Good afternoon from the littlest church in the world, in the Kwazulu Natal province, South Africa. What makes this even more special is that it’s a Dominican church!
DAY 1
After many hugs goodbye we made our way through the airport, getting the classic photo in front of the ‘departures’ sign, however the fact we were departing from our country, families, culture and everyday lives was still a far away concept. After sharing a flight with the Australian Wallabies team, having many naps as well as being invited to the cockpit of the plane, we had finally arrived in South Africa. We walked outside into the calm breeze under the pale sunset to meet with our driver Logan. After playing Tetris with our baggage and driving for 40 minutes, we saw a familiar word on a small sign. That word being ‘Kopanang’. We saw glimpses of women running and waving through the project gates. We pulled up to the entrance and were greeted with the smiles, cheers, singing and dancing of the Kopanang women. As we made our way through the hugs with the women we would see the familiar face of our host mother and instant joy overcame us. The warm and welcoming energy of these women was infectious and warmed each one of our hearts. We proceeded to take our bags inside where a fish dinner was prepared and waiting for us. After more song and dance it was time for each family to go home. Everyone felt a sense of belonging and welcoming and knew that the next two weeks were going to be an incredible journey.
Mel Pigott
DAY 2
We were woken up due to jet lag at about 3am, thinking it was time to get up we soon realised the rest of South Africa was fast asleep. When we actually did get up we were met with the sound of our host mothers’ gospel music and her almost angelic voice accompanying it. Eager to get started we headed to the bus stop taking in the red-orange soil and shacks and houses that surrounded us. Our first stop was St. Paul Roman Catholic Church – none of us could have expected what we were in for. As soon as we entered, the church erupted with drums and the strong voices of the choir. The room was filled with joy. It’s hard to explain the feeling that comes along with being surrounded by such beautiful music and people. With our hands in the air swaying to the choir’s music we tried to take in the lively atmosphere of the room. It was such a humbling and valuable experience to be welcomed so fully by a group of people we had never met. It became apparent quite quickly how big music was in South African culture. Next we performed our item of a compilation of songs to the congregation. It probably wasn’t the best performance but nevertheless the church were singing and dancing along with us. After mass, we headed to the Apartheid Museum. Feeling energised by the church we were confronted by the reality of South African history. It’s one thing to hear or read about South African history. Scramble for Africa. Apartheid. Nelson Mandela, and so on. But so often this deep and rich history which continues and will continue to affect South Africa in all parts of life can become distant to us. Another event. Another date. Another name. It’s easy to read about this history and feel sympathetic to the struggle but so often we become disconnected. But to not only see the historical remnants of apartheid but also be in South Africa and be able to connect this with the small part we have already seen was such a unique experience. Confronted by the harsh reality so many South Africans subjugated to oppression, racism and injustice were faced with we were challenged in our privileged viewpoint of the world.
Jody Arulventhan
DAY 3
It was an early start for everyone, with us all being on the road by 8:30 for our long journey to Montebello. Excitement and anticipation filled the bus as we were finally on our way to visit the famous Montebello, which we often hear about back in Sydney and fundraise for. The 8 hour journey was not short of laughter, with everyone sharing stories on what they did the previous night with their host families. After many toilet breaks we reached our lunch break where we visited an amazing small Dominican church, which was built in memory of a young man who lost his life in the process of saving workers in the mine. After visiting the church we all shared delicious pies and toasted sandwiches at The Little Church Garden, which also featured a beautiful view where many photos were taken. As well as seeing a variety of beautiful South African landscapes, we were also lucky enough to see some zebras and ostriches along the way! As we pulled into the well anticipated Montebello High School, we were greeted with girls from the boarding rooms smiling and waving at us with excitement that we had arrived. It was so special to be greeted with such happy faces from both the sisters and girls. Soon after settling in, we shared a delicious meal cooked by the sisters, who were all so sweet and friendly. The long day had come to an end as we got into our pjs and gathered together as a group to share our most joyful moments so far in the trip, which was very special.
