Sir Lowry’s Pass is a special place. Courtney Doran, our Executive Program Director, met Ms. Cheryl from Sir Lowry’s Pass while she was on Global L.E.A.D.’s first trip to Cape Town in 2008. Ms. Cheryl is the captain, so to speak, of the soup moms in Sir Lowry’s Pass. These ladies feed 50+ starving children every day from their own homes. They are not desperate housewives. They are courageous mothers.
Ms. Cheryl invited Courtney to Sir Lowry’s Pass during her stay in 2008, and the two formed a bond that that would impact countless people in the years to come. Courtney is now directing her third Global L.E.A.D. trip to Cape Town, bringing a relentless sense of hope and joy that is so imperative to this community.
As the Springboks departed for adventure week at 5:30 A.M. Monday morning, the Bafana Bafanas rested for service week. I was worried that my one week of service here would only be temporarily valuable, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The family that welcomed me into their home Monday night immediately showed me pictures of the Global L.E.A.D. students who stayed with them last summer, the book Kristen Stamps (an older ADPi at UGA) left for them, and a Georgia bulldog t-shirt that is flaunted with utmost pride around the township. I even learned that Ms. Cheryl has named her 4-month-old granddaughter Courtney after our leader who started it all. The pictures will fade, the book could get lost, and the shirt may shrink—but what could possibly be more long-lasting than someone’s name? The Global L.E.A.D. impact obviously doesn’t end when we go back to America.
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| Sir Lowry's Pass {6.1.11} |
Monday:
Tormenting rain hit just as we unloaded the bus in Sir Lowry’s Pass. We sprinted to “the crush” (pre-school building) to be greeted by boisterous kids and smiling mothers. The weather and language barrier (Afrikaans is more popular than English here) caught me off guard for a moment, but I felt comfortable once Ms. Cheryl started to lead everyone in a round of “Thumbs out, knees bent.” I was familiar with this silly song because of my drama days back at Lakeview when the seniors would lead it before every show. We may not have understood all of the words in their version of the song, but no language barrier can fracture the fun of dance or the reassurance of laughter. Once the Sir Lowry’s students and Global LE.A.D. students were both comfortable, we darted out into the storm to eat dinner with our designated soup moms and their families.
Global L.E.A.D. supplied each group of students (4-5 per house) with groceries to give their soup moms. We were told to be very respectful and to remember that we are guests—that is, we should let the soup moms cook for us and not offend anyone by offering help in the kitchen. Most students did just that, but my experience with Ms. Hetta and her family was slightly different.
While the other Bafanas were playing with the kids and having dinner prepared for them, Carrie (UGA), John-Paul (UGA), Cory (AU), Emily (WF), and I entered a home that was expecting to have a gourmet meal cooked for them Monday night. To say that we were in over our heads would be an understatement.
Emily and I attempted to use the stove to cook noodles, but Ms. Hetta and Mr. Wayne did not have enough electricity—paid for daily in Sir Lowry’s— to use it. Converting to the fryer wouldn’t be our first improvisation of the night. When we asked Charlotte, the 25-year-old daughter, for water, she gladly made a trip to “the toilet” and gave us a bucket of water. We later learned that “the toilet” means “the bathroom” in South Africa and that the water most likely came from the sink, but for an entire night we were convinced that we were cooking and eating food that had been boiled in water from a toilet bowl in a South African township—thank goodness my parents taught me how to have nice manners. We eventually managed to cook two packages of noodles, sausage, tomato sauce, and bread in one single fryer. I’ll never take spaghetti for granted again.
“Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
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| Ms. Hetta's house {6.3.11} |
“Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
Tuesday:
Our service director, Preston Shurley (UGA), happens to have amazing artistic talent. He designed a mural for a wall at the school that will say “Education is a tool that can be used to change the world!” once complete. I decided to help him work on it because I’ve always wanted to be artistic and this is probably the closest I’ll ever come to it. Painting the wall also reminded me of my trips to La Escuela de Japón in the Dominican Republic that I took in high school, which was inexplicably comforting.
