"It always seems impossible until it's done." --Nelson Mandela
I can't believe I'm writing this, but my IQP is complete. It feels like I've been here forever, yet where has all the time gone?
We finished our field work last Friday, and this past week has been a frenzy of writing and editing as we compiled our final documents recording the progress that we've made (you can explore our project here!!). It was one of the hardest weeks of my life, but I am so proud of my team and how hard everyone has worked. There was lots of stress, laughter, and even some tears. Yet somehow, we submitted the last of our assignments Wednesday night, our final presentations were yesterday, and now after 14 weeks of work, we are done.
The day that we left, all the residents and staff of Sizakuyenza prepared a lunch for us to say thank you and celebrate all of the things we'd accomplished together. All the research and planning in the world could not have prepared me for this part of the project. Nobody can explain to you what it feels like to tell a little girl that no, you won't be coming back tomorrow, or to hear everyone express their gratitude to you when you feel like you should be the one thanking them, or to look around and realize that you're seeing this place for the last time. I kept on thinking about the very first time that we had lunch with the residents, and all that had happened between that first day we met and the day we were saying goodbye. It felt like we went from the first meal and the last meal far too quickly. I think part of me still hasn't realized that I'll never be back there, I'm still thinking I may go back on Monday ready to paint another room or tackle another project in the yard. The house mother, social worker, and one of the residents made speeches for us to say thank you for everything, telling us how they would remember us forever and that we would be so blessed for our giving. All I could think is, we are the lucky ones. We are the ones who should be saying thank you. God was so good to me to give me the opportunity to share life with these people, even just for a short while.
Then yesterday we got to reunite again, for a little while. Almost all of the residents came with the two house mothers, and many brought their children along as well. So when our turn came to present, we had children sleeping (and snoring) in front of us, and each woman giggling and pointing excitedly whenever she saw a picture of herself in our Power Point. Final presentations for IQP are often a very formal affair, but this one felt so casual and organic--it may have bothered some people, but I couldn't have loved it more. I looked at the rows in front of me and saw a beautiful, quirky, strong, incredible quilt of a family. And they consider us family too.
Saying goodbye was one of the most heartbreaking things I had ever done. One of the kids who hadn't left my side all afternoon began to cry, not understanding why her mom was pulling her away from me. Of course, I was already crying along with several of the women and other members of my team. Andisiwe, the social worker at the safe house, gave each of us a frame with a quote on the front and handwritten notes and Bible verses on the back. Mama Pilisani refused to say goodbye, only "Until next time." It's painful to think that "next time" might not be until we all get to heaven. But my heart is full with the idea of getting to spend eternity with some of the people I've met at Sizakuyenza--whose faith has strengthened me, hope has inspired me, and love has forever changed me.
My journey in Cape Town is coming quickly to a close. (I haven't been able to blog here nearly as much as I wish I could! I'm sorry that the wifi situation hasn't been conducive to me sharing my thoughts on everything too often, and I haven't been able to post pictures for several weeks now. Can't wait to update you all soon!) In only a couple days I will be getting on a plane and heading back to the United States. This experience has changed me, I hope. I have worked harder than ever before, motivated by love for some of the strongest people I have ever met. I have always wanted to travel the world ad help people. This has shown me how incredible, and difficult, that can be. I don't know what the future holds, but during these two months this is exactly where God wanted me. I am so sad to leave and so excited to go home at the same time. For the moment, I am trying to just celebrate all that has been accomplished (through me, but also in me) and savor every moment in this amazing place for the little time that I have left.
Dec 19, 2014
Dec 7, 2014
Reminders and Lessons (and sometimes after 29 comes 40)
Our projects are quickly coming to a close, and as our deadlines come closer the workload has intensified. Our team has finished painting the interior of the safe house and are now finishing projects outside. It has brought me into a whole new realm of work way beyond my skill set! I find myself digging, hammering, sanding, and gardening--I even learned how to use a saw the other day. I have definitely realized that it is okay not to know what you're doing all the time; fortunately I have a supportive and talented team who are there to help (and to fix my mistakes when necessary!).
This describes the past week in a nutshell, from my journal:
I spent Friday shoveling with two nine year olds, digging holes for our playground structure. There was some sort of building collapse in Johannesburg, so Philippi and many other areas are having their power rationed. It was one of those days that reminds you where it is you're working--power shuts down, only Mama Pilisani knows why, and nobody knows when it will be on again. Our team was stressed because it meant that we could not use some of the tools necessary for the tasks we were trying to accomplish before the weekend. This inconvenience faded away for me when one of the woman responded to our questions about the power--"I don't know when it will be on again. I just hope it comes back before dinner time, or we will go to bed hungry. We need the electricity to cook, and we can't afford to go buy KFC." (Side note for context, KFC is by far the most popular fast food chain here, and there is one right down the street from the safe house). I couldn't stop thinking about this as I ate my meal that night. Although we are working under impressive conditions, considering the area that the safe house is in, it is a stark reminder of the difficulties they face.
Some days, the work here seems hard. We are pulling long hours and working our butts off, in the hot sun and the constant wind, only to come home for hours of debating in meetings or writing and editing material. There is constant stress, because we so badly want to succeed in our project yet we simply can't fix everything that we'd like to. Some mornings I wake up just not feeling ready to do it all over again--feeling tired, missing home, and more physically exhausted than I can ever remember feeling before.
But the, something always happens. God is always sending me reminders of His love and of His plan--that this is exactly where He wants me to be. Friday, it was a little girl whose name I can't pronounce. She followed me around almost all day, constantly seeking my attention and affection. She's young and her English is not very good, so most of this was just hugs and smiles, and showing off her "toys" (a garden shovel, a tire cast aside, a piece of string, etc.) At one point, I was shoveling the last of the holes for the playground. I was feeling hungry and tired, my group was stressed and my two nine year old "helpers" for shoveling had gone to find something else to do, and I felt so deeply frustrated I wanted to just quit. But then my little girl came along, so happy and excited to show me how she could count in English. As I worked, I focused on the numbers in her beautiful, melodic voice: "...28! 29! 40! 41! 42! 43! 45! 45! 45! 47! 48! 49! 70!"
I couldn't help but smile. Her counting wasn't perfect, but it was done with such enthusiasm that I couldn't bear to correct it. How could I complain about being tired when I have the opportunity to love such beautiful kids? How could I feel frustrated when I get to be a part of improving their recovery?