Arielle Harrison
DAY 4
We visited Seven Oaks Primary School and in groups of three we taught two lessons to different year groups. This experience exposed us to another way poverty can exist. Before coming to South Africa we were all well aware of the inequalities and hardships that the community generally face, but witnessing this in person reshaped our understanding of what it means to live in poverty. Poverty still exists even in the most joyous moments, including the children whose faces when they received a single balloon in an activity lit up. This really put all the knowledge we had prepared before coming into perspective and is something that none of us will ever forget.
Alongside this we also walked to the stairway that the children take daily to get to school. It is built on the edge of the hill and is almost vertical. Even though the view was sensational there was the constant reminder that the children had to commute such a treacherous route, and the stark difference in our transport to school. It was shocking to also hear that before 2006 they had to use ropes to climb the hill and that many lost their lives. On behalf of everyone I can truly say the experience enlightened us to appreciate the countless blessings and the education we have in our lives. Through the positivity and laughter of the children we are inspired to embody their determination and spirit to (in Jody’s words) become better individuals for others.
| – Fermi Siriwatdeth |
DAY 5
A few minutes walk from our guest house awaits the orphanage at Montebello. The curious, joyful children greeted us at the dark steel gates with open hearts and huge white smiles. We packed many activities for the children, and made sure we catered for all ages as there were also teenagers as old as 17 living in the orphanage. Meeting the 17 year olds, I felt a gentle humming around my heart. After skipping, blowing many bubbles, chasing around the boys, singing with the girls, I then played frisbee with a young boy of 10 years old. We threw each other a frisbee for a long time, both laughing and learning. I began to feel like a father figure, as it was clear he had never done anything like this with anyone before. This went to show me that even simple things like throwing a frisbee to my father is something I take for granted.
Along with the activities, we also took decorations to brighten up their rooms. One boy laughed as I stuck up the bumblebee transformer on his bare cupboard, my eyes then began to water. Being in the orphanage, I think we all experience mixed emotions between love and sorrow. These emotions taught me that so often we become focused on the finish line that we fail to enjoy the journey and therefore, being attentive to these children was important.
Despite the happiness the kids got from the materials we brought, I personally believe that it was our presence, God’s presence, that brought laughter, happiness and connectedness between us these children. Visiting the orphanage was something I will never forget.
Laura Marshall
DAY 6
The day began with an assembly, in which we were greeted in the usual way; with prayer and heartwarming song.
After spending two days teaching primary school, it was great to teach some high school lessons of Math, English and Geography; engage with our South African peers; and experience life in a Montebello classroom. Whilst the students were excited and eager to ask questions about Australia, they completed the set work with enthusiasm, highlighting their love of learning. Speaking with girls our own age, we came to understand how starkly different or unexpectedly similar our lives are.
Montebello chose to celebrate Heritage Day today, dressing in traditional outfits and holding a special concert full of song and dance; our ears were ringing by the end. It was so brilliant to see a celebration of African culture, which is a relieving contrast to the degration it underwent during the apartheid era. One item was a reading of the poem “I am an African”; which empowered these young girls to take pride in their heritage and strive to confront the face of oppression.
Finally, the Montebello sisters spoilt us after dinner with trivia, a concert and some beautiful gifts to commemorate our last night.
Olivia Migliorino
DAY 7
It was a late start today, we headed into town where we shopped at Art Africa, visited Regina Mundi Catholic Church and the Hector Pietersen memorial and museum. The conditions in the city compared to the towns that we have been immersed into are incomprehensible to say the least. We were amazed by the beautiful hand crafted products at Art Africa.
After our visit we went to Regina Mundi in Soweto. We had long anticipated visiting Soweto, after researching the significance and importance particularly during the apartheid. We were able to finally see and step in the footsteps of the great Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu at the church where many who were affected by apartheid would meet in the sanctuary where the ‘living Jesus Christ’ was encountered to inspire and strengthen each other.
The Soweto uprising was a peaceful march to protest against the Bantu Education Act on June 16th 1976 where 15 000 students were met with gunfire. The events of this are commemorated and documented through the Hector Pietersen memorial and museum. We were confronted by the reality the students faced as a result of fighting for education during apartheid, the students of that time were the voice of all people. We are beyond privileged with our education and often forget the power that allows us to be the change the world needs.
