Back Home
Chandler Roberts offers a final reflection on Belmont in Africa 2010:
We’ve made it back safely from Africa! It’s nice to be home, but I’m still constantly thinking about all that I learned and experienced on our trip. I have come back to America with an entirely new perspective on the world around me. I am still processing all that I learned, and I think I will continue to do so for a long time.
Thursday, June 3 was a wonderful ending to the journey. We began with a sunrise safari where we saw dozens of zebra (pronounced zeh-brah), impala, and wildebeests. The most stunning find of the morning was four lions together: two males and two females. We returned to the resort and had a relaxing day with a full breakfast, massages, and a great closing class discussion. We went on one final game drive in the evening and were once again awed by the beauty of nature and the animals. Our final dinner was a bush braai (South African barbecue) prepared by the resort in the middle of the game park. We said a bittersweet goodnight and goodbye to Africa and woke up to begin our travels home.
Mocha Club has a t-shirt that says, “I need Africa more than Africa needs me.” That statement has taken on entirely new meaning for me. I began this trip with a very narrow view of Africa. I saw the continent as only a place that needed people like me to step in and help, and now I’m embarrassed by all that I didn’t see. Africa is no longer simply a place in need. There are many hurting people there who need love, but that is not all. Africa has many diverse faces. Africa is the sweet children at Educare in Cape Town who braided my hair and held my hands, and the hard workers at Learn to Earn who are making lives for themselves. Africa is the former residents of District 6 who were forced from their homes and continue to tell their stories so others will know the truth, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which models forgiveness for the entire world. Africa is found in the strong sense of Ubuntu (community) that is modeled by so many of its people. Africa is the many victims who suffered from genocide in Rwanda and the people of Zimbabwe who are struggling in a failing economy. Africa has stories to tell. Africa is a mixture of cultures, races, and narratives. It has so much to teach the Western world, and the sooner we begin seeing it as a place to join hands with, the sooner we will be changed.
Game Drives in Pilanesburg
Kit Canlas offers a report for Wednesday, June 2:
Today we left Botswana and headed for the beautiful Pilanesberg Game Reserve back in South Africa! It was only a couple hours away and the time flew quickly; fairly well sung throwback songs from the 90's and car talk accompanied us along the way. We got there in the early evening and got settled into our beautiful rooms at Bakgatla, which can be seen here if you wish (http://www.pilanesberg-game-reserve.co.za/accommodation/golden_leopard_bakgatla.html). It is a beautiful resort that sits on the game reserve. Once we were all settled in our rooms, we left for our very first game drive in hopes of seeing some wild life. Our wonderful driver gave us an hour and a half tour of the reserve, and we were able to see rhinos, elephants, giraffes, lionesses and impala all in one night! Tonight was just the first drive of many we will do while staying here, and we hope to see the rest of the big five before we leave. After that we headed to the restaurant for some dinner. It was supposed to be a buffet, but to our wonderful surprise, we ended up having a three course meal! I took advantage of this opportunity and had some rare meats on the menu, which included crocodile, kudu, and impala, all of which we very tasty. After we had our fill, we headed back to the rooms for a good night's rest and dreamed of our wildlife adventures to take place during our last few days in Africa!
Ubuntu & Love,
Kit
Last Day in Botswana
From Anna Cox on Tuesday, June 1:
Today those of us that were working at Holy Cross went back to finish the signs that we were painting. Many things were working against us to get the signs finished such as oil-based paint that wouldn't dry, rain, and children smudging the paint and crawling all over us while we were trying to paint. Even though there were these things that held us back, we stayed longer so that we were able to complete the task at hand. While allowing some of the signs to dry, I started painting blue mustaches on all of those that did not oppose. As soon as we had distinguished royal blue facial hair dried to our faces, a councilman and two other men from the area came up and started talking to us. They wanted to know what brought us to the area and if we liked Botswana. We began making small talk with them, telling them some of the things we had experienced on our trip so far. The councilman stated that Botswana often gets overlooked as far as aid goes because the Tswana government is stable and moderately wealthy, but as we were all experiencing, just because the government is wealthy, it doesn't mean that the people under that government aren't suffering from extreme poverty and incurable diseases such as AIDS. The councilman challenged each of us to go home share with others everything that we witnessed in Botswana. Sharing my personal experiences and knowledge that I am gaining while in South Africa and Botswana is one small way that I could continue to help the people of these countries--by giving these people a voice and letting their stories be heard by many. While the service that we are doing while in Africa seems almost insignificant at times, the relationships we are making and the information we are learning will allow all of us to continue our service through the education of others. While I don't want the trip to end, I am also looking forward to going home and sharing my experiences with others.
