Monday morning we headed into town for our first stop at the The Sonke Gender Justice Network where Hannah and Steph O will be interning. This is an incredible organization that works with men, women, youth and children to: achieve gender equality, prevent gender based violence, and reduce the spread of HIV and the impact of AIDS. There flagship project is One Man Can. which supports men and boys to take action to end domestic and sexual violence and to promote healthy, equitable relationships that men and women can enjoy - passionately, respectfully and fully. Both the director Dean Peacock and the research manager Wessel van den Berg took time to explain their programs to us. Approaching those with whom they work as people of ‘potential’ as opposed to people ‘at risk’ certainly provides a positive framework from which to go into the community. Both SSteph O. and Hannah seem to be extremely pleased with their assignment.
Next stop Black Sash which is where Cassidy and Chelsea will be working each Monday through Wednesday. Founded by middle class "white" women as an anti-apartheid organisation, Black Sash has continue to address the ever changing needs of South Africa as the country moves toward the ideals stated in its 'new' constitution. Believing in making Human Rights real, Black Sash works to empower marginalized communities and individuals to speak for themselves in order to effect change in their social and economic circumstances. They work to achieve these goals through Rights Education, Advocacy, and Advice Giving. Jane Coombe, National Programme Director, having been certain to provide us all with a pleasant snack of juice and cookies, took the time to discuss the profound history, hard working present and hopeful future of this organisation, about which she is obviously passionate.
Emily A., Faina and Julie were all excited to meet with Mr. deVilliers, the acting principal of Thandohulu Senior High (and all were pronouncing the name of the school properly by the time we completed are visit). Although located just a short Minibus ride from the students house, the students in the school travel from townships from throughout the area. As with all schools in the area, there is a fee to attend the school (about 350 Rand) and students must pay for transport (the travel by train or minibus and some travel for over 50 kilometers). This is a school that whose focus is on maths and science, and I trust Emily’s enthusiasm for math will be a wonderful asset to her teaching. Julie and Faina will be working with the head of the English department. Students have been on holiday since early December and return to school for the start of a new school year on 21 January. The three interns were invited to attend the opening assembly which will kick off the first day. Assembly’s are held outside since there is no room in the school large enough to accommodate the entire student population.
A quick stop on Main Road for everyone to grab a take away lunch and we were on our way to Bellville to visit CapeNature , where manager Ben van Staden and supervisor Nollithando Saki told us about some of the work done on the reserves of the Western Cape and had an opportunity to meet with Kevin and Jordan who will be interning with them. Advising them both to be certain to wear hiking boots whenever they will be traveling to the reserves, Jordan and Kevin will no doubt get to see more of the Western Cape than any of the rest.
As we headed by to the house, following an very long and informative day, everyone agreed that they were glad to have had the chance to visit the placement sites where their housemates will be interning. Students will officially begin their work at each organization on Monday, 26 January. Learning the dress codes, hours of work, and means of transportation to one’s placements, as well as understanding a bit more about the organizations and meeting supervisors, are some of the important lessons of this week.
Tuesday morning started at 8:30 as we headed to Christel House School. Although three students interned there last year what has happened since the is absolutely unbelievable. The mission of Christel House South Africa, which is to help children break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient, contributing members of their society, has remained the same. However, as of May 2008 they have been preparing to move to a new school that is to be completed by 2 February. We began our visit at the site of the new school where we were met by the engineer who has designed this campus and has a vision that excited everyone one of us. While Jill will be working with Sharon Williams, Development Director, and Rachel will be working in a classroom setting, many of us will no doubt want to stay informed on the innovative direction in which this school is headed.
We returned to the old school to meet with the principal and social worker of the school who provided the strength of the history and hope for the future. To get a small idea of some of the work done at this school since it first opened in 2001, check out the YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypo2ZJeVuzg.From Christel House we traveled to he Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children (SBCWC ) which is a ‘one-stop centre for women and children who are survivors of abuse.’ Whose vision is the creation of a safe and secure society and a human rights culture where women and children are empowered to exercise their full rights. This is where Stephanie Y will intern. We all received an overview of the work done at SBCWC by Ilse Ardedse, the centre director. During our conversation with Ilse she asked Stephanie if she might be interested in teaching a class on basic computer skills for the residents of the shelter. An enthusiastic response from Stephanie seems to have set up her first project at her placement.
Lunch at the Ocean Basket, which some compared to Red Lobster in the states, seemed to be a big hit with the majority. While there Vernon, who truly does seem to know everyone in Cape Town, introduced me to his cousin, who works at the mall and is doing research with someone who may have graduated from UConn and the owner of this franchise, who wanted to know if their food was as good as food in the states!
Next placement stop, Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), located in Site B, Khayelitsha, where Dan will be interning. TAC was founded in 1998 as a campaign for treatment of people with HIV and to reduce new HIV infections. TAC efforts have resulted in many life-saving interventions, including the implementation of country-wide mother-to-child transmission prevention and antiretroviral treatment programmes. The TAC also runs a treatment literacy campaign which is a training programme on the science of HIV treatment and prevention. Mandla Majola, District Organiser, explained to us that of the 700,000+ people living in Khayelistsha it is estimated that over 70,000 are HIV positive but only about 10,000 are on ARVs. Mandla and those working in various programs described the work they are doing, how much has been accomplished and how very much is needed to insure that no one dies of AIDS.
Last placement stop was at the Olive Leaf Foundation, also located in Khayelitsha, was formerly associated with Hope World Wide but has moved in another direction during the past year. Now a South African registered development organisation whose purpose is to ‘enable sustainable community development’ recognising that the solution to the developmental problems disadvantaged communities face are to be found in the stakeholders themselves. To strengthen their new Identity as a developmental organisation. Was one of the reasons they have departed from the name HOPE worldwide. Under the leadership of Joan Daries, who will be the direct supervisor for Michelle and Emily G, Olive Leaf has a strong focus on volunteer and Internship opportunities for international students.
At each placement we visited throughout our two day whirlwind tour, someone brought up the subject of Barack Obama. The hopeful excitement about our new president could be heard wherever we went! As we ended our day of touring, plans were being made as to how and where folks would watch the inauguration and celebrate the new era of our country. Various groups of students headed into town to the library where the US Consulate had arranged to have a live stream throughout the ceremonies. I went with RA Ben to watch the inauguration with Esme and Lindiwe Rose at their home.
Those who know me will not be surprised to hear that tears of joy flowed freely throughout the inauguration speech. Having spent many, many years working to keep hope alive, tonight I felt an expansive hopefulness for our world that I have not experienced in a very long time. Peace and endless possibilities to all.
