Immerse yourself…

Santa Sabina College South Africa Immersion 19 Sept- 4 Oct 2014

 “Immersion is a profoundly cleansing experience.  We witness the horror of our social sin yet it leaves us awash with a freshness of courage.”   

Thursday 2 October
This morning on our last full day, we started with a rewarding trip to the Crèche. With 15 small and excited creche children, our enthusiastic immersion group ran craft activities. Some of these included face painting, dot painting, colouring-in, story telling and mask making. Despite the language barrier, the smiles and laughter heard was a universal indicator that they had just as much joy in our presences as we did.

As the fog lifted, we began our journey to the sisters piggery. This experience was definitely something we don’t have the opportunity to view in our everyday lives in Sydney. The piggery, explained by Sister Veritas, educated us on the different types of pigs present within the self sustaining occupation. It was an educational opportunity to see how the sisters create this sustainable farm and operate it on a daily basis.

After this it was time to view a concert which the High School students had prepared. It featured displays of cultural singing and dancing from students in Grades 8-12. This spectacular display truly mesmerised us all and set very high expectations for our own performance. In front of approximately 500 students and staff, we sung our own rendition of songs that sure captured everyones attention.
After returning from lunch we ventured to the boarders hostel. This was a great opportunity to visit the living quarters of the students that have the opportunity to board. During this encounter, we were able to get our hair braided by the talented girls. Interacting with the students enabled us to hear their own stories and appreciation for the education they receive by the Dominican Sisters. It was rewarding to see that our funds from Santa Fest and such fundraisers truly impact the lives of each and every student.
This whole experience was then reflected upon with our concluding reflection and evaluation. This was an emotional way to tie our whole immersion experience together. With tears and smiles of joy, we reflected and evaluated the rewarding two weeks we have spent together.

We then concluded the evening with a special performance and dinner from the Sisters. This special dinner brought all the Dominican Sisters and ourselves closer together as the global community that Santa Sabina has enabled us to be apart of.
So with our hair braided and bags in the packing process, we are preparing to say our farewells and return home to our families.
Emily

Wednesday 1 October
Today we visited Mobray Primary School run by the Dominican sisters, 2000 metres above sea level! The children warmly welcomed us by the gates with songs and dance. We ran classes with the children and ended the day with a soccer game and brisk walk. The high view of the valleys was breathtaking. The hospitality the children showed throughout the day and willingness to partake in the activities we organised was fulfilling for all of us. Fish and chips for lunch was delicious with the Dominican sisters in the convent where we continued to join them in song- we still are yet to find any South Africans without a beautiful voice. Overall it was a fulfilling and rewarding day of teaching and building relationships with the Mobray students.

Claudia and Paris

Monday 29 September & Tuesday 30 September

Yesterday was our first day at Montebello. At the start of the day we were welcomed at school assembly and then proceeded onto teaching Year 8 in Maths, English and Geography. The students were all eager to learn and so proud of their work which opened all our eyes to the appreciation of education here. We concluded the day by visiting the Hostel & joining the older boarders in dancing, sport and chatting. Some of us were really surprised with our similarities and were able to learn South African games and dances to bring back home. Overall it was a fabulous day filled great and different experiences from our past destination.

Today we continued teaching but this time it was with the Year 9 students who were so engaged in the lessons we had prepared. We finished our lessons with teaching the Year 8 and 9 students how to make loom bands. This activity was certainly enjoyed by all!!! At lunchtime we even taught the sisters in the convent how to make them & before too long they were also hooked….., It is a lovely sight to see the sisters in their full black and white habits decorated with colourful loom band bracelets!

In the afternoon we went to visit the orphanage that has now unfortunately been closed for 2 years. It was devastating to learn the reasons that the orphanage was forced to close due to lack of government funding. Walking around the orphanage the group saw the bedding spaces and other facilities that could be used. It was hard to learn that even though the orphanage was persevering in trying to reopen there are still many obstacles in the way. We learnt that this was the only child care facility in a 70km radius and there is still a great need for this service. Seeing the empty orphanage and many cupboards of unused clothes was disheartening but the hope and perseverance of the director was inspiring.

Maddie M and Lizzie H

Saturday 27 September & Sunday 28 September

On Saturday we had the whole day with our individual families. Many were excited to show us Tsakane Mall and meet many of their friends. Others met neighbourhood families and relatives of our families. The day gave us an opportunity to experience their usual weekend which enabled us to get to know them more. With this exciting day coming to an end, our last night under the roofs of our host families was met with many emotions.