Wrapping Up
Stephanie Hall reflects on the activities of Monday, May 31:
I cannot believe we only have three days left in Africa after today! Though it felt like we would be here forever, the time has passed by very quickly. I know this doesn’t make much sense but it seems like since we’ve been in Botswana the days have gone by really slowly but the week has gone by really quickly. I think while we have all enjoyed being in Africa, we are also anxious to get home to our friends and family. I personally cannot wait to get off the plane in Nashville and be greeted by my family!
This morning my group continued our work at Holy Cross. Our goal today was to finish as much of the signs as possible. The original plan was to have Elli sketch the lettering and Sarah to sketch the logo while the rest of us painted in their work. Unfortunately, Sarah woke up sick this morning! She is feeling MUCH better though and has been a trooper! Don’t fret Sidwell family! Our team worked hard and Anna was able to do the lettering. Elli drew the arrows and Dr. Watts drew the logo on the largest sign we have to complete. Molly and I provided moral support and facilitation. 
We will be going to Holy Cross tomorrow to finish, which was not our original plan, but that will provide the opportunity to play with the kids again and try to invest a little bit more into their lives before we leave! TIA!
After working at Holy Cross we had lunch and freshened up to go to one last market for some shopping. It was very different from the markets we were exposed to in Cape Town. This one was attached to an art gallery and was indoors. It was more of a craft shop than a market. I very much enjoyed it though and was excited to see all the local art. My friends and family are going to get some pretty sweet stuff!
Following dinner tonight we had our regular class time. Before beginning our discussion Kit suggested that we have a moment of silence in honor of Memorial Day and in memory of the fallen soldiers that made our country what it is today. I was really glad that Kit brought it up because on multiple occasions on this trip I have found myself losing track of my days. I even thought to myself the other day, “Is my sister out of school for the year? What day is my cousin graduating from high school?” It’s a little crazy to me how much my daily thoughts have changed while being in Africa.
During class our journal prompt was introduced through a metaphor. Dr. Bowles explained to us that on the trip last year while stopping at a scenic pass overlooking Table Bay, a few members of the group convinced themselves that they saw a whale in the ocean. They announced this to their guide, the lovely Clynton, who quickly informed them that it was not a whale that they were seeing. It was simply waves crashing into a cluster of rocks to make it look like water was coming out of a whale’s blow hole. After presenting this to us Dr. Bowles asked us to think of a time on this trip when we have been deceived by our own eyes or convinced ourselves of something and only after gaining more knowledge or information about it did we realize we were being deceived. I’d like to share a few of the thoughts that were discussed as a result of this journal prompt:
• When we first learned about Educare we were told that about one third of the children there either have or are directly effected by HIV/AIDS and may not live to their next birthday. We dismissed these facts as soon as we started forming relationships with the children and it was only when it was brought up after that we remembered this information. During our discussion we realized the reason we are easy to dismiss facts like these is because the age of the people they effect is so young and also that we had formed relationships with them.
• In our first formal class we asked ourselves if there were evident effects of apartheid. We had not been in Cape Town for very long and the majority of the people we had come into contact with were those whose job it was to be hospitable and kind to us. We had yet to go into the informal settlement of Capricorn and have women gesture at us to leave partially because of the fact that we were white. Only then did it hit us that the effects of apartheid are still extremely present in South Africa.
• When we first discussed our experience of being in the townships we said that even though the residents of these communities were facing extreme poverty, they still looked very happy. As we read through our texts such as Kaffir Boy, Ubuntu, and No Future Without Forgiveness we quickly realized that it is very difficult to have ubuntu in extreme poverty since if one person is oppressed or is facing injustice, the whole community is diminished.
These discussions really help me process everything that I have learned so far through this experience. I still have a lot of processing to do and I know it will continue when I return home as my lifestyle slowly changes because of it. The way I treat people, how I perceive things, and how I live my daily life will radically change.
