Katherine's expanding her understanding of Human Rights

Since my last post, my work at Prevention in Action has been picking up and feeling more productive. Erica and I are halfway through the proposals we're writing for two exciting events that will facilitate discussion between community members in Khayelitsha, regarding gang violence, drug use, sexual assault and domestic violence. These workshops will aim to create concrete goals and solutions to these problems after the community discusses the roots of these problems.

This weekend was our Human Rights Weekend - we went to an olive farm a few hours outside of the city of Cape Town, where we were provided comfortable housing with a roommate and picturesque views of surrounding farmland and mountains. I roomed with a girl from Cape Town, with whom I enjoyed discussing politics and social issues.  I did not really have expectations for this weekend because I'm not familiar with human rights, but learning the basics of what human rights are and how to empower others to know their rights was valuable and interesting. The entire weekend, our group was encouraged to mingle as much as possible, which was awkward at first but soon everyone became friendly and worked together for various assignments and projects. For the big presentation project, my group tied for first place after performing a skit about Zimbabwe. The food at the venue was also really good. In the end, I think we all made valuable connections with people from different backgrounds, who shared the same passions.