Goodbye South Africa

Tuesday was the day that we were leaving the very special country of South Africa. We were being picked up at 2:00p.m.We spent Tuesday morning preparing for our long journey home. We spent time enjoying one another as we had to all squeeze into one room before we left for the airport.

 My group has become my family and I am going to miss them so much! Currently, I am sitting in the New York airport. It is the perfect time to reflect over the last month of my life... We missed our next flight because of delays and miscommunication in our own country. We were supposed to be arriving into Raleigh at 11:00 a.m., but now we are having to spend an entire day in JFK as we wait for our new flight which is not until 6:00 p.m. This means we will now get to Raleigh at 8:00 p.m. Then, we have to report to baggage claim because our bags were left behind in South Africa because of the delays. Wow... what a crazy day! A 2 hour flight, running through the airport to the next 16 hour and 20 minute flight, then running to our next flight through customs and security only to watch the bridge back away from the door and the flight attendant announce that boarding is closed. And... you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way... Of course, I am ready to see my friends and family. However, I am with some very special people right now. Also, I need and want some time to really think about and reflect over the past month of my life. It has been a journey full of learning. After all, learning is a journey that never ends... I have learned about seeing the beauty in the small things. I have learned to be flexible and understanding amidst any and every situation. I have learned the importance of keeping your eyes up through every tribulation. I have learned about the miracle of freedom. I have learned about the hardships of racism and the brokenness caused by apartheid and segregation. I have learned about the love and faith of a child. I have learned about myself as a teacher, a friend, a student, a daughter, a sister, and so much more. I have learned about the JOY that comes from being thankful for everything. I have learned that no material thing can satisfy me or make me happy. I have learned from the servant-hood and giving hearts of the people of South Africa. I have learned about strength and dignity. I have learned about perseverance. I have learned about love and acceptance. I have learned my own strengths and weaknesses. I have learned about devastation and restoration. I have learned about faith and hope. I have learned so much, and I am going to continue learning more as I reflect over this month. I am so thankful for this opportunity and I will never forget it. Thank you for joining me on this journey... it doesn't stop here.

Cape Town

Cape Town is beautiful! It is one of the most incredible places that I have ever been. We spent the entire day on Monday riding on the Red Bus Tour. It is a tour that takes you around the entire city of Cape Town on a two-story bus. We had a blast and learned so much about Cape Town. Here are pictures from our amazing day!

 Monday night we enjoyed our last dinner as a group together at an incredible Italian inspired restaurant. It was a great way to wrap up the trip!

Which fork do we use first?

Sunday we had the amazing honor of having dinner at the State House with Bogi Zuma. For those of you who are not aware, Bogi Zuma is the President of South Africa's wife. She cordially invited us to join her at her home in Cape Town for dinner at 6:30 Sunday night. We were thrilled! However, it did not hit me how big of an ordeal this really was. Before we left on our trip a month ago, our group received shirts and a hat from Bongi's foundation. Her foundation is the Bongi Ngema-Zuma Foundation. The foundation aims to address issues regarding non-communicable diseases with a special focus on DIABETES. They do this through health education and community development. We wore the shirts in a race that we took part in two weeks ago, and our picture made it to the foundation's facebook page. Then, we were invited to dinner. We arrived to the gate and reality started to set in that we were going to see the first lady. We had to put our cameras away and get out our identification. We then made our way through the beautiful estate until we reached the State House. It was beautiful! We were greeted by her assistants, and she was standing in front of the grand piano at the end of the long, elegant hallway. She is such a beautiful woman. We tried to feel at home, but it took a while for all of us to relax a little bit. We were sitting in a luxurious home with the President's wife... it was very surreal. She is a very down to earth, tender-hearted woman. She was very welcoming and made us feel very comfortable. We talked for a little while in the parlor where a giant Christmas tree was beautifully decorated. Then, the assistants announced that dinner was ready. We sat down at the table that was elegantly decorated with the finest china and flowers. I looked in front of me and saw three forks, two spoons, two knives, three glasses, and a place setting. I looked around and everyone seemed a little lost at what to use first. I immediately began playing movies through my head to try and remember the proper way to eat with fine china. Titanic reminded me that you start from the outside and work your way in. Then, we looked at the menu. Our appetizer could have been the meal! Then, we had sorbet- to cleanse of palette of course! Who knew? One the main course there were five different dishes listed and to our surprise we didn't just choose one, we could get them all. It was an experience! Dessert was wonderful too! Enough about the food though... Bongi talked to us about so many different things. We learned more about South Africa's history and culture. We were educated on the devastation of diabetes in not only South Africa, but in the world. She talked to us about her family, the struggles that come with being the President's wife, and so much more. I had such a wonderful time listening to her stories as she shared them with an open heart. She was wonderful! I will never forget this amazing night at the State House with the First Lady. We managed to get a couple of pictures to document the unbelievable night.

Waiting for our documentation to be approved.

The menu.

The table after dinner (once we felt comfortable enough to ask if we could take a picture).

The group.

