Service Learning in South Africa

After a long but wonderful and powerful journey, we've arrived back in Nashville with lots of laundry, a few inside jokes, souvenirs, photos and stories! Thank you for your encouraging comments and for reading about our travels. We were blessed with a great group and wonderful expressions of hospitality in South Africa and Botswana. And please continue to be mindful of our friends (especially in Cape Town) who are suffering as a result of the xenophobic tensions in the townships.

Thanks especially to the talented Amanda Hargis for maintaining this blog & recruiting our writers!
Time to launder, to rest, to read and to write!

Posted by Bonnie Smith at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Yesterday and today our smaller groups have gone our separate ways, one group to Kamahalo, another to Holy Cross Hospice, and my group went to SOS. We are all taking part in different activities and offering help to these organizations in any way, shape and form. It is incredible to see first hand the SOS orphanage which houses well over 200 children. There are sixteen houses on the grounds and the kids are divided among them into what I would consider their family unit complete with a house mom and aunt.

Today while playing with some of the kids I had an opportunity to talk with a few of the older girls, one age 12 and one 13. These girls were holding young babies and not playing with the younger kids since they seemed to be more of the mother figures themselves. I asked how long they had been at the orphanage, the first said three years the other two. They both said they loved being at SOS and were thankful to have such a good home. I was so humbled while talking to them. I did not want to pry too much into their past or bring up any bad memories, but it seemed like they understood the alternative lifestyle and knew that SOS was a much better option. I then began to think back to our tour with the leader of the orphanage, Mr Bikie Morebodi, when he said that a number of children were HIV/AIDS positive. He didn’t give an exact number, but looking around I knew that there must have been at least a few of these children who may be struggling with these diseases, and I cannot imagine what that would be like. For a few minutes I sat and just thought about those poor children and realized that I honestly cannot imagine what life is like for any of them, HIV positive or not.

Continue reading "Experiencing Ubuntu" »

Posted by Amanda at 04:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

These past two days our group has been hit hard by the relaxed and different culture here in Botswana. After our painting adventure yesterday we were to have a traditional meal at noon. Around mid-morning we were informed that lunch would be running late, probably around one…then one turned to two and then two turned into three. Lunch finally came around 3:30 after a long break of reading and writing in our journals. Matt commented that in America serving lunch 3 ½ hours late would not fly, and we were forced to realize that this is not America. Here in Botswana time is not important. Our schedule no longer goes hour-by-hour, it’s simply morning, afternoon and evening with no way to make set plans.

Later as we were eating dinner at the oldest restaurant in Gaborone, it was opened in 1982, the power went out. We all sat there for a while as the servers brought out some more candles and lanterns. Apparently this is a regular occurrence, because the power went out at the mall today while we were once again trying to enjoy a meal. Thank goodness they still use gas stoves otherwise we could be getting a completely different perspective on what life is like for some of the people who live here.

Continue reading "Different Place, Different Pace" »

Posted by Amanda at 03:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Yesterday, fifteen of us embarked on a long trek up a steep, rocky mountain in Gaborone. Although we were told it would be a vigorous hike up a path to the top, the path was not found and we ended up boldering over many rocks and later hiking through thick brush. This trip was much more adventurous than we expected. There were a few tumbles, I personally took quite a hard fall, others were stung by blister bushes, and we all got a few scrapes and scratches. However, we made it to the top and were able to witness a beautiful view of the city and rolling hills. After all was said and done we dominated that mountain with a great deal of pride and no serious injuries.

Today we're painting at Two and Arts, a local art store run by Daniel and Elijah. We've been working on some reflective pieces about what we have seen and what has touched us while here in Africa thus far. Many of the pictures involve the beauty of Africa, the children and people we've met, and some of the African words, such as Ubuntu, that have inspired us. Ubuntu is an African word that embraces the real meaning of humanity, saying that I exist because you exist, and I feel because you feel. It is a powerful word that for which our language has no comparison. It has given us much inspiration and we are exploring how we can bring back this idea and express it in through our own lives.