Annabel Cowley
DAY 8
Today began with an 8:00am bus ride into Johannesburg travelling to Constitution Hill where we were confronted and reminded of the harsh reality of life during the apartheid. We toured the grounds of the old jail where we saw segregation and discrimination and heard incomprehensible stories.
The woman’s jail consisted of 2 sections, the white womens jail and the black womens jail. Both held many political activists who defied the law to fight for justice. The stories opened our eyes to the reality of living within the jail. We were all mortified by the lack of cleanliness and hygiene the woman had access to and the voicelessness of these women, many of which had been locked up purely due to circumstance, race and political opinion. When viewing the white womens jail the discrimination was made apparent. They had larger cells, bigger beds and the punishments were much easier compared to those of the black women. We struggled to comprehend this unjust treatment due to race and colour of skin. We also had a tour of Constitutional Court which is a place that hears cases against human rights and the constitution.
Through all this we seek to follow in the footsteps of the various women from various contexts who have come before us and gave power to the voiceless.
Anna-Rosa Harman
DAY 9, 10 and 11
Travelling to Kopanang with our host mothers, we began each day with a prayer, scripture and song whilst getting to know the women and their empowering stories. It was great to see how passionately the women engaged in prayer as they rely on it for strength through adversity. When fundraising for Kopanang at school, it was humbling to hear how Kopanang has shaped each woman’s life to become a strong, independent woman. Embroidering and creating pieces of beauty gives these women value, pride, school uniforms for their children as well as a pay check.
Throughout these past three days each Santa girl has had the opportunity to prepare and serve food at the feeding scheme; make craft and have outdoor play at the crèche; work with the women assisting in cutting felt shapes and teaching computer skills; and play or chat with all the kids attending Sthandi Zingane.
The time spent in this community has been undeniably inspirational. No matter if we were cooking in the kitchen, or embroidering with the women, there were always people to have a laugh with, regardless of the circumstance. These days in Kopanang has confirmed for me how important it is for us growing females to love unconditionally, to hear others’ stories, and grow and mature from their experiences, as strong women. The Kopanang women have solidified the true meaning of an independent woman; one who is loving, grateful, faithful.
The community of Kopanang is truly a bunch of eccentric, fun-loving, joyful people who will continuously express their love, gratitude and support for those in the community. This was evident as we purchased the embroidery work of the women, with the creators name on each work; they had such immense pride.
Sarah Peterson
DAY12
After a 4am wake up, the bus picked us up from our host families around 5am. With the sun rising, we set out on our drive to Pilansberg Game Reserve. We arrived at the Kwa-Maritane Lodge where our Safari bus awaited our arrival. As our tour began it started to rain, however the clear, classy ponchos kept us dry. Despite the heavy rain we were lucky enough to see elephants, some which came as close as 2 metres from the bus. We were also able to see many giraffes, warthogs, springboks, impala and wilderbeasts. Not only did we see many of Africas native animals but also saw the raw beauty of South Africa’s mountainous landscape.
Samantha Naylor
DAY13
Today we were faced with the challenge of seeing some of the world’s poorest people in the world’s worst conditions. We set out to deliver food to those a part of the food crisis, distributed clothes at the Ergo shacks and visited homes that were considered beneath the poverty line.
The mood instantly dropped as we entered our first home. We stood there in despair as we had to comprehend the fact that a family of 23 were crammed into a dark, cold house fit for 10. The kitchen was falling apart and contained little to no food. We were told this family had to drink water to sustain themselves once the food had run out. Sadness and guilt lingered as I reflected on my own home situation where the fridge is overflowing with food and my cupboards are well resourced. We saw many shacks bordered with barbed wire housing over 10 children. One in particular had cardboard walls and dirt floors, some of the women lived with men who were not working as getting a job is difficult.
It was not long before we were on our next mission; handing out clothing items donated by SSC families at the Ergo shacks. The women were so desperate that they were happy with anything they was available. It was heart warming to see the items being worn by the boys and men that greatly appreciated it. At the end of the day we had given out so much yet I still didn’t feel complete or happy as there are still so many more that missed out.
It was a sweet ending to the day when our host families along with their children an grandchildren joined together at Kopanang and we threw a children’s party. The joy on all the kids faces as they got their face painted, made friendship bracelets and played a game of soccer, was infectious.
Jessica Siu
