Megan Lobner: January 2011 Archives

Today is the last day of our journey in Cape Town, right now, I have a mixed range of emotions. What I know is that I couldn't have asked for a better experience and location to learn about social justice. This trip has opened my eyes in so many ways that I know I have been changed for the better. Previous to this trip, I was naive about issues locally and globally. Upon return I want to work on educating myself so that I can become an actively involved citizen. It has also opened my eyes to the value of community. We have truly lived through Ubuntu (I am who I am because of you). We have all gone through this 3 week seminar together and it is together, that we will heal the wounds we have endeared this far.

Something I do know, is that this is not the end. This is only the beginning of something that we must work at for the rest of our lives. Having a socially just community is not easy, but with the lessons we have learned, and the mentoring we have recieved, it makes it easier to take a step on the path of less taken.

Through our work with MaT, we got the experience of working at a daycare located in a masque in the Delft Township. We began our work there by meeting two women who had just started their daycare today. Seating was sparse and the children had a small rug to play on. This is the only daycare that Delft has to offer, and it was opened a week early to accommodate the working parents. The kids we worked with today ranged in age from about 1 to 6. They had few toys to play with, but they found the joy in the simplest things. The children were entertained by playing with our hair or throwing around a ball. They were very curious and hesitant of us at first; however the two women made sure that they children gave us respect. As the day went on, the teachers began referring to us as "auntie. The children soon began to follow this term of endearment and this resulted in a union between communities. When certain material instruments lacked they made do of what they had. For lunch they rolled out a piece of paper that would serve as a table. They are working hard now to find donations for these essential items. Lunch was comprised of a bowl of mashed up beans that the kids were not hesitant to try. Most were just thankful to have a well balanced meal. We both got the opportunity to feed two 1 year old boys which was absolutely adorable. They really appreciated the help that we were able to provide. When it came time to leave, they were sad to see us go. The experience was really rewarding in the sense that we were able to spend the day with them and enjoy the innocence that the children provided. It was a great opportunity to be the start of something new.

By Kaitlyn and Megan

This past week has been a week that has sparked an immense amount of personal growth and reflection upon myself.

We began our service learning work at MaT, and met the children from the Delft Township. It was incredibly refreshing to see a group of youth who are so full of energy and joy even if under the circumstances that they may live with. As I played with them, I couldn't help but want to know what their lives were like outsides of this playground area. I wanted to know what obstacles each of them faced outside of MaT, and how they would prevail. It put into retrospect for me, that our happiness should not be measured by the material possessions and the achievements we have encompassed, but instead about the people who support and love is unconditionally is what is most important. While everyone can probably agree that this is true, getting to know the youth made it have a deeper meaning for me.
While most of you may be freezing back at home, we have been suffering a heat wave here in Cape Town that has made being out in the sun for long amounts of time near impossible. I have personally developed a tan that has made me a few shades darker (no complaint). Nonetheless, I am grateful to be experiencing warm weather. One day this week we did some weeding out in MaT's garden (Let me add I do not have a green thumb by any means) however; it was good to be able to give back in the littlest way possible, and made me feel like even though I can't fix the problems of the world, I am making a difference little by little.

We lightened our load a little yesterday, and were able to go to Table Mountain. It was by far the most beautiful view I have ever seen in my life. Pictures won't be able to do this view justice. I think that yesterday was a great day for all of us to step back and just absorb and put into perspective all that we have seen and experienced in this trip thus far. I have begun to get so accustomed to living in Cape Town that even while I miss you back at home; it will be hard to come back in less than a week.