Posted by Amanda at 05:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

After a long day of traveling, we finally arrived at The Big Five Lodge last night around 10:00pm. We are all enjoying the more native African feel of the lodge. We're stying in two person little huts with thatched roofs and getting acquinted with our new friends, the HUGE black rain spiders which are inhabiting many of our rooms. We're already seeing the differences between South Africa and are excited that our schedule here will be a little more relaxed than when we were back in Capetown. We'll try to keep you posted as often as possible, but it may be a few days before we can access internet again.

Posted by Amanda at 03:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Although we missed out on viewing Table Mountain due to 'technical difficulties,' we did make it to see the African Penguins. Since it is their breeding season we were able to see lots of the cute little fuzzy babies! It may have been a TIA (this is Africa) kind of day, but we made the best of it by going to the beach and enjoying more beautiful views of Capetown.

Posted by Amanda at 05:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Today, our small groups split up and I went to help with a different group of kids. Normally, I have been going to the Capricorn Children’s Club, but today I went to the Mountain View. As soon as I got off of the bus a young boy immediately kicked a soccer ball toward me and said, “do you play soccer?” I said, “yes mate, would you like to play some futbol.” It was at that moment when I flashed back in time to when I was 12 years old and it felt like I was playing with the Texas “Cobras” all over again.

Continue reading "Soccer, the Universal Language." »

Posted by Amanda at 04:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Today we had an amazing experience worshiping with the congregation of the Masiphumelele Baptist Church. Although most of the songs were spoken in the native tong of Xhosa (The XH makes a click noise with your tongue), we still had a great time praising the Lord with them. We all joined in with the clapping, praising and even some singing. One of the songs was called ‘Where You Are’ and was probably a group favorite as it was partly English and we could all pick up the words quickly. Altogether it was a great native experience and very uplifting.
Tyler S.

Later we drove to Cape Point, the most southwestern point in Africa, and saw where the Indian and Atlantic oceans merge into one. We enjoyed looking at the mountains and waves splashing up on the rocks and were astounded with all of the beauty. As we drove back to the Team House we were blessed with another breathtaking moment as the sun began to set.

Continue reading "Sunsets and Rainbows" »

Posted by Amanda at 04:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

We started a beautiful Saturday in Capetown with a nice drive through the mountains. We then went to StreetWire, a former social entrepreneurship organization which gives jobs to local South African’s to make some amazing wired and beaded art. We all enjoyed looking at amazing African animals as well as a huge statue of Nelson Mandela, and I'm sure some of you will enjoy your souvenirs from here as well.

Later our guide, Antony, showed us some sights and then told us to wait until the market place was about to close before we began shopping because this would help us to get the best deals. We then took a tour of District Six Museum where we learned more of the cruel history that has taken place here in Capetown. The government underwent a huge mass relocation and demolition of District Six, an area just minutes from downtown where mostly black and colored people where living. The government's treatment of these people was so very inhumane and we we're saddened and touched by the stories we read about.

Continue reading "Feel the Beat with Mama Africa" »

Posted by Amanda at 06:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Today we visited an organization called Learn to Earn which operates out of one of the local townships. The main set up involves adults from the community taking classes which teach them a specific skill such as sewing or woodworking. They have also just added classes for basic computer skills and graphic design. The real beauty of this organization is that they do not simply teach these students some random skill and then send them into the world to possibly find a job. All students are taught business management skills so they could potentially start and run their own business. A part of the course also requires students to set personal goals for themselves. While the business part is very practical, it is really the personal goal setting that is most intriguing to me.

Continue reading "Learning and Exploring" »

Posted by Amanda at 05:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Today while exploring the scenic waterfront of Capetown, a small group of us enjoyed lunch at City Grille. We feasted on a nice array of snoek, crocodile, ostrich steaks, calamari, and springbok. We all enjoyed the rich veal-like flavor of the ostrich and many favored the tender and juicy springbok. However, most felt the crocodile was a bit chewy, and Meghan said she had a nice jaw workout. Since we enjoyed our South African dishes so much we decided to head to Ferryman’s Tavern, which also featured local cuisine, for dinner. Here, a larger group of us indulged in a longer, two hour, four course meal. The tasty shrimp spring rolls and spanakopida appetizers left us anxiously awaiting a main course of our earlier lunch favorites. This time instead of tasting like filet, the springbok was served differently and displayed more of a roast beef flavor, and the ostrich revealed more of a steak flavor rather than a veal one. Along with our courses we had butternut, a fruit which tasted like butternut squash but looked more like a smooth avocado. At the end of the meal we enjoyed a local favorite for dessert, Traditional Cape Malva Pudding. It was absolutely succulent and left us craving more.

