Recently in Shira Olson Category

It's very hard for me to sit here and write this blog post. I want to be in denial as long as possible that this trip is really over. Luckily, our incredibly busy final week here was completely jam packed with more amazing things to do. There's so much to talk about so I'll just highlight some of my favorite moments from the week.

On Monday morning we returned to Afrika Tikkun after our weekend break. That morning we went to a day care center in Delft where one woman was taking care of many children. I had a blast playing with the kids. There was an adorable baby boy there who was a bit fussy, but he was so cute! It was amazing to watch the kids interact with each other. There was no fighting amongst any of them and the older ones were so helpful when it came to taking care of the little ones. It was so sweet to watch. We spent the entire morning at the day care and although I felt completely exhausted by the time we left, I had a blast. Nate told us before we started our work with kids at Afrika Tikkun that they would lift us up, and he was definitely right.

Tuesday morning at Afrika Tikkun we went around making patient home visits. After the feeling going through the health center left me with, I was really nervous about what my reaction would be to seeing patients at their homes. The first patient we visited was an almost 21 year old with cerebral palsy. His mother has devoted her life to taking care of him and her other children. The boy can't walk or talk. His thigh was about the size of my wrist. It felt very weird walking into their home and mostly just looking at this boy. The mother was very kind and was willing to answer all of our questions. It was hard for me to say anything when we were inside. To see a woman who will never give up on the well-being of a child in need is amazing. It really made me think about the members of my own family who do the same. The nurse called this mother "the mother of strength", and I certainly know some mothers of strength in my own life.

That afternoon we rode the "cableway" up to Table Mountain. What an absolutely stunning place. It's one thing to look at it as the backdrop to this marvelous city, but to go up there and look down at the entire city and the ocean was breathtaking. It was a beautiful day with clear and gorgeous views of everything. We were up there for about 2 hours which was a good amount of time to grab some lunch at the restaurant up there and walk around. I need to find a way to get back up there someday...

Wednesday we had the day off and I headed to Muizenberg to go the beach with a group of people. We took the train there which was really fun. It was super hot on Wednesday, especially on the train. It kept stopping for long periods of time which didn't help with the heat, but we made it finally! Muizenberg is such a pretty beach. The water wasn't too cold and the waves were really fun to jump and swim in. It was also cool to see all the surfers do their thang on those big waves.

Thursday was our last day at Afrika Tikkun and some of us helped with cooking, the storage room, moving furniture in and out of offices, and painting. I was really excited to paint and helped paint the new mint green office. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to finish what we started, but we tried to get as much as we could done. Hopefully the Afrika Tikkun staff didn't have too much trouble finishing up. Afterwards we all headed to Mzoli's in Gugulethu, another township a few minutes away. Mzoli's is a fresh meat market where they braai (barbecue) the food for you. Even though I didn't eat the meat I had a fun there. There was a vegetarian meal and other things to munch on. It's quite the establishment, lots of very fresh animal of all sorts being served. It was fun!

Yesterday was one of the best days I've had here. A few of us journeyed to Cape Point, the southernmost tip of all of Africa. It was pouring as we were getting closer and when we got out of the car, but just as we were getting ready to begin the trek the rain stopped. It was a lot of uphill, but the views were definitely worth it. The clouds cleared up enough for us to see everything around us. The mountains, the lighthouses, the 2 oceans (Atlantic and Indian) below us, and the fabulous company I was with were amazing. Yet another indescribable place I've been to. We then headed to Boulder's Beach to see the penguins. I was not wearing the proper attire for this part of the day and I had to roll my pants up pretty high to walk through the water and climb over all the rocks. Being that close to penguins was cute but also amusingly scary. I couldn't stop picturing all the penguins coming to bite and peck me ferociously. Thank goodness that didn't happen! I had a blast crawling through, over, and under the rocks there and even getting harassed by a catfish in the process.

Last night we had our farewell Braai and many of the staff members from InterStudy and Afrika Tikkun came over. Everyone was hanging out in the backyard sitting in a circle as some people played the drums, sang, and danced. I feel like I've said to everything I've described that I've had so much fun, but I really have! I've had more fun these past 3 ½ weeks than I think I have in a very long time. Not to mention I've learned more in the past 3 ½ weeks than I have probably in all of college so far.

We headed out for final night out Cape Town style before heading home to get as much sleep (which wasn't much at all) before needing to get up clean and pack. As I sit here looking at my packed bags in my quaint single room I am very sad to be leaving. I knew I would be sad, but I'm looking forward to a lot this semester. I keep forgetting that all of these great new friends I've made here go to school with me. Most of the time when I say goodbye to people I don't get to see them for a long time, but that won't be the case when we get back to Minneapolis. I signed up for this trip not even thinking about the potential friends I would make, but now I can't believe I just met all of these people now--it feels like we've been together for much longer than 3 weeks.

