This will be my first time leaving the US. I'm beyond excited, but also scared. As of now it hasn't really sunk in that I will be in South Africa for the next three weeks. Beyond this being the opportunity of a lifetime I have many reasons for going. As a student majoring in youth studies I've grown to appreciate and use Social Justice Youth Development (SJYD) as my grounding theory when working with young people. I strongly believe that youth have a voice that needs to be heard. Instead of dismissing young people's voices, spaces need to be created where youth can actively use their voice and engage in their own development. Furthermore, youth have a political self and are aware of the social, political, and economic forces that hinder not only their development, but also their communities. Historical events, such as apartheid, where young people played a major role in creating social change, motivate me to understand how this transformation took place. Visiting communities and genuinely listening to the rich narratives, particularly related to reconciliation and resiliency, will aid me in my work today as a youth worker and in my future career as a social worker. From this experience, I hope to gain a world view lens and understanding of different ways of knowing that I can encourage and use in my efforts to eliminate social injustice and inequality.
Right on, Jessica!!