Week 4 - Staff Update

The Springboks headed out Monday morning at 4:30 A.M. to explore the South African coast on the adventure tour of a lifetime. The group was split into two adventure packages, both filled with exciting activities to push them outside of their comfort zones. Global LEAD truly believes that many times we don't understand our own inner strength until we're pushed beyond our limits. During adventure week, the Springboks students had an opportunity to push themselves and redefine "extreme", while bonding with new friends.

During their 5-day excursion along the coast, the students rode elephants, explored amazing South African landscapes such as Knysna and Jeffrey’s Bay, bungee jumped off the highest bungee in the world, zip-lined over waterfalls, saw, lions, elephants, zebras, kudu, and much more on a safari through Addo National Elephant Park, watched whales, seals, and hundreds of dolphins swimming and jumping along with their dolphin-viewing boat, explored caves on the Congo Caves tour, rode ostriches at a local ostrich farm, and even went Shark Cage Diving with Great White Sharks.  Each night the students stayed in backpacking hostels along the coast where they played pool, listened to music, enjoyed the stars, and experienced several traditional South African Braai's (BBQs).

The Bafana Bafanas finally got the chance to come into our amazing community of Sir Lowry’s Pass.  Global LEAD has been working in Sir Lowry’s for the past three years, and it is always the most incredibly encouraging experience being there with all the students.  The entire community is filled with such beauty.  From the mountain ranges surrounding it to the radiant joy on all the kids’ faces- it is truly an uplifting experience.  We have partnered with the most wonderful women in Sir Lowry’s, known as the Soup Mothers for their generous mission to provide a hot meal every day for all the children of the township.  On Monday all of our students were introduced to the soup mothers, and each student was given a mother and became a part of that  mother’s family for the week.  We all gathered in the pre-school as it was pouring down rain and Ms. Fiela led us in some songs and dances.  We heard many stories and introductions from the mothers, and then all went into their houses and cooked dinner with them.  Throughout the rest of the week, we led after school programs for the children, bonded more with our South African families, and began connecting with many of the high school age members of the community.  It was such a wonderful week, and we can’t for the Springboks to have these same experiences.

Over the next week, the two groups will switch weeks- Bafanas head out on adventure week while springboks begin their service week. We cannot believe the trip is more than half way over. Time has passed so quickly!

That's how I know that God is REAL

Somewhere between the lush green plains of the netherlands and the opening my airplane window to see the sunset on the African desert, I had physical evidence that God is Real. Previously, time square at 4 am and the Great Wall of China had a tie for the most beautiful sites I had seen. However, floating above the landscape of Mount Kilimanjaro brought a tear to my eye. I have never been able to see a skyline as clear as this one. The best way to describe it was like a scene from the Lion King. No buildings, No traffic, Just God and I.

I feel as though this is the perfect time to explain the title of my blog. Dolce far Niente is Italian like my middle name. It means… “the sweetness of nothing”. I was reminded of the phrase from the movie Eat Pray Love the day before I left for Amsterdam. Luckily, after 22 hours of plane rides I have grasped my own visual image for “dolce far neinte” Time to enjoy my last dutch meal and land in Cape Town!

Mikmil

The Journey Begins

And let Global LEAD Cape Town 2011 BEGIN!  My name is Dustin Harris; I’m currently the Adventure Director for the Cape Town program this summer.  Last year I went on LEAD Greece and had such an amazing summer that I HAD to come back for another one.  This being my first time in Cape Town I have been in a state of constant amazement at how incredibly beautiful this town is. 

            It’s always great coming to a new place because you have these preconceived notions about what you will see, smell, and taste, though none of them usually end in an accurate description of what you really sense, and I can happily say that I’ve been surprised at every turn.  The first few days of being on the ground in Cape Town have been action packed.  We’ve traveled to the wine country, where the clouds seep over the mountains like waterfalls, to do a tasting of some native South African wine.  We also went and visited the families we work with in the slums, opening our eyes to the bigger problems in the world. 

