Meaghan wondering where do we go from here?

This past weekend we stayed in Plettenberg Bay and finally got around to jumping off the world’s highest bungee bridge! I’m a little bit surprised to be alive, but mostly can’t believe it all happened, and am shocked at how quickly it went by. Jumping off of that bridge was probably the scariest thing I have ever done, and it amazes me how much less scared I was than I anticipated being. I am so glad that I actually went through with jumping and hope I can do it again some day. I don’t think explaining it through typing will exactly do the experience justice, so I look forward to talking about it with family and friends when I get home. 

On a more serious note, lately it has become increasingly difficult for me to sit down and write these blog posts due to the complexity of processing all of the thoughts and feelings I have running through my head. To take all of the ideas, emotions, and opinions that I have and mold them into a smooth paragraph or two is much more difficult than simply spitting back information about the activities we have been doing or what fun plans we have for the weekend.

With that in mind, I wanted to talk about how much I enjoyed the film from class last night and the thoughts and conversation it generated. I know the anxiety I feel about returning home is something I have discussed before, and it was nice to hear that my friends are experiencing the same emotions. One point that was made in our post-film discussion dealt with not knowing where to go from here, and how we can take our knowledge back from South Africa and apply it to a UConn campus. We have all reached the point where we can openly discuss our position of privilege, and the difficulty that comes with accepting this and how to work with it. As it was pointed out last night though, this isn’t the hard part. Sitting amongst a group of white people who can relate and discussing the positives and negatives of privilege is not the solution to the problem. Open dialogue and cultural celebrations are not going to obtain the same results that action would. However, I genuinely believe that a vast number of people are unaware of the privilege they hold and to what extent the privilege exists in their lives. I can say that personally I was completely unaware of how greatly being white influences nearly every aspect of my life. In this respect, I think it is necessary to go out and spend time informing people of the situation that exists uncontested. My fear is that if the focus solely shifts to moving forward, only the small percentage of people aware will continue on, and the population of those unknowing will continue to grow. I think there needs to be some sort of balance between people going out and co-educating, and people moving forward with social justice. It sounds a lot easier than it would be to assemble, but it is the only way to promote a continuous stream of people who know and care. I see the whole situation in sort of a time crunch, racing against the clock to inform people as quickly as possible before too much time passes and no work is done. Once again I’m not really sure of the point I am trying to make with all of this, but I can see the need for reform in the way things are being handled. As the saying goes, knowledge is power. I am interested to see why it is that those who have been well-informed all along, those who have been oppressed and discriminated, aren’t receiving the power they deserve.

Posted at the request of Joe & Meaghan

Meaghan on experiencing the two worlds that are Cape Town

I really can’t believe we have less than a month left here in Cape Town! I hate to think about how quickly time is passing, but instead focus on having as much fun as possible in the time we still have. This past Friday, Kate, Kayla, Lianna, Dana, Joe, and I all came to Beautiful Gate for a community party they throw annually. They invite all of the children who attend the local ARV clinic and provide a fun afternoon of games and activities for them to enjoy. I had an awesome time running around with the kids after some face painting, and it was great to see how Beautiful Gate caters to the community while helping to raise the spirits of children facing great challenges. 

Joe & Meaghan

On Saturday we visited the Old Biscuit Mill for the second time, and enjoyed some of the incredible food they have to offer. 

On Sunday we went to Khayelitsha to have lunch at a local place with Ntswaki, one of the nurses at Beautiful Gate. This was really awesome because it was a pretty unique experience and one I might not do again. It was nice to hang out with local people and actually be in Khayelitsha where I have spent so little time.

One thing that was striking to me however was the stark contrast in the crowds we were with on Friday and Sunday versus on Saturday. Since we have been in this country, it has been very clear the two different worlds that seem to independently coexist here, if that makes sense. One of extreme wealth and one of extreme poverty, the two worlds provide entirely different experiences for people involved in each, and yet never seem to really mesh. I can’t say that these two worlds don’t also exist in the United States, but I feel as though I am thrown in between them more often here. 

