What Starts Here Changes The World

            Egoli first sparked my interest because I wanted to work with a project that dealt with a public health issue. I have always been passionate about volunteer work, but unsurprisingly this project was different from others that we have done before. We built a model to help them with their electricity problem and saw the joy on their faces when we installed a simple light into their home. I always tried to remember that I was not coming to South Africa to save anyone, but rather to work with leaders to help improve their community. After talking to other American students who have also worked with Egoli, it seems like our work made a significant impact. It is amazing how a simple model can implement a resource that a community truly needs.

Before coming to South Africa, I chose to work on the Lego’s Daycare project. I had no idea what to expect or what we would be in for, as not too much information was provided for us, and our goal wasn’t too specific. Nevertheless, I was still excited to work with children and make a positive impact among their community. When we finally went to Lego’s and began our project, we found out we would be creating interventions, icebreakers, and social work influenced group activities to meet their psychosocial needs. I loved the experience, it truly felt like we were industrial psychologists. What I loved most however, was getting to know the women of Lego’s daycare and helping them let go of past burdens, as well as creating and strengthening their sisterhood. I know we made an impact because they would tell us daily how blessed they were to have us in their lives at a most crucial time. I think that our university’s motto is very fitting for all of us: What starts here changes the world, because we all became “agents of change.” I have learned so much about myself on this journey and have experienced a season of positive change and growth within myself. I will forever be grateful for being a part of this amazing opportunity.

Being part of the social and community development maymester has been an incredible journey. We know that we have to be out of our comfort zone in order to see change within us and out of us. In this case our comfort zone can literally be our homes in America since we traveled across the world to South Africa. We were able to grow as individuals through this process, even when we did not know what to expect and when we felt inadequate at times. The egoli team did have any engineering background and the Lego’s group members were not counselors. However, we learned how to serve our community partners and even each other as we implemented our projects. Even though we were not experts the projects made a great impact on the communities and when we make an impact in others we can say that we have helped create change in the world. This class has helped and encouraged the communities in Cape Town to grow, learn to be better and sustain that. We can truly say that our hearts are filled with warmth from our service learning projects.

Whatever you think of South Africa, Think Again

Prior to this journey, we learned all about South Africa's history, culture, and apartheid in our seminars. Now that we are in Cape Town, we have come to find many surprises that we did not expect to find during our stay here. Firstly, we expected there to be extreme violent tension between white and black South Africans, but much to our surprise, we haven't seen that occur. We did however, notice that there are social and economic disparities that are implicitly embedded in their society. For example, all the fast food places or service businesses are made up by black South Africans, while the white South Africans are either the mangers or hold higher positions in employment.We also noticed how there is not much racial integration in communities. At a local church in Newlands (a higher income area) there were mostly white South Africans in attendance and very few black South Africans.  We knew South Africa was a developed country, but we did not expect for it to be this modern and western. We expected to see many townships all over the city but that was not the case. Their culture was also a shock to us because much of their music, clothes, styles, and foods are similar to the U.S.. For example, the shopping malls contain many of the same brands as ours and the people do not dress too differently from us. We also did not expect to see fast-food places in abundance. There is a wide variety of food choices just within walking distance of our hostel. Prior to this trip, we knew there were 11 different languages in South Africa, with English being one, but we did not expect for the terminology to be extremely different (i.e. chips, tomato sauce, pavements, toilets, and bill.) Overall, we are excited to learn more about this amazing city and country and experience more of the South African culture, We know that this opportunity will change some of our perceptions and we are excited to take home the gained knowledge and lessons. 

