Joe's commitment to study and work for human rights

Our trip to Plettenberg Bay proved to be a great way for the group to unwind before we have to deal with the realities of returning home. We enjoyed surfing in the Indian Ocean which was great because none of us had ever been there before. We also got to bond by all sleeping in one big room with over 10 bunk beds. On Saturday we did the bungee jump which, to me, was so frightening. Every instinct in my body was telling me not to jump but after doing it, I realized it was one of the greatest things I’ve ever done, right behind making the decision to come to South Africa. After Plettenberg we came back for our last week of internships. I am so happy that about my placement and therefore was very sad to leave. On Monday and Tuesday I conducted my last set of interviews with new clients and had to say goodbye to some clients that I had grown to know over the past three months. I was sad to leave because I know that some of the people that I interacted with on a daily basis, I will not get to see again. Yet it’s comforting knowing that I put in 100% and I benefitted the lives of those that I was given the opportunity to help. For example, there was one refugee who had recently traveled to South Africa and spoke little English. Since he had no contacts in the city it was hard for him to network but eventually the priest from his church allowed him to stay in the church basement. Eventually the priest did not want him to stay there any longer so he came to us for help. We were able to help him network with other refugees of the same nationality and find a place for him to stay. I will really miss working for Cape Town Refugee Centre but I am so grateful for the experience that they provided me with. I was able to receive an inside look into the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people. I was able to speak with them first hand, visit their homes, and even provide them with small assistance. I learned something new there every day; I also realized that human rights is something that I will continue to study and work towards for the rest of my life.