We only have one week left for field work at the safe house. Although it's been a ton of work, I can't believe our time is almost finished. God is teaching me so much through them. These women and children have been betrayed and hurt by what they thought was love. Yet True Love brings them back to the joy and peace and hope they thought was never coming back. They sing worship songs in Xhosa and tell me how their faith is sustaining them through a darker time than I have ever experienced. He is teaching me to see what is around me, not just to feel guilty about it but to love as deeply as I can. He is showing me what it means to work as hard as I can, motivated by love and purpose. He reveals Himself every day through the beauty of the landscape, and even more through the beauty of the people.
This describes the past week in a nutshell, from my journal:
I spent Friday shoveling with two nine year olds, digging holes for our playground structure. There was some sort of building collapse in Johannesburg, so Philippi and many other areas are having their power rationed. It was one of those days that reminds you where it is you're working--power shuts down, only Mama Pilisani knows why, and nobody knows when it will be on again. Our team was stressed because it meant that we could not use some of the tools necessary for the tasks we were trying to accomplish before the weekend. This inconvenience faded away for me when one of the woman responded to our questions about the power--"I don't know when it will be on again. I just hope it comes back before dinner time, or we will go to bed hungry. We need the electricity to cook, and we can't afford to go buy KFC." (Side note for context, KFC is by far the most popular fast food chain here, and there is one right down the street from the safe house). I couldn't stop thinking about this as I ate my meal that night. Although we are working under impressive conditions, considering the area that the safe house is in, it is a stark reminder of the difficulties they face.
Some days, the work here seems hard. We are pulling long hours and working our butts off, in the hot sun and the constant wind, only to come home for hours of debating in meetings or writing and editing material. There is constant stress, because we so badly want to succeed in our project yet we simply can't fix everything that we'd like to. Some mornings I wake up just not feeling ready to do it all over again--feeling tired, missing home, and more physically exhausted than I can ever remember feeling before.
But the, something always happens. God is always sending me reminders of His love and of His plan--that this is exactly where He wants me to be. Friday, it was a little girl whose name I can't pronounce. She followed me around almost all day, constantly seeking my attention and affection. She's young and her English is not very good, so most of this was just hugs and smiles, and showing off her "toys" (a garden shovel, a tire cast aside, a piece of string, etc.) At one point, I was shoveling the last of the holes for the playground. I was feeling hungry and tired, my group was stressed and my two nine year old "helpers" for shoveling had gone to find something else to do, and I felt so deeply frustrated I wanted to just quit. But then my little girl came along, so happy and excited to show me how she could count in English. As I worked, I focused on the numbers in her beautiful, melodic voice: "...28! 29! 40! 41! 42! 43! 45! 45! 45! 47! 48! 49! 70!"
I couldn't help but smile. Her counting wasn't perfect, but it was done with such enthusiasm that I couldn't bear to correct it. How could I complain about being tired when I have the opportunity to love such beautiful kids? How could I feel frustrated when I get to be a part of improving their recovery?
We only have one week left for field work at the safe house. Although it's been a ton of work, I can't believe our time is almost finished. God is teaching me so much through them. These women and children have been betrayed and hurt by what they thought was love. Yet True Love brings them back to the joy and peace and hope they thought was never coming back. They sing worship songs in Xhosa and tell me how their faith is sustaining them through a darker time than I have ever experienced. He is teaching me to see what is around me, not just to feel guilty about it but to love as deeply as I can. He is showing me what it means to work as hard as I can, motivated by love and purpose. He reveals Himself every day through the beauty of the landscape, and even more through the beauty of the people.
(Belated) Thanksgiving
I have been battling lack of strong internet (and even more, lack of time!) since Thanksgiving break! So this is a post of catching up, I wrote it over Thanksgiving weekend and am just getting the opportunity to publish it--hopefully the internet holds up!
Thanksgiving this year was not quite like any that I have experienced. We spent the weekend at Kruger National Park, one of the largest reserves in Africa. It's been something that we have been looking forward to throughout all our preparation and time here, yet it was still difficult to see friends' pictures of going home for Thanksgiving and be so far away. It's not my first Thanksgiving being away from home (I've spent a few in Guatemala now or getting ready to leave), but it was the first time I have been away from my family.
That being said, safari was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had! We saw the Big 5--elephants, lions, water buffalo, leopards, and white rhinos--as well as zebras, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, birds, kudus, and (SO many) impala. It's cool enough to see these animals at a zoo or reserve in the States, but seeing them in the wild it was hard to imagine this being real life.
When people picture Africa, I think many of them imagine what seems like the end of the earth, with lions and elephants roaming the streets. At Kruger, that's pretty much what it was like! We had dinner in the bush our first night there, with a man standing guard with a shotgun because we had seen hyenas driving up to the camp! Friday morning we saw lions eating a buffalo carcass, fighting off vultures and hyenas who were also hungry for the meat. My favorite moment was when a whole herd of elephants crossed the street right in front of our truck--everything was quiet, all you could hear was their feet hitting the pavement, and it was the most intense yet peaceful moment I could have ever experienced! We had a lizard in our room and I saw insects the size of my pointer finger. In short, it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life! God's creation is amazing, and I never realized it more than that weekend.
Kruger embodies many of the ideas that people have about Africa, yet having been to the continent twice now, I am amazed by the vast difference that there is between two nations on this continent. I shouldn't be surprised--different regions of the United States have completely different landscapes and cultures (think Hawaii vs Montana). Morocco and Cape Town are about as far apart on the continent as two places could be. It amazes me that people could think of Africa as one giant slave ship, one giant safari, one giant Ebola or AIDS crisis. During our summer preparation for this project, we watched a TED talk on Africa's rediscovery of its "true greatness." One of her most profound statements was that "Africa is not a village." This shatters the typical view of Africa that the rest of the world often has. Both in Morocco and here in Cape Town, I realize daily how different the world is from our perceptions. It's amazing how homogenous we perceive entire regions and continents to be. How much does this cheapen the unique beauty that God has given to each country, each community, and each person? To treat them as if they were all the same is to lessen their importance in our estimation.
As far as Thanksgiving goes, I am so thankful this year. First, I am thankful that the Lord has given me this opportunity, to learn from some of the most incredible people I have ever met. I am thankful that He loves me enough to be patient with me and love me through this. I am thankful for my amazing family--there is no way that I would be here without them. I am thankful for every single person I have met here, and for all of the people supporting me and praying for me back at home. I am thankful for all of the things God blesses me with every day, things I so often take for granted: food, clothing, electricity, clean water, plumbing, living in a relatively safe and definitely comfortable area.