-Denise, Marisela, Lorena

Week 11

This week I was able to find a great link to the child care requirements in South Africa. Although we will be focusing on implementing a training program for the child care staff, I think it's important that we get an in depth idea of how the child care system works in South Africa. This information can be useful in creating the actual training because we will then know what they need to work on or improve.

http://wp.wpi.edu/capetown/projects/p2013/early-childhood-development-connection/knowledge-worth-sharing/registering-requirements/

Week 10

I am extremely excited to be working with the Legos daycare center in Cape Town. After researching the actual daycare facility, I wasn't able to come across much information in regards to the actual facility, but I did find a lot of helpful information and articles that we may use to guide us with our project. Since we will be implementing a training program essentially, I think it is important to focus on the cultural side to it. Also, icebreakers or little exercises would also be helpful in making the staff more inclusive.
Here's a look at some of what I found...
http://lc.wayne.edu/pdf/icebreakers_teambuilders.pdf
http://wp.wpi.edu/capetown/projects/p2013/early-childhood-development-connection/knowledge-worth-sharing/registering-requirements/

Week 9

After reviewing each of the items from the top 10 list, I became much more grateful and informed about the dynamics of South Africa. They covered a wide variety of topics such as basic definitions that we must know and understand before traveling there, to even much more complex issues such as race and gender. I am definitely much more prepared for this life changing journey after reading and taking a look a our Top 10 list.

Week 8

Here's a list of my Top 10 research items I really enjoyed, thanks to my peers...

1. What it's Like to be Homosexual in South Africa - Ignacio
2. Not White Enough, Not Black Enough - Elisa
3. South Africa's Ticking Time Bomb - Nestor
4. Apartheid in South Africa - Faith
5. Why is Crime and Violence so High in South Africa? - Tiasha
6. Power and Privilege Definitions - Josh
7. Who are the Cape Coloureds of South Africa? - Tiasha
8. Realizing Women's Rights in South Africa - Denice
9. U.S. Anti-Apartheid Movement Helped Bring Change to South Africa - Bianca
10. The Backlash Against African Women - Joanna

Week 6

I decided to research the following 3 topics regarding both apartheid and the Civil Rights Movement:
1. The role of women during these two movements
2. Intersectionality of other races/movements during Civil Rights era
3. Family dynamics/struggles during the movements

After reading this article posted by the African National Congress on the role of women during apartheid (http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?id=4667), I found that women played a tremendous role during the struggle for liberation for South Africans. Alike African American women who led the Montgomery Bus Boycotts during the Civil Rights movement, South African women started and led many organizations such during the anti-pass campaign which I found interesting. Women played a huge catalyst during both movements and their difference is only subtly known and remembered.

The Civil Rights Movement played a huge impact and influenced the birth of the Chicano Movement - which is one of the least studied social movements of the 1960s. Prior to the Civil Rights era, Latinos had few influence and were afraid to go against the government for fear of being sent back to their homeland. After much progress and success of the Civil Rights movement, Latinos were inspired by their courageous efforts and began a movement of their own. Their main purposes and goals for the Chicano Movement was restoral of land, rights for farm workers, and education reform.
Here are some cool articles that I found very informative and interesting:
http://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200197398/
http://racerelations.about.com/od/historyofracerelations/a/BrownandProudTheChicanoMovement.htm

I was also curious to know the family dynamics and the micro aspect of the struggles that African Americans and South Africans went through. After researching articles, I found a correlation between intact families and the civil rights movement. I think in light of all the social movements going on in the 1960's, it created solidarity within families and among other groups.

Week 5

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS - MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM & SELMA

