Write the Right Things - A Homonym Story

For the last two days I have been working at Injongo Primary School which is located in the township of Khayelitsha. 

This is what a township looks like, I did not take this photo, as I have previously mentioned I did not  feel it was appropriate to photograph townships.

When I first arrived at the school, I was given a warm welcome by the staff. I sat in on a 7th grade class, the learners ( as they are called) asked me so many questions, even if people like them live in America. I learned they all want to go to America and were fascinated when I showed them a $10 bill and a penny. In the 7th grade classroom there were 65 students and one teacher, all crammed in desks with barely enough room to move. Their teacher kept telling these learners " Do not let your family situation affect what you do" and " Do you want to live in these matchbox homes forever? What is your ticket out?" And they would all say in unison "Education!". He was telling them they can be whatever they want, and get out of the township.

Today I worked with 6th graders, and their classroom even had a Smart Board, although it did not work and the projector dubbed as a gathering place for flies. We worked on writing skills. I was fascinated. The learners grammar and spelling was impeccable, they knew correct verb tense, pronouns, and their handwriting was perfect. They write better than most students in the US. They read perfectly in English, and when I asked what their favorite subject is, they all said "English". It's not wonder, they're so amazing at it.

I taught them a lesson on homonyms. Not easy homonyms like bear and bare, but words such as horde and hoard, and currant and current. I gave them definitions, and put the words into context, and then had them use each word in a sentence. They did such a great job. Tomorrow, one of the homonyms I will teach them is chase and chaste. It's in the curriculum. Chaste. Going to have a hard time putting that into context.

After work we headed as a group to Green Market Square, an open market where you can buy all things African. Painted ostrich eggs, masks, jewelry, etc. After shopping, we stopped for some wine and pizza. 

Although I miss my family, friends, and my boyfriend (who finally skyped with me) I am having such an amazing experience. 

-Lauren 

 

Inside the Cape

It is mindblowing that we are in South Africa. Cape Town is such an unusual, but familiar place. As we toured the town, many of our fellow volunteers mentioned how certain sections reminded them of cities from New Orleans to Malibu. Last night, we ate at a Caribbean restaurant that reminded me of my students back home. I've enjoyed most of the South African food that I've tasted. Subtle hints of spice and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. We tried South Africa's answer to McDonalds called Steers. Burgers and fries. Can I be anymore American? I haven't tried smiley yet. I will if presented with the opportunity! Our tour guide mentioned that worms is another dish. Yeah....

While the views might be breathtaking, the poverty is eye opening. As a tourist, you will see the beautiful Table Mountain, pristine beaches, the luxurious shopping and dining, and engage in various other activities. You'll probably visit the District Six museum. You most likely wont see the poverty that resulted for blacks and colored (Mixed races, Muslim, etc.) were forcibly removed for whites to move in. (The whites never moved in.) We took a tour of the townships and saw the lingering effects of apartheid. All these years later and these poor people are still living in squalor. They are finally starting to build better homes. Countless young children were on the street during school hours. 25 percent of the population is unemployed. Gangsterism is reality in Cape Town. We stopped by a memorial for three young boys killed in 1985 known as the Trojan Horse Massacre. During this time, it was not uncommon to see security police using tear gas and other punishments against blacks. On a fateful night in October, a security vehicle with security force men hidden in wooden crates inside, waited for the van to be stoned. A group of protestors fell into the trap and stoned the vehicle. Three boys lost their lives. It reminded me of the Mississippi Civil Rights workers that were lynched by the KKK. It reminded me Trayvon Martin. Such an unfortunate parallel. It made me reflect on how the United States has ways to go in term of race relations. Think about how much more it will take or South Africa to catch up.

Can you guess what the largest gang in South Africa is called? The Americans. Why? They want to have the know power or be the most dominant gang. 

 

A Day in the Townships

Apparently traveling gives me insomnia. One would assume that after only a few hours of sleep and a full day of emotional exhaustion you'd be able to fall asleep relatively quickly. Not the case.

My day today began quite early. We first learned from our guide today, Mama Ivy, about traditional African culture. She told us of rituals performed among clans, such as when a baby is born an animal is slaughtered and given the skin until they outgrow it. Divorce is not an option and if you and your hubby can't get along, his mother sits him down to talk to him, if that doesn't work, then his father sits him down, still no relenting, the in laws get involved, and if no resolution can be had, they separate.

She also told us about traditional African foods, for example, a smiley ( head of a sheep boiled and scrubbed), I actually saw these in the flesh during the township tour, chicken feet, chicken intestines, and some type of worm. In other news, I ate a burger for dinner.

After our brief cultural immersion, we went on a tour of the townships. Townships were created during apartheid, with the promise by the government to eventually provide housing for those living there. Today, over a million people still reside there, most with no running water, plumbing, heat, electricity, and jobs. I do not have any photos of townships, as I did not feel it was appropriate to photograph extreme poverty as if it were a tourist attraction.

South Africa is still a heavily divided country. There are three groups that live here, as referred to by South Africans 1. Blacks 2. Colored 3. White. Blacks are those of African descent, they speak mostly Xhosa. Colored are those of mixed race, or those originating from other countries, whom speak mainly Afrikaans, a language heavily influenced by the Dutch. Whites are the wealth, they speak either Afrikaans or English.

The townships are not integrated. Blacks and colored people ( I feel so inappropriate saying "colored") still live separately. My volunteer placement is in a black township primary school, where they speak Xhosa but also English. My fellow volunteer is placed in a colored township primary school, where they speak Afrikaans and also English as well.

