South Africa.
A land of poverty, prejudice, beauty, and hope.
My first week in South Africa began with a Safari in the Kalahari...or as it is truly written: Kgalagadi!
For a whole week, we experienced the Kalahari Desert through game drives and camping "in the bush."
Rising with the sun, our game drives would begin at 6am...Seeing everything from Gemsbok, Wildebeast, Springbok, and Meerkat families, we were still determined to find lion; we drove for hours and patiently awaited the lions' arrival at many a watering hole. However, the time came when we saw the fateful lionness standing in a field of gold in all her glory...a true Nala! With four paws in the air, lay next to her a mane-less Simba! What a wonderful day in the Kalaharihood!
That night, while eating food from the braai(Afrikaans for barbecue!), we heard a deep roar coming from just beyond the gates of the camp. I ran to the watering hole with cheetah speed to discover a male lion with a black mane sleeping just outside the camp! I awaited the next roar...a mere 20 minutes later, a deep, echoing sound erupted from the slumbering beast and soon the nearby jackals joined in song and the whole desert came alive! (Ahhhhh-sibinyaaaaa!.....hopefully you caught that Lion King reference:)
The following week began my volunteering expeditions!
Monday: Went to a soup kitchen and met "Father Ian" who helps run the place. I then had the privilege of meeting a fellow named "Malarky," who walked 1,000km to Cape Town and found the soup kitchen. He was once receiving the soup, but he decided to make a better life for himself, so he now distributes the soup as a job! He supports a wife and kids at home through his decision of turning his life around...YAY Malarky!
Tuesday: I accompanied Ian to another soup kitchen today just as an introduction to where I would volunteer that Thursday. Upon stepping out of the car, I was greeted by beautiful, soulful singing. It echoed from within the soup kitchen, where Ian brought me in to witness the incredible phenomena. Sheer joy filled the room and my heart......to see a room full of hungry people find happiness in the darkness of their lives powers enough inspiration and hope to make one believe in hope again.
Ian then introduced me to this group of about 50 people and said, "Cailie here is from America! (Some oohing pursued:) She has come to see the real Africa, not the touristy Cape Town parts...she has come to meet YOU guys!" Applause and cheers re-established how kind and welcoming the South African people are. I was then able to help take deliveries of sandwiches and juice to the nearby shacks that contained families who needed the food. A 93-year-old woman climbed in our car to get a ride to her place. She was the most precious epitome of a hip grandma: Grandmother Willow-esque wrinkles, a little floral dress, and of all things--black and white converse shoes. I loved her already. We drove to the various shacks and walked in to deliver the sandwiches and juice to the families that needed them. Every person was incredibly grateful, which made the task even more rewarding.
Wednesday: On this day, I was offered the opportunity to teach a Drama class at a place called Imibala. Imibala is a program that makes the lives of the underprivileged more positive through donations, art, and drama. Seeing as Dramatics was my high school sport, I thought that teaching it would be not only a blast, but a fun experience! The 9 kids arrived, all of them speaking in clicks! Thankfully, a few of them knew English, so we were able to communicate through English and Drama! I taught them how to play some American drama games. For those of you who speak drama, I taught them: Streets and Alleys, Handshake Murder, Statues, Pantomimes, and Improv! They eventually got bored and whipped out their cell phones and started singing and dancing. I cannot even tell you how amazing their skills were...they had such natural rhythm and one girl sounded like Beyonce! She was only 11! They were all so fun to be with and it was intriguing to listen to their mother tongue...As the bus was boarding them, they gave me high-fives and thanked me as I promised I'd be back next week. Beautimous!
Thursday: Back to the soup kitchen where I was greeted by various hellos and happy faces! I proceeded to the kitchen where I saw a group of women mass-producing sandwiches with a questionable spread...However, I am sure these people were simply grateful for whatever they received. Adorning myself in apron and hair net, I went to work creating sandwiches and putting 3 in a bag to be given to the masses just outside. Hundreds of sandwiches later, we went into the hall and distributed them. Although one would expect a feeding frenzy, a calm and organized fashion took over and everyone took the sandwiches and passed them around until everyone had gotten what they needed. We then handed out loaves of bread that we put into peoples' bags as they left. The "lunch ladies" and I headed to the room called the "bakery" because it had a massive mixing bowl with a whisk the size of a mini-fridge and a heavy-duty oven. On this day, I learned how to make 300 cookies... 8kg of flour, a whole bag of sugar and probably 3 pounds of butter. Insta-betes, anyone? What an interesting day!
Friday: The arrival at the animal shelter was indeed one to remember. A mountainous landfill towered in the background as the stench hit me like a wall. Walking into the reception area, the smell didn't dissipate. As the receptionist came to the desk, my jaw dropped. A 5'oclock shadow, red "Kool-Aid" hair, and a handful of rings greeted my gobsmacked self. He said, "Hi, I'm Nicky!" And I was quite amused by the sight of this place: An animal shelter that sat in the valley of Rubbish Mountain, run by a transvestite. Awesome! I couldn't miss out on this experience! I signed some liability forms and carried on my way to the dog kennels, where I found the non-rabiest looking creature and strapped on a collar and leash. Surprisingly, I found a patch of grass and walked Daisy, Tina, Tessa, Jackson, Hardy, and Tinga. The stress involved with the simple action of walking down the kennel corridor and finding a dog to walk was quite the emotional encounter. Pitiful and aggressive dogs aplenty, I would try to find the most deserving of a walk. When all the barking ceased, an ironic sound august rushed its way throughout the cages. It was none other than Beethoven himself. Ironic that the dogs had no food, but soothing classicals to quench their barks? I concur.
I was soon joined by a precious boy named "Marlin" who was 13 and lived next door. He comes everyday to the shelter to help out and simply get away from his life that is.
Saturday: Done-zo with the volunteering for the week, I had only a YMCA formal dance to attend. My friend arranged a date for me to accompany me to the YMCA, so not only was I in a foreign country going to a foreign dance, but I was on a blind date as well! Superb!! After scoring a dress at a thrifty costumey shop, I was picked up by my friend's date. We all went to the Y, where I soon met Grant, my date! All was not awkward, thank the lord...we feasted upon a 3-course meal and there were some random speeches, followed by a cool guy who freestyle-rapped for us! I then hit the dance floor with my American moves, and there was no grinding! Thank you, Baby Jesus! :)
This week holds soup kitchens, drama, teaching english, animal shelter, a daycare center, and children's counselling classes (to prepare them for the death of their parents due to AIDS:(
May the forest be with you!
(And also with you...)
XOX
Cailie "The American" Kafura!
Simba and Nala in the Kgalagadi! ♥
Meerkat Family! ♥
My "siblings" and the braai!
YMCA jig! (I am the tall, bouncy one:)
Ester and I with my cookies! Woot!
