We’ve have still been going non-stop since we’ve gotten here…sleeping is not really an option when you can be running around Cape Town! I’m just going to go through a quick of review some things we’ve been doing:
-we went CANYONING—aka repelling down waterfalls! It was incredible. We got picked up at 7 am and drove up to the top of the mountain (about an hour north of Cape Town) and we hiked a little bit to the first waterfall. We abseiled down 2 waterfalls then had a picnic lunch in the canyon and cliff jumped (I was nervy and only jumped off the baby cliff). We hiked a little bit more to 3 more waterfalls. If you ever get the chance, dooo it! Mel- add this one to your list.
-we hiked/climbed Table Mountain—our landlord, aka mountain man David, took us up. We heard it was not an easy climb but that was definitely an understatement. While David was practically running up the mountain, we were wheezing as we slowly followed. If you see any picture of Cape Town, Table Mountain will definitely be visible. It’s really flat on top, hence why it is called Table Mountain. It’s really beautiful, the mountain looks as if it has a different mood everyday depending on the clouds. The clouds look like steam and cover the top of mountain some days, people like to call it the tablecloth—cute huh. Ha. Needless to say, we were pretty proud of ourselves when we reached the top.
-we had brunch at Judy Mayotte’s (the most amazing person I’ve ever met) apartment—she started the Marquette/Cape Town program 4 years ago. I can’t even begin to describe her life, you can Wikipedia her! Ha, she has a Wikipedia page, I think that tells a lot right there, haha. She comes up as “Judith Ann Mayotte PhD is an American humanitarian, author, theologian, Emmy-winning producer, former nun, ethicist, and university professor.” Enough said. She’s my hero. Along with many other accomplishments, she devoted a large portion her life to working with refugees all over the world. While in the war zone in Sudan, a food drop fell on her and resulted in the loss of her leg. There is talk that it wasn’t accidental--the government didn’t want her there. At 71, she now works for the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre and is one of our professors at UWC.
We have been so privileged to have met the people we have. People who have had great involvement in creating the new South Africa and it’s transformation from apartheid to democracy. It’s incredible to think we are living through history right now as we are a part of an experimental phase of the South African democracy. 14 years of democracy is extremely young. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know much before coming here but now being here I would not want to be anywhere else. South Africa is such an inspiring country. It is a miracle that this country had a peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy, and I can’t believe that I have gotten the opportunity to experience this country.
Classes are really interesting. I can’t believe I’m actually saying that I actually like them. We are taking master level courses at the Institute for Social Development at UWC and so a portion of our classes are Marquette students and the other half are adults (in their 20s and 30s and some older) who have a career and are taking these classes to take an active role and actually implement the things they learn to promote development.
Work has been difficult for me lately. The 6th and 7th graders don’t listen to me very well. It was one of my student’s birthday last Monday so I brought them Oreos and all they did was fight over them! And then they just talked the whole time and didn’t pay attention, I was so frustrated. I went back to the Amy Biehl office downtown and my co-worker, Lucinda, told me I needed to let them know I’m boss. Well it’s juuuust that I’m not very good at being the boss, I don’t like being in charge soooo I’m working on this one. Yesterday went better though. I’m bribed/threatened them to pay attention by giving m&m’s to the kids who were listening and answered questions correctly, haha, and I think it’s working. Kids will do anything for candy.
I usually assist Lucinda in the afternoon with the 1st-3rd graders, but the last couple times she’s had other work and handed me a folder and said that I could handle it…..uhh what!? So I took the lil folder and taught about 40 little kids the Itsy Bitsy spider and we practiced the alphabet. Remeberrr they don’t speak English! It’s hard because I’ll say “repeat after me…” or “say….” And they won’t understand, or I’ll tell them to sit down and they don’t know what I’m saying. There is translator but she doesn’t understand my English so well so it’s a little hard but these kids are just too adorable to ever get upset at them. Yesterday, I taught them “Little Miss Muffet” and made dolls at of toilet paper rolls. This was an ambitious craft—Miss Muffet had arms coming out of her head and all sorts of deformities, haha it was funny.
Nan you would be very impressed, all the kids are required to wear uniforms. It’s a really good idea because everyone looks the same at school. No matter what their conditions are at home they all look equally nice at school.
I’m posting some I took at the school and around the township so you all can see that part of Cape Town! I also have a video I took of my class but it won’t let me upload it right now so I’ll post that later.
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/cluchetta/ItTakesAVillageToRaiseAChildMiss you! Annnd Happy Birthday Nan and Dad!
3 comments:
wow i can't believe how adventurous you are being with all the cliff jumping and whatnot. and you just need to break out the meter stick on those sixth and seventh graders
Thanks Christina, You did a great job. enjoyed reading all about what you have been doing and liked the pictures that you took.
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