It is hard to be here and to balance being thankful with being guilty. Every day we drive into Philippi, where people more often than not don't know where their next meal is coming from. They live in conditions that I truly could not imagine. When it's time to go back to the lodge at the end of the day, my heart feels heavy walking away from a situation that is so far beyond my control. I wonder what they think of me, a privileged American coming to help--does it seem insincere, when they know I get to go back to live in luxury at the end of the project?
I guess the best thing that I can compare it to is the story of the Good Samaritan. When he saw a person that needed help, he stopped and did what he could. But he was not the one who nursed the Jew who had been beaten back to health--that was the innkeeper. There was someone else, not the Samaritan, in a better position to provide long term help. I feel like this project is my opportunity to stop at the side of the road. To finally DO something about conditions I feel are not okay, for people who could use hope and love. But I'm not going to be the one who heals them--eventually, I have to turn over the reigns to someone else and trust that God is the Ultimate and Perfect Healer. And I know He merits my trust, He is faithful. For that, I can really give thanks.
Til Later,
Sam
Thanksgiving this year was not quite like any that I have experienced. We spent the weekend at Kruger National Park, one of the largest reserves in Africa. It's been something that we have been looking forward to throughout all our preparation and time here, yet it was still difficult to see friends' pictures of going home for Thanksgiving and be so far away. It's not my first Thanksgiving being away from home (I've spent a few in Guatemala now or getting ready to leave), but it was the first time I have been away from my family.
That being said, safari was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had! We saw the Big 5--elephants, lions, water buffalo, leopards, and white rhinos--as well as zebras, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, birds, kudus, and (SO many) impala. It's cool enough to see these animals at a zoo or reserve in the States, but seeing them in the wild it was hard to imagine this being real life.
When people picture Africa, I think many of them imagine what seems like the end of the earth, with lions and elephants roaming the streets. At Kruger, that's pretty much what it was like! We had dinner in the bush our first night there, with a man standing guard with a shotgun because we had seen hyenas driving up to the camp! Friday morning we saw lions eating a buffalo carcass, fighting off vultures and hyenas who were also hungry for the meat. My favorite moment was when a whole herd of elephants crossed the street right in front of our truck--everything was quiet, all you could hear was their feet hitting the pavement, and it was the most intense yet peaceful moment I could have ever experienced! We had a lizard in our room and I saw insects the size of my pointer finger. In short, it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life! God's creation is amazing, and I never realized it more than that weekend.
Kruger embodies many of the ideas that people have about Africa, yet having been to the continent twice now, I am amazed by the vast difference that there is between two nations on this continent. I shouldn't be surprised--different regions of the United States have completely different landscapes and cultures (think Hawaii vs Montana). Morocco and Cape Town are about as far apart on the continent as two places could be. It amazes me that people could think of Africa as one giant slave ship, one giant safari, one giant Ebola or AIDS crisis. During our summer preparation for this project, we watched a TED talk on Africa's rediscovery of its "true greatness." One of her most profound statements was that "Africa is not a village." This shatters the typical view of Africa that the rest of the world often has. Both in Morocco and here in Cape Town, I realize daily how different the world is from our perceptions. It's amazing how homogenous we perceive entire regions and continents to be. How much does this cheapen the unique beauty that God has given to each country, each community, and each person? To treat them as if they were all the same is to lessen their importance in our estimation.
As far as Thanksgiving goes, I am so thankful this year. First, I am thankful that the Lord has given me this opportunity, to learn from some of the most incredible people I have ever met. I am thankful that He loves me enough to be patient with me and love me through this. I am thankful for my amazing family--there is no way that I would be here without them. I am thankful for every single person I have met here, and for all of the people supporting me and praying for me back at home. I am thankful for all of the things God blesses me with every day, things I so often take for granted: food, clothing, electricity, clean water, plumbing, living in a relatively safe and definitely comfortable area.
It is hard to be here and to balance being thankful with being guilty. Every day we drive into Philippi, where people more often than not don't know where their next meal is coming from. They live in conditions that I truly could not imagine. When it's time to go back to the lodge at the end of the day, my heart feels heavy walking away from a situation that is so far beyond my control. I wonder what they think of me, a privileged American coming to help--does it seem insincere, when they know I get to go back to live in luxury at the end of the project?
I guess the best thing that I can compare it to is the story of the Good Samaritan. When he saw a person that needed help, he stopped and did what he could. But he was not the one who nursed the Jew who had been beaten back to health--that was the innkeeper. There was someone else, not the Samaritan, in a better position to provide long term help. I feel like this project is my opportunity to stop at the side of the road. To finally DO something about conditions I feel are not okay, for people who could use hope and love. But I'm not going to be the one who heals them--eventually, I have to turn over the reigns to someone else and trust that God is the Ultimate and Perfect Healer. And I know He merits my trust, He is faithful. For that, I can really give thanks.
Til Later,
Sam
Nov 20, 2014
How Praise the Lord
(This is a post from last week that I never got to publish!! But it was a great story that I definitely wanted to share...)
For the past week or so, our team has been working on repainting the safe house. However generic it sounds, a new coat of paint really can work wonders. They haven't repainted for several years, and the walls were covered with mold, dirt, and large insects (I have seen more than my fair share of spiders and cockroaches!) Cleaning the walls and painting over them with white primer felt like a cleansing experience. We let the women who live at the safe house choose the colors for the rooms. They really like bright colors, clearly, as the rooms we have completed are vibrant hues of red, blue, and purple. Although we have been pulling long days and the work is tiring, there have been so many moments that make everything feel worth it. On Friday afternoon, we were still at the shelter painting when the children came home from school. Seeing their reactions as they walked into their bright new bedrooms, excitedly pointing out which beds belonged to each of them (several sharing with brothers and sisters), made all of the tiredness we felt fade away.
Seeing the change in the women since we've been working is also remarkable. At first, very few of them showed much interest in participating--although a few helped for an hour or two, they quickly tired and went into the other room to rest. But as they began to see the changes as each room was painted, they began to show more initiative. Soon, they were painting faster than we were! On Tuesday, we had a meeting with our project advisors and some Sizakuyenza staff. We were planning to begin painting as soon as the meeting was over, but the women asked if they could begin while we were gone. We filled their paint trays and gave them a few rollers, and were shocked when we returned to find out that they had finished the entire room we were planning to paint!
