Day Four in Malungeni, South Africa

How to Build a Global Community

Think of no one as “them”
Don’t confuse your comfort with your safety
Talk to strangers
Imagine other cultures through their art, poetry and novels
Listen to music you don’t understand – dance to it
Act locally
Notice the workings of power and privilege in your culture
Question consumption
Know how your lettuce and coffee are grown: wake up and smell the exploitation
Look for fair trade and union labels
Help build economies from the bottom up
Acquire few needs
Learn a second (or third) language
Visit people, places, and cultures – not tourist attractions
Learn people’s history – re-define progress
Know physical and political geography
Play games from other cultures – Watch films with subtitles
Know your heritage
Honor everyone’s holidays
Look at the moon and imagine someone else, somewhere else, looking at it too
Read the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Understand the global economy in terms of people, land and water
Know where your bank banks
Never believe you have a right to anyone else’s resources
Refuse to wear corporate logos: defy corporate domination

July 16, 2008

We all woke to no running water. With this group, no problem. Some hauled water to meet basic needs and no one missed a beat – yeah team!

Ryan had a full day – he spent the morning at the school teaching math to grades 4 – 9. Since the children don’t have textbooks, he made sure they were copying what the teacher wrote correctly and stopped to help those who weren’t quite getting it. He also tagged team with the Math teacher and they filled in for each other if one missed anything. Nkuli said she talked to the kids and they told her how much they love Ryan and how it’s easier to ask him questions than the regular teacher. She also said all the kids were very happy to have the volunteer teachers because they are so friendly and it’s easy to ask questions. She said it motivates them. In the afternoon, Malungeni was treated to a new scene with Ryan displaying his white skin while hoisting rocks for the community center bleachers that were created today by the locals (though Erin and Michael stirred up some of the cement).

Several others have had great moments and learning experiences in the classroom. Chan and Molly helped grades 7-9 with “Kissing Whitney”. Not a book that would be used in the U.S., the book deals with teenage sex HIV/AIDS with a focus on abstinence until marriage. Chan and Molly had each child go around and read from the book with discussion in between. Chan focused on the slang in the book and explained the terms for them.

Wendy, when sharing a U.S. map with a teacher, was asked where are the natural disasters are. When Wendy pointed out all the various places disasters have recently occurred, the teacher said, “No place is safe.” One of the funnier moments of the day was Elsa and Mary Juan reliving how they were asked to help the young children with their book…in Xhosa. Rumor also has it Mary Juan does a mean hokey pokey.

Several commented Solomsi (Cromwell) the principal appears to be getting more comfortable with us and has said he thinks our presence is impacting the students and teachers. His gruff exterior is showing signs of cracking – he’s even joking with the students.

There is a new drama club in Malungeni! Forty-three sixth through ninth graders showed up to be coached by Chan and Erin who kicked things off by sharing childhood stories and then having the kids share familiar stories, which were in Xhosa. The club was such as hit that they want to have it every day!

Molly and Michael had a meeting with the bakery members and got them started on creating a realistic budget for reopening the bakery as well as discussed possible resources they could pursue to get the needed funds. They will provide us pricing by Monday so we can help them develop a budget and create next steps.

All in all it was another great day, capped off with a gourmet meal by Danice – butternut squash, a traditional South African beef dish and chocolate cake with Wendy’s yummy buttercream frosting – what a way to end!


South African National Anthem

Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw’ uphondo lwayo,
Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.

Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
O fedise dintwa la matshwenyeho,
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
Setjhaba sa South Afrika – South Afrika.

Uit die blou van onse hemel,
Uit die diepte van ons see,
Oor ons ewige gebergtes,
Waar die kranse antwoord gee,

Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.

Lord, bless Africa
May her spirit rise high up
Hear thou our prayers
Lord bless us.

Lord, bless Africa
Banish wars and strife
Lord, bless our nation
Of South Africa.

Ringing out from our blue heavens
From our deep seas breaking round
Over everlasting mountains
Where the echoing crags resound…