from all walks of life together.
Despite the events of the day, I chose to spend the majority of it reading my
non-fiction book, Kaffir Boy, by Mark Mathabane. Once I started reading I had
trouble putting the book down. I embarked on my own human rights journey as I
read a story of someone’s human rights being seriously violated. I highly
recommend this book to anyone interested in reading about a family struggling
through the walls and tragedies created by apartheid. One quote from the book
that I would like to share is, “there is a death far worse than physical death,
and that is the death of the mind and soul, when, despite toiling night and
day, under sweltering heat, torrential rain, blistering winds, you still cannot
make enough to clothe, shelter and feed your loved ones, suffering miles away,
forcibly separated from you.” Mathabane also discusses his journey to
discovering the importance of education. The book also mentions Cry, the
Beloved Country by Alan Paton, which is the last book I read.
Throughout
this past week I have been thinking about this book in my day -to- day
experiences and comparing those days to how things are now. I thought of it
when the teacher I work with was explaining to learners how they have two
options: join streets gangs or continue going to school. I thought of the book
when I looked in the eyes of someone homeless and begging for money on the
streets. There are still so many people still living in the horrors created by
a past of apartheid. We cannot let ourselves think that the struggles are over.
There is still so much work to be done. I find intense joy and pain in talking
to my learners who have lived on the streets for the majority of their lives. I
am glad that people are trying to be role models for them, especially the older
boys who come home from school everyday. If I could motivate one student to
stay in school then I would be able to leave happy.
Blue
Chip organized a karaoke night for UConn students on Friday night so we had a
fun night of singing and dancing. We also went to Blue Chip for orientation and
I could tell how much our group has grown closer together these past couple of
months. I have learned that there is not reason not to dance when given the
opportunity to do so. It is one of the easiest ways to put a smile on your face.
The four of us from City Mission spent a day with our co-workers the past
weekend. We walked around Kalk Bay, ate some sweets, saw seals, and went into a
shark museum. Then we went to markets in the city and ate at the Eastern Food
Bazaar. Finally we went to Mzoli’s to relax, dance and listen to music. We
bought meat to take home just so we could experience the Mzoli’s atmosphere.
That night was the World Cup qualifier match with Bafana Bafana playing Central
African Republic. It was so surreal to sit in the front of a past World Cup
Stadium in Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa. Bafana Bafana won 2-0!
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| Aimee & Erica at the Bafana Bafana game |
One
of my roommates and I had our first movie night Sunday night and watched Won’t
Back Down. It tells the story of a school that is struggling to meet the
standards set by parents of a proper education for their children. One of the
teachers and one of the parents decide to restart the school to improve the
teaching and education for the students. We realized this was a perfect movie
to watch because South Africa is also struggling with low math and science
grades and a somewhat failing education system overall. This week at the
Homestead we did reports of the past term. I wanted to know their favorite and
least favorite parts of the day and also what they want to learn. One learner
wants to learn how to read and I was hoping he would say that. I am looking
forward to working more on reading because this past term was mostly alphabet
and phonics. City Mission had a school-wide Sports day on Tuesday. The Trojans,
Greeks, and Spartans had so much energy and positive competitive spirits. The
events were 100, 200, 400, and 800 meters track races, a relay, and shot put. I
was so glad to be a part of great athleticism and getting to interact with the
high school students that I don’t normally get to see. I saw some great
potential future athletes.
Marita’s
class on Tuesday was very enlightening and we watched the film Divided We Fall.
It was about the hate crimes that occurred after 9/11 especially against those
who practice Sikhism and wear turbans. The movie was very enlightening and the
work done by a female college student was inspiring. Marita brought (vegetarian)
meatballs for us to enjoy after class, which was a nice treat. She spoils us
with her delicious cooking.
I
have officially enrolled in classes for UConn Fall 2013 semester! It was
surprisingly easy compared to other years and the fact that there is a six-hour
time difference from studying abroad. I was able to get all the classes that
were in my enrollment cart and none of the classes had conflicting times. I was
shocked. With that, happy Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter everyone!! My
next post will be after a week in Johannesburg and Krueger. Wish us safe
travels!
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