Before I walked down to the mural, I spent some time in the neighborhood. When I asked 11-year-old Zolimbia if she was having a good day, she smiled and nodded: “Today is wonderful. It is better than all the other days.” Moments like that make this trip worth the 19-hour plane flight and hefty price tag. My next “moment,” however, was not so sweet.
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| {5.31.11} |
When I stopped by Ms. Hetta’s house to say hello, she took me aside and asked me to talk to Charlotte and her two friends. They all suffer from severe tik addictions, otherwise known as meth. I wish more than anything that I knew how to solve such an issue, but unfortunately I do not. I talked to them about school, encouraging them to go to college and to become independent women.
Charlotte asked me several times on Monday and Tuesday for the brown bracelet I was wearing, but I had to politely refuse. My new friend, Laura Talton, said that “gift giving fosters dependence” during a breakout discussion, and I couldn’t agree more. I’d so much rather teach Charlotte how to earn the money to buy her own bracelet than to simply give her mine. I told Ms. Hetta that I would pray for them because I had just learned in class “that their greatest needs are self-reflection, self-confidence, organization, and self-discipline rather than gifts or conversion” (Curtis Keim, We Should Help Them).
After that heartbreaking conversation, I set out to the school to help Preston and his painting crew. We set up the gridwork to scale the sketch and then found ourselves in a paint war that resulted in stained and lost apparel. Sometimes you just have to live and let live.
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| Charlotte {6.3.11} |
After that heartbreaking conversation, I set out to the school to help Preston and his painting crew. We set up the gridwork to scale the sketch and then found ourselves in a paint war that resulted in stained and lost apparel. Sometimes you just have to live and let live.
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| Shelby Ausband (Ole Miss) |
Tuesday night was spent watching Totsie in the Lagoon View. It’s an awesome movie about gangster life in South African townships—definitely recommended. I also wasted time Tuesday night by freaking out about my missing UNC sweatshirt and coping with my loss via chocolate cake.
"Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever." – Isak Dinesen
"Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever." – Isak Dinesen
Wednesday:
After finally jogging to the lighthouse and back Wednesday morning, I was delighted to find my cherished sweatshirt right where I left it on the bus. Yay! I spent the majority of the afternoon working on the mural where I volunteered to paint the Bafana Bafanas soccer player in honor of my Global L.E.A.D. team as well as my ADPi roomies (yellow forever!). My cheesy tendencies shouldn’t surprise you all by now.
The meth addictions and alcohol abuse, along with our personal problems back home that my roommates and I had discussed over lunch, had really discouraged me, so painting became my therapy. The kids’ excitement started to motivate us as soon as they began to recognize Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu in the artwork.
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| Meg Gheesling (AU) |
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| {6.1.11} |
During my visit at Ms. Hetta’s house, I talked to her 12-year-old grandson, Wailan, who likes to study history and wants to become a teacher. This kid is brilliant. He loves rugby, his friends, his family, and the Georgia bulldogs. Although I was opposed to dependent gift giving with Charlotte, I couldn’t resist giving Wailan one of my UGA shirts on Thursday afternoon. I pray that he never finds himself on the same track that Totsie (the thug) did.
The Bafana Bafanas made a special trip to Balthazar’s, a famous South African steakhouse, on Wednesday night. I felt very guilty going from a poverty-stricken township to a fancy restaurant, but good ole Shelby Ausband comforted me at the dinner table by telling me that God blessed us for a reason and that if we didn’t have our own blessings we wouldn’t be able to share with those who have less.
The meal was absolutely amazing. First, I convinced myself to order a glass of wine because Balthazar’s has the largest wine selection in the world. Although my friends had to drink all but two sips of it, I felt sophisticated having something other than water in my glass so it was well worth the forty or so rand it cost. Second, I ordered the game kebab, consisting of wildebeest, eland, springbok, and kudu, accompanied by a red wine sauce. The meat was almost as divine as my third choice: the chocolate brownie. I told the waiter not to lead me astray with my dessert decision, and he most certainly did not. It was the perfect conclusion to a memorable meal with wonderful people.