It is really difficult for me to process how I feel when I am in either environment, but I feel as though I’m never really in an in-between, or entirely belong in one. I’m not really sure what point I am trying to make here, but I think it relates to a lot of things we have been learning about since being here. As the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and it can be draining to see both sides of this just depending on what day of the week it is. As difficult and heart wrenching as this can be, I can see the impact it is making on my beliefs and teaching me a valuable lesson.

Meaghan on her incredible journey

Meaghan, Lianna, Kayla, Susie, & Anna walk through cemetery in Sharpeville

Last Wednesday we set off to Johannesburg to begin our weeklong excursion! The week was absolutely incredible, spending five days in Johannesburg and two at Kruger National Park. I learned so much in Johannesburg from all of the historical sites we visited, and visited some of the nicest museums I have ever been to. It was very interesting for me because our visit to Sharpeville and the surrounding areas really tied in with the current non-fiction book I am reading. It really makes an impact when the things I am reading about can be seen right in front of me. It was funny to notice the different way of life that existed in Joburg, despite the fact that it was only a two-hour plane ride away.

Stone commemorating the Sharpeville Massacre, 21 March 1960

 Our experience at Kruger is pretty hard to put into words, as it is obviously unlike anything I’ve ever done before. It was so awesome to be able to see so many animals I’ve only ever seen in a zoo or on television. Having a lion walk less than 10 feet away from us was absolutely unreal. The game walk we got to do was so awesome. Despite the fact that we didn’t get to see many animals up close, I learned so much from our guides. It was really impressive to see how much they knew about the animals in the park, ranging from an elephant or lion, to a dung beetle. I’m so grateful we got to experience the rides we did, and it’s actually become a goal of mine to one day make it back to Kruger. My favorite part about the safaris was that they never seemed to let you down, despite how poor the odds seemed. For example, during our first ride we saw a giraffe pretty quickly, but then went a long time without seeing any animals. Just as people were beginning to lose hope and the sun went down, we saw a giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and water buffalos, all within the last hour. The same thing happened on our morning ride when after a long period of silence, a lion casually walked down the road past our car without any hesitation. It was really awesome to have things pick up so drastically just as you were losing hope.

All in all, I’m not sure what was better the vacation we had, or simply having Ben and Faiik waiting for us at the airport as we arrived back in Cape Town.

Meaghan is incredibly excited

Cape Town: where the beauty of the landscape is matched by the beauty of the people

Today I am so incredibly excited because in only a little while four of the young boys who live at Beautiful Gate* will be staying at Loch Road for the night! Throughout this week a vague idea of being able to hang out with some of the kids turned into a concrete plan of hosting four boys until tomorrow afternoon. Originally it was two boys, which then turned to three, and then four. I am excited and nervous because I want them to have a lot of fun and enjoy themselves. I know it may be overwhelming for them to be here with 17 people, but everyone is really excited to meet them and have them stay here. Kate, Kayla and I have been anxiously awaiting today and have been trying to plan some fun activities that they do not have the opportunity to experience frequently. Hopefully tonight we will be able to hang out and watch some movies, and tomorrow we plan on going to the beach! The boys seemed really excited about going to the beach so I’m hoping for good weather. Then tomorrow afternoon hopefully they will be able to experience some of the braai we’re having for the visiting professors. We invited Nokuzola, the head nurse at Beautiful Gate, who has been helping us out a lot with the planning of this whole experience. I was struck by the thanks and welcome we were given by Mama Titi on Wednesday after they visited the house in order to make sure it was suitable for the boys. She expressed extreme gratitude that we could give the boys the opportunity and that we could be part of the Beautiful Gate family. This stands out to me because I know that Kate, Kayla and I were actually extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to have them come stay with us. I am so excited and never imagined being able to do such a thing. I hope that all goes well, and maybe something similar could happen in the future!

*Beautiful Gate is where Meaghan, Kate, and Kayla are interning.  Beautiful Gate supports families and communities through its various projects in caring for its orphans and other vulnerable children and families while providing direct support to children and families in need.