            

            Whether the majestic sunsets, radiating beaches, or skyscraping mountains, Cape Town has something for everyone and we can’t wait for all the students to arrive and begin the best summers of their lives.  Only 5 more days till the first group arrives.  Let the countdown begin!

"Until Next Time" by Sophie Oreck

Dearest Diary,

I am writing you within the depths of my newest home, Lagoon (pronounced Laguna) Beach Apartments. I am so sorry I haven’t written in a while, but I know you understand, you always do…Anyways, South Africa is so super cool, sorry you have to stay in the apartment room all day, but I don’t want to look like a weirdo carrying you around everywhere (I think your pink encrusted rhinestone cover would be misunderstood).

I made some new friends here! One of the first friends I made was this dude that we affectionately call Father Duck, because he is our community leader. He leads his premier community group in deep and interesting discussions. Katy and I were happy to flock beneath his beautiful wing. Another friend I made is an elephant named Jabu and a little baby elephant named Bailey…she looks more human than elephant but she claims to be one and I trust her. After all she had some weird supernatural connection to them at the elephant sanctuary. She didn’t have nearly as cool of an effect on those elephants as Joy had, boy did she put on a show.

Oh my goodness diary! I almost forgot to tell you! I have a new dream…traveling the country with a man named Johnny Clegg and performing the song Dela with him nightly. Oh you should here me sing (I dance along too)…this cool dude named JC, no no not that JC, I am talking about JC the bus driver. He taught it too me. Basically I have made some cool new friends here. I also am going to return home with the affection of a taxi cab driver named ISH, but he is oh so much more than a driver.

I hope my mommy doesn’t get too mad that I have been jumping out of planes, having ostriches peck at my head, riding elephants, and jumping off bridges(twice). Oh yeah, and riding 4 wheelers down a dangerously narrow and bumpy path (I don’t have a good history with them, apparently neither does becky boo) …Oh diary, I am so sorry but I have to run…my new BFF Jackie is calling me, I think she wants to spend some quality time with me

I will write again soon dear old diary…until next time

Love, Sophie

"Accurate, Articulate, and Aggressive" by Devon Butterfield

Envision one man alone in the wilderness,

A bow and arrow in his hand and whatever he wants in his sights nonetheless.

Vision dreams of passion explode with every bullet he fires,

He’s got a Ford F-250 King Ranch on big ol’ raised mud tires.

Nothing stands in his way, nothing slows him down,

He is the one, the only, Michael Phelps and he’s tearin’ up Cape Town.

When the number 45 rolls into Lagoon Beach,

A word of advice he will always teach.

When we heard our roommate was Michael Phelps from Suwannee,

We could only imagine how much cooler than the swimmer he must be.

Being the image of determination and confidence,

I have learned more from my new roommate than most gents.

From mud bogs to New Zealand,

The world is Michael Phelps playground, no telling where he’ll land.

I would never have had the same experiences here in Cape Town,

Without Phelps around.

Simply put, there are no replacements so don’t go hunting for one,

Because Michael Phelps has killed ‘em all, done.

Top 10 Things/Lessons I’m Taking Home with Me from Cape Town:

• The 3 F’s: faith, family, and friendship matter most in life.
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• When the hard times come, “KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.”
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• When you fill others’ buckets, you also fill your own.
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• “If you can’t say Garrett, and you can’t say Graveson, then call me GG!”
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• The Old Biscuit Mill is the place to be on Saturdays.
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• You are always the “first customer of the day” to the vendors at the Green Market Square.
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• Justin Bieber never gets old.
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• A hug from a child in Sir Lowry’s pass is the best gift I could ever receive.
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• “Do I find joy in life, and do others find joy in me?”
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• “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.”

“God is too good to be unkind; He is too wise to be mistaken. When you can’t see His hand, you can trust His heart.”

Don’t just go…LEAD!

"Time Races By" by Doug Schwartz

As our month in Cape Town comes to a close, I feel as if it was merely a week that we have been here. This past month has raced by faster than I think anyone expected. In fact, I think the only people that wouldn’t agree with me are all of our parents who have probably been sitting, watching an hour glass over and over again awaiting our arrival back at home. As we return to Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, New York or wherever, I know we all will return back to the states changed forever. Some of the things we have done here, whether it be serving the people in Sir Lowry’s Pass or hiking the steep paths of Table Mountain, have made me grow as a person as well as a leader. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that this trip has been one of the most significant months in my life and I can honestly say that I have learned more during this month in Cape Town than an entire semester of school.

