Manuela can't believe it's over

Even as I am sitting on this plane I can’t believe my days in Cape Town are over; it is unbelievable how quickly three and a half months go.  My experience in Cape Town will be unforgettable. I have met great people, made some awesome friendships and experienced so many things that are unexplainable.

Some of the awesome things I did in Cape Town:

• ·      Shark cage diving
• ·      Hiked table mountain
• ·      Skydiving
• ·      Hiked Lions Head
• ·      Attended Color festival
• ·      Rode an elephant
• ·      Pet a cheetah
• ·      Went paragliding
• ·      SURFED
• ·      Ate amazing food
• ·      Bungee jumped off of the highest bridge of the world
• ·      Went on a bush walk in Kruger National Park
• ·      Saw the big five (elephant, rhino, leopard, lion, buffalo) at Kruger National Park
• ·      Participate in a Treatment Action Campaign march for parliament to change bad patent laws
• ·       Watched two musicals (Blood Brothers and The Sound of Music)
• ·      Watched a play (A Human Being that Died That Night)
• ·      Went to the Freshlygrounds concert
• ·      Went to two soccer games one of which was the African championship game
• ·      Took a road trip to Plettenberg 

Ma Frances & Manuela

I was also able to become part of the communities through my internships. I had two internships for the time I was in Cape Town. One of the placements being at Elonwabeni family and child center; this shelter first started for affected and infected children with HIV/ AIDS. Unfortunately, the need for shelters has increased drastically in Mitchells Plain so it has now become a shelter for children that have been physically and sexually abused or kids who have parents that are addicted to drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately there was not much for me to do at the shelter but I was able to meet an incredible woman called Francis or as we all at the shelter say “ma”. Ma is the social worker at the shelter and her dedication to the children is inspiring. She is such a wise women who taught me so much through her experiences and I could not be more grateful for everything she did to welcome Melanie and I. Through ma I was able to shadow a social worker, Daphne, at the department of Social Development.  Being at DSD and seeing how everything worked open my eyes and made me re-think the kind of social work I want to go into. When I first walked in to Daphne’s office I saw at least 60 files later to find out that those were all of her open cases. It was crazy to think that one person is in charge of so many files because realistically she only has time to work on one or two a day. During my time there I got to witness the middle process of a case all up to the court hearing that finalized the case. My first day at DSD, Daphne was working on a case for a teenage girl who needed to be placed in foster care. The foster family that she was going to be placed with was already the caretakers of her two younger siblings. My second day their I attended children’s court for this same case. I was given permission to listen to the hearing which was a great opportunity for me because 1) I have never seen the process of children’s court 2) it allowed me to see how the SA court system works.

Melanie & Manuela with kides at Klipfontein Primary School

I was also very fortunate to be able to intern at Klipfontein primary school although it was only five days it was my most favorite days. This school is located in one of the poorest communities, Netreg. At this school I shadowed the community worker Deon. Deon was an amazing person and very dedicated to his job he would not stop until he got what his clients needed. Deon took Melanie and I around the community to make home visits. As we did these home visits it was so sad to see how little the students I was with had but yet so astonished as to how happy these kids are at school. It was incredible to see how dedicated the principle was to his students and he always made sure his school was an environment in which his students would want to come to school everyday to learn regardless of the communities circumstances. Whenever there were no more clients Melanie and I went upstairs to the fourth grade classroom to read to the students. It is crazy how attached these kids get to you and vice versa when ever it was time for there recess the kids would come looking for us in the office so we would play duck duck goose with them or sing the “peel the banana song”. I will truly miss Klipfontein.

Melanie & Manuela

I was able to learn so much by being in the communities even though I really wont know what most of it means until I am put to the test after a few weeks/ months of being back home. My journey in Cape Town has come to an end but a new one begins.

Sarah's farewell to her Cape Town co-educators

Emily, Vernon, Sarah, Allie at Farewell dinner

So today is April 27th. It's the day that sounded light years away back in January. I'm currently sitting in the common room at Loch. . . and the house is so quiet and empty! I'm still trying to process the fact that about three hours ago I cried and hugged and waved goodbye to the strangers who have become family. This semester has flown by. I wish there was some way I could sum it up . . . some way to tell you all the stories. But there simply isn't (I'll apologize now for the listing). There's been the exciting checklist of activities: climb Table Mountain, go black water tubing, hand-feed an elephant, ride an ostrich, walk through the bush at Krugar, tour Joburg, explore Langebaan, eat at Die Strandloper . . . But then Cape Town has been so much more. 

