"To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget." - Arundhati Roy
A dear friend of mine introduced me to this above quotation on love by Arundhati Roy. Roy’s understanding of love is as powerful and poignant as it is poetic. Her prose is simple yet profound and an excellent reminder that our lives really do not belong to ourselves but rather should be invested in the lives of others. I am finding greater satisfaction in being able to share my journey and the struggles that I have endured in hopes that it will help someone who is going through something similar.
The best things in life truly are free – a hug, a smile, friendship, words spoken in season – can really transform a life. And there have been numerous instances during my time here recently that have confirmed this adage.
In relaying Arundhati Roy’s words to my experience in Jozi, I love how she puts “To love.” before “To be loved.” Her purposeful order places emphasis on loving others first and foremost rather than just being a recipient of love. Being a fellow in a foreign country, it is easy to fall into the mind-set that you are in a different culture and environment to absorb as much of the culture as possible and receive the love that people so generously give here. But as a fellow, I also have a lot to share and give, almost equally as much as I have to gain.
Here is a bit of my personal “decoding” of Roy’s piece…
“To never forget your own insignificance.” This is a daily battle but a lifetime lesson. Learning to be humble and realize once again that the world does not revolve around me.
“To never get used to the unspeakable violence and vulgar disparity of life around you.” There is no better place, than in Johannesburg, to be challenged by this. South Africa has surpassed Brazil as the most unequal country in the world.
“To seek joy in the saddest places."
I have realized that happiness is truly a pursuit and one has to work diligently to get to happy. Fortunately, joy does not depend on external circumstances or happenings so it is best to pursue and possess joy and never let it go.
"To pursue beauty to its lair.” As Johnny Clegg has said, Johannesburg is truly a “terrible beauty” that I have fallen in love with.
“To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power.” These words are enough.
“Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget." As my fellowship is quickly coming to an end (yes, less than 5 months left!?), I hope that I will never stop “Dreaming. Watching. Waiting” as the 3 prominent photos at Busboys & Poets in DC remind its visitors. I hope that I never, ever forget the ways I am being transformed, renewed, restored, and being created into a better me through this experience and the beautiful people I have encountered along the way.
This is just the beginning of a life filled with wholeness, happiness, peace, and love.
Nakupenda Jozi.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Waiting for “Superman” [in South Africa]
Around this time last year, I saw WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” at the E Street Cinema in DC. The film chronicled the lives of students and families in the US as they hoped to be selected in a lottery for admittance into charter schools – an acceptance that could change the trajectory of their “entire, unwritten adult lives” by granting them access to quality education. The film was a sobering reminder of the grave situation that some of our public schools are in across America.
Furthermore, WAITING FOR ‘SUPERMAN’ ignited conversations across the country and sensitized larger audiences to the shortfalls of the educational system. Having read Savage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol the year before seeing the film, Guggenheim’s film was a noteworthy attempt to bring to the screen the horrible injustices that students face when there is an inequitable distribution of resources and funds across all school districts.
Director Davis Guggenheim of the film stated, “I think that every kid, no matter where they are born or what they have been given in life, deserves a great education and a piece of the American dream. That's what drove me to tell this story and to make this movie."
Guggenheim’s vision of access to a great education applies not only to children in America, but all over the world. This dream is not limited by geographical or political borders but is a universal aspiration that many people hope will one day be actualized in all communities – despite race, neighborhood, circumstance, gender or class.
So as kids in America are waiting for “Superman,” children in South Africa are also eagerly anticipating his arrival.
The past months that I’ve been here has focused on the recruitment of outstanding candidates to receive a 5 year scholarship to the best schools in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape – admittance that has to potential to enhance the yet unwritten story of their adult lives. In late July over 2,400 candidates from all over Gauteng and a few from other nearby provinces came to sit for an exam at Wits University to get to the next round of the scholarship. The shortlisted candidates following the exam were interviewed in late August.
The interviews were inspirational as I saw how eagerly and desperately bright eyed six graders wanted this scholarship. Some circumstances were heart breaking yet overall the day was heart building when I seeing that despite their setbacks, the students had learned at a very early age to never give up.