Waking early Sunday morning we travelled to a small satellite community Mass held at the local high school. In a small hall lined with chairs, we were embraced into the enthusiastic and welcoming nature of a smaller congregation. This shorter mass was very vibrant, entertaining & enriching. We found this morning a great way to reflect upon a very tiring, emotional but rewarding week.

Leaving mass we arrived at Kopanang to a breakfast lovingly prepared by our host mothers. This gathering was our last meal shared with our families. The emotional farewell was full of happiness and joy but also sadness as this stage of our immersion was coming to an end. We would like to thank all of the women who have touched our hearts and opened our eyes to the world around us.

We are now off to Montebello and while the next phase of our journey is 6 hours away, the memories of our families and all that we have experienced over this past week will forever be with us.

Bernadette and Emily

Thursday 25 September 

On Thursday we were back at Kopanang where the women set up a market-like stall to give us an opportunity to purchase some of their amazing work. Not only will we be bringing back their beautiful embroidery but also their love and joy. The attention to detail and quality in their products had so much meaning, “each stitch is full of love, pain and beauty.” Again, some of the girls were able to distribute clothing and food to members of the community living in shack areas. While it was confronting at first, the appreciation and deep sense of gratitude exerted by those on the receiving end really allowed us to experience such fulfilment. This experience has proved to us that every small contribution by one person changes one life, and essentially a whole world. We identified the extreme differences between poverty and wealth. It’s frustrating to see third world poverty in a country that has first world resources. 

On Thursday afternoon, we gave the women a chance to take some of the donated clothes we brought with us for themselves and their families. It was very touching to see that they took for their kids before looking at items for themselves. It shows how much family is valued over anything of material value. We then laid out an afternoon tea and allowed the women to just sit back and relax. They were so grateful for everything and were unable to form the words to show their appreciation. 

In the evening, we invited all our mothers and host siblings to enjoy a movie and pizza night. It was lovely to have everyone in one place. The mothers danced and sang to the movie and the kids bonded over a competitive game of soccer. 

We were also given the chance to thank our mothers with our gifts including a rose bush, blanket, table cloth, tea towel and a hand made shambala bracelet. It allowed all of us to show our mothers how much we love them them and how much we appreciate all they have done for us this week and the enormous impact that they will have on us for the rest of our lives.

Wednesday 24 September

On Wednesday we all travelled on an exhilarating safari at Pilanesburg Reserve! We had the opportunity to explore and see the depths of South Africa’s landscape and wildlife. It was not an experience that we could have witnessed back home in Australia, seeing elephants only metres away, giraffes, zebras, springbok, hyenas and water buffalos. The early wake up, long drive and heat was certainly worth it and we are so privileged to have had a day of fun and exploring on our safari!

Claudia, Ashley & Liz P

Monday 22 September & Tuesday 23 September:

The mornings at Kopanang begin with a morning prayer which is both emotional and inspirational; filled with stories and singing. Our hearts were touched as the women opened up to us about their lives, the struggles they face and the immense amount of hope that being involved in Kopanang has given them. For the women, Kopanang is more than just a place of work but rather a home, a family, a place where they can support one another. We have learnt many profound life lessons from these incredibly strong women during morning prayer. We have all gained an understanding that despite having less materialistic possessions than us, these women are richer in spirit, joy, love and happiness. In many ways these women have opened our eyes to what the meaning of what life truly is.

Computer classes

Helping the ladies with computers classes was a very rewarding experience as they learnt valuable skills that will benefit their own lives. Every woman taking part in the classes was very excited and happy in gaining this knowledge. All the girls were very proud to be able to help many of these women achieve one of their biggest dreams.

Crèche

Working in the crèche was a lot of fun but also challenging. The kids are all between the ages of 3-5. When we arrived we assisted the teachers in supervising the kids writing their letters. We also provided a variety of craft. Our time in the crèche tested us as young women; we grew in our ability to teach and explain as well as to show and receive respect. 

Shack area

In the afternoon, we went to Ergo, a shack area about 5km from the project. The experience showed that people living in these shack areas are truly desperate and living in the poorest conditions possible. We were able to paint smiles on the faces of the women and children in the area by distributing donated clothes. Being able to provide relief no matter how small, really proved to us that helping the community is a wonderful gift that is able to be shared. While some girls did feel a little bit out of their comfort zone, it was definitely a great experience that allowed us to realise that we should not take what we have for granted. 