“Learn to Listen” by Lauren Miller

My experience in Cape Town is almost indescribable. I feel like I have been living a dream and when I wake up back in the United States I am going to have to convince myself that it was real. Since my arrival in Cape Town, I have reached new heights (literally), by climbing Table Mountain, jumping off of the highest bungee in the world, and skydiving out of an airplane at 9,000 feet. I have built new friendships that I know will last a lifetime. I have learned to ask questions, stay curious, and keep my eyes and ears open for new opportunities.

I must say however, that although adventure got my adrenaline pumping and I got to share it with my new friends each step of the way, my experience inside the township filled my heart with happiness more than I could have ever imagined. My experiences there may be the closest I will ever come to being famous, because the members of the Sun City community and Sir Lowry’s Pass Township treated us like rock stars. They would cheer incessantly upon our arrival and without fail they would line the streets and wait outside of the bus to see familiar faces. It blew me away to know that I had impacted another person’s life, nonetheless multiple peoples’ lives. Not only was I able to see a part of reality that I had never experienced firsthand, but also I was able to immerse myself in a culture that I barely knew anything about before coming to South Africa.

We got the opportunity to live life in the shoes of the individuals living in the Township of Sir Lowry’s Pass. Sir Lowry’s Pass is run by fifteen wonderful soup mother’s who provide food with love to as many children as they possibly can. Unlike many individuals, we were awarded the chance to get to enter their community as strangers, sit down with them in their homes, learn their culture, and ask questions, cook food, dance, play, laugh, and basically live life, as they know it. These families barely have anything, yet they were willing to open their hearts and homes to us so that we could experience life from a different view. I have never seen so many generous, fun-loving people in one place in my entire life. By the end of our stay, they were thanking us for sharing our love and calling us family. I only hope to continue my life being as generous and loving as the people of Sir Lowry’s Pass. I hope to return one day and see the warm, smiling faces of my new friends that I will always remember.

“Learn, Live, Love” by Sarah James

This trip has been so amazing in teaching me so many new things and opening my eyes to things that I was blind to before. Having learned so many new things about the world, I am inspired to live my life to the fullest with an unconditional love for the people around me. My experiences between today and yesterday could not have been more opposite. Yesterday, we spent our last day in the township and I couldn’t help but realize how much I had learned from the people of Sir Lowry’s Pass. They showed me more joy and gratitude than I have ever experienced and I hope I will take a piece of them with me and learn from them. Then today, I was lucky enough to have High Tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel. I felt honored to be having tea in such a beautiful place with so many beautiful people. Although today was so different from yesterday, I learned to appreciate the many opportunities and experiences I have been given on this trip. I feel so blessed to have been given all these opportunities for learning and I hope I will continue to learn new things and live and love to the fullest!

"This is Africa" by Andrew Hurwitz

When the Term T.I.A. (This is Africa) Becomes Applicable

When you eat breakfast at the same bar you were at the night before

When your cab driver chooses what you’re going to do that night

When a traffic light is called a “robot”

When all gates are electric and high voltage signs are the most common sign around

When you actually hear a person tell you to take a left at the next robot

When a taxi holds over 16 people

When your T.A. helps you the most when you’re playing slots

When a restaurant’s menu has warthog, kudu, crocodile, and springbok

When penguins become aggressive

When elephants are obedient and listen well

When the locals think you’re insane for climbing Table Mountain

Move jackal, we don’t want to see you we want to see liiiiions

When winery tours are free

When baboons are attracted to the girls on our trip

When docking a boat requires hitting a beach at top speed. Everyone, hold on…

When you always find yourself waking up to Johnny Clegg on adventure week

When everyone calls you “my friend” and “cheers” means goodbye

When goodbye celebrations at the township turn into raging dance parties

When you miss a call from one of your parents

When you’re late to class