Meaghan won't sit around and wait for answers to come.

Meaghan (in middle) asking the challenging questions

This past weekend we attended a human rights workshop put on by Africa Unite, and it was a really great experience. I was not sure what to expect going into the weekend but I learned a lot of things while having a lot of fun. The workshop was held at a beautiful olive farm with unbelievable views where all fifty of us stayed in various rooms and houses. The mix of people in attendance came from South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and obviously the United States. It was so interesting to see the way so many people, from such varying backgrounds, all came together for conversations and learning. One of my favorite exercises done throughout the weekend involved splitting up into five groups that each represented a different country. The idea was that we had to settle on a new planet, and with one country getting there first it had to be settled how things would run and who would be able to do what. One of the things that struck me was how incredibly frustrating it can be to deal with such a large number of people all with different opinions they want to share. This is not to sound negative however, because it helped me learn so much about how difficult it is to handle global matters when everyone across the world holds different values and ideas. I also really enjoyed the downtime we had each night where we were able to hang out and get to know people better. Unfortunately with so little time and so many people I can’t say I was able to get to know everyone, but I really enjoyed meeting those who I did meet. We played a lot of different games that now seem a little childish, but at the time were really fun. Not to mention, the dancing and singing we got to observe and participate in (when not too embarrassed to) was really fun. It makes you wish that American culture could embrace it because it seems like a great source of unity.

As I have struggled before, I am again questioning where to go from here. With a deeper understanding of human rights, civil rights, refugees, asylum seekers etc., I have this power of knowledge and need to put it forward. I am realizing now, that the answer I am seeking, where do I go from here, may never be directly given to me. The struggle lies in finding out how to do it on my own. Otherwise, I may spend my whole life wondering how I can help without helping at all. I think one of my main priorities will be to find opportunities at home where I can co-educate about these issues, but also find others interested in them. Part of the reason these problems are not fixed is because people do not take steps to change them. I can’t sit around and wait for the answer to come to me anymore., I must go out and find my own ways to change this.

Meaghan recognizing another privilege

Settling into Beautiful Gate has been a lot of fun, and I can’t believe we’ve completed three weeks of work already! Last Tuesday I met Susan and Aaltje who are from Holland, and they will be interning with the social department as well. It has been a lot of fun getting to know them and learning about their life in the Netherlands. It is interesting to observe how we can all work together, despite the fact that we are dealing with language barriers and coming from different cultural backgrounds. After the discussion we have been having in Marita’s class, I have found it very interesting to witness the privilege I have regarding language. Here I am in South Africa working at Beautiful Gate, and our common ground of communication is English. I think it just further proves how privileged we are that I can go half way across the world and still speak my first language and be respected because I can speak so well.

Recently I have actually adjusted my schedule for what I will be doing at Beautiful Gate, and although I have been learning a lot I will no longer be going to the clinic on Mondays. Yandi decided that she wanted Susan, Aaltje, and I to be more involved with the children of Beautiful Gate. On Monday afternoons we will be having a group of ten kids join us for different activities and lessons. I really look forward to this because I think it will be an awesome learning experience, and a really fun way to make a difference in these children’s lives. I also think this will be a great balance with the house visits on Tuesdays and Wednesdays because I can then have a better background of the children who’s houses I will visit, and what they come from. I look forward to seeing the ways Susan, Aaltje and I can come together to teach these children working with the resources we have and the schooling experiences we individually had. Still loving South Africa!

