Kaitlyn is truly content and happy being here

Kaitlyn's drumming lesson
at Guga S'Themba Cultural Center

Beautiful. Everything here is beautiful. The landscape, the people, even some of the history. I 100% see why people fall in love with this place and the people that live here so easily. I still cannot completely fathom the fact I will be living here for the next three months. I literally had to remind myself the entire first week here that I was actually in South Africa. Orientation thus far has been incredible, but it almost feels like I’m on vacation about to return home to the states in a few days. I’m excited to get into my own routine this coming week, with internships starting and classes in full swing. 

The combination of listening to my sister’s experiences and acquiring my own information through our pre-departure class allowed me to form an image of what I thought Cape Town would look and feel like. Upon arriving, I have realized that my image was fairly accurate, but it feels so different actually experiencing those expectations versus simply discussing them. The scars of apartheid are still so apparent, which is something we mentioned in class but not something I actually expected to see so obviously. Participating in this program has been my first exposure to human rights, race, and gender and sexuality issues in such a large capacity; these topics come up in every day conversations. I have barely been here two weeks and already have such a better understanding of them.

Many of the reactions I received when I told people I was going to Cape Town were related to how it's known as the crime capital of the world. After visiting townships and seeing the conditions people live in, I am able to comprehend why theft is such a common issue here. It’s typically out of desperation and not the want for violence, which is a concept I never could have imagined to be true while living at home in Connecticut. Being here, I am significantly more aware of my surroundings and my own actions. I was shocked to see informal settlements in such close proximity to nicer, government housing. I was expecting to see the quality of the townships that we saw, but I was not at all expecting the quantity of people that make up the townships. Large scale poverty has never seemed so real to me until we were at the lookout overseeing Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha extending out in all directions for as far as we could see. The Baptist church we visited was one of my favorite activities so far; so much energy passed through the room the moment we walked through the door. The singing and dancing was so real and lively. The people of the church hugged and greeted us as if they’ve known us forever, not caring that a group of Americans stepped into their church. I have never felt feelings of such alienation, while at the same time feeling so incredibly welcomed. 

The people we have met so far have been amazing: welcoming, talkative, interested. It’s refreshing to see people so focused on things such as education and religion, as opposed to material items. I was in awe when we were at church surrounded by adults and children wearing clean and fancy clothes, many of whom come from homes with no running water. When we drove through the townships, children were walking home from school in full uniforms all neat and polished, regardless of the fact that they might not even have a bed to sleep on or food to eat at home. Most people are so sincerely happy, even with the little amount that they have; many don’t even know what a “better” life would look like.

Visiting everyone’s internships this week was definitely worthwhile and something I am so grateful we had the opportunity to do. It was wonderful to be able to see all the unique ways in which people are working to make South Africa a more just, safe place for everyone. What struck me was the passion that each and every organization had stemmed from, whether it was because of personal stories or a sincere desire to implement positive change. I cannot wait to start spending time at the place where I will be interning, Maitland Cottage Orthopedic Hospital. It seems like a perfect fit where I will be able to explore the various departments, form relationships with the children, and hopefully help make a difference. I already know that I am going to become so attached and will never want to leave, and even though that’s tough, I feel incredibly blessed to have this chance to work there. 

I’ve noticed how truly content and happy I am here. My heart has never felt so genuinely full. I know that my heart will feel this repeatedly over the next three months in capacities that I can’t even begin to imagine. I’m looking forward to those moments and all the future adventures I will go on while in this extraordinary city. 

Kaitlin's first view of Table  Mountain