"We pray, oh, we pray, that the crisis in Zimbabwe be resolved..."

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Molweni!

The title of this blog entry is a direct quote from....DRUMROLL PLEASE......dadadadada..... Archbishop Desmond Tutu himself, who I listened to tonight during a panel discussion on the Xenophobia going on in relation to Zimbabwe.

Do not despair, I will come back to Desmond Tutu in time. Let me first tell you about my day, or at least some of the highlights.

1) My alarm went off this morning at seven, as usual. I pushed the snooze button. The snooze button actually turned out to be the "alarm off" button. Oh well, I missed my run this morning. "No big deal, I can run later," I told myself. It was actually a bit nice to sleep a bit longer.

2) Today at Kensington, the two boys I was tutoring yesterday did not show up, but instead two girls came and I tutored them. Well, guess what? They decided they should leave after our thirty minute lunch break, so I was left with no one to tutor. That was fine with me, and I just sat back and watched everyone else work hard while I analyzed the group dynamics and other parts of our setting (a favorite hobby of mine). What I really wanted to share with everyone about Kensington today is something that I think is both incredibly funny and speaks volumes about the cultural beliefs and assumptions of children. During our thirty minute lunch break, I again played soccer with the boys (there were bigger boys there this time, but they still couldn't keep up with me). As I was walking to the dirt field, a girl was staring at me, so I stared back until she spoke: "Are you a girl?" I replied, with my hands on my hips, "what? what do you think?" as her friends either laughed at her, scolded her for asking, or agreed with her question. She said, "You look like a boy," to which I responded, "I am a woman." I smiled and walked off to play soccer. I know I confused her, and I have mixed feelings about the confrontation. 1) I am glad to have challenged her ideas of what "boys" and "girls" are supposed to look like 2) even though I am completely fine with her thinking I look like a "boy," since a lot of people in America have referred to me saying "sir," it caught me off guard and at first nearly angered me 3) I simply enjoyed the experience

3) I decided that I would run upon returning to our residence at UCT. I rushed to my room, changed into shorts and a t-shirt (today was REALLY warm for winter weather!) and was on my way out the door when one of my program comrades told me Desmond Tutu was here and would be speaking at six as part of a panel discussion on the Xenophobia in Zimbabwe. Goodness, who in the world would want to go for a run when such an important occasion arises?!?! So I rushed to eat (it was about 5:40) after quickly changing back into jeans and I arrived just in time to get a seat and watch him walk in with a standing ovation. As he walked in, I got so excited, I was trembling in my shoes. I smiled so big when it actually hit me that I was, in fact, seeing Archbishop Desmond Tutu in the flesh. The videos and pictures I took do not do it justice; this man is so amazing, such an inspiration. The things that happen here that are unexpected and unplanned are some of the best experiences I have had.

Who can write a paper after such an exciting day? Yohhhh, I must.

Peace and love to all,
Charis
Siphokazi

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Comments

[Betty Jo Rodgers]

What an honor!
I know you were thrilled to hear Archbishop Desmond Tutu in person. I am so glad you are taking advantage of the wonderful opportunities that are presented to you. Keep learning and loving it. I'll keep praying for you.

[Colleen]

Wow
You are having such an amazing experience! Thanks for keeping me posted as I sit back here in the land of Meredith. We miss you!