Meaghan's processing the emotional highs and lows

The past three weeks have absolutely flown by. I feel like time is going by so quickly (which is scary!) yet we only just started our work here. It’s funny to see how everyone is adapting and I feel as though we’re finally settling in and establishing routines.  My first week at Beautiful Gate was amazing, and I can’t believe how much I’ve already learned. The first day we went to a local clinic where the nurses from beautiful gate treat children with HIV/AIDS and we were able to shadow a few of the doctors there. As someone who is not entering the medical field it was a really great opportunity for me to learn so much, not only about HIV/AIDS but also the work being done at the clinic. Tuesday and Wednesday I was introduced to the social work department of Beautiful Gate, and with the help of Mama Titi I have been slowly learning the ways of their work. I have been going on house visits with Mama Titi and Nosi, and it’s hard to put into words what I’ve taken from them. As part of the reunion process between the children and their families, beautiful gate workers visit with the families during the child’s stay, and an additional six months after they return home to make sure things are going well. It is so difficult to process these experiences, as they have each impacted me in a different way, and have evoked a variety of emotions. To say the least, it has been a humbling experience to meet these people who face such hardship, and have so little. Without sounding disrespectful, I can say I leave Beautiful Gate everyday remembering how blessed I am and how much I have to be thankful for. I also leave everyday appreciating the hard work every employee there does, and optimistic about the people who care about the social injustices present in this country.

Emily, Siobhan, Susie, Meaghan, Lianna, Joe, Kate, Dana

On a lighter note! We have still been doing really exciting things, including conquering table mountain! Not exactly a piece of cake, but it was absolutely amazing. The views from the top of the mountain were some of the prettiest I have ever seen. It still amazes me that mountains, a city, and the ocean can surround us all at the same time. Cape Point was another trip we had that was incredible. There are so many beautiful things we have seen here it is hard to take them all in! I am so happy with the past three weeks and I can’t wait for what this week brings!

Meaghan marvels at the power of the people

Lianna, Dana, Kate, Siobhan, Susie, Meaghan

There has been so much to do and see since the minute we landed in Cape Town that is seems strange to sit down for once and try to put everything into words. It’s hard to believe we’ve only been here for about 10 days because I feel as though I have already learned and experienced so much. Our time here has already been amazing. Cape Town has to be the most beautiful place I have ever been to, and it’s finally starting to not feel like a dream every time I look up and see Table Mountain so close. I’m beginning to feel much more comfortable with the area and the general way of life here, giving much credit to Marita, Vernon, Ben, and Jessica who have all helped to make adapting a breeze. Sad to say, crossing the street with cars on the opposite side of the road is one of the most difficult transitions we seemed to learn the hard way. I’m so happy with the mix of people who make up our group; 23 people who are all genuinely excited to be here and it’s exhilarating to feed off of everyone’s energy.


So far I would say our visit to Robben Island and the service at Sivuyile Baptist Church have been the most moving or influential. This is not to say that I haven’t loved everything we have been doing, I really can’t even explain how happy and thankful I am to have this experience. I think what sets Robben Island and the church service aside is the reflection they initiated in my head, and how long it takes to process the meaning behind them and how influential they are. To be honest, it has not always been easy to handle the emotions that surface throughout the past ten days. The poverty and struggle we have witnessed is disheartening, but when you see the vibrancy of the country and the power of the people it is incredibly inspiring. It is hard to accept being so fortunate without feeling guilty when you see so many people suffering, but it sparks motivation to begin our internships, and really work hard to make a difference. I know I have a lot more to learn in Cape Town, and I am so excited to continue with this remarkable experience.

Meaghan's amazed by the incredible opportunities

I am so incredibly excited to be going to Cape Town! Ever since attending the symposium I have been amazed by all of the incredible opportunities the UConn in Cape Town program offers. After being accepted and receiving the date of our departure, I have been slowly coming to the realization that our trip is actually happening!  The possibility seemed almost unreal throughout the application process, but it seems to be hitting me more each day that I am lucky enough to be going. It’s hard to even list all of the things I look forward to in South Africa, but the culture, beauty, history, people, and activities are just a few. Beginning to meet everyone going on the trip has been a really great experience, and it’s a great feeling to know that everyone is equally as excited.

I am so excited to have an internship related to something I really care about! Being able to see social work in action can really give me ideas about future careers, and I’m confident I will be inspired by whatever opportunity I am given! I am so excited for the experience that is awaiting us, and can’t wait to see what the future brings!