The hard work is a lot of fun, too! Aside from simply getting to know the women as we work alongside them, music helps to keep things fun. There have been several impromptu dance parties in the hallway as we move from room to room! Yesterday morning, we were painting with several women. The radio was not playing, but some of the women were singing or humming to themselves as they worked. Th---- began to sing a little louder, and some of the other women sang along. I continued to paint, smiling to myself as I realized that I recognized the tune:
"Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works Thy hands have made..."
I started singing quietly along with the women as they sang. Vuiyo told Themba to be quiet as she realized that I was singing. I told them how I knew the song, and we continued to sing together. Th----, being one of the more outgoing women, sang loudly
"then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How praise the Lord..."
V---- corrected her loudly: "That's not it! It's How Great Thou Art!" and then proceeded to tell me that I must write out the proper English lyrics for them. I didn't want to correct her though, because it was so happy to be half a world away from home singing the same song and praising the same God that I do in the US.
There are so many ways that I see God here--in the landscape, in the children, in the singing, in the strength and beauty of the women we work with. Sometimes, all I can do is look up and think to myself, "how praise the Lord." :)
For the past week or so, our team has been working on repainting the safe house. However generic it sounds, a new coat of paint really can work wonders. They haven't repainted for several years, and the walls were covered with mold, dirt, and large insects (I have seen more than my fair share of spiders and cockroaches!) Cleaning the walls and painting over them with white primer felt like a cleansing experience. We let the women who live at the safe house choose the colors for the rooms. They really like bright colors, clearly, as the rooms we have completed are vibrant hues of red, blue, and purple. Although we have been pulling long days and the work is tiring, there have been so many moments that make everything feel worth it. On Friday afternoon, we were still at the shelter painting when the children came home from school. Seeing their reactions as they walked into their bright new bedrooms, excitedly pointing out which beds belonged to each of them (several sharing with brothers and sisters), made all of the tiredness we felt fade away.
Seeing the change in the women since we've been working is also remarkable. At first, very few of them showed much interest in participating--although a few helped for an hour or two, they quickly tired and went into the other room to rest. But as they began to see the changes as each room was painted, they began to show more initiative. Soon, they were painting faster than we were! On Tuesday, we had a meeting with our project advisors and some Sizakuyenza staff. We were planning to begin painting as soon as the meeting was over, but the women asked if they could begin while we were gone. We filled their paint trays and gave them a few rollers, and were shocked when we returned to find out that they had finished the entire room we were planning to paint!
The hard work is a lot of fun, too! Aside from simply getting to know the women as we work alongside them, music helps to keep things fun. There have been several impromptu dance parties in the hallway as we move from room to room! Yesterday morning, we were painting with several women. The radio was not playing, but some of the women were singing or humming to themselves as they worked. Th---- began to sing a little louder, and some of the other women sang along. I continued to paint, smiling to myself as I realized that I recognized the tune:
"Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works Thy hands have made..."
I started singing quietly along with the women as they sang. Vuiyo told Themba to be quiet as she realized that I was singing. I told them how I knew the song, and we continued to sing together. Th----, being one of the more outgoing women, sang loudly
"then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How praise the Lord..."
V---- corrected her loudly: "That's not it! It's How Great Thou Art!" and then proceeded to tell me that I must write out the proper English lyrics for them. I didn't want to correct her though, because it was so happy to be half a world away from home singing the same song and praising the same God that I do in the US.
There are so many ways that I see God here--in the landscape, in the children, in the singing, in the strength and beauty of the women we work with. Sometimes, all I can do is look up and think to myself, "how praise the Lord." :)
Nov 5, 2014
K----
Pictures are up!!! Sorry it's taken so long, I'll try to continue to update them as often as I can!
As I was saying the other day, there have been times here where I had moments of clarity. It is so easy to miss the forest for the trees in this project--we are constantly, intensely focused on one facet of our project or another. There are papers to write, designs to make, presentations and interviews to conduct, and work to be done. However, there are times when the motivation behind the project manifests itself, and I am reminded of what brought me here in the first place. One of these moments happened last Friday. After work, here is what I journaled:
As I was saying the other day, there have been times here where I had moments of clarity. It is so easy to miss the forest for the trees in this project--we are constantly, intensely focused on one facet of our project or another. There are papers to write, designs to make, presentations and interviews to conduct, and work to be done. However, there are times when the motivation behind the project manifests itself, and I am reminded of what brought me here in the first place. One of these moments happened last Friday. After work, here is what I journaled:
I spent today alternating between working and playing with
K----, a two-year old boy with the brightest smile I have ever seen. He was shy
the first few times we saw him, but spent today soaking up our attention as he
ran from person to person, full of hugs and smiles. His mom, T-----, was one of
the first women to sit with us and make us feel like a part of the Sizakuyenza
family. In her I see everything that the safe house is trying to do for the
women who come there—she is a loving mom, a hard worker, and a poised and
eloquent woman. She also has a stunning voice—she amazed us when she sang on
one of our first days at the safe house, and I found myself crying as I
listened to her sing a farewell to us today.
I think all along the way, we knew that there would be women
coming and going from the safe house during our short time there. In fact, we
are entirely purposed on empowering these women during their stay so that they
can go on, to family and new jobs and a chance to live life knowing how much
they are valued. But although we have only been working at Sizakuyenza for a
little over a week, I feel a deep care for each of the women and children we
have met. I think that is what makes it so hard to say goodbye.
Each woman that comes to the safe house has a story. I wish
that I could have the opportunity to know more of T----’s. What were the
circumstances that brought her to the safe house? How has she changed since
coming? Where will she go? What bright future does she have in store? Will we
ever see her again? All these questions ran through my mind as she sang, but
the lyrics of the song she had chosen floated above them all…
“Shining like a star across my sky, just like an angel off a
page
You have appeared into my life, I feel like I’ll never be
the same…”
T----- has a story that probably includes more strength,
resilience, and hope than I will ever have. We have only had the opportunity to
be a part of that story for a little over a week. It would be false and
pretentious of me to say that our short time of knowing T-----and her
beautiful children has had much to do with their recovery at Sizakuyenza. But
her song reminded me of the change that we are actually making in people’s
lives, even just in a small way. Just listening to her sing, I can see that she
is stronger than I ever could be, and K----- is so full of joy you would never
think he has experienced abuse or trauma. I can only hope that T---- and her
sons can continue to grow and thrive despite what they have been through, as a
result of the help they have been given at Sizakuyenza.
