Sunsets,Shopping, Snowflakes, Spicy food, and more…

I apologize for not updating sooner—I feel like this week has really just flown by so fast and I haven’t had much time to update. After shark diving, we went for a day drive around the peninsula to Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, all part of a national park reserve area. It was breathtaking. I have some amazing photos from the ocean and the scenery. We saw wild ostriches and penguins, and saw an amazing sunset. I can’t wait to print off photos and frame them. I seriously feel like even with my crappy camera and my lack of photography skills, every shot was like national geographic or something. It is just that beautiful.


The next day, we ventured into the city to Green Market Square. This is essentially a huge craft/artisan market where you can bargain and get things really cheap. I spent more money than anticipated but it only came out to be like $50 US. Not bad for all the things I got (I cant tell you here since some of the things I bought are gifts for my family!). I got pretty good at bargaining and I must say, I was impressed.

This week I left my first class of third graders and had to switch to a new one. I guess that the two third grade teachers like to share the volunteers, which is great. It was hard leaving the other children just as I was really getting to know them as individuals and build relationships with them. This class is a lot different than my other one. My previous teacher was warm and open, and so good with the kids. They were really well-behaved and she had high standards for them but there was always a positive environment in the classroom. The air in my new classroom is very heavy. It is always just so negative. The teacher has an abrasive personality and will often yell at the kids and even embarrass them by yelling at them if they don’t understand something or don’t do something right. I just don’t think learning happens when students are afraid to ask questions or make mistakes. You need to feel comfortable taking risks in the classroom and I don’t think these kids do.

My new class:

I think it’s a personality thing (the teachers) but also a cultural thing as well. South African culture really values well-behaved children, almost a “seen and not heard” kind of belief. It is really important for students to respect adults and give them high respect and authority. They also really don’t pamper kids or sugarcoat things. They are very honest with them and have high expectations. I think this is good because often times, I find that in the US we are soo lax with students or we feel like they are so sensitive that we treat them with too much fragility. I believe there needs to be a good balance. I think I found that balance in my first classroom, but I’m on the other extreme right now. While it makes me uncomfortable to witness a lot of these interactions, I know that I’m bringing something different to the kids. I am able to teach lessons and manage the classroom ( for the most part, I mean..kids are kids lol so misbehavior definitely occurs) but I maintain a smile. I can be firm and command their attention but treat them with kindness and respect. From both perspectives that I have gotten here, I have learned a lot. I definitely have so much experience and perspective to bring home with me.

This week we visited District 6 in the city. Before apartheid, the area known as district six was a thriving, diverse community. Blacks, coloreds, whites, Indians, etc…lived together in harmony and created great art, food, and music. Unfortunately, under the group areas act in 196-(Don’t quote me, but I think it was 61?) apartheid ruled that these “races” could not intermix. Each respective group was forced to move out of district 6 into another part of town. District 6 was bulldozed and 60000 people were forced out of their homes. Apartheid created so many horrible things but I believe the worst thing it did was convince people that they didn’t belong together. After visiting Bo Kaap (a mostly Moslem section of town), we learned that people in one group were told how horrible the other group was and vice versa. Essentially, people who once lived amicably together were pitted against one another. While people are free to intermingle today since apartheid is gone, the effects are still strong. I sense strong underlying racial tensions and it just feels so separate. The disparity between cultures and communities is vast. It’s sad because although coloureds (anyone apartheid govt determined to be “mixed) and blacks are free to move wherever they like, because of years of degradation and forced poverty…many can’t afford to move out of the shacks and shanties they live in, in the townships.

The wounds from apartheid are so fresh that it’s hard to move forward. I see so much potential here though. There is a lot of rebuilding going on and there are a lot of good changes in the works. Knowing that communities like district 6 once existed, and that there are strong community organizations working toward integration and equality and financial stability, this can be an amazing and diverse country. Throughout history, countries don’t just bounce back after something like apartheid or any other oppressive regime. It takes time. I can see South Africa is on its way when every single person I meet is welcoming, open, and honest. I think we can expect many more great things from this country.

Today we visited Kirstenbosch botanical gardens. It’s acres and acres of beautiful fauna and flora (excuse the triteness of that expression lol) up along the side of the mountains. Seriously, this country has soooooooooo much natural beauty that it is unbelievable. You have Cape Town, this huge modern city and then all surrounding it you have natural reserves , mountains, coastline, and more. Make South Africa your next vacation spot. ;) Just 13 days left of this trip. Hopefully I’ll get another update in soon. We have a long weekend. It’s a holiday next week so we have Monday and Tuesday off placement so we are going to winelands tomorrow and then safari Tuesday, and hiking table mountain somewhere between. Hope you all are doing well. Love you!!