Advertisement
Published: June 27th 2008
Molweni! Ninjani? Hello everyone! How are you all?
Today our professors decided not to have class because we (the students) are "burnt out." During that time, ten of us took a journey to Greenmarket Square, where local artisans have booths and sell their wares. It was a wonderful experience on many different levels. While we were very obviously a group of Americans with googly eyes, it was not as if we were to be set apart and treated differently from any other people there (eg, locals). While it was undeniably their intent to sell us anything they could, the craftsmen and craftswomen were so interested in our lives, in how we were doing, and in who we are. They were not simply out to get our money for their wares; they found joy in simply interacting with us (in addition to joy if we did buy something!). For example, I bought a hat from a man who was so excited to just talk about how cool my hair is and how "Rasta" I am, who didn't even care if I bought his hat or not, but was so excited to put it on my head correctly when I did buy it from him.
This interaction is something I find common everywhere I have been while here; people are not so confined to their bubbles and "their" space, and are so interested in other people's lives, rather than their ipod, cell phone, or other personal technology.
At the market, I found it such a welcome challenge to haggle with sellers until we reached a satisfactory price; at the same time, in the back of my mind because I pushed this to the back of my mind, I hurt thinking about how hard these people work making all of these wares and then having to fight for every bit of money they can get. Looking at this situation more optimistically, I rejoice to see both women and men of every age in the market, and I rejoice to see their creativity and craftspersonship.
Just to give you an idea of cost here: I bought a mixture of items (including keychains, bracelets, rings, scarves, hats, bags) totaling about 15 items for about R570. This is the equivalent of about $70. A shopping trip in America in which I bought all of the same items I am estimating would cost me about $150-200. Interpret this as you wish.
Yesterday was our last day working with a group of adults in Khayelitsha. We taught them how to use computers; only one of them had ever touched a computer prior to meeting us a week ago. At the end of our six-day program with these adults, groups of four to five of them presented powerpoint presentations to us about their lives in Khayelitsha. One group presented on crime, one on teenage pregnancy, one on education, and the last on xenophobia. It was heart wrenching to hear stories from our new friends, many of whom have been raped, robbed, and beaten, and then to hear their views on how problems in their communities should be solved. It is so easy to see how different our cultures are by listening to their views on how to solve these problems; for example, the way many of them believe gangs will go away is if there are more police and a bigger group to overpower the gangs: hence, ending violence with more violence. This says a lot, to me, about how members in these communities see the world.
I try to find the positive in all these situations I encounter, and I am proud to say that we did so much for these people's lives by teaching them even the most basic knowledge about computers. Many of them want to start businesses (for example, selling clothes they make, or furniture) and plan to keep track of their budgets using Excel or Word. Others will be able to use these basic skills when applying for jobs, for typing a CV (like a resume). Still others plan to take more classes at the SHAWCO community centre in Khayelitsha in order to further their skills. We have changed the world for the better by working with these people, because not only did we share our knowledge with them about computers, we also shared ourselves with them! Parting yesterday was so bittersweet.
A couple days ago our group attended an evening meeting as an extracurricular event for our course. It was a meeting put on by the Social Justice Coalition, which was founded by the Treatment Action Campaign. I encourage each of you to research the TAC, as I would not be able to sum it up in small enough terms for you. I think the reason I decided to write about this meeting is because we were all given a free shirt when we arrived, though all that were remaining were 2XL. I just love free shirts! On the front they say "FOREIGNER," and the back has the outline of Africa with the words "stand up against xenophobia." The meeting seemed to be an attempt to organize people to help end the violence happening in Zimbabwe as well as to get better conditions for refugee camps and those fighting for refugee status. One woman who spoke told us about her landlord kicking her out of her home and all of her material possessions were taken from her, including her papers. She is without a home, without resources. She is 22. Other things we heard included conditions so bad in refugee camps that women go without bathing for weeks because the only facilities they are presented with are open showers in which they would have to bathe in the open, in front of men, which presents many issues! These are the kinds of stories I hear every day here. There is no way I could explain to you so you could understand the feelings I go through each day, just like there is no way I could begin to understand what these people go through every day to survive!
What is positive that I can milk out of this? Yes, there are people working for peace, working for better lives for those who do not have the power to speak for themselves or to whom no one listens. It is good that people are coming together to fight for the rights of their brothers and sisters being forced to flee another country.
This weekend we are doing a homestay in a local township. Everyone except me is paired together to stay in someone's home. I chose not to be paired with anyone. I am excited to be experiencing this on my own rather than with another in my program; I am so adventurous and confident going into new situations and I am hopping up and down on my toes as I type this because I am so excited about what I do not know about this experience! It seems as if most of the others in my group are really nervous, but now that I think about it, I think they seem nervous about most new things we do here, while I just dive right in! That is just the way I am.
I have been waking myself at seven each morning in order to run. I have found it is best to run in the mornings to take advantage of the sunrise, the alone time, and the perfect start to my day. It is nice to wake while it is still dark and go outside to run just as the light is creeping across the sky, and to run along the side of the road where people are driving to work on my left and Table Mountain is to my right. It is like the perfect clash of technology and fast-paced life with the beauty of timelessness and nature. I think the best part about running early in the morning is that I can then eat whatever I want the rest of the day and not have to think about how long it will take to digest my food enough in order to run on a less-full stomach. Most of you are aware that I do love good food...
Alas, that time has come for me to release my fingers from this keyboard and mouse and get back to living life unattached to this sort of technology. I thank you ALL for the messages you have sent me. I smile each time I read words of love, advice, encouragement, optimism, and joy from each of you. Please keep the lovely words coming my way, and know that I am so grateful.
I love you all!
Salani Kakuhle. Stay well everyone.
Charis
AKA
Siphokazi
Advertisement
Tot: 0.044s; Tpl: 0.017s; cc: 7; qc: 23; dbt: 0.0192s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb
Rhiannon
non-member comment
a 2XL? You could taper in the sides and make it a dress! A xenophobia dress.