At times the work that we are doing feels small. A string of
writing assignments, group meetings and yard work don’t seem like they could
have that much of an impact. But seeing a woman and her children ready to leave
the safe house today, having been equipped with the support they needed to
recover from such traumatic experiences, I was reminded of the significance of
the work that the safe house does. And this makes me feel so honored to have
the opportunity to be working with them, and to have known T----- and K----- even for the short time that we did.
Since Friday, I have been thinking a lot about T----- and K-----. Where are they now? Does K----- still have that happy smile on his face? I know that I will probably never see them again. But I am so thankful to have had a short time with this incredibly joyful little boy and his beautiful mom. They have reminded me exactly why I'm in Cape Town.
Nov 3, 2014
Sizakuyenza (and so much else!)
This is going to be kind of a combination of a lot of posts, since I have not been able to write this past week! We are settling into our schedules of working and exploring. I can't believe how much there is to catch up on.
Last weekend, we got tickets to the Currie Cup Final, basically the Super Bowl of rugby games. Although football (soccer for Americans) is probably the most popular sport here, rugby is a pretty big deal. Now, I have a hard enough time trying to understand and follow American sports that I see all the time, but rugby was one of the most confusing yet exciting things I have ever watched. Fortunately, a few of the other WPI students are also rugby players, so they could explain what was going on. A quick synopsis of the game: it was between Western Province (Cape Town) and Johannesburg, which is a pretty big rivalry. Cape Town got a lot of points in the beginning, but Johannesburg made a huge comeback and it literally came down to a few points in the last 5 seconds of the game where if Jo'burg made a "field goal" (I forget the rugby word) they would win but if they missed WP would win. They missed. Everyone went crazy. My favorite part of the game though, by far, was listening to the whole stadium sing along to their national anthem. It felt like such a privilege to be a part of this game, this city, and this country, even just for a small amount of time. That was definitely one of the best outings we've had so far.
This past weekend, we got the chance to go to Boulder Beach, the Cape of Good Hope, and Table Mountain (all in 2 days!). I took more pictures than I know what to do with, and unfortunately the internet at the Lodge is too unstable for uploading but as soon as I can I will be sharing them with you all! These were some of the most beautiful places I have ever been to in my life. Boulder Beach in many ways looks like a tropical oasis, with white sands and azure water. However, what makes it famous is that it is home to hundreds, if not thousands, of penguins. Needless to say, they were adorable. Not far from Boulder Beach was the Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost point in Africa (and about as close as you can get to Antarctica). It was one of the most beautiful and scary places I have ever been! First of all, the wind was stronger than anything I have ever experienced. As we explored and hiked the trails along the ocean to Cape Point, the wind would literally push us sideways at times. But scarier than the wind were the wild baboons that wandered the area, as commonplace as squirrels at home. They have been known to be aggressive at times, stealing food from people's hands or even cameras (mistaking them for something edible). At one point, we had baboons on all sides of us on the narrow trail; we tried hard to keep still and let them go by us without provoking them to get mad, as several were mothers with babies clinging to them as they wandered the trail and bushes around us. It was one of the scariest things of my life!
Table Mountain was another incredible experience. Honestly, there are no words to describe how beautiful it is here. We encouraged each other as we spent 2 hours climbing the Platteklip Gorge to the summit, where you can see the whole city on one side, and on another just ocean all the way to the horizon. We were able to stay for the sunset as well, which was breathtaking. My description of these trips are pretty brief, but only because I know that no words I put together will accurately describe how beautiful it is here. The juxtaposition of the beauty with the poverty sometimes is jarring, but being here for less than 2 weeks I am truly in awe of how incredible God's creation can be.
We're also settling into our projects, going to our sites 4 days a week. It is exciting to see the projects develop after researching and planning for so long!
Sizakuyenza is the organization we are working under, which works in many different facets of the community. They are doing everything from HIV/TB testing and counseling, to drug rehabilitation, to job training, to youth and children's after-school programs, to domestic violence protection at the safe house where we work. I love this organization and the lovely people who work there. It is such a demonstration of hope, of light in a dark place. Our first day on the job, they took us to meet many workers in the different facets of the organization--one of the first ones was the HIV/TB testing tents they set up along the highway. Philippi, which is the city where we work, is like the business center to several informal settlements in the surrounding area. Seeing these tents set up, with a man holding a megaphone shouting that people could get free HIV tests at their makeshift clinics, was such an encouragement to me. No matter how insurmountable the problems that Cape Town settlements seem to be facing, Sizakuyenza will do what it can to help.
The name Sizakuyenza, in its original language, means "we will do it despite what you say." This truly is the essence of their work in so many areas. How many people say that work in communities like this is pointless? The statistics are too overwhelming, the conditions are too dangerous, the situation is too bleak. But the people at Sizakuyenza want to see one less person with HIV who goes untreated. They want to have one less little girl being trafficked. They want one less teenager without something productive to do to turn to violence or gangs. They want one less woman who is abused by her husband to feel like she is alone. And they will fight for it, despite anyone who says it isn't worth their time.
So far, we have been connecting with the staff and residents at the safe house and beginning work and planning on the many projects we are hoping to accomplish during our time here. At some points, the work we are doing seems menial--a lot of talking about ideas, yard work, and writing so far. But then there are moments where I look back and see that the work we are doing, however indirectly, is making a huge impact and I am simply humbled to be a part of it.
I hate to purposefully leave you in suspense, but I have to get some sleep before going to the site tomorrow! There is honestly so much that I have seen and done in the last couple weeks that I could write for hours, but I will have to save some for later :)
Til later,
Sam
Last weekend, we got tickets to the Currie Cup Final, basically the Super Bowl of rugby games. Although football (soccer for Americans) is probably the most popular sport here, rugby is a pretty big deal. Now, I have a hard enough time trying to understand and follow American sports that I see all the time, but rugby was one of the most confusing yet exciting things I have ever watched. Fortunately, a few of the other WPI students are also rugby players, so they could explain what was going on. A quick synopsis of the game: it was between Western Province (Cape Town) and Johannesburg, which is a pretty big rivalry. Cape Town got a lot of points in the beginning, but Johannesburg made a huge comeback and it literally came down to a few points in the last 5 seconds of the game where if Jo'burg made a "field goal" (I forget the rugby word) they would win but if they missed WP would win. They missed. Everyone went crazy. My favorite part of the game though, by far, was listening to the whole stadium sing along to their national anthem. It felt like such a privilege to be a part of this game, this city, and this country, even just for a small amount of time. That was definitely one of the best outings we've had so far.