Prior to watching both of these films, I knew about the Civil Rights Movement and even some of the "censored" stuff society tends to hide, such as the violence and the sacrifices the leaders, activists, people, and protesters faced. I knew more systematic issues because I've taken many courses dealing with race, gender, and class in the United States while at UT. However, I didn't know much about apartheid in Africa, or the life of Nelson Mandela. I think the movie "Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom" really put things into perspective for me, and provided me with more information on how hard it really was and must have been as a leader fighting the system that has oppressed you and your people all your life. Selma also gave me more details as to how violent the movement was. Although we tend to focus on just MLK Jr., there are many faces and leaders that helped us progress and thrive towards freedom. I think America and the government tends to just focus on MLK Jr. because he had more peaceful approaches...a way to sort of keep people from retaliating against the government. An example of a leader that isn't talked about in America's history textbooks is Malcolm X. He was a more radical leader and wanted liberation for all people. America and the government saw him and his ways of leading as a threat so he was also assassinated. The Civil Rights Movement was in no way peaceful. You can't expect groups of people who have been oppressed for centuries to not fight back or fight for justice. Both films also made me more grateful for all leaders, people, and activists involved. It was because of them that I have the privilege to have the world's best education and to even be in this country. I wish all people were informed about this information and REAL HISTORY. It's crazy how Black history and even Mexican American history is only taught as electives, yet the censored euro-centric colonial history is mandatory for all students.

Week 4

NELSON MANDELA & DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

Both leaders, attained high levels of education which helped their leadership. Nelson Mandela was first in his family to earn an education, while Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was not. During their movement for civil rights and liberation in their countries, they emphasized how important education was and how it was a valuable and priceless tool for growth, freedom, and power. They also were awarded Nobel Peace Prizes for their life long work of activism and human rights. Their legendary hard work and fight for civil rights will forever be honored and remembered. They were visionary leaders who changed the world and reminded us that there is hope in humanity.

Some of my favorite quotes...

"Education is the MOST POWERFUL weapon which you can use to CHANGE the WORLD." -Nelson Mandela

"It always seems impossible until it's DONE." -Nelson Mandela

"Sometimes, it falls upon a generation to be GREAT. You can be that generation. Let your greatness BLOSSOM." -Nelson Mandela

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”  -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.”   -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”  -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OTHERS?'”  -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“There is NO GAIN WITHOUT STRUGGLE.”  -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Week 3

After reading the history of South Africa, it furthered my understanding of how colonialism is deeply rooted in the different disparities and inequalities that not only South Africa or the United States face, but also on a more global and transnational spectrum.The idea that European settlers wanted to divide and conquer. The most challenging obstacle for South Africa, in my opinion, would be recovering from apartheid and having to face the disparities and inequalities resulting from it. A strength the country has for the future, is the democratic philosophies that Nelson Mandela strived for. A current event that was of interest to me were the monthly festivals.

Question for Mr. Gilmour: What inspired you to devote your life to the improvement of other countries? 

Week 2

Reading "Unpacking the Knapsack of Privilege" and the "Who Am I?" article served as self-reflection for me. Peggy McIntosh talked about her own privileges as a white woman in U.S. society. After reading her list of privileges, I came up with a few myself...from being able to attain an education from UT, to even the simplest ones such as having access to clean water. The "Who Am I?" article by Beverly Tatum, really emphasized the structure and stratified systems in our society such as the "dominant" and the "subordinate" groups. Tatum described our society in a nutshell: "Dominant groups, by definition, set the parameters within which the subordinates operate..." This pertains to the bureaucratic and institutional systems in our country. 

After completing the "Sorting Race Activity," the fact that stood out to me the most was COLORBLINDNESS WILL NOT END RACISM. I believe that this is the foundation and the first step to creating social change and to seek racial justice. We must first acknowledge the fact that racism still very much exists and that there are still extreme inequalities and disparities between groups.  

Week 1

Hi! My name is Denise Perez and I'm a senior here at UT majoring in psychology and minoring in social work. I was born and raised in Houston, TX and am a first generation Mexican American college student. My program interests for my study abroad trip are mental health, youth & education, and  racial justice. Over the past year, after taking influential professors and classes centered around education, race, gender, and civil rights, and after experiencing a season of positive growth and change, I have become extremely passionate about the these topics. Post-UT I would like to work for non-profit organizations with similar missions as mine and eventually get my Master's degree to become a clinical social worker. I truly believe my purpose in life is to make positive impacts and differences in the lives of others who have similar backgrounds as myself. I want to make an imprint on this world and leave it better than I found it...