South African travel

This month I’ve had the great opportunity to visit two other YAGM volunteers at their placement sites in South Africa. From the communication I’ve had with the others, it had seemed as if our sites vary in many ways. After spending time at these two different sites, I know now for sure that they vary in many ways! My week long trip allowed me to experience these differences while observing a lot more of South Africa. I started my journey in Kimberley and traveled 6 hours by bus to Johannesburg. The skyline of Johannesburg and the busy bus transit was much different from the small information center where I began earlier that morning in Kimberley. Traveling the half hour by car from the bus stop to Soweto also allowed me to see more of the city life and finally reach one of the volunteer sites at the Central Diocese center. The next leg of my journey continued north on a 4 hour bus ride from Soweto to Polokwane and then on to a small village named Masealama by taxi. From the bus window I saw the beautiful countryside and watched as the landscape become less flat. The hills and ranges in South Africa are absolutely amazing. During these bus rides I would get caught up in the movies being played or listening to music and then all of a sudden look out the window and realize where exactly I was.

Like I said before, each of our sites differ in their own unique ways and during my visits I was able to experience many new things. One of my favorite parts was being able to hang out with people who spoke the other languages of South Africa. If you didn’t know, South Africa claims 11 national languages and each time the bus stopped, or when I would reach a new destination, the people would be speaking a different language. For instance, the people in Kimberley and those who live in the two other sites I visited each speak a different language. It would be like Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa each having a different primary language. Other new experiences included fetching water since there is no running water in Masealama, eating chicken feet and mopane worms, volunteering at a crèche, worshiping in the language of Sotho and attending my first South African soccer game. Knowing now how different the settings we all reside in are, I have a greater appreciation for the time and effort put into selecting where each of the twelve of us volunteers would be placed all over South Africa. In a way it was satisfying to see how well my friends fit into their new homes and at the same time realize the great fit Kimberley is for me.

The mileage between myself and the other volunteers has at times been difficult, especially after getting to know them all so well and becoming such great friends. Then again, I’m starting to realize the great opportunity we as MUD4 have, given our different locations and unique volunteer work. For one, we have the awesome chance to travel around South Africa and visit and volunteer alongside one another. More importantly, however, is the opportunity we have to learn from one another. The different sites mean different learning experiences that would not be available if we were not spread out as much as we are. Through out the year I will be able to share my personal experience in Kimberley and take with me the experiences I learn from my friends living all through out South Africa.

Most of my travel was spent in Masealama. The landscape in the Limpopo province is different from the flat terrain in the Northern Cape where Kimberley is located. It was great walking around with this scenery surrounding me.

The crèche I was able to volunteer at was in Masealama. The children and youth I am with in Kimberley are mostly over the age of 8 so it was nice to spend time with these little ones.

The soccer game was ridiculous. It felt great partaking in an exciting sporting event on a Sunday afternoon. We cheered on the Kaizer Chiefs as they beat the Black Leopards 2-1. The game was held in Polokwane at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, one of the stadiums used during the 2010 World Cup.

I was saying before that while on the bus I would at times forget that I was actually traveling around South Africa. Even when pulling into Johannesburg I thought for a second that I was back in Milwaukee! This bridge looks extremely familiar, right?!

Finally, I thought I’d share with you what I watch for two hours on the bus-- jazz flute. I’m Ron Burgundy?

What's a meatball?

Before leaving for South Africa people would ask me what types of food I would miss the most. I would normally say mini corndogs, meatballs, appetizers in general. Well, take a look at what I’ve been eating in South Africa…

Mini corndogs, meatballs, appetizers in general.

A Month in Kimberley

Help me always to speak the truth quietly,

To listen with an open mind when others speak,

And to remember the peace that may be found

In silence

-Cherokee prayer

From the moment I arrived in Kimberley I was told that my new home would be in a quiet area. Since then, as I sit with my host mother each morning with our tea and coffee she comments on the quietness of her street. I agree that the street is quiet. It lacks the sound of busy traffic or any loud shouting. I can hear the pigeons hanging out on the roof and have started to recognize and distinguish the sounds of the different barks coming from the neighbor’s yards.

Despite this description, the conversations that I have had on this block have been LOUD. I have been a part of loud conversations regarding South African history and how it has affected the communities and individuals within Kimberley, the history of Kimberley and the ongoing search for and controversy over diamonds, the history of the many churches in my city, and the history of my neighbors and their families. I have been witness to the not-so-quiet emotions of my new neighbors and friends. For example, the excitement and nervousness of a girl getting her make-up done before her matric farewell, the pain and sadness as a family mourns the loss of a loved one, and the ease and joy that comes from sitting around with friends over a cool drink and some fat cakes. The talk and chatter that fills my new house and the houses around me on this ‘quiet’ street have spoken to me in very deep and wonderful ways.

Another place in Kimberley has shouted loud enough to catch my attention. This place is a first grade classroom full of brilliant and enthusiastic students who happen to be deaf. My voice, regardless of its volume, does not get me anywhere as far as communication goes in this setting. On my first day I thought, “How can I be of any help sitting here silent and not knowing any sign language?” But I was caught off guard and another seemingly quiet place turned into a loud and exhilarating experience. During my time in this classroom I have noticed the emotions so easily read across the student’s faces and their large and deliberate movements and signs fill a room with a sense of noise. I have found even without a common language, the kids and I are able to communicate, work and laugh together. When too many children try to get my attention I find myself instinctively saying, “shhh”, even though there’s no audible sound to quiet down.

Needless to say, the Kimberley that I have experienced over the last month is far from quiet, both at home and in the places I am volunteering in. Even my surroundings seem to be calling out for my attention in the most wonderful ways. Whether that is an enormous ostrich that walks up across the street in someone’s yard or flock of hot pink flamingos flying over me. I didn’t even know flamingos flew. I’m pretty sure they don’t at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin. I have been brought to attention here in Kimberley. I simply cannot help but continually be blown away, even at the everyday things that may be quiet and ordinary to others. I’ve learned that words and actions do not have to be loud to be heard or meaningful. I’ve learned that we all have a voice, disability or not, and that what we have to say can be powerful regardless of where or who it is coming from.

The Cherokee prayer above was found in a packet of readings and reflections given to us YAGM’s in Chicago during orientation in August. I think that I can understand it a little bit better after being here in Kimberley for only a month. With an open mind it is truly amazing what can be heard even on a quiet street or from a child who communicates differently than you. I look forward to continuing this year in Kimberley with ears, eyes and mind wide open, ready to take it all in even on a peaceful, silent evening.