     We were greeted by a 9 am temperature of a high 38 degrees Celsius (close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit) today, we are warm - and when AC is hard to come by, the natural breezes are our best friend. Early day for service learning, we traveled out through one of the townships - the Delft community and into the wonderful lands of MaAfrika Tikkun. We were welcomed to MaAfrika Tikkun with a surprise dance that the children had been working on for three weeks. 10 boys and girls were coupled to perform a ballroom dance number for us! We were enthralled and astounded by their dancing abilities. The kid's ages ranged from around 5 to 13. After their dance the young girls were asked to sit down, and 10 girls from our group were paired up with the little gents. It was absolutely precious. Then we all joined together to engage in a community dance lesson. Some of the kids dance rhythm was much more developed than us college students.


     Not knowing any idea of what we were doing today after spending time with the youth, we set off in different vehicles and headed into the Delft Township. Greeted by stares, head nods and waves a somber but hopeful feeling is always evoked while entering these miles of metal shacks. Mind you - as unattractive as they are on the outside, there is a beauty that is evident and strung through the clothes lines, onto the childrens faces and through the one line of electricity going through each home. We were led by Anthea, a program director for MaT, and broke up into 2 groups. One went to visit a woman in her home who has diabetes, and the other group (the group we were in) strapped on face masks and went to visit a man who has been diagnosed with TB and is HIV positive. The nurse in MaAfrika Tikkun that caters to his needs explained to us that he has refused to take any medicine for the past few months so it was extremely hard for us to see this 36 year old lying there, practically skin and bones. Recently though he decided he wants to go to a clinic, so the nurses are trying to figure that out for him.


      After we gathered everyone up we went to the Delft community hospital. A small, but very lively place where hundreds of patients are taken care of daily. A woman gave us a tour of the whole facility, and naturally the stares came rampant at our group. Normal for us now, but still tends to catch us off guard. We walked through in a single file line through every unit not excluding the trauma unit. As we walked past it was hard to not notice a small puddle of blood on the floor. On a brighter note, if you looked at the faces of the nurses behind the desk all were happy to be able to work at such a great facility. You could feel the energy through the hard work and patience that they clearly have to face each day. We passed many units were there were at least fifty people waiting for their service. In a place where disease runs widespread it is necessary to take advantage of free health care. You could tell that most were grateful for the benefits they receive. Although this was a heavy place for us to visit, it shows hope for the Township of Delft.


     Getting back from the hospital we gathered in MaT's multipurpose room to attempt to debrief about everything we had seen throughout the day. Through the glitter in Anthea's eye you can see the passion she has developed for her work. She is such a strong woman, and inspiring none the less. She calmed our anxiety and nervousness with the relaxing tone of her voice speaking simple lessons that she has learned to a silent group of college students. We sat quietly, and tried to absorb everything that we possibly could. In the words of Anthea: all it takes is a simple Thank You to make someone's day better, you think you cannot come and do what I do but you can - you really can. The people I work with say you give me strength and I say no you have it all wrong - you give ME strength. You all are so strong for coming here already. Don't be scared to cry - talk about it, it is normal to be overwhelmed. I get up every day and I'm excited - you have to give your all every day even when you think it's the last shot and if you give up that could have been someone else's last shot. You do something good for someone, and they do something good for someone else and it keeps going and going.


     After we finished our debrief we decided to end our day at MaT with the youth. We spent the remainder of our time regaining our strength in the energy of the youth. We mingled with them all and took pictures, they really enjoyed taking pictures with our cameras. It was an opportunistic moment to see the world through their eyes. We took turns jump roping, dancing, kicking balls around, and enjoying a Popsicle, a brilliant way to end a very trying morning.

    
     Upon our arrival to our respective houses we quickly gathered our lunches and set out for another day of class. We were pleasantly surprised to find air conditioning in our intimate classroom. A brief discussion about Ubantu (I am who I am because of you), and a viewing of the film Amandla! (which means Power) is how our class time was spent.

We miss you all and hope that you're enjoying the cold weather :) we are all at least two shades darker! (Even Nate!) ;)


 This message has been brought to you by your mixed race roommates Mary and Megan  :)


 P.S. SHOUT OUT TO FELLOW FAMILY MEMBER ANTHONY FOR TURING 20 TODAY!!!!