Love from Botswana,
Stephanie
Dr. Musa Dube
Sarah Sidwell reflects on Sunday, May 30:
Sunday was a very relaxed day. We got up early and headed to a local church where we were expecting to attend a 10:15 English service. However, upon arriving we found out that they had done away with the English service and we were an hour late for the Setswana service. So we decided to turn back around and stop at the grocery store on the way home. Somewhere along the way, we decided to hold our own church service and have Dr. Watts deliver the message. Dr. Watts raised some very compelling questions and many very valid points that were quite applicable to what we are experiencing here in Botswana and South Africa through a passage reading of Mark chapter twelve. He caused me, and I believe the entire group, to again see the importance of understanding the context of a situation or person before making any judgments or assumptions.
When we returned back to the lodge we had a relaxing afternoon of catching up on reading and journaling.
During dinner, which as always took place around our beloved campfire, we were joined by Dr. Musa W. Dube, who is a professor here in Botwana and received her doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University. While on our trip we have read two of Dube’s works: “50 Years of Bleeding,” and “Fighting with God.” In Africa, Dube is a strong activist for AIDS victims and works hard to educate and encourage people to do their part in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Dube, whose education taught her how to look at things through a biblical perspective, said that when she arrived back to Botswana was hit full force by the shock of the beginning of the AIDS epidemic and did not know how to deal with AIDS in from a biblical standpoint. So, as she began teaching at the university, in a time period when the stigma of having AIDS was even stronger than it is now, she taught in a way that was relevant to her students by confronting the ignored problem of AIDS and encouraging them to find a biblical way of dealing with AIDS. (Quick history: Botswana has the highest percentage of people affected by AIDS in the world. 36% of the “sexually active population” in Botswana is affected by AIDS. In 2002, there were 13.2 million children orphaned by AIDS—which was prediced to double by 2010. AIDS orphans are subject to many injustices, such as sexual abuse, being forced to drop out of school to care for siblings, and isolation because of the stigma AIDS has, just to name a few). If any of you are interested in Dube’s conclusion on how to biblically help AIDS orphans, I would encourage you to read “Fighting with God: Children and HIV/AIDS in Botswana.” It is incredibly moving and thought provoking.
At dinner, Dr. Dube shared some of her wisdom and conclusions on how everyone can do their part in the battle against AIDS, not only in Africa, but also world wide, and why everyone should do their part.
First: Why should we all help in the fight against AIDS?
“If one person suffers, we all suffer. If one person is HIV positive, everyone is HIV positive. WE are all part of the Body of Christ and if one part of the body has AIDS, then the whole body has AIDS. This way of understanding and thinking should close the gap between people and create a solidarity.”
This was a revolutionary way of thinking about the Body of Christ for me. It emphasizes our responsibility to one another as human beings and shows the importance of a community that cares for each other.
Second: “How can I help in the fight against AIDS?”
“If you are a doctor, musician, preacher, artist, anthropologist, education, scientist, etc… Do your work in your area where you are trained. Figure out how you can do your part. Everyone must contribute in their specialized area to get every part/area covered.” Every skill is valued.
This way of thinking opened my mind to realize that just because I’m not a doctor or just because I’m not at a point in life where I can donate a lot of money, doesn’t mean I can’t do my part in fighting against AIDS and caused me to begin thinking where my specific part might be.
Near the end of our talk with Dr. Dube, she referenced a verse: “…for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.”
Through this she enforced what we have been learning every day of this trip: the importance of community, the importance of taking action, the importance of loving people—but not simply in a sentimental or romantic way—in a way that isn’t always easy or comfortable, that isn’t afraid of taking an unpopular stance. Loving in a way that many of us have grown idle to.
Dube references Mark 9:33-37: “The disciples were arguing among themselves concerning who was the greatest. In response, Jesus said to them, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and servant to all.’ He then took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me’.” Dube further explains, “ … The key point in this passage lies in the word ‘welcoming.’ When you welcome someone into your house, place or heart, you make them comfortable. You give them a place. You protect them and ensure that their needs are met. This is what ‘welcoming…’ means. That is how we should “welcome” those suffering from this disease.
I am so grateful that Dr. Dube took the time out of her busy schedule to come around our campfire and share (she literally arrived in Botswana just a few hours earlier, after presenting a paper in Switzerland on HIV/AIDS.) I truly believe we were all touched by her words of wisdom.
