Recently in Matt Norring Category

The last few days of the trip were perfect. We had a braai in the township of Guguletu, which was a great experience. Although, it did feel like everyone from the township was looking at us funny. The food was amazing. We ordered 3 or 4 different kinds of meats and the meat was brought out in big bins, which were passed around. It was a great way of ending our time in the townships and sharing time with the organization whom we had been working with - Africa Tikkun.

On Friday, some of us started the day by driving to Cape Point. On the way, we saw baboons sitting right on the side of the road. There were about 10 of them and none of them were scared of the vehicles just feet away from them. We had to shut our van windows because apparently they like to jump in cars. When we arrived at Cape Point, we were able to see both the Indian and Atlantic oceans in one spot. After that, we went and saw the penguins and some of us swam with them.

On Friday night we had our final good-bye Braai (Grill-out). Everyone whom we had met throughout the entirety of the trip showed up, which was around 50 people. We had a ton of food and drinks. People were dancing and playing drums. Everyone from Africa Tikkun and Interstudy were there.  It was a great way to say goodbye and thank you to all of those who helped us throughout our journey in South Africa.

Well, this is my final blog and I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has followed along throughout the trip.  I learned so many things in such a short amount of time - I truly had the best time of my life.

Matt Norring

Hello again,

The 2^nd day at the township was very tough for the group and me. We had the opportunity to go through the local hospital in Delft. We walked through rooms and hallways that had endless lines of people waiting to be treated for HIV/Aids and many other diseases. I can tell you that I will never complain about a 2 hour wait in the ER at home ever again. Towards the end of the hospital tour, Ed, my roommate, fainted. He fainted because of a combination of what we witnessed and not being properly hydrated. For me, seeing Ed faint was like seeing a brother go down. Witnessing Ed faint sort of topped everything off for me. I couldn't handle any more on this day after that.

The 3^rd day at the township we went to the children's daycare in Delft. We arrived around 9:00AM, and the kids were full of energy. We played with them all morning - blowing up balloons, face-painting, and rugby. I was amazed at how much energy and joy the kids had. I started playing catch with the rugby ball with one of the kids, and soon 6 others joined in. The kids taught me how to play rugby, and we played all morning. In a way, playing with the kids rejuvenated me after the last township visit. When we were saying our goodbyes to the kids, one of the kids approached me with a miniature figurine of a famous rugby player, and said, "I want you to have this". My eyes opened wide and I thought to myself, what the hell am I doing right now accepting this from a child who has close to nothing? I thought we were the ones in the townships who were trying to help and give to their community, yet on this day they gave to me.  Throughout all of the visits to the townships, I have been struggling with what can I/we really do to help? After witnessing the great magnitude of poverty, and listening to stories of all the hardship, the question that comes to my mind is where do WE even begin? As the trip and class has progressed this question has been nagging at me more and more. But at the end of this day, I came up with one answer and that is to LISTEN.

More from the townships and a conclusion of the trips will be coming soon.

Hello All,

We have visited the townships multiple times now and I am struggling to find words to describe what we have seen. I know that no words could possibly do justice for what we have witnessed. The first day in Delft (the Township we have visited each time) we met an outstanding group of people from the organization that we are working with. I have so much respect for these people and their line of work. We all shared our personal feelings when we are arrived and I was feeling very open-minded and eager to see more. Our first task that was handed to us was to assist with their garden, that from the looks of it was more like a combination of thorny weeds and other various types of weeds and hadn't been utilized for a long time.

Usually at home, and my dad will attest to this, when I hear the word gardening or weeding, I will leave the house and run far away, but on this particular day, I couldn't wait to get started. I began gardening and shoveling up weeds like there was no tomorrow and before I knew it 2 hours had passed, I was dripping with sweat, and still felt great. I took my gardening gloves off and blood was running down my hand from a blister (Don't worry mom, I cleaned it well). I did not care one bit. The feeling of having the opportunity to help people that are in such great states of need rushed through me, and at that point in time nothing else mattered. I never thought I would say this, but I loved gardening that day.  

1/2/2012

Hello All,

So far, South Africa has by far exceeded all of my expectations. We have already had such a diverse experience, the $6,000 has already paid for itself in my mind. We have done everything from swimming in water holes on top of a mountain, going on a retreat with no technology, and sharing powerful stories that have changed all of our lives. The Educo retreat was one of the most powerful things I have ever experienced. It was perfect having the retreat right at the beginning of the trip because it gave our group the chance to really bond and become a family early on. I can't believe how fast the past week has flown by. I do not want this trip to ever end. I am amazed by how many different things we have seen in the last week. We have seen South Africa's most wealthy parts and their polar opposites driving past the townships. This is only the beginning and I have already witnessed the huge gap between the rich and the poor. Everything is unique and rich with history here, my brain is starting to get tired, just trying to comprehend everything that has happened here. Tomorrow is our first visit to a township and I can't even describe the feelings running through my mind. It will definitely be an experience of a lifetime and I can't wait. I will blog again soon and tell you all about the township experience.

The culture here is so laid back and care-free, it is contagious. I can already tell that I have become a much more relaxed person since arriving. I have been here for 8 days now and can honestly say that I will come back here again at some point in my life.

So long for now, have to get some sleep before the township tomorrow morning!

Matt Norring

12/24/2011
Matt Norring

Hello All,

My name is Matt Norring. I am a finance major in the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Today, December 24th, is Christmas Eve, and I have just finished spending time with many of my family members. I am so thankful for everything in my life including this opportunity to go on a study abroad trip to Cape Town, South Africa.

I can not even begin to describe the feelings and emotions running through my mind as we are only 1 day away from departing. There are many things in life that we are all sometimes guilty of taking for granted - home, food, family, education, health to name a few. However, I am certain this study abroad trip is not one of those things for me. I am ready to leave all of my preconceived thoughts and expectations behind and open my eyes to something completely new. I can not wait to open my mind to another culture and experience something that will truly be 'life-changing'. I have always been fascinated by South Africa's will to never give up during the apartheid regime. I believe there is so much to learn from this country's rich history and how they have rebounded from such great adversity.

One thing that I am most excited for is helping out in the townships. I have always thoroughly enjoyed volunteering. To me, helping those in need is one of the greatest eye-opening experiences one can go through. I have never witnessed firsthand the levels of poverty in the townships that are discussed in Kevin Winge's book 'Never Give Up', but I can only hope that I will be coming in with the right mindset.

Until Next Time,

Matt