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| Wailan {6.3.11} |
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| Field Day {6.3.11} |
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| Tim Rood (UGA) |
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| Robbie & Courtney at Balthazar's {6.1.11} |
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” - Desmond Tutu
Thursday:
12:00 A.M.—Call Mom to see how things are going at home
1:00 A.M.—Catch some sleep
3:00 A.M.—Alarm goes off on the cell phone
3:15 A.M.—Alarm goes off on the iPod
3:30 A.M.—Depart for Devil’s Peak (after convincing the incoming partiers that they should NOT join)
4:16 A.M.—Start hiking the most difficult and most dangerous mountain in Cape Town
8:52 A.M. – Head straight to Charly’s Bakery
1:00 A.M.—Catch some sleep
3:00 A.M.—Alarm goes off on the cell phone
3:15 A.M.—Alarm goes off on the iPod
3:30 A.M.—Depart for Devil’s Peak (after convincing the incoming partiers that they should NOT join)
4:16 A.M.—Start hiking the most difficult and most dangerous mountain in Cape Town
8:52 A.M. – Head straight to Charly’s Bakery
Hiking Devil’s Peak in the dark is a memory I hope to never forget. The conversations were fun, the waterfalls were cool, and the views were breathtaking. When we made it to the top, I felt like Frogger (Who remembers the GameBoy days?) jumping from rock to rock. I’m glad I didn’t realize how scary it would be until I was already there. I’m also glad our activities director, Matt Fornito, didn’t tell me that people have died on this particular hike until we were ten minutes away from finishing. Maybe uninformed decisions aren’t always bad?
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| Halway point/breakfast break |
There’s no way to adequately describe the experience through words, but I do need to give a shout out to a few people who shared the adventure with me:
My man Ish—who we convinced to hike although he hadn’t sleep in twenty-four hours and had nothing but McDonald’s fries and my ADPi water bottle to keep him nourished. He may or may not have jumped out of a tree on the way back (trying to scare us) and tumbled through some bushes on accident. Never a dull moment with that guy! Matt Fornito—without whom the sunrise hike would have never happened and the answer to my constant question “Are we there yet?” would have never been answered. Your guidance is much appreciated! Robbie Reese—who inspires me every single time I see him to explore the world for all it's worth. He’s the kind of person that everyone is drawn to because he’s so incredibly interesting. He also happens to be the CEO of Global L.E.A.D., and a fine one at that. Thank God for gifted people like him who have a contagious zest for life. Laura Talton—who I have come to know, adore, and appreciate. She is the kind of girl that I know God put on this trip for a reason (even though Kevin Scott would surely insist that it was actually his recruiting skills which “wooed” her into Cape Town). I honestly probably wouldn’t have gone on the hike if it weren’t for LT, and I’m so grateful for the accountability and support we are beginning to have for one another. Sadie Lambert—who pushes me to challenge myself and to put my faith into action. She also kept me fed during the hike, converting me into a Cliff bar fan. And last but not least, Miss Anna Lynn Caroll—who has filled me with hope thanks to a much needed conversation we had about similar struggles. Peaks and valleys, baby! She also sprained her ankle within the last twenty steps of our descent, which is unfortunate but nothing she can’t handle. You’re a champ, AL.
My man Ish—who we convinced to hike although he hadn’t sleep in twenty-four hours and had nothing but McDonald’s fries and my ADPi water bottle to keep him nourished. He may or may not have jumped out of a tree on the way back (trying to scare us) and tumbled through some bushes on accident. Never a dull moment with that guy! Matt Fornito—without whom the sunrise hike would have never happened and the answer to my constant question “Are we there yet?” would have never been answered. Your guidance is much appreciated! Robbie Reese—who inspires me every single time I see him to explore the world for all it's worth. He’s the kind of person that everyone is drawn to because he’s so incredibly interesting. He also happens to be the CEO of Global L.E.A.D., and a fine one at that. Thank God for gifted people like him who have a contagious zest for life. Laura Talton—who I have come to know, adore, and appreciate. She is the kind of girl that I know God put on this trip for a reason (even though Kevin Scott would surely insist that it was actually his recruiting skills which “wooed” her into Cape Town). I honestly probably wouldn’t have gone on the hike if it weren’t for LT, and I’m so grateful for the accountability and support we are beginning to have for one another. Sadie Lambert—who pushes me to challenge myself and to put my faith into action. She also kept me fed during the hike, converting me into a Cliff bar fan. And last but not least, Miss Anna Lynn Caroll—who has filled me with hope thanks to a much needed conversation we had about similar struggles. Peaks and valleys, baby! She also sprained her ankle within the last twenty steps of our descent, which is unfortunate but nothing she can’t handle. You’re a champ, AL.