Robben Island

Robben Island

Sunday morning we made our way to the Waterfront in order to get on the ferry that would take us to Robben Island. Robben Island has been used for multiple purposes since its existence. It was a training and defense station in World War II (1939-1945) and a hospital for people with leprosy, and the mentally and chronically ill (1846-1931). Then, it became a prison during apartheid. Indigenous African leaders, Muslim leaders from the East Indies, Dutch and British soldiers and civilians, women, and anti-apartheid activists, including South Africa's first democratic President, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and the founding leader of the Pan Africanist Congress, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, were all imprisoned on the Island. After almost missing the boat, we made it to the island! We had a tour of the inside of the prison first. We saw group cells as well as individual cells. The pictures below explain what they are and have specific facts attached to them. 

The tour bus with this phrase on its side: The journey's never long when freedom is the destination.

A group cell building.

A group cell where 40-50 men lived with no beds.

They each had an identification card containing this information.

They were separated into different groups based on their color. This determined their privileges while they were there.

Jama was our incredible tour guide. He served 5 years on Robben Island. He was arrested at 19 years old because of his color. He now works at Robben Island to help people understand the horrors of apartheid.

Jama and I.

One of the most impacting experiences on the island was visiting Nelson Mandela's cell where he lived for 18 years. He spent a total of 27 years in prison, but 18 of them were served at Robben Island. He forever changed the country of South Africa, and most of his influence was from that jail cell.

Mandela's garden where he hid manuscripts of Long Walk to Freedom.

Mandela's cell. It did not contain these things until a couple years before he was released.

His cell that is the size of a walk-in closet.

 We then continued with our tour of the island. Pictures with captions are below.

The graves of the lepers that were forced to live here in the late 1800's.

Solitary confinement cell where Robert Sobukwe (a leader against apartheid) was imprisoned for nine years with no contact with the outside world.

The Lime Quary where the men worked up to 10 hours a day. The brightness of the lime caused eye damage to most of them. The pile of stones is a memorial that Mandela started on the day when they returned to Robben Island as free men. Every former prisoner picked up a stone and placed it on the pile after Mandela.

Our group at Robben Island. Table Mountain is int he background.

They have penguins on Robben Island!

Overall, Robben Island is pretty indescribably. It was a very emotional experience. I am so thankful that we were able to see this historical site with our own eyes.

Adventures in Cape Town

 Saturday was an eventful day! We made it to Cape Town that morning and immediately the adventures began. First, three of us prepared ourselves for the news that our luggage was lost. We waited and waited for it to arrive on the unmoving conveyor belt, but unfortunately it didn't. We had to go to the baggage claim and fill out a report in hopes of it being delivered to our Bed & Breakfast shortly. We were getting ready to head to the departure gates when we glanced back one last time. Our luggage was on the belt! We were so thankful! I don't think I have run that fast in a long time. That began our many adventures in the new, beautiful city of Cape Town. Others included:

• A 500 rand taxi ride turning into an 850 rand taxi ride. 
• Getting a little lost on our first excursion
• The South Eastern wind dragging us down the road
• Waiting 2 hours for dinner
• Not being able to split up the bill and only being able to use 2 credit cards for 11 people
• The wind...
• Almost missing the bus back home
• Cockroaches...
• Did I mention the wind?



Emily and Ashley bracing themselves in the wind

It made for a humorous day! It was so much fun! A great welcome to Cape Town:] Cape Town definitely exceeded my expectations! I was not expecting it to be such a big city. Also, it is absolutely beautiful! It is very different from Port Elizabeth, but i love it. It is incredible!

The Sky is the Limit.

At Emafini Primary School, their motto is the sky is the limit. We have been privileged to work with them for the past 3 and 1/2 weeks to help them continue higher in their endeavors. It has been an incredible journey. I remember the first day at Emafini like it was yesterday. Mr January was so intimidation, and now he is like our dad away from home. The teachers have become mother figures and comforters. The children have become our best friends, our loved ones, and our greatest teachers. I have become part of the family at Emafini, and I know that I will always remain that way. These people here are unforgetable. They have changed my life in so many ways. Their love, passion, faith, kindness, and their pure hearts have made this place so hard to leave. Emafini Primary School will forever be engrained on my heart. I had two boys in my class who came throughout the last week when most children do not come to school. Their names are Litho and Sihle. You already met Litho! They have taught me so much about love, laughter, joy, perseverance, thankfulness, and the list could go on. Litho is my little shadow. He is my best friend, my protector, my biggest fan, and he is the learner that is most adament about learning. Sihle is my singing buddy! He knows so many great songs, and not a day has gone by when we have not sung. I will never forget these two precious boys and all the things that they have showed me and taught me.

We revealed the finished library to the teachers, learners, and Mr. January in the morning. They were amazed at all that we had done and thrilled to utilize it for the school. They have never been able to use it for learners, and they have never had a check out system. Now, they will be able to use the library to truly reach the sky. Saying goodbye to all of them was hard, but I am at peace knowing that they are being taken care of. We had the perfect amount of time here to learn from them, teach them, love them, and be loved on by them. I am so blessed!

 We also had to say goodbye to some of the other people that we love dearly. All of the staff at our Bed & Breakfast became family. We will miss them dearly. Also, our faithful driver, Neil. We will never forget our bus rides full of laughter and singing. Our time in PE was incredible! I will always remember the warmth and love of the people and the beauty of the city.