Our World Teach experience concluded in August, and I am writing this post on 11 February 2015. This demonstrates that I can be a procrastinator of the first order.
After the volunteers returned from our 5-day safari adventure, I realized the first day back that I was coming down with something. It turned out to be a flu/bronchitis combo. A trip to the Kommetjie doctor fixed me up with antibiotics and cough syrup, but I was down for the count. I curled up in my cozy bed with my faithful iPad and “worked” on recovery.
The bummer was that I missed so much time with the other volunteers during the final week; missed time working at the Pink House; and finally, missed a fantastic farewell event for the WT volunteers at the Masi Library. Our little friend Kwami was there and he told one of the volunteers it was the “best night of his life.”
Friday, 14 August was the volunteers’ last day. I was due to stay until the 25th. They were all leaving over the weekend. Friday night was my last opportunity to say goodbye to everyone. I drove over to Ocean View – although still miserable, not contagious – and said goodbye to Noel, Wendy, Jackie, and Emma. Later visited the group house so I could see Britney, Sarah, Dina, Ashley, Lacy, and Elaine. Our shared experience had bonded us all into a family and it was difficult to accept that we would never be in the same place in space or time again. I could not stay very long, partly because I felt so ill and partly because I could not face prolonging the emotion.
Little church at Kalk Bay
I spent most of the final week recuperating. I was only able to go to the Pink House for two days at the end of the week. It was very hard to say goodbye to Derek, Nosi and Lifa, but we agreed that I would be back, possibly as soon as October 2014. The last weekend was beautiful and I attended the Holy Trinity Anglican Church at Kalk Bay. Afterward, I walked through the little town and had lunch with Peter and Alison – a very nice way to end my stay.
I do want to express some concluding thoughts on our extraordinary adventure in a far away country, with magical mountains and roiling ocean waves; bold clouds scudding across the horizon; exquisite carpets of wild flowers and shrubs; the warmth of cross-cultural friendships; and the innocent smiles and hugs of the children we met along the way.
Before
It can be challenging as a volunteer, wondering what difference you can or will make in the midst of a tsunami of need. Success may be a matter of incremental achievements, some successes appearing marginal to a volunteer, but a leap forward to a resident of Masiphumelele. You can never tell what combination of words and actions may have the power to change someone’s life.
One activity that brought practical help at no cost was what I call, The Miracle of the Organic Garden. In a matter of weeks, the South African Navy cleared a large patch of land on the grounds of the Pink House (their contribution to Mandela Day), another group of volunteers offered to build raised beds, the local nursery donated the seedlings and compost, an expert in organic gardening from one of the local churches provided guidance, and the NGO, Deaf Hands at Work, donated the wood for the raised beds. It was a team effort that resulted in a flourishing garden in support of the soup kitchen. Cost of creating the garden = 0; bountiful results = priceless.
After
When describing the garden project to a friend of mine, he summed up my thoughts on our World Teach summer…”that [we] made some good friends and the whole experience was enriching and rewarding in its brush with uncommon human suffering, austere conditions, teamwork and celebration of small victories.”
In the Xhosa language, “Masiphumelele” means “Let’s Succeed.” And we did succeed, with small victories each and every day.
Thank you for following me and stay tuned for Part II of my South African Adventure as I return to Kommetjie, Masiphumelele and the Pink House…
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