This past weekend, we got the chance to go to Boulder Beach, the Cape of Good Hope, and Table Mountain (all in 2 days!). I took more pictures than I know what to do with, and unfortunately the internet at the Lodge is too unstable for uploading but as soon as I can I will be sharing them with you all! These were some of the most beautiful places I have ever been to in my life. Boulder Beach in many ways looks like a tropical oasis, with white sands and azure water. However, what makes it famous is that it is home to hundreds, if not thousands, of penguins. Needless to say, they were adorable. Not far from Boulder Beach was the Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost point in Africa (and about as close as you can get to Antarctica). It was one of the most beautiful and scary places I have ever been! First of all, the wind was stronger than anything I have ever experienced. As we explored and hiked the trails along the ocean to Cape Point, the wind would literally push us sideways at times. But scarier than the wind were the wild baboons that wandered the area, as commonplace as squirrels at home. They have been known to be aggressive at times, stealing food from people's hands or even cameras (mistaking them for something edible). At one point, we had baboons on all sides of us on the narrow trail; we tried hard to keep still and let them go by us without provoking them to get mad, as several were mothers with babies clinging to them as they wandered the trail and bushes around us. It was one of the scariest things of my life!
Table Mountain was another incredible experience. Honestly, there are no words to describe how beautiful it is here. We encouraged each other as we spent 2 hours climbing the Platteklip Gorge to the summit, where you can see the whole city on one side, and on another just ocean all the way to the horizon. We were able to stay for the sunset as well, which was breathtaking. My description of these trips are pretty brief, but only because I know that no words I put together will accurately describe how beautiful it is here. The juxtaposition of the beauty with the poverty sometimes is jarring, but being here for less than 2 weeks I am truly in awe of how incredible God's creation can be.
We're also settling into our projects, going to our sites 4 days a week. It is exciting to see the projects develop after researching and planning for so long!
Sizakuyenza is the organization we are working under, which works in many different facets of the community. They are doing everything from HIV/TB testing and counseling, to drug rehabilitation, to job training, to youth and children's after-school programs, to domestic violence protection at the safe house where we work. I love this organization and the lovely people who work there. It is such a demonstration of hope, of light in a dark place. Our first day on the job, they took us to meet many workers in the different facets of the organization--one of the first ones was the HIV/TB testing tents they set up along the highway. Philippi, which is the city where we work, is like the business center to several informal settlements in the surrounding area. Seeing these tents set up, with a man holding a megaphone shouting that people could get free HIV tests at their makeshift clinics, was such an encouragement to me. No matter how insurmountable the problems that Cape Town settlements seem to be facing, Sizakuyenza will do what it can to help.
The name Sizakuyenza, in its original language, means "we will do it despite what you say." This truly is the essence of their work in so many areas. How many people say that work in communities like this is pointless? The statistics are too overwhelming, the conditions are too dangerous, the situation is too bleak. But the people at Sizakuyenza want to see one less person with HIV who goes untreated. They want to have one less little girl being trafficked. They want one less teenager without something productive to do to turn to violence or gangs. They want one less woman who is abused by her husband to feel like she is alone. And they will fight for it, despite anyone who says it isn't worth their time.
So far, we have been connecting with the staff and residents at the safe house and beginning work and planning on the many projects we are hoping to accomplish during our time here. At some points, the work we are doing seems menial--a lot of talking about ideas, yard work, and writing so far. But then there are moments where I look back and see that the work we are doing, however indirectly, is making a huge impact and I am simply humbled to be a part of it.
I hate to purposefully leave you in suspense, but I have to get some sleep before going to the site tomorrow! There is honestly so much that I have seen and done in the last couple weeks that I could write for hours, but I will have to save some for later :)
Til later,
Sam
Oct 23, 2014
A Fancy Car at Crossroads
Sorry it's taken me a few days to get to writing again, the internet here goes in and out and it's taken a few days to get into a schedule with the time changes and everyone settling in! I did make it to Cape Town safely, after a long two-day journey! I promise that I will be posting pictures as soon as I can, when I have the time (and internet capacity) to upload them!!
It's hard to sum up my first impressions of this place. I guess the first thing is how absolutely beautiful it is here. The entire city is overshadowed by Table Mountain, and surrounded by ocean on three sides. Driving around the city, sometimes you look up and the view takes your breath away. It is unlike any city that I have ever been to. (I promise that I will be posting LOTS of pictures as soon as I get the chance to upload them!)
Cape Town is a lesson in extremes. Today was our first day of work, and it summed this up quite well. We are staying at a lodge in the upper-class section of the city, which is very safe and quite wealthy. (Apartments nearby are available for 1,500,000 Rand, or about $150,000). Driving through this area, we saw several fancy cars, nice apartments and buildings, and well-dressed people going about their business. After we drove through downtown and began toward the outskirts of the city, we saw the houses getting smaller and more hastily-built. Soon we arrived at Crossroads, the largest squatter settlement in Cape Town. On the right side of the van, you could look out the window and immediately see rows of crowded, dilapidated shacks. On the left side, however, the road and the shacks were separated by a large construction site that seemed to go on as long as the settlement did. We asked Neville, our driver, what the construction was for. He said that they were building nicer apartments and homes along the roadside, "to put up a better front."
How many times do I do this in my own life? On the inside I may be impoverished, starving, and barely holding on to survive. But I create a chasm between the real me and the world around me, building a facade to hide my desperation. I appreciate authenticity and honesty, yet I'm definitely a person who tries hard to have it all together, or at least come off that way to everyone else. How would my relationships be different if I allowed people to see behind the walls? But this isn't even what got to me.
As we were driving through Crossroads, I looked out at the cars on the highway nearby, and saw a fancy car (I know next to nothing about cars, so don't ask me what kind it was specifically). I can't imagine living in Cape Town as a wealthy person and driving my fancy car down these streets. Seeing people who don't know where there next meal is coming from, as they're on their way to a fancy restaurant or shopping trip. Encountering the "least of these" from the comfort of their plush leather seats at 65mph.
But I can't even say "they," like I have no responsibility in this. Don't I drive by poverty all the time? Even though I live in a nation where people are much more fortunate than the people living in Crossroads, I encounter the poor almost daily (and if I don't they're only a few blocks away). But what am I doing to help the people around me? One of the other students on the trip was talking later, and said the poverty didn't hit him until we were on our way home. We may be going into the settlements every day, but we always know at the end we have a hot shower and meal waiting for us. We have clean clothes, a warm bed, and safe water. We have an "escape" that many of these people have never, and will never, know. It's hard to grapple with the fairness of this. What makes me deserve such a privileged life when these people have nothing?