After school classes 

Between 3:30 – 5:30pm children from ages 4-17 came to after school care. Here they were provided with a basic meal that we prepared earlier in the day. We were able to provide a variety of activities and lessons in Maths & English. The English lesson allowed for the children to improve their reading skills as they each read a paragraph from a Dreaming story. In Maths they practiced adding & subtracting sums through a bingo activity. The children through their love and enthusiasm of learning showed us the value of having the right to education.

Feeding Scheme 

We also assisted with the feeding scheme & visited the shack areas where orphaned children were provided with meals we had prepared. We then engaged with the kids, blowing bubbles and braiding hair. The past couple of days have been challenging on many levels but truly rewarding and inspiring.

Lizzie H & Liz P & Bethany

Sunday 21 September:

This morning we joined the community of St Paul Roman Catholic Church in their mass. The mass was enlightening and fulfilling, none of us had ever experienced a mass that entailed joy, love, hope and happiness expressed in song, dance and prayer. We were all welcomed with open arms and towards the end of the mass we expressed our appreciation for the people of the church by singing songs of our own. Despite the fact that our voices were no comparison to those of the choir, the congregation asked for more. All in all, the mass was beautiful and rich in culture.
Maddie F and Paris

Later on Sunday afternoon, we visited the freedom charter. Here ten declarations for the people of South Africa were printed into stone. These declarations eliminate discrimination and inequality amongst the people of South Africa. In theory, they sounded fantastic, however the fact that many of the problems such as poverty are still prevalent in South Africa is almost disheartening knowing that the repercussions of apartheid are still so profound.

Later in the afternoon we went to the Hector Pieterson memorial. The courage and bravery of the thousands of young teenagers, the same age as us is truly inspirational. On the 16th of June 1976 six hundred African students lost their lives in a silent protest shot by policemen. The memorial is a tribute to Hector Pieterson who was the first, and one of the youngest to die during the protest. We all felt a connection to the students who fought courageously for an accessible education.
Nicci and Ellie

Saturday 20 September:

We visited the Apartheid Museum, this was a very moving and inspiring experience where we gained a deeper understanding of South African history and what it meant for the people. I think we all agreed that the most thought provoking exhibition was the Neslon Mandela section, where we were invited to consider quotes such as “I learnt that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid but he who conquers that fear” and what they meant for those who faced the struggles of Apartheid. Following this we visited Constitution Hill where we learnt about the conditions of South Africa’s first maximum security prison. As well as this, we were able to go inside South Africa’s Constitutional Court, the only high court whereby the law meets art. It is for this reason that it is dubbed one of the most beautiful and inclusive Courts. Both of these sites were eye opening and insightful. When we returned home we were able to share some quality time with our families, experiencing the love, faith and joy that is alive in their homes and neighbourhood.

Friday 19 September:

All checked through and now awaiting departure!

South Africa Immersion Itinerary 2014

Best wishes and safe travels to our Immersion Group 2014…

________________________________________________________

With only a number of days until the 14 Year 11 students, Sr. Sheila and three teachers are venturing off to immerse themselves in the South African culture, it is fair to say that many emotions of excitement and apprehension are being felt among the group. It’s been a long time coming, but after many preparation sessions and frantically packing countless items including thread for the project, clothes and materials for activities kindly donated by members of the community, the Immersion group are certainly ready to learn, give and develop as young women.

As suggested in the quote, the Immersion group are looking forward to participating in an enriching and life-changing experience allowing them to understand the differences between cultures and taking action in making a change. During the first week we will be living with our host family in the Township of Tsakane, situated on the outskirts of Johannesburg, where we will attend work daily at the Kopanang Centre and immerse ourselves fully in their culture. At Kopanang we will be participating in the feeding scheme, visiting shack areas, working at the women’s project and running activities for the children. These experiences will provide us the opportunity to learn more about these people’s lives and build long-term relationships. We hope to have a positive impact through our service and we know that our lives will also be enriched by the experience.

During the second week we will travel to Our Lady of the Rosary school in Montebello where we will conduct lessons for various classes and work in the children’s crèche. We will also visit Mowbray Primary School where we will provide learning opportunities for these students, sharing our knowledge and time with them to enrich their learning.

Each traveller is patiently anticipating the amazing journey ahead where service and giving will be the core of our Immersion experience. We know that this experience will truly be remarkable and one we will never forget, challenging our approaches to life and our perception of reality to develop together. We look forward to joining our South African family of Dominican sisters and contributing to the long line of the 10 year history of this wonderful Immersion experience.

To learn more about Kopanang and the work of Sr Sheila visit:

http://www.kopanang.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXKRgodbhpI 

Rebekah and Emily