My dad sent me a text just before we left the country that said "I love you. Be full of awe and have a great time". I saved that text and carried it with in everything I did here. Dad, I was consumed with awe and had more than a great time. If any of you ever get the chance to come to Cape Town, GO! And take me with you please. 

1/8/12

1/5/12

As we exited our tour of the Delft Health Center this afternoon and stood as a clustered group in near silence, the Sister who showed us around said 3 simple words that I will never forget: This is Delft. The mood was stiringly somber, but her tone of voice someone managed to sound hopeful, rejuvenated almost. She asked for our prayers and if for now that is all I can give the members of this community, I will certainly pray for them.

We headed out early this morning to head into the township of Delft to begin out first day of service learning. After an orientation and introduction yesterday morning, I was feeling ready to get my hands dirty today. We all worked together to the pull weeds out of Afrika Tikkun's community garden. Afrika Tikkun is the name of the organization we are working with, and yes for those of you wondering Tikkun in this title does in fact mean a sense of restoring and repairing. I learned yesterday that Afrika Tikkun was started and funded by a Jewish man. I have no doubt that I would have just as great an experience working with any organization that does work comparable to Afrika Tikkun, but for me there is something inexplicable touching about working for an organization that has a Jewish connection. 

Some of the plants were thorny, the roots were stubborn, I was sweating, and there were snails everywhere. I didn't mind at all. We cleared the majority of a garden that otherwise would likely be sitting around unusable for who knows how long. We worked on this small project for a small organization, but we worked on it together and I pulling out just one weed felt incredibly productive.

We then took a 20-30 minute walk from Afrika Tikkun to the Health Center. Physically walking down the streets of this township was such an experience. I was so aware of my perception of everyone we passed, but I couldn't stop wondering the perception those we passed had of us. So many of them smiled and waved at us, but what was really behind those gestures? I suppose I'll never know...

We entered the Health Center and met the most inspiring woman I'll probably ever meet. She has devoted 24 hours a day 7 days a week to the people of this community who are in need for the past 19 years. If I heard and understood correctly, she answered someone's question about her own children and said that because she is watching over the people in this hospital she knows the Lord is watching over her children. Normally I don't think I would connect with a statement like this, but in this place and time I very much did. I wish I could recall her name, but I also know I'll hold on to her voice, her appearance, and her work for a very long time.

Walking through the hospital was extremely emotional. I've never walked through a hospital in the States, so this one in a township of South Africa was a lot to take in at once. I was very surprised at my reaction. Almost immediately after stepping into the first room I began crying. Although I definitely cry, I've never cried like this before. I've never cried so rapidly and so meaningfully. I cried my way through the entire visit. This is the first time I think I've ever cried for other people. I really struggled to let myself cry. I walked through the entire hospital with my sunglasses on. I didn't want the patients to see me crying. If they aren't crying, why should I be crying? I couldn't help it though. I was feeling. I was being human.

This is Delft. I return to that and will for the remainder of this trip. The Health Center was Delft because there is suffering and pain. The Health Center is Delft because there is support and life, old and new. All the services in the Health Center are free. That's incredible. I'm so thankful for the other people on this trip who have reminded me as the day has gone on that while it is okay to feel sad and slightly ashamed, it's important to keep in mind the vibrancy that does exist. Life in Delft is not all doom and gloom. Optimism and laughter exist there too, just as they exist anywhere else.

It was definitely heavy day. There is so much to think about, so much to process. I continue to be humbled and I continue to be grateful. Today was the first time in my life I've felt inspired. I've been waiting to find out what inspiration feels like and the first place I found it was Delft.

Tomorrow we return to Delft and will continue our work in the garden. We have the afternoon and evening free as well as a day off on Saturday. As much as this trip is about social justice, I think it's important for all of us to enjoy being here in this marvelous city and country. To take the stories from class, the readings, and the townships and take them with us as we move forward.

