Sara's busy week flew by as she looks forward to this continuing adventure

This past weekend I was lucky enough to attend an electric dance festival called Ultra. It was a lot of fun and I was able to see local DJs as well as meet more local people. Then on Saturday, a few others and I attended our first soccer tournament with Power and the Fire Fighters. The kids on the stands were shocked to see us there, but excited to meet us. It is an incredible experience meeting so many people with such a different background from your own. The kids that live here have far less than many of the kids I know in the states, yet they seem so content and happy all of the time.  One of my favorite parts about being here is meeting and getting to know these children. It seems like I have an impact on their day, but I do not think they know how great of an impact they have on me and will continue to have on me for the rest of my life.

Co-educaotrs Kaitlyn, Maddy, Rav, Claire & Sara W (front center)
with Power and the FireFighters

At one of the soccer practices for Fire Fighters this last week I was playing with Power’s son when he said “I will support anything he decides to do, I just don’t want him in the streets.” After playing with this sweet, innocent, happy little boy for the previous hour, it was shocking to hear this. It breaks my heart that this is a reality for every child that lives in a township here in Cape Town. I cannot imagine having a child and worrying that they may join a gang when they grow up. This is because this is just not a reality in the life I am fortunate enough to live.

On Sunday, Maddy, Claire, Nikita, Kaitlyn, and I hiked Table Mountain for the first time! Maddy, Nikita, and I went on a trail called India Vester where we had to rock climb and also use ropes and rungs at some points. Reaching the top was incredibly rewarding and I am excited to go back again! However, we have learned not to leave at noon on a hot summer day again!

This past week I began my new internship! I will be working at a foster home called Elonwbeni with the two social workers. So far I love it and it seems like a great fit. I attended their weekly meeting on Monday, went to multiple other meetings in the community, and also met all of the staff and some of the children living in the home. This foster home is one out of six in the Western Cape that employs women by making them foster mothers. It also provides jobs to other local women making beaded decorations to export to other countries. Although the work is confidential, the work the social workers do is essential in providing the children with safe homes. I feel so fortunate to be able to work with such kind hearted, strong women. I look forward to meeting more of the children in the home. In weeks to come, I will essentially be shadowing the social workers in their daily tasks and on the side also be tutoring some of the children after school in any subject they need help in.

           

Another amazing week has flown by and I look forward to continuing this incredible adventure. J