I
can’t even begin to explain how this trip has
influenced my life. I feel like I came on this trip just to get away
from
things for a while, and get a new perspective on life. I can’t really
say this
trip was disappointing in any way. I believe I have changed in the fact
that I
have a more clear idea of my values. I think before this trip I was so
confused
on what makes me happy, what makes me proud of myself, and what I’d like
to
spend my time doing.
Initially, I was so stressed out with school and
work and
my social life that it just was not fun anymore. I didn’t really have
any idea
what my values were because I never put any thought to it. I was just so
caught
up in everyday life. Because I was so caught up I was also so blind to
other
things that were happening in the world. When you don’t see these
issues, they
don’t mean anything to you. Many issues of human rights I would have
never even
known about until this trip, now volunteering and giving back is a
priority of
mine.
My activist project, Books for Nyanga, really secured my views on
giving
back and trying to make a difference in the world, as well as our
classes and
my experience at Tafelsig Clinic. One of the things I am struggling with
is how
I am going to fit this value in with my already busy schedule. I wrote
myself a
postcard telling myself to relax more, and that nothing is as bad as it
seems. I’ve
learned every heart has a story to tell and everyone deserves the same
respect
and attention because that’s how we learn from one another. I hope I
never
forget the kindness and compassion I witnessed here and can only hope I
can
bring that kindness with me the rest of my life. I know for sure I will
remember this trip forever and am so so blessed to have had such this
opportunity.
 |
| Books for Nyanga Library Project Allie, Kelsey, Patrick, teacher Ms Maloka, Sharon, Anna, Liz |
I’m really struggling to face the fact I won’t be seeing
Table
Mountain every morning, or the fact that I may never see my coworkers
again.
They’ve left such an imprint on my life that I know I’m going to have
trouble
explaining all they did for me to my friends and family. I know I’ll be
back
some day. I don’t know when but how can I not come back to a place that
has
influenced me so much? For anyone considering this program, there is
absolutely
no way you will regret it. You will never find a program like this one
or
experience such a beautiful city with beautiful people any other way. I
keep telling myself that I'll be happy to go home and see everybody, but
I know I will be "second homesick". The trip is over, but the journey
is not. I know when a couple months pass I'll be able to fully process
all we learned here. I'll keep trying to find myself and what is
important to me, but I know I would never had realized many things about
myself had I not come to Cape Town.
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