Five years ago...I took a leap of faith. Stopped talking about what I wished I could do. Put my big girl panties on. And finally did it. I have never been the same.
6 days ago...I returned to the country that changed the way I thought, changed the way I worked, and changed the way I lived. But this time I brought along one of my best friends and mentors. Oh, and 12 excited and nervous college students. My hope was that they, too would be changed.
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From the moment I left South Africa in 2009, I have dreamed about the day I would return. In August, when I accepted a job at Missouri State University, as a child life instructor, I knew my moment had come to return.
So at 4:45 AM on Sunday, May 18, my friend Katy (shout out!) dragged herself out of bed to drive me to the airport. On the way we picked up my good friend Caroline. Caroline was my supervisor when I was a child life intern - and his been one of my best friends and mentors ever since. She has always been one of my biggest cheerleaders in life - and is also the one that can slap me upside the head when I start to do or think something stupid. So I couldn’t imagine going on this adventure with anyone else.
We met the girls at the airport and began our journey to Cape Town, South Africa. The flight was relatively uneventful. We traveled for over 30 hours, but arrived with all of our party and our luggage in tact , so I felt the first task was a success.
We spent the first day settling in to Cape Town. Jess from Connect 123 oriented us to the program and the city. Then I took the girls on a short walking tour to some nearby spots. I was amazed at my ability to remember my way around the city - or at least to fake it enough that the girls couldn’t tell the difference. I introduced them to the Company Gardens and Long Street and taught them a few Cape Townian lessons along the way...like how cars don’t stop for pedestrians and how not to take objects from strangers.
That evening we were introduced to some traditional African dishes at the Africa Cafe. We even had our faces painted by our waitress. All the girls had beautiful symbols painted on their faces. I, on the other hand, was given a giant question mark. I’m still not sure the meaning behind that???
Then on Wednesday, we began our work at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital (our real reason for traveling half way across the world). We were able to meet Lauren from Lionhearted Kids who oriented us to our role in the hospital for the next three weeks. Lauren has been working very hard to establish a strong program to bridge the gap in psychosocial services for the most needy of kids in South Africa. We were able to raise over $6,000 for her program (thanks so much to all who donated) prior to our arrival and have already been able to see the good it will be able to do long after we are gone.
After the Red Cross orientation, Caroline and I took the girls back to our apartment for an opportunity to debrief. We could tell they were overwhelmed. Not only had they just been dropped into an entirely new culture, they were being asked to jump in to working in an a very different hospital environment. But they processed well and decided that our theme for the next day would be to “Let it go.” Let go of preconceived notions, let go of what you think you know, let go of fear, let go of nerves...just let go and be present in the moment, and appreciate it for what it is. Our brains naturally make comparisons between new and familiar experiences. We start to categorize and compare...and then we shift to what deciding what is better or worse. The challenge is to appreciate new moments for what they are, and not get caught up in what they aren’t.
Thursday was the our first day at Red Cross...and the ladies were AWESOME! I can’t tell you how proud I was. They jumped into the opportunity given them with poise and confidence. I had a number of proud teacher moments as I would walk through the halls and see them breaking communication barriers with the universal language of play. One student pulled me aside with tears in her eyes and pointed into room she had just come out of. The children were out of their beds laughing and interacting with one another.
She told me that she “got it.” All this year I have been pounding into their heads the power of play. And now she was seeing it for herself. There really is nothing more powerful then we as adults communicate with children through their favorite language - play. The fact that these students were already seeing that on the first day of our volunteering makes me so excited to see what other understandings will be revealed to them throughout the remainder of this trip.
Friday we had the opportunity to go to Maitland Cottage. Maitland Cottage is a home for children needing medical care. We were introduced to the children by the head matron. She walked us through the boys wing and the girls wing. After our tour, we divided into 2 groups and began to play. It was so much fun! Again, the students impressed me with their ability to jump right in and play without hesitation. The students walked away with extremely powerful experiences at this site. We were only scheduled to be there one day our whole trip, but have asked to return a few more times before our time in Cape Town has ended. I wish I had the time to write more about this experience, but I’m so tired and already getting bored of writing this entry, so I can only imagine how you all feel reading it. :)
Friday night, we headed up Lion’s Head. I told everyone it was a relatively easy hike and so we planned to head up in time for sunset. I guess 5 years is a long time, because I was informed multiple times up the mountain, that this hike was indeed not easy. Evidently one of the groups was even plotting how to throw me off the mountain. Oops. :) But everyone made it to the top. And the breathe taking views were well worth it in the end.
Saturday was our trip to Boulder Beach for the penguins, and Cape Point for a cold, wet, windy tour of the most southwesterly point of Africa.
And finally...today. :) Whew! I know this has been a long blog, but I guess that’s what happens when you wait a whole week to write. I apologize to all who have endured this far. You can blame my mother who I am sure is enjoying every moment of this play by play. :)
Sunday - today - we took a tour of Langa, one of the townships in Cape Town. Our tour guide was MC. He grew up in Langa and was able to share some great history and stories. The tour definitely put the students outside of their comfort zone. But that’s what traveling and learning is all about. How boring life would be if we only did what was comfortable (I try to remind myself of that every time I have to call a cab).
My favorite part of the Langa tour was Guga S’thebe. It’s an amazing arts and crafts center in Langa. But it’s so much more than that! Artists can work from the center free of charge - using the space and equipment (kilns, etc.) in exchange for teaching young people their trade. What an awesome sustainable, community oriented answer to the some of the unemployment issues facing this township.
We also had a chance to worship in one of the local churches, and dig into a pile of meat at a braai before heading back home for the day.
I encouraged the students to really take some time this afternoon/evening to process the thoughts going through their mind after our tour today. I think the biggest thought that I keep returning to is: I have been given so much in my life, yet I am grateful for so little. And in this world I have had the chance to know those who have been given so little, and yet are grateful for so much.
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”
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