One girl named Lerato (name has been changed) particularly impressed me. Her mother passed away last year and she lives with her dad. She was bright, articulate, confident, and seemed to face challenges that came her way with brave resilience. She spoke about her achievements at the tender age of 12. In response to a question about leadership, she replied that her teacher told her that “You should be nice to people on your way up because on your way down you are going to meet them.”
Lerato was quite knowledgable about the SSP scholarship and our partner schools. During the interview, she told me that she reads about SSP every night. She truly wants the scholarship and it was evident in her careful and compelling articulation of her desires during her interview.
I think Guggenheim said it best when he concluded: “The idea of education reform becomes a lot less abstract and a lot more compelling when you see these beautiful kids and realize all their potential.”
These past couple of weeks, I’ve seen so many beautiful kids with much potential, many from broken homes or communities all waiting for ‘Superman’ to come to the “rainbow nation,” too.
Furthermore, WAITING FOR ‘SUPERMAN’ ignited conversations across the country and sensitized larger audiences to the shortfalls of the educational system. Having read Savage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol the year before seeing the film, Guggenheim’s film was a noteworthy attempt to bring to the screen the horrible injustices that students face when there is an inequitable distribution of resources and funds across all school districts.
Director Davis Guggenheim of the film stated, “I think that every kid, no matter where they are born or what they have been given in life, deserves a great education and a piece of the American dream. That's what drove me to tell this story and to make this movie."
Guggenheim’s vision of access to a great education applies not only to children in America, but all over the world. This dream is not limited by geographical or political borders but is a universal aspiration that many people hope will one day be actualized in all communities – despite race, neighborhood, circumstance, gender or class.
So as kids in America are waiting for “Superman,” children in South Africa are also eagerly anticipating his arrival.
The past months that I’ve been here has focused on the recruitment of outstanding candidates to receive a 5 year scholarship to the best schools in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape – admittance that has to potential to enhance the yet unwritten story of their adult lives. In late July over 2,400 candidates from all over Gauteng and a few from other nearby provinces came to sit for an exam at Wits University to get to the next round of the scholarship. The shortlisted candidates following the exam were interviewed in late August.
The interviews were inspirational as I saw how eagerly and desperately bright eyed six graders wanted this scholarship. Some circumstances were heart breaking yet overall the day was heart building when I seeing that despite their setbacks, the students had learned at a very early age to never give up.
One girl named Lerato (name has been changed) particularly impressed me. Her mother passed away last year and she lives with her dad. She was bright, articulate, confident, and seemed to face challenges that came her way with brave resilience. She spoke about her achievements at the tender age of 12. In response to a question about leadership, she replied that her teacher told her that “You should be nice to people on your way up because on your way down you are going to meet them.”
Lerato was quite knowledgable about the SSP scholarship and our partner schools. During the interview, she told me that she reads about SSP every night. She truly wants the scholarship and it was evident in her careful and compelling articulation of her desires during her interview.
I think Guggenheim said it best when he concluded: “The idea of education reform becomes a lot less abstract and a lot more compelling when you see these beautiful kids and realize all their potential.”
These past couple of weeks, I’ve seen so many beautiful kids with much potential, many from broken homes or communities all waiting for ‘Superman’ to come to the “rainbow nation,” too.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Sawubona means “I See You”
Sanibonani family and friends!
It’s been over a month since I arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa and coincidentally today, August 18th, is the one month ‘anniversary’ of Nelson Mandela Day and August is also Women’s Month! Since my arrival, so much has transpired that I would be remiss if I did not share with you at length. It’s been nothing but a blessed beginning thus far.
I am living and working in Braamfontein with Student Sponsorship Programme through the Princeton in Africa Fellowship. PiAf gives recent US college graduates and young alumni who are committed to Africa and its advancement the opportunity to live and work on the continent for one year. I was blessed to be placed with SSP and each day I know without a doubt that this is where I am supposed to be at this season of my life.
Since 2000, the Student Sponsorship Programme has provided educational opportunities to hundreds of talented South African students from low-income families to attend the best schools in the Gauteng province (primarily in Johannesburg and Pretoria). SSP has expanded to the Eastern Cape as well. With the generous contributions of sponsors from South