The truth is, there is nothing that makes me deserve anything that I have, or that puts me in a beautiful home in Massachusetts while they are in a Cape Town shack. God has blessed me so much with the things that I have, and has blessed me still more with the opportunity to love people in poverty. I feel compelled to do what I can to help them, and am so honored that they would let me be a part of their lives.
"There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth." --Proverbs 13:7
It's hard to sum up my first impressions of this place. I guess the first thing is how absolutely beautiful it is here. The entire city is overshadowed by Table Mountain, and surrounded by ocean on three sides. Driving around the city, sometimes you look up and the view takes your breath away. It is unlike any city that I have ever been to. (I promise that I will be posting LOTS of pictures as soon as I get the chance to upload them!)
Cape Town is a lesson in extremes. Today was our first day of work, and it summed this up quite well. We are staying at a lodge in the upper-class section of the city, which is very safe and quite wealthy. (Apartments nearby are available for 1,500,000 Rand, or about $150,000). Driving through this area, we saw several fancy cars, nice apartments and buildings, and well-dressed people going about their business. After we drove through downtown and began toward the outskirts of the city, we saw the houses getting smaller and more hastily-built. Soon we arrived at Crossroads, the largest squatter settlement in Cape Town. On the right side of the van, you could look out the window and immediately see rows of crowded, dilapidated shacks. On the left side, however, the road and the shacks were separated by a large construction site that seemed to go on as long as the settlement did. We asked Neville, our driver, what the construction was for. He said that they were building nicer apartments and homes along the roadside, "to put up a better front."
How many times do I do this in my own life? On the inside I may be impoverished, starving, and barely holding on to survive. But I create a chasm between the real me and the world around me, building a facade to hide my desperation. I appreciate authenticity and honesty, yet I'm definitely a person who tries hard to have it all together, or at least come off that way to everyone else. How would my relationships be different if I allowed people to see behind the walls? But this isn't even what got to me.
As we were driving through Crossroads, I looked out at the cars on the highway nearby, and saw a fancy car (I know next to nothing about cars, so don't ask me what kind it was specifically). I can't imagine living in Cape Town as a wealthy person and driving my fancy car down these streets. Seeing people who don't know where there next meal is coming from, as they're on their way to a fancy restaurant or shopping trip. Encountering the "least of these" from the comfort of their plush leather seats at 65mph.
But I can't even say "they," like I have no responsibility in this. Don't I drive by poverty all the time? Even though I live in a nation where people are much more fortunate than the people living in Crossroads, I encounter the poor almost daily (and if I don't they're only a few blocks away). But what am I doing to help the people around me? One of the other students on the trip was talking later, and said the poverty didn't hit him until we were on our way home. We may be going into the settlements every day, but we always know at the end we have a hot shower and meal waiting for us. We have clean clothes, a warm bed, and safe water. We have an "escape" that many of these people have never, and will never, know. It's hard to grapple with the fairness of this. What makes me deserve such a privileged life when these people have nothing?
The truth is, there is nothing that makes me deserve anything that I have, or that puts me in a beautiful home in Massachusetts while they are in a Cape Town shack. God has blessed me so much with the things that I have, and has blessed me still more with the opportunity to love people in poverty. I feel compelled to do what I can to help them, and am so honored that they would let me be a part of their lives.
"There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth." --Proverbs 13:7
Oct 19, 2014
To the Hilt
Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God. --Jim Elliot
This day has come so much faster than I expected it to. I am sitting in the airport, waiting for my flight to leave the United States. The past few days have been a whirlwind of packing, last-minute errands and vaccinations, and goodbyes (for now). So much preparation has gone into this trip. I have been doing hours of research and writing for ID2050, a class entirely dedicated to preliminary IQP work. The more I've learned about the safe house, my project, and Cape Town, the more I've been looking forward to seeing all of it in real life and to be a part of the work that is going on there.
Of course, there is a part of me that doesn't want to leave. Saying goodbye to my family (especially a crying younger sister) is heartbreaking, although just for a few weeks. It's hard to imagine being so far away, even if it isn't my first time being immersed in another culture. The timing of this trip is also something that I've questioned--it's a hard time to leave home. However, I am so confident in the fact that God has a plan for me, and that He knew what He was doing in placing me in South Africa for this project. I have a feeling that He is going to do incredible things, maybe through me but surely in me. I can't wait to see what they are.
Just as I was finishing that thought, my mom sent me a text saying "God has planned it this way intentionally, so make the most of it." The exact message that I am trying to convey in writing this. Although I surely leave a portion of my heart at home, I want to be all there when I am in Cape Town, as this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, one that few people have the privilege of experiencing. I know already that before I know it, my time will be over. So I want to be purposeful in living "to the hilt"--there will be opportunities that draw me out of my comfort zone, but that can't be an excuse not to make the most of them. I have confidence in the fact that God is with me and will be every moment while I'm there. This time will pass all to quickly, so I want to make as much of it as I can.
My plane will be leaving soon, but I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, and taking the time to read my blog while I'm gone. I'll write again as soon as I can!
Til later,
Sam
This day has come so much faster than I expected it to. I am sitting in the airport, waiting for my flight to leave the United States. The past few days have been a whirlwind of packing, last-minute errands and vaccinations, and goodbyes (for now). So much preparation has gone into this trip. I have been doing hours of research and writing for ID2050, a class entirely dedicated to preliminary IQP work. The more I've learned about the safe house, my project, and Cape Town, the more I've been looking forward to seeing all of it in real life and to be a part of the work that is going on there.
Of course, there is a part of me that doesn't want to leave. Saying goodbye to my family (especially a crying younger sister) is heartbreaking, although just for a few weeks. It's hard to imagine being so far away, even if it isn't my first time being immersed in another culture. The timing of this trip is also something that I've questioned--it's a hard time to leave home. However, I am so confident in the fact that God has a plan for me, and that He knew what He was doing in placing me in South Africa for this project. I have a feeling that He is going to do incredible things, maybe through me but surely in me. I can't wait to see what they are.
Just as I was finishing that thought, my mom sent me a text saying "God has planned it this way intentionally, so make the most of it." The exact message that I am trying to convey in writing this. Although I surely leave a portion of my heart at home, I want to be all there when I am in Cape Town, as this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, one that few people have the privilege of experiencing. I know already that before I know it, my time will be over. So I want to be purposeful in living "to the hilt"--there will be opportunities that draw me out of my comfort zone, but that can't be an excuse not to make the most of them. I have confidence in the fact that God is with me and will be every moment while I'm there. This time will pass all to quickly, so I want to make as much of it as I can.