I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunities the program has offered us: to meet young people from all over Africa; to have frank discussions on human rights; to share jazz and community with Gus and the band; to sample countless cuisines; to have safe space to talk about the difficult issues of race, class, and gender; to better understand the tumultuous history of apartheid and its living legacy; to explore the realm of NGOs; to step foot in historical places across the country; to hear tour guides who've lived through the history they preach; to intern at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC); to form a close-knit community of UConn peers. And then there's been those odds and ends . . . I wrote, a while back, that I realized it was those small interactions that were making the trip. Now I can only agree more vehemently. It's been the way in which I've been welcomed into strangers' homes, the frequency that I've had meaningful chats with a taxi driver, those moments of laughter with my peers, the hugs I am greeted with each morning at the IEC. The cultural attitude here is infectious. If anything, I want to always carry a piece of Ubuntu with me and the open, genuine, caring atmosphere it creates. I'm a bit of a busy body, and I've learned how to relax on this trip. I want to that back as well, because quiet moments are so often underestimated. I want to take back my new perspectives and our meaningful classroom discussions. I want to take back the realization that when you hope to accomplish something, you need simply start . . . it's at least worth a try. 

Just the other day I was shopping around at Old Biscuit Mill for the last time. I noticed a plaque that read, "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" I suddenly realized that I could answer that easily and abundantly. This trip has been a lot about firsts. Add "in Cape Town" to any activity and it could be considered a first for that matter! But really, this trip has been very much about growth - growth in outlook, in friendships, in communication skills, in adaptability, in music appreciation, in empathy, in social awareness, in historical knowledge, in awe for nature's beauty, in personal openness, and yes, even in taste for fine wine. After mildly debating, I decided to buy that plaque because I never want to forget its message. Sometimes its necessary to step into what David calls the "Ohh shit!" zone (in other words, out of one's comfort zone). There's something magical about firsts. And that magic has no doubt added its sparkle to my experiences in Cape Town. But even back at home, I want to remember that firsts are achievable. There's always more to learn, always new opportunities to challenge oneself. Even as I grow older, I want to remember that firsts needn't disappear with age. Even in 30 years, I aspire to answer the plaque's question readily. 

I'll be in Cape Town now for about two more weeks. I leave on May 12th and I'm thrilled to continue at the IEC until then. With elections on May 7th, it's crunch time! The office is buzzing - today we moved out of the office and into the results center in preparation for the big day. I found out where I'll be sitting come election day and precisely the work I'll be doing. I hope that I can contribute to the elections in some meaningful way, but also know that I'll have a lot to learn. [Common theme during this trip] In the meantime, here's to hoping that every one of my fellow co-educators got home safely (and David - enjoy backpacking)! I miss you all. And here's wishing the best for the South African National Provincial Elections of 2014. 

When I leave in two weeks, I hope to make others feel as welcome as I've been made to feel in Cape Town. Regardless of circumstance, I hope to make others feel just as at home.  

Manuel'a last week

My last week in Cape Town was total last minute unplanned things. I had created a schedule for everything that I wanted to do but the schedule was definitely not followed. My last week consisted of finishing all of my final papers, getting all my last minute shopping done, finishing my activist project, going shark cage diving and just enjoying Cape Town.

My activist project was a project that I did with Val, Ava, Tina and Kiya. The project was redecorating a room in the shelter in which I interned at so that the older girls could have their own space. The shelter has 16 kids in the downstairs and upstairs house which means the older girls are constantly surrounded by the younger ones. We painted the rooms according to the girls’ request and we fundraised a lot of money from home in order to buy the paint and furniture for the room. On Saturday one of the volunteers and one of the girls from the shelter came to the house to pick up the carpet and a gift basket that we had made for all the girls with hair stuff, make up, crayons, markers etc.

I also went shark cage diving with Cassie, Val and Tina. This was something that I never even thought of doing and then that week I decided why not? It was such a beautiful day to go. When we got to seal Island the crew got all the stuff ready to attract the sharks. They tied big fish to a string so that it can go in the water, they threw a seal shape float and they made noise in the water with a bucket. It took like 20 minutes for us to see the first shark. It was amazing how close we were to the sharks and how big they were. I knew they were big but being that close to them was crazy. Tina and I were the fourth pair to go into the cage, when we got into the cage we were in it for 15 minutes and then they told us to get out. I was really bummed because I did not think were going to get to see sharks in the cage because we had been waiting a good hour. But then all of a sudden all you hear is shark get in the cage so Tina and I got in and as soon as we are in there is the shark. I was able to see the shark eat the fish when it jumped its head out of the water and then I got to see it under water, which was so COOL!!

