Grade 19
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| ~UCT Campus~ |
As if grades K-12, 4 years of Davidson, a semester in Israel, and 1.5 years at American University were not enough… I am STILL in school! After finishing my Master of Public Policy (Concentration in International Development) in Washington DC, I have moved to Cape Town to study towards an MPhil in Justice and Transformation (Concentration in Peace and Conflict Resolution) at the University of Cape Town (Africa’s top university). Although the program is typically 1.5 – 2 years, I am attempting to finish my coursework and dissertation in a year as I return to work in Washington DC in February 2012. My coursework for this semester includes: Conflict in Africa, Theories of Peace and Conflict Resolution, and Peace-Development Community Nexus. I will write about my thesis/research interest at a later date but my general experience at UCT has been positive thus far. Unfortunately, I have found my classes to be filled with Americans and Europeans; although I am clearly contributing to this problem I was hoping for the opportunity to academically engage with more South Africans and students from SADC countries. Additionally, while there are numerous controversial debates about the affirmation action programs in South Africa and at UCT, I have found it disappointing that there are very few students of color in my current courses. That being said, my professors are engaging and I have enjoyed the diverse interest and backgrounds of the other students.
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| View of the City at Night |
Exploring Cape Town
Although I have been busy with school these past 3 weeks I have found time to explore Cape Town, visit the beach, and make new friends! On Saturday, Feb 19th I hiked Lion’s Head with two other Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars, Betsy and Julia. While hiking up the mountain at sunset we could hear a concert on the beach below. The views of the beaches, Table Mountain, and the city are absolutely breathtaking from the top of Lion’s Head.
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| Jesse and Clint :) |
All of you who know me well, know that I absolutely LOVE Davidson and can find a reason to talk about my Davidson experience with just about anyone. Fortunately for me, there are a few Davidson connections in South Africa. At the end of February, I was able to see Clint Smith (’10) who has spent the past seven months in South Africa working with Grassroot Soccer in Soweto. This organization uses soccer to promote awareness and educate young people and their communities about HIV/AIDs. (Check out Clint’s Blog). Clint was in Cape Town to visit his sister (Jesse who is studying abroad at UCT) and for a slam poetry/ spoken word performance in Observatory at Mojo. Other than via youtube, it had been three years since I’ve heard Clint perform so it was wonderful to see him and listen as he shared his experiences from Senegal, South Africa, and the States. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with spoken word or Clint check him out at (http://clint-in-southafrica.blogspot.com/2010/10/slam.html or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6cK0II3Yt8&feature=player_embedded).
RotaryWednesday, February 23rd was Rotary International Day and I participated in the Landmark Lighting of the famous Cape Town World Cup Stadium. All over the world, various Rotary Districts displayed the "End Polio Now" slogan on famous buildings to bring awareness to the incredible work that Rotary is doing to eradicate Polio. Today, Polio is only present in four countries, including Angola which is in the same Rotary District as South Africa. In 1985 Rotary began working towards Polio Eradication and has contributed nearly $1.2 BILLION to the effort!
LEAP
On Friday, February 25th Chrissy and I visited LEAP school (as previously mentioned Chrissy and I met representatives from LEAP’s Interact club at the Youth Night at Newlands Rotary Club). LEAP is a high school for math and science students from disadvantaged (township) communities; utilizing a transformation approach in partnership with the community LEAP is committed to academic knowledge and creating socially responsible citizens.
Our site visit was absolutely wonderful in that we met with students, faculty, and administrators. The most memorable part of the day was helping students with algebra worksheets and being asked by one of the boys, “Why is your hair like ours?” (Clearly I need to get a tan since there is so much confusion about my ‘race’ in South Africa but that is for another blog post~). The two young women who gave us a tour were very impressive and kind; one was studying computer science and the other accounting, both interested in visiting the States.
Two aspects of LEAP’s curriculum strongly resonated with me: the life-orientation classes and the commitment to service. I am interested in learning much more about the life-orientation curriculum but my first observations are that this course is designed to empower students through a ‘values-based personal development framework.’ I think the success of this model is that it focuses on preventative intervention and is not a counseling response program but gives students the tools to discuss the challenges and opportunities of their experiences with their peers and a facilitator. (Click this link to learn more). In regards to service, there is an emphasis on students giving back to their communities which is something I cherished at both Foxcroft School and Davidson College. (Those of you who are familiar with my family, this idea of giving back to your community through service has been a profound part of my life. For example, my 17 year old brother Benjamin is Co-founder and President of the Loudoun Do Something Now youth volunteer club http://loudounteensdsn.ning.com/).
Given my academic and volunteer background, I am keen to assist LEAP with some of their strategic management of numerous partnerships but also with helping students and faculty members understand the benefits of community engagement and their role as global citizens. One thing I firmly believe is that anyone can make a difference in their own home, school, or community regardless of age or financial means. I am still unsure of in what capacity I will specifically contribute to LEAP but given my passion for education and community service I look forward to partnering with LEAP during my time in Cape Town.
Life in Cape Town
With all the English (and American study abroad students) sometimes I forget that I am not in the US until...
1. I buy prepaid SMS Bundles and Airtime for my phone and electricity for my apartment (per month) at the grocery store
2. I buy prepaid, monthly internet based, not on time but, on gigabytes of usage (still getting accommodated to this one)
3. People say Baie Dankie (sounds like ‘buy-a-donkey’) in Afrikaans to say ‘thank you’
4. There is cheap, amazing sushi all over Cape Town
5. Everyone loves Rugby (maybe even more than my family loves American football)
6. The beautiful beaches are just around the corner
7. The MOUNTAIN is every present, every beautiful, and reminds you daily of the beauty of life
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| Hiking Lion's Head |
Another great Rotary Project is the Blue Train for Charity operated by Sea Point Rotary Club. On Sunday, March 20th I volunteered to help the community and Rotarians paint the blue train. It was wonderful to see the turnout of volunteers as there were more people then brushes and buckets of paint! 