Love to all back home,
Shira

We've been in Cape Town for close to a week now. The trip is already going by way too fast and although I anticipated the tie flying by, I am making such a conscientious effort to enjoy where I am here and now. It's worth the tiredness to stay up late to have good conversation with new friends, it feels good to sweat and get dirty hiking through the mountains, the pain of my sunburn doesn't matter when I am reminded of the place where I am standing under a massive sun, and it is so fun to ride in the local "minibuses" that drive crazy fast up and down these foreign streets. It's quite incredible how comfortable I feel here. Walking down the street or around a busy center I see so many different people around me. I look just down the street and see a breathtaking view of the mountains of Cape Town. I feel so humbled to be here. I have learned more in this past week than I've learned in a very long time. They say South Africa speaks to you, and boy has it certainly spoken to me. Saturday afternoon we got back from a 2 day retreat with Educo Africa. We drove about 3 hours from the city up to the mountains. On the way out of the city we drove through 2 townships. I've read about them, heard about them here and there, and have seen pictures of what these homes of metal shacks supposedly look like. Sitting in that car as we drove around the streets was mind numbing. So many thoughts were racing through my head, but I had no idea how to articulate. We talk a lot with the group about the fact that we all have privilege. What a way to throw that privilege right back at us. I'm looking forward to really getting to spend time in Delft, one of thr townships we saw and will be working with. None of us really knew what was in store for us. I was definitely anxious about everything, but those 2 days were some of the most productive days I've ever had. It was up in the mountains where I was able to do some much needed self-reflection. During the semesters in Minneapolis I pile up such a load of commitments. While I love everything that I do, I have so little time for myself. Making deadlines consumes me. Up in the mountains, there were no deadlines. The pressure of the clock was completely away from me. Our group just got together and really met for the first time at the airport only a couple days before we left for this retreat. By the time we got to the top of the mountain I felt so connected to everyone in our group. I've never found myself so willing to share and listen. I've never been able to feel so comfortable completely the way I am. I had incredibly meaningful conversations with people I'm sure I would never have the chance to get to know back at school. Our last morning was spent having a conversation with the Educo staff members focused around their experience and identity as a South African. Strangers were opening up to strangers, but it felt like we were sitting among a circle of life-long friends. Getting back to town and re-emerging into chaos was inevitable, but the fact that we came back on New Year's Eve made the transition a little easier. Walking and bar hopping down Long Street was such an experience. Although so different from the mountains and certainly not free of stress and confusion, I was surrounded by so many wonderful people; people I met just last week, people I met just a couple days ago, and complete strangers. The streets were filled with crowds who wanted nothing more than to celebrate a fresh start. In a very odd way it was a uniting experience. Counting down and cheering in the streets when midnight struck is a moment I will never get. There was so much happiness and so much excitement, I was certainly feeling lots of it. Tomorrow begins our first class here in Cape Town. After a fabulous day off today which consisted of sleeping in and a great trip to the V&A Waterfront, I am excited to regroup all together tomorrow morning and dive into the meat of the course. Thinking of everyone back home and wishing you could be here too, Shira

I have just three short weeks to make the most out of an experience I will have only once. Three days from now I will be on my way to South Africa. I still can't believe I'm actually going. The second I learned about this program I knew I had to be a part of it. I remember at the end of the summer before school even started I nervously told a few friends about my plans to go to Africa over my break. I hadn't even applied, but my heart was set on getting to Africa.

It's so difficult to put into words all the reasons I have for wanting to go to Africa. I want to see things I've never seen before. I want to meet people unlike any other people I've met thus far in my life. I want to open my eyes and my soul to a new world. I want to learn what it really means to feel and what it really means to be human. I want to define my goals, hopes, passions, and sense of self by pushing myself to see through a different lens. I want to be faced with situations where I will be forced to go out of my comfort zone. I want to get a taste of a country that has overcome the turmoil of Apartheid by upholding and enforcing the simple value of forgiveness. As much as I want this trip to be fun, exotic, and full of adventure, I want it to challenge me even more.

I am expecting to be totally blow away by the beauty of South Africa. I expect to be completely speechless when I first arrive. Reflecting on y previous work as a camp counselor and a tutor for elementary school kids this past semester has really made me aware of how much I love working with children and feeling like I myself am making a direct impact in someone else's life. Of all the exciting excursions and plans made for this trip, I am most excited to work with and inside one of Cape Town's townships. Life in a township is something I am totally unfamiliar with. My expectations are likely ignorant ones so I am very anxious to rid myself of ignorance and dive in full force as work with and alongside new and incredible people.

As I sit here three days before we leave I am feeling so grateful for even being able to have this opportunity. I feel so fortunate to have such wonderful support from my friends and family and I am so looking forward to feeling the warmth and embrace of all of you who will be traveling with me. I spend the majority of my time traveling between Minnesota for school, Rhode Island to see my family, and Wisconsin where I spend my summers working at camp. I'm thrilled to be going to South Africa and expanding my map. I hope that these next three weeks will only be the start to a lifetime of adventure--whether it take place in another country or locally.