UW in Cape Town — September 20, 2017

Molweni on the last day in Cape Town (written on flight from Joburg to Frankfurt at about 2 am – so I think it is now the 21at – but still the 20^th in California)

Started the day at the new favorite breakfast place with great shakshuka… and iced chai (while many places make chai.. iced chai seems to be difficult to comprehend, so often they make the chai and then put it in a blender with ice so it’s sort of like a smoothie!)

Then picked up the students who couldn’t get to Philippi on Monday because of the strike (the four students at CESVI and the two at Nalibali). As we approached Philippi we saw two shacks completely destroyed because the brakes on a trailer truck must have been malfunctioning and the truck went up on the sidewalk and into one of the shacks. Don’t know if anyone was in the shack. Also saw some remains of the strike activity.

Dropped the Nalibali students at the local library to meet Thabisa who has become a big sister to the two students.. and we knew that goodbye was going to be pretty teary… They’ve met her family and have become quite close. Gave them some quiet time and Chris and I went with the CESVI students to say goodbye to Luvuyo and his staff. This had been one of the more challenging sites. It’s a struggling NGO with a lot of good ideas ,but limited resources. They also have never had study abroad students working with them so it was a bit directionless for the first few sessions, but I think it turned around and on this final day I think the students realized that they truly had an impact on the young people as well as on staff.

Students had all gotten presents for the people they worked with and for the organization as a whole. CESVI group had actually asked what they needed and they bought them a portable speaker system, a camera, and some other tech devices. I also donated the printer I had purchased for my use over the three weeks, and some assorted items like an extension cord I needed for my room. When we arrived the whole staff was there, along with several high school students who had worked with the UWT students.. and there were hugs (unending hugs – by the way, the South Africans like to hug… they hug when you come and when you leave and its very heartfelt) and there were tears. Staff made little speeches, as well as the high school students who were incredibly eloquent. And they gave us all tee shirts from the organization. We took pictures and then more hugs.. and they gave the students a letter (really a poem) written by one of the students who could not be there.

It was pretty emotional. Just three weeks, but several students made lasting connections (I believe)… And like in all of these situations, it’s always hard because while UWT students might return some day, the South Africans are very aware that they will never have the funds to come to the US.. so the continuity of the relationship rests heavily on the Americans.. We shall see. For sure Marcos and Autumn will remain forever attached to Thabisa.

Then we made a quick stop to say goodbye to Grace who owns the tiny lunch place in Philippi Village where we and students had many lunches and smoothies. She wanted to be sure that we tell everyone in the US to come to have lunch at her place. So, there it is… should you find yourself in Cape Town and in Philippi Township, be sure to go to Grace’s restaurant.

And then it was off to the airport to drop off three students with flights leaving around 1 pm… I went back to town, had another chai at the chocolate café.. and then I was off to the airport to catch my plane and gather my own thoughts about what this trip was about. I land around 1:00 (Thursday) and after a long shower will head to the office – if only to get the work I’ve done on the trip transferred to the server and get somewhat settled so that Friday can be a normal day.. I might also get an appointment to have my toe looked at.. although I’ve been walking about 4 miles a day for the past two days. I think it’s fine.. so I may have been the doctor here. Feels now like just a little bruise. Anyway, back at work for real on Friday… You can find me there and also on the weekend to catch up.

All good… many memories. And it was definitely different to travel with 13 other people… never traveled with more than one person, and often just alone. So this was a change. Also never been responsible for anyone while traveling. So that was all new.

Best

Fern