I'm Home

This past weekend was hands down the best weekend I have had in South Africa thusfar. My program set up a homestay (living with a local family) for us at Oceanview township, a middle class to poor area. I already feel distressed in knowing that what I experienced there cannot properly be conveyed with the words I am about to write. But I shall give it a try.

When I first signed up for South Africa, I knew that a homestay was part of the program, but I did not think much of it beyond buying my host family a book on California back home. However, when the time was approaching for the homestay, I will say that I was disinterested and somewhat annoyed that I had to go. I did not want to be intrusive and go into someone’s house as if I was an observer at a zoo. But how wrong I was. The program gave us absolutely no details on the homestay experience except for a mass text telling us where to meet and at what time. Thus, I went in with no expectations.

After an hour long drive outside Cape Town, we enter a small community named Oceanview where they lead us to a high school gym with tables set up for us with food already plated. I then proceed to look for the number table that matches my sticker and seat myself down next to this old, timid looking man. I introduce myself and right away we begin chatting about our lives as if we had been friends of many years. He instantly brought up the topic of God (something I have been craving to talk about throughout my trip) and how he is deeply rooted in his church and the teachings of the Bible. I instantly fall in love. Mind you, I still do not know who I am going to be living with for the next two day,s but I do not care to speak to anyone else at the table. About an hour into our conversation, I smile and giddily ask him “Can you go check if I am with you?” Lo and behold, I was. I then figure out that I am paired with my housemate Jamie of whom I have been getting increasingly close to throughout these past couple weeks. It was perfect.

During the opening ceremony of our homestay, the local children of the community performed for us from singing to break dancing to playing instruments to “pyro tricks” (aka- dancing with a stick on fire). Watching these kids up on stage, I have never been happier than my entire time in Cape Town. The excitement and passion these kids performed with was unlike something I have ever seen before. I had to hold back tears multiple times during their performances because felt this rush of just pure joy in my life and clarity as to what I want to do. While watching these kids perform, I sat there wondering about their future and how much of the world they have yet to see and partake in (myself included). I took out my little journal and scribbled down what I was thinking because I wanted to remember this moment forever:

“Overwhelming feeling to get to know everyone but there is not enough time. I have never been this happy. This is what I am meant to do. Absolutely.”

The last part is a bit complicated, but I shall explain in due time.

After the ceremony had ended, we gathered our things and I followed my new grandpa to his house. And so the journey began.

I lived in a house with Grandpa Tyrin, Grandma Daisy, Sister Wendy, Brother Jerome, Ashley (age 11) and Baby Cole (age 3). I am obsessed with this family, to say the least. Although the house was small and one would never think that there were 6 residents living there, it fit perfectly. I was greeted with smiling faces and even though Cole was shy for the first 20 minutes, he would not leave our side the entire stay. So many great quotes came out of that kid.

So after we put our stuff down, we go upstairs to the balcony and proceed to talk about the community and its origins. Both grandparents lived during apartheid and have led amazing, inspiring and absolutely fascinating lives. Literally, their life stories can become a lifetime movie. On that balcony, I had an interesting conversation with the Grandmother concerning family and love. She shared with me the troubles of her family and said that she carries the burden as she is looked to for the strength in the family. It was a heart wrenching moment for me to see a woman of such character to openly tell me, a girl she has just met, her worries of life. She did not take her family as a burden but instead had the mindset that the Lord provides and this is her family of whom she would die for. I tell this anecdote of the balcony as it embodies what this family stands for: family and God.

Literally everyone in their community was related to them. The next couple days were spent meeting so many family members that I honestly lost track of names and faces. All of them reside blocks away from each other and their lives are centered around each other. Even during the hardships of finances and dark family histories, the concept of abandoning their family is not an option. It made me miss my family a lot. But moreso, it opened my eyes to the importance of family that has always been drilled into my brain growing up. Their love runs deep for each other and as a guest, I felt as though I were part of it as well, even if for a mere couple of days.

Activities throughout my stay included:

- Hours upon hours of conversation concerning politics, God, family, love, and life experiences

- Playing soccer (scrimmage and one touch) in the streets – I told Jamie to let them win, but I was earnestly trying my hardest and lost to 11 year olds. My 4 years experience as an AYSO player is useless up against these kids. We also ended up buying Ashley a soccer ball at the local store for he lost his a long time ago. His face lit up when we presented him with the ball even though it was used and half deflated

- Teaching card tricks and games to the children

- Eating the BEST South African food of my life

- Going to an Anglican church – I have missed church so much

- Attending a community brai to watch the cyclists of the Cape Town Cycling Race- it is their biggest event of the year

- Playing with lots and lots of babies

- Getting breakfast in bed served to me every morning (First time in my life I have ever received bfast in bed. All men should take note of this as Grandpa does this for Grandma every day-good man).

- Realizing even more how much every person contributes to this world and how little we need to be happy.