Matthew P, Tyler S., Meghan, Sarah and Amanda

Posted by Amanda at 05:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Click images to enlarge) We started off the day painting the eaves of the administration building at Living Hope Health Care Center while part of the group helped to organize the library at King of King’s church, and others visited with patients in the Health Center. By the time my group arrived to Living Hope we noticed the stain we applied to the back porch yesterday must have dried just in time to block the rain we got last night. We finished painting the eaves pretty early, so we broke for lunch. Some of us ran across the street to get ice cream again, and when we got back we realized we had some time to kill before our rides showed up. We spent the early afternoon hanging out with Mike, Washington, and Brighton, the three guys from Zimbabwe we temporarily employed to help us do the painting. Some played cards and others napped while Mike showed Travis and I how to eat guavas. We picked them straight off the tree and enjoyed their sweet strawberry-watermelon flavor.

Continue reading "Guava...mmmm!" »

Posted by Amanda at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Today was a very busy, but good day. The morning was spent at Living Hope and the afternoon was spent at the children’s clubs. Some painted, some sorted clothing, and others spent time with the patients inside.

Meghan talked with a lady who came to Living Hope for many reasons. Besides needing medical attention, she needed a way out of her environment. She needed someone to encourage her and love on her. Ashley and Sarah hung out with some of the ladies for a long time. Ashley read some scripture and Sarah massaged their hands. One lady, Maria, had the entire group laughing. She told some crazy stories about her husband.

(click images to view larger versions)

The group ate lunch at the center and then things got really funny. We all went across the road to get some really cheap and really good ice cream cones. The sight of a bunch of American college students trying to cross the busy road in South Africa was hilarious. There was a man giving donkey rides next door to the ice cream shop, and two of the students decided to get donkey rides, a sight which those watching thoroughly enjoyed. Two little girls came up and started drinking Amanda’s milkshake while she was riding the donkey, and all of this was caught on videotape!

Continue reading "Just People Helping People" »

Posted by Amanda at 03:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)

Today our group started with a tour of the Living Hope facilities. It was very encouraging to hear that Living Hope has grown from being a hospice to being a health center. This may seem like only a slight name change, but it is a much more significant change than this. Not too many years ago the center was only able to help fifteen percent of their patients return to their homes, while over eighty percent of the patients were dying. Today those numbers are completely reversed. Due to an increase in support for anti-retroviral treatments as well as HIV/AIDS prevention, the center is now able to greatly extend the lives of their patients. (click images below to view larger versions)

 

Continue reading "New Friends" »

Posted by Amanda at 03:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

We're so happy to report that we ALL arrived safely at the Team House about half an hour ago. We're so grateful to all the people who helped make our journey possible. Some of us had our load lightened a bit when our luggage didn't arrive -- how's that for optimism? -- but we're hopeful all the luggage will arrive tomorrow. As for tonight, the Atlantic Ocean will probably lull us all into a deep sleep, and we'll be ready to do some touring and service work tomorrow morning. We'll report more soon!

(Click image to view larger size)

Posted by Bonnie Smith at 04:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (28)

In just ten days a group of nineteen students and three faculty members from Belmont University will begin the long journey to Capetown, South Africa. Students have enrolled in three classes being offered for the trip, Social Entrepreneurship taught by Dr. Jeffery Overby, a Junior Conerstone Religion course taught by Dr. Andy Watts, and Third Year Writing taught by team leader Dr. Bonnie Smith. The entire group will be reading Desmond Tutu’s book No Future Without Forgiveness and focusing on the themes of truth, poverty and justice.

Continue reading "Africa Bound" »

Posted by Amanda at 10:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)