My plane will be leaving soon, but I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, and taking the time to read my blog while I'm gone. I'll write again as soon as I can!
Til later,
Sam
Sep 9, 2014
Introductions
A little over one year after my first study abroad experience, I find myself once again beginning a blog, and beginning a journey... Who knew I would be so blessed as to get the opportunity to spend two months in Africa twice?! Last year, I spent two months in Morocco and it completely changed my life (you can read in more detail about my experiences here). I am both excited and disappointed knowing that my time in South Africa will be a completely different experience.
First of all, why am I going to Cape Town? WPI has a graduation requirement called the Interactive Qualifying Project, or IQP. This is an opportunity for students, almost always in their third year, to apply their education in a social, humanistic context. Although many students do their projects on campus, the project is taken one step further when a student completes their IQP at one of WPI's many Project Centers all over the world, resulting in not only an interdisciplinary, but also a cross-cultural experience.
I was thrilled to be selected for the Cape Town Project Center in Cape Town, South Africa. This project center has many hands-on projects working in the settlements on the outskirts of the city. These settlements were created by the government in order to keep living spaces segregated--more or less excluding non-whites from living within city limits. Although apartheid ended in 1994, racial divisions remain and thousands of people are still living in informal settlements, often lacking basics such as clean water, electricity, and proper sanitation facilities.
My project, specifically, will be working at the Sizakuyenza Safe House in Philippi, one of these informal settlements. Sizkuyenza shelters women and children who have been victims of domestic violence, supporting them and training them for several months until they are ready to be integrated back into society. Our goal is to improve the facilities of the Safe House, fixing up their playground and water feature as well as developing their garden. Moreover, we want to connect some of the women of the safe house with employment opportunities at the Blue Sky Recycling Center, another place in Philippi where a WPI project was done last year. Our project is still in its early stages, but we are already researching and learning in preparation for our time in South Africa. I couldn't be more excited to be assigned to this project with the team members I have the privilege to work with!!
Keeping a blog was one of the best decisions that I made during my stay in Morocco (although I should have written more often!!). This gave friends and family the opportunity to stay updated on what I was doing, as well as giving me an opportunity to stop and reflect on my experiences and how they related to the rest of my life. It also helps me to relive some of the adventures and feelings that I had while I was there; even reading over some of my posts in preparation for this blog brought back some great memories! So, even though I know that I will be incredibly busy in Cape Town, I am intent on once again blogging, no matter how dorky some would say that it is.
You may be wondering about the title of this blog (and even if you're not, I'm going to explain it to you). If you know me well, you know that I am fascinated by and in love with studying languages. I love the way that they are structured into grammatical patterns, yet dynamic with the ever-changing tides of culture. I love the way that foreign words can capture a concept I never could articulate in English, and the satisfying feeling of communicating with someone, breaking down linguistic barriers. I have been dabbling in some Afrikaans in preparation for Cape Town, and have enjoyed learning a few of the interesting words and phrases of this eclectic language. One of the words that I've learned was "Trek," which is Afrikaans for a journey that is challenging. I am certain that my journey in Cape Town will have its share of difficulties and challenges; but this is when journeys are often the most rewarding. One of the things I took away from Morocco last year is that I have allowed fear and comfort to hold me back far too many times, too often shying away from something when it becomes difficult. Cape Town for me will be a lesson in trekking--climbing, growing, and being challenged on what is sure to be incredible journey. I can't wait to see where it takes me.
First of all, why am I going to Cape Town? WPI has a graduation requirement called the Interactive Qualifying Project, or IQP. This is an opportunity for students, almost always in their third year, to apply their education in a social, humanistic context. Although many students do their projects on campus, the project is taken one step further when a student completes their IQP at one of WPI's many Project Centers all over the world, resulting in not only an interdisciplinary, but also a cross-cultural experience.
I was thrilled to be selected for the Cape Town Project Center in Cape Town, South Africa. This project center has many hands-on projects working in the settlements on the outskirts of the city. These settlements were created by the government in order to keep living spaces segregated--more or less excluding non-whites from living within city limits. Although apartheid ended in 1994, racial divisions remain and thousands of people are still living in informal settlements, often lacking basics such as clean water, electricity, and proper sanitation facilities.
My project, specifically, will be working at the Sizakuyenza Safe House in Philippi, one of these informal settlements. Sizkuyenza shelters women and children who have been victims of domestic violence, supporting them and training them for several months until they are ready to be integrated back into society. Our goal is to improve the facilities of the Safe House, fixing up their playground and water feature as well as developing their garden. Moreover, we want to connect some of the women of the safe house with employment opportunities at the Blue Sky Recycling Center, another place in Philippi where a WPI project was done last year. Our project is still in its early stages, but we are already researching and learning in preparation for our time in South Africa. I couldn't be more excited to be assigned to this project with the team members I have the privilege to work with!!
Keeping a blog was one of the best decisions that I made during my stay in Morocco (although I should have written more often!!). This gave friends and family the opportunity to stay updated on what I was doing, as well as giving me an opportunity to stop and reflect on my experiences and how they related to the rest of my life. It also helps me to relive some of the adventures and feelings that I had while I was there; even reading over some of my posts in preparation for this blog brought back some great memories! So, even though I know that I will be incredibly busy in Cape Town, I am intent on once again blogging, no matter how dorky some would say that it is.
You may be wondering about the title of this blog (and even if you're not, I'm going to explain it to you). If you know me well, you know that I am fascinated by and in love with studying languages. I love the way that they are structured into grammatical patterns, yet dynamic with the ever-changing tides of culture. I love the way that foreign words can capture a concept I never could articulate in English, and the satisfying feeling of communicating with someone, breaking down linguistic barriers. I have been dabbling in some Afrikaans in preparation for Cape Town, and have enjoyed learning a few of the interesting words and phrases of this eclectic language. One of the words that I've learned was "Trek," which is Afrikaans for a journey that is challenging. I am certain that my journey in Cape Town will have its share of difficulties and challenges; but this is when journeys are often the most rewarding. One of the things I took away from Morocco last year is that I have allowed fear and comfort to hold me back far too many times, too often shying away from something when it becomes difficult. Cape Town for me will be a lesson in trekking--climbing, growing, and being challenged on what is sure to be incredible journey. I can't wait to see where it takes me.
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