Onward to Africa: Final Reflections

Hello Everyone

Well after some hellish flights, I am home safe and sound. It feels so good to sleep in my own bed and spend time relaxing with family. I've still got South Africa on my mind, of course. I am going through this blog and adding photos to entries where I talk about different events, moments, etc..that I have photos of. If you're interested, just browse through my previous entries to see the images attached to the descriptions. I added some highlights here just to entice you to go back and check them out!

Thank you to all of you who've read this blog. I came home to find my family telling me that people I don't even know have been keeping up with my experience. I appreciate all of your support! I hope you've enjoyed reading some of the crazy things I've experienced but more importantly, I hope that you think about the children and the people living in post-apartheid South Africa. There is work to be done. I imagine some of you may feeling like you want to help or do something for the people who are living in those shacks and shanties and I can understand. I've gone through a lot of emotional turmoil trying to cope with those realities and I'm still doing a lot of reflecting on ways that I can make that trip more meaningful. How can I reconcile my own lifestyle and everything I have, with what those children face everyday? For me, I think that it is about 1) being grateful for what I have and rethinking some of the things that I might complain about or stress over 2) using this experience in my teaching 3)making people aware and spreading information to others in hopes that people will take action.

There is one thing that I hope you'll all keep in mind, if you choose to donate time or money to a cause in South Africa and really all over the world. I've learned that though people have good intentions in giving money or items to people in poverty, it often has negative consequences. Change needs to be sustainable. CCS has taught me that the best way to help people is by using local resources and really helping people help themselves. Instead of throwing money at the situation, educate people on how to provide for themselves or get access to local resources. Donate to organizations that are working in communities hand in hand with community members, give to causes that you know exactly how your money is being spent and decide whether or not that aid has long term benefits to the recipients, and volunteer your time doing work that is needed as determined by the people who you are working for or with. I certainly am not pressuring anyone to do these things, I just know that I was incredibly moved by what I experienced and I imagine some of you might be as well. If you can't or are unable to donate time or aid abroad, then you can definitely stay informed, spread awareness, and take small steps to spread peace and equality in your own community.

Again, thanks for reading. I had the most amazing experience of which I am still feeling the effects. I know that those kids will be in my heart forever and I feel like I've grown and learned alot. I can pretty much guarantee that I'll do something like this again. And, even more certain, I'll donate more time in my own community doing work locally. It was an unforgettable experience and I hope that you all get to do something like that, see a new perspective & culture, at some point in your life.

Some highlights...