One of the biggest learning experiences I had from this homestay experience was the lack of educational opportunities offered to those in the townships. When I asked family members about where their teenage daughters and sons plan on going to school, they answered casually that they just want to find a job to make money. College and University is not an option to those growing up here. For one, a higher education is incredibly expensive and no one can afford it. When I brought up financial aid and scholarships they told me that only the top of the top 1 percent receive it. That leaves 99 percent of the students behind. This disgusts me, not because they choose to work (as that is understandable), but the fact that it is not even an option for them. This should not be the case. However, their lives are lived better than mine ever could be in terms of grasping the more important things in life.

I always thought that every local I would come across, there would be a disconnect due to our upbringings and environment. But I was wrong. The connection felt with this family and their children was effortless and I cannot wait to visit them again. Everything was much more clear to me while being there. I understand where I want to go a little more and my worth to myself and what I give others. This marks a new beginning of my mindset while being here. I am so happy here and know that God has much more in store for me.

Shout out to Mena Michael as I feel he like is the only one reading this! haha

My Boys

Contrary to the title of “studying abroad” I did not come here to study. I came to South Africa to volunteer. I tutor boys ranging from grade 3 to high school three to four times a week at a Refuge School called the Ark School, located near townships away from the modernism or lifestyle of Cape Town. It is by far my favorite part about being in South Africa. These boys are set up in this school (where most of them also live) due to lack of resources, unfit families or abuse. Therefore, it is similar to a boy’s home, but much deeper than that. They do everything together from sleeping, eating, playing and studying. There is a strong brotherhood among the boys that I have never seen in any children I have ever worked with. It is truly inspiring; in fact, I am jealous of these boys. Although they have little to nothing compared to what my parents blessed me with while growing up, they are not depleted of love and care. It is evident in their interactions and through the headmistresses, Dawn. She is incredibly strict, but completely out of love. Even though she scares me at times, I can only hope to become half the woman she is one day.

Each time I go to the Ark, I see the progress in these boys and their fire to learn. Although the school is doing all it can for them, having individual attention to learn basic skills of arithmetic and grammar at their age is crucial. I always get flashbacks to my mother doing homework with me every night while growing up. My education and ambition in school is due to her, and for that, I thank her tremendously.

But each of them is excited to learn. For instance, today was Mario’s birthday and while there was a cutting of the cake and commotion surrounding letting the boys use my camera, Abonye sat there trying to figure out a polynomial subtraction problem I had given him earlier (which I will admit took me a while to remember how to do). He refused to not give up. He is a serious child, who I can tell will go far because he is willing to take the time to learn things-even something as dull as polynomial equations. Once he got the concept, his face lit up and he smiled- a difference from his usual demeanor. It sounds incredibly trite and dare I say cliché to say, but it was one of those moment I will remember forever. This is why I came here. Nothing about these boys is credited to me. I wish they knew how amazing they are and the possibilities life has to offer them. One day, they will-even though all of them claim to desire to be a soccer player, except for Eric who wants to be a social worker and is interested in human rights at the age of 13. I can talk for days about each boy, but I shall spare you all.

I now can confidently say that I am going to teach abroad for a year of my life, God willing. I am really happy being here. Although exhausted by the time I reach the school, the second I sit down and have them beg me to write their names in Arabic, I feel revived. The car ride to the volunteering usually follows the same pattern: everyone is quiet and sleepy on the way there, but is overflowing with things to say about each boy and their progress on the way back. I will admit that I have lately been a little preoccupied about things back home in California, but this reminded me why I am here. Although people matter back home, this is the time I need to give more of myself to those here.

Ariba Ariba Senor Africa!

Yes, I traveled ALL the way to Africa to have some Mexican food. My house decided that we have had enough of South Africa thinking that nachos consisted of Doritos with melted cheese on top, thus we had a Mexican night. It was the first time my whole house of 17 came together and ate together. Ever since my arrival, I have been cooking everyday. I can confidently say that I am a pasta and steak whiz! Now, I know that does not sound like much, but trust me. It has actually become something I look forward to everyday and I am finally trying all these dishes that I have always wanted to attempt but was either A) too lazy B) cheap or C) scared. Either way, I can confidently say, that cooking is not difficult. But then again, I have not attempted Macarona Barshamel…

Ok, so while we sat there jam-packed on the tables in our courtyard with a feast that would make Speedy Gonzalez proud, I realized that these people are my “family.” That is a loaded word that holds a lot of meaning behind it. It goes beyond them residing in the same vicinity as I. But these are those who I come home to everyday, sit next to in class, go out with and am growing up with. It finally dawned on me that these are not merely buddies or roommates for the duration of 5 months, but instead they are the ones that are going to shape me and vice versa. They ARE my abroad experience. Although I will remember the events, parties and activities here, it is the company of those going through the same realizations as I that I will hold onto. It is during moments like Mexican night, that I can fully see what lays ahead of me.