We celebrated our feat at the one and only Charly’s Bakery, which happens to be Oprah Winfrey’s favorite sweet shop and Courtney Doran’s first recommendation when we arrived in Cape Town. If Courtney likes it, it must be good! I think it’s safe to say that I know a good chocolate cake when I see one, and I’m proud to say that I bought four treats at Charly’s after our five hour hike. As my favorite football team likes to say: FINISH THE DRILL.
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| {6.2.11} |
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| Good morning, Cape Town! |
Thursday afternoon in Sir Lowry’s was interesting. When we arrived, there were cop cars and people all over the streets. Preston made us wait on the bus while he figured out what was happening. Apparently, there were people trying to build shacks on an area of land that belongs to the government and the police were there to stop them, willing to make arrests if necessary. It was such a reality check to see homeless people trying to make a place for themselves but being forbidden to do so.
When we finally got off the bus, the kids were still happy to see us. We colored the sidewalks with chalk, danced in the yards, and played games in the crush. I ended up attracting a tiny little boy named Tontas who spoke zero English but clung to my side nevertheless. It’s amazing to see how powerful smiles and hugs can be. Thank you, Papa (my grandfather and dentist), for giving me a smile that I love to share. I wouldn’t have been able to make that bond with Tontas if it weren’t for the reassuring effects of smiling and laughing.
We slowly but Shurley made progress with the mural, and the highlight of my day was probably watching the principal’s face light up when he saw the wall. It’s going to be unbelievable once it’s finally finished.
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| Tontas {6.2.11} |
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| "Happiness always looks small while you hold it in yours hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is." - Aleksi Peshkov |
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| {6.2.11} |
I was ready to crash by the time we got home, but I managed to go grocery shopping, make a contribution to the potluck dinner in the staff’s suite, and watch an episode of East Bound and Down in Lagoon View. Kenny Powers really isn’t as funny as everyone makes him out to be. Sorry ‘bout it.
“Travel is a school for life, one that generates fresh insights and unforgettable memories.” - Richard Slimbach
Friday:
Class today was led by Courtney, who used the metaphor of Lucky Charms cereal to ask us why we are “the lucky ones” and if we have a responsibility to share our “luck” with the rest of the world. We all agreed that our blessings cannot be denied and that others’ needs cannot be ignored. These needs, however, do not only exist in Africa. Michael Boynton (UGA) was quick to recognize that there are starving children and homeless families all around us in America, and that we need to make an effort to keep serving when we go back home. You don’t have to travel to help someone.
Class today was led by Courtney, who used the metaphor of Lucky Charms cereal to ask us why we are “the lucky ones” and if we have a responsibility to share our “luck” with the rest of the world. We all agreed that our blessings cannot be denied and that others’ needs cannot be ignored. These needs, however, do not only exist in Africa. Michael Boynton (UGA) was quick to recognize that there are starving children and homeless families all around us in America, and that we need to make an effort to keep serving when we go back home. You don’t have to travel to help someone.
Since we are traveling right now, though, we better make the most of it! We turned Sir Lowry’s Pass into an American field day this afternoon. I don’t know who had more fun: the young kids playing new games or the college kids reliving our elementary glory days (Jake Taylor = jump rope champion).
We came to Sir Lowry’s on a cold, rainy night and we left on a warm, sunny day. There’s no coincidence here. God knew exactly what He was doing when he led Courtney Doran to Ms. Cheryl and her team of soup mothers. He knew exactly what He was doing when I was challenged to cook noodles with “toilet water” and interact with a meth addict. He knew exactly what He was doing when he sent me up that mountain in the middle of the night. The past week was not a mission trip. We didn’t necessarily spread God’s word, but we most definitely served His people.
"May the Lord bless and keep you, may His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26
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| Sir Lowry's Pass |
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| Ms. Hetta |
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| Field Day |
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| "The colors are bright, just like the future." - Charly's Bakery |
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