Dr. Musa Dube
Sarah Sidwell reflects on Sunday's activities:
Sunday was a very relaxed day. We got up early and headed to a local church where we were expecting to attend a 10:15 English service. However, upon arriving we found out that they had done away with the English service and we were an hour late for the Setswana service. So we decided to turn back around and stop at the grocery store on the way home. Somewhere along the way, we decided to hold our own church service and have Dr. Watts deliver the message. Dr. Watts raised some very compelling questions and many very valid points that were quite applicable to what we are experiencing here in Botswana and South Africa through a passage reading of Mark 12. He caused me, and I believe the entire group, to again see the importance of understanding the context of a situation or person before making any judgments or assumptions.
When we returned back to the lodge we had a relaxing afternoon of catching up on reading and journaling.
During dinner, which as always took place around our beloved campfire, we were joined by Dr. Musa W. Dube, who is a professor here in Botwana and received her doctorate from Vanderbilt University. While on our trip we have read two of Dube’s works: “50 years of Bleeding,” and “Fighting with God.” Throughout the African continent, Dube is a strong activist for AIDS victims and works hard to educate and encourage people to do their part in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Dube, whose education taught her how to look at things through a biblical perspective, said that when she arrived back to Botswana, she was hit full force by the shock of the AIDS epidemic and did not know how to deal with AIDS from a biblical standpoint. So, as she began teaching at the University, in a time period when the stigma of having AIDS was even stronger than it is now, she taught in a way that was relevant to her students by confronting the ignored problem of AIDS and encouraging them to find a biblical way of dealing with AIDS. (Quick history: Botswana has the highest percentage of people affected by AIDS in the world. 36% of the “sexually active population” in Botswana is affected by AIDS. In 2002, there were 13.2 million children orphaned by AIDS—which was prediced to double by 2010. AIDS orphans are subject to many injustices, such as sexual abuse, being forced to drop out of school to care for siblings, and isolation because of the stigma AIDS has, just to name a few). If any of you are interested in Dube’s conclusion on how to biblically help AIDS orphans, I would encourage you to read “Fighting with God: Children and HIV/AIDS in Botswana.” It is incredibly moving and thought provoking.
At dinner, Dr. Dube shared some of her wisdom and conclusions on how everyone can do their part in the battle against AIDS, not only in Africa, but also world wide, and why everyone should do their part.
First: Why should we all help in the fight against AIDS?
“If one person suffers, we all suffer. If one person is HIV positive, everyone is HIV positive. WE are all part of the Body of Christ and if one part of the body has AIDS, then the whole body has AIDS. This way of understanding and thinking should close the gap between people and create a solidarity.”
This was a revolutionary way of thinking about the Body of Christ for me. It emphasizes our responsibility to one another as human beings and shows the importance of a community that cares for each other.
Second: “How can I help in the fight against AIDS?”
“If you are a doctor, musician, preacher, artist, anthropologist, education, scientist, etc… Do your work in your area where you are trained. Figure out how you can do your part. Everyone must contribute in their specialized area to get every part/area covered.” Every skill is valued.
This way of thinking opened my mind to realize that just because I’m not a doctor or just because I’m not at a point in life where I can donate a lot of money, doesn’t mean I can’t do my part in fighting against AIDS and caused me to begin thinking where my specific part might be.
Near the end of our talk with Dr. Dube, she referenced a verse: “…for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me." Through this verse she enforced what we have been learning every day of this trip. The importance of community, the importance of taking action, the importance of loving people—but not simply in a sentimental or romantic way—in a way that isn’t always easy or comfortable, that isn’t afraid of taking an unpopular stance. Loving in a way that many of us have grown idle to.
Dube references Mark 9:33-37: “The disciples were arguing among themselves concerning who was the greatest. In response, Jesus said to them, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and servant to all.’ He then took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me’.” Dube further explains, “ … The key point in this passage lies in the word ‘welcoming.’ When you welcome someone into your house, place, or heart, you make them comfortable. You give them a place. You protect them and ensure that their needs are met. This is what ‘welcoming…’ means. That is how we should “welcome” those suffering from this disease.
I am so grateful that Dr. Dube took the time out of her busy schedule to come around our campfire and share (she literally arrived in Botswana just a few hours earlier, after presenting a paper in Switzerland on HIV/AIDS.) I truly believe we were all touched by her words of wisdom.