This last week also consisted of a lot of eating out enjoying Cape Town’s restaurants especially since I had no groceries. Most of us met up on Long Street so that we could all celebrate our last night in the city and I must say it was one of my favorite nights.

Kiya's commitment to make a better world

This is my last blog post and the last one I will be writing while in Cape Town, South Africa. I am having mixed feelings about going home. I truly do miss my family and friends and just being in a familiar place but now I see Cape Town as another home which I am now having difficulty leaving. Of course I enjoyed the classes I`ve taken and my internship but I am proud of how I now see the world around me. I am going to enjoy the various restaurants I have grown accustomed to while here and the many adventures on the mini-bus taxi. I went to the city for the last time and it hit me that this was my last time walking the streets of Cape Town for at least a few years. I began thinking about the first time I went into town alone and how it took me an hour to get to the mini-bus taxi rank from a location 5 mins away. I remembered calling Vernon for directions and when I didn`t find it, I called Ben in hopes of him helping me as well. Good times lol. I came to the realization that I`ve done everything I wanted to do while here and I am leaving on a positive note.  I`ve learned a few things about myself and the people surrounding me and am taking back experiences that I will remember for a life time.

In addition to my final thoughts, I am also very proud of the work me and my activist project group did in the room at Elonwabeni. After about 2 months of planning, painting, fundraising, shopping, and organizing we finally completed the room and provided the teenagers at the centre with a space of their own. A few days ago I was frustrated and was feeling overwhelmed with the lack of support for our project. It made me reevaluate why I volunteer and decide to help people to begin with.  In the end, I realized that as long as I give my all then I am satisfied with my performance no matter what spectators may have to say. This project has opened doors for other projects in the future. I`ve recently read about the importance of shelters who cater to women and children. Most of these women are abused by their significant other and their only opinion is to go to a shelter. The problem lies with the resources and spaces shelters are able to provide because of lack of funding. This is at least the case in the Western Cape and in result women and their children end up on the streets where they are vulnerable to HIV and AID, STIs, TB, rap, drugs and alcohol, and "survival sex". My goal in the future would be to volunteer with shelters and help make it aware of their importance to the state and to these women. 

Lastly, the final dinner was great. For the first time I was able to connect with the director of the Western Cape Network of Violence Against Women. During my time interning there, the originally director resigned and I was working with one of the employees who works for South African National AIDS Council which is an organization the Network houses. I was fortunate enough to do actual Network assignments the last two and a half weeks of my time there. Glynis Rhodes, my director, really contributed to my time at the Network. She gave me projects and allowed me to attend staff meetings and actually have input and an important role in the Networks future endeavors. Overall, I have enjoyed my stay here in Cape Town. I cannot stress enough how happy I am that I came on this trip instead of freezing in Storrs, Connecticut. I plan to share all of what I learned while studying abroad with the people around me and hopefully get people as excited as I am to make a better world. 

Sarah's reflections on her time in Cape Town

Sarah with Courtney Sampson from IEC & Vernon Rose, Study Abroad Cape Town Coordinator

 Just the other day, someone asked me what I thought about South Africa . . . "Do you like it? What is the one thing you will tell people about when you get home?"  

My immediate response: laughter. How could I possibly sum it up!? And then, lightheartedly, I managed to mutter, "All of it!" Thinking I was off the hook of answering that loaded question, I relaxed. But my answer was exactly what the asker didn't want to hear and he was waiting. It had been my easy way out of really chatting, of opening up, of really reflecting. So I took a moment, took a breath, and figured I'd better dive in. 

My second answer, probably spoken a bit too hesitantly, was "the people." Well, I was asked to elaborate . . . "What about the people?" This group of almost perfect strangers really cared to know about my experience here. 

In that instant, I realized I'd known the answer all along. Our conversation was just further proof. I rephrased myself quickly and confidently, "The vibrancy of the people." Our one-minute conversation turned into two hours quite quickly. 