We took a moment to stop at a few memorials in the townships. One being the Trojan Horse Massacre. In 1984, South African authorities dressed as transportation workers and drove through the township. During this time of political unrest, many people would throw stones at these trucks coming through, but this truck was ready to ambush. With 13 South African police officers, equipped with semi automatic weapons, they were hiding in the truck. They opened fire on the people, killing three children. All of them were acquitted of criminal charges in 1989.

We also visited a day care in the township. It made me realize that we take so much for granted. These children were so happy to see us, they sang for us, and were so excited when playtime came, just to play with a plastic cup and some old wooden blocks. 

As this day comes to an end, I am met with nervousness and excitement for tomorrow. I start my work assignment at Injongo Primary School. 

I'll leave you with this photo, of this amazing mountain that I can see from my backyard.

-Lauren 

A Day in the Cape

Today I got a taste of Cape Town in just under 4 hours. 

The city is absolutely amazing, from beautiful mountains to pristine beaches ( equipped with abnormally large seaweed). My group and I took a driving tour through District 6, which, if some of you do not know, was an area that was very diverse and over 60,000 inhabitants were forcibly removed during the apartheid regime in the 70's. We passed a church that had refused to sell to the government during the regime, so they just built around it, and built 24/7, interrupting services with loud construction, in hopes that the church would relent, but they did not.  

Inspiring to say the least.

Driving up signal hill offered breathtaking views of the city, and I even got emotional. 

We also saw Cape Town's city hall, and the very steps where Nelson Mandela gave his first ever speech, also emotional. 

I have not traveled to many cities around the world, but Cape Town has to be one of the most beautiful, and so rich and diverse in its people and cultures. 

You can walk down the street and sample African cuisine, and go a few more steps and eat Italian. You can drive through an area infested with drug dealers and broken down buildings, and then go a couple more miles and be along the coast with multi million dollar homes and Range Rovers. It's either extreme poverty, or extreme wealth. There is no middle. 

Tomorrow we take a tour of the townships, but for now enjoy some photos I snapped on my iPhone.

Follow me on Instagram : itsmelaurenbee

Signal Hill aka "Lion's Butt"

Waterfront Ferris wheel 

Just a Little Jet Lagged

Well, I finally arrived in Cape Town. After almost a full day of flying, jet lag is finally setting in. It was 15 hours from JFK to Johannesburg and then another 2 from Johannesburg to Cape Town. 

I arrived at my home base, which is located in the southern suburb of Cape Town. The weather here is   freezing and rainy but with the prospect of warmer, sunnier days on the horizon. I met my housemates and suddenly I feel like I am on The Real World, except I'm way over the age limit. 

I took this photo at some point over the Atlantic. The sun was just coming up on the horizon. It was quite amazing. 

I also saw a pig on the side of the road eating garbage, which oddly was the highlight of my day.

The table mountain range is amazing (pics to come). But for now I need get some rest.

-Lauren 

Twas The Night Before Cape Town

Molo,

Packing is finally finished. How do you pack for a country that potentially experience four seasons in a single day?

South Africa. When I was in elementary school, I wrote a book report on Nelson Mandela. I really didn't understand his impact at the time. During my sophomore year of college, I remember telling my mother that I wanted to study abroad in Cape Town. She laughed and the conversation was over. When Lauren mentioned the idea of traveling for volunteer work, I didn't hesitate.

My volunteer assignment isn't what I expected. As a fifth grade teacher, I selected elementary as my preference. I was extremely surprised to see that I was placed in a daycare setting. I always joked with the Kindergarten teacher about how I could never work with children under the age of 10. That's about to change. The children range from 1-6! Some of my responsibilities will including helping the caregivers, supporting learning activities, and introducing basic English. I'm most nervous about feeding children! Most children begin to learn English around 6 years of age in South Africa. This is a country with 11 languages! I'll be studying my Afrikaans and isiXhosa on the plane ride! (Yes, there is an app!)

I'm excited to immerse myself in this culture. An excellent aspect of the program include language lessons, cultural learning activities, and guest speakers. I'll try to survive living with 20 strangers. Sample some local cuisine including smiley. Look it up. Try some of the famous South African wine. I can't wait to go shark diving and go on safari. I want to see Robben Island and learn more about this country's torrid history. It's finally here!

17+ plane ride ahead....

Sawubona,
Dana







(MC Hammer on our Safari...)

5 Days to Go

So many of you know that I am heading to Cape Town, South Africa to participate in volunteer work. My work assignment is in a primary school where the student to teacher ratio is 40:1. I will be working closely with the children of the township, teaching English, math, and utilizing my skills to provide the best education.

I set out July 26th and return August 18th. I can't say that I am not nervous, because I am. I am leaving behind the conforts of home, family, friends, and my wonderful boyfriend, whom I will miss dearly. Opportunity only comes once in awhile and when it does you have to seize it.

I created this blog to document my journey, through words and pictures. As a way for family and friends to follow me as I experience life changing moments. I will be updating this regularly, so please be sure to follow me.

Not only will I be helping the South African community, I will be partaking in excursions such as diving with the great whites in Gansbaai, touring the Aquilla Game Reserve, sampling South African Wine at one of the many vineyards, and wherever else the country takes me. I plan to see it all, try different foods (although I will not be eating a sheep's head as I was told will be presented to me).

So come along for the ride.

I love and will miss all of you while I am away.

xoxox,

Lauren