Yes, I'm only 19 with a lot of places left to go and a lot of life left to live., but I have never experienced more hospitality than I have in Cape Town. And from perfect strangers. There is something all at once infectious and graceful about it . . . When I met my internship host, I wasn't welcomed into the office. I was adopted as a child into the IEC family. When I chatted with a stranger at a bus stop, it wasn't frivolous small talk. She missed four of her buses to chat longer (we later met up for lunch). When I was lost with friends walking to Die Strandloper, I wasn't offered a ride. A family refused to drive further until we accepted a lift. When I was offered a true South African braai "some other time," it wasn't an empty promise. We enjoyed some of the best food I've had the very next weekend. When I hopped into a cab one morning, I wasn't another stranger. I was someone to share a 45-minute personal conversation with.  When I was trying to sort out a place to stay, I wasn't wished good luck. I was offered a bed from three different people. And when I close up like a clam in conversation, I'm not left alone. I'm not even asked to open up. I'm expected to share my thoughts as freely as others share theirs. 

I cannot count the number of conversations I've found insanely casual! These conversations I'm referring to take on topics that, in my experience,  many would struggle to discuss amongst close friends. Drug abuse, suicidal attempts, living on the street, extreme racism, family loss . . . and these are just the first that come to mind. In today's world, where people are so constantly immersed in indirect communication through social media, where concerns are high regarding political correctness, it's refreshing to here the likes of, "I'm just me-I don't pretend. That word is not even in my vocabulary. And why? It would take up too much time and energy . . ." or "You know me today. You know me in three weeks. No point in wasting time politely getting to know me . . . here I am!" While this has come from certain individuals and not others, the generally frank, transparent, and laid back attitudes I've encountered have enabled me to connect with a multitude of amazing people.  I wish I could soak up every bit of life advice I've been so graciously offered in everyday conversation. 

I also feel extremely fortunate to have been in South Africa in the present era. It has been 20 years since the end of apartheid and less than a year since Mandela's death. The generation that lived through the struggle is very much alive. I would have been content to hear tour guides speak at the different historical sites we traveled to. But instead, I've heard history from those who've endured it . . .   At Robben Island, it is moving to listen to a former political prisoner speak on his experience. It is incredible to be shown the District Six Museum by a man removed from District Six as child under apartheid's Group Areas Act. It is special to tour the Slave Lodge when your tour guide speaks about her own ancestors. It is surreal to hear about the old South Africa from professors, strangers, and colleagues who lived in it. In one instance, I was sitting in a fancy hotel dinning room with two IEC staff members. Both identified themselves as black and were complete strangers to me. As we began chatting over lunch, they casually mentioned that 20 years ago they were not even allowed through the entrance of the hotel, never mind the dinning area. It really hit me then, sitting in the very room they were once restricted from. As a white, young, American female-as a foreigner-even I would have been allowed into that hotel 20 years ago. Having the opportunity to experience living history has made my stay in South Africa profoundly personal-emotions on the forefront. 

Sarah with new and old friends at an evening of "Cultural Infusion" at the home of Marianna September.

And, let me say, the people of South Africa know how to dance, pastors and college students alike. And sing, for that matter. And play phenomenal jazz. And protest. As joked about by the locals, South Africans dance when they're happy AND angry. I will be forever grateful for my evenings spent with a few co-educators listening to jazz in Mariana's garage. A group of locals organized an intuitive titled, "Bringing Jazz/Culture/Music to the Community." There was something magical about taking the time to simply sit amongst friends in a backyard as day waned into dusk. And then there was the passion, the warmth, and the energy with which the local band played their jazz, the soul with which the singers sang, and the heart with which the poets shared their language.  

Jen, Marianna September, & Sarah

It's funny. When I last spoke with my academic advisor before leaving for South Africa, she exclaimed, "You're going to love it! The colors there will be so vibrant!" We had been talking about clothing. And she was right. But the colors of personalities and attitudes and peoples are what have made the city come alive for me. 

So when I come home in another few days, if you ask about Cape Town, I will tell you as much as you'd like to hear. I will try my very best to explain the city and the scenery and my experiences. I will answer your question "What's the one thing about Cape Town?" more readily now. I will tell you stories as I have above. But to you they will be just that. I cannot recreate the magic and warmth and love . . . the singing, dancing, hugs, laughs . . .  Don't be alarmed if I simply recommend you hop on the next plane to Cape Town. I'll be saying it out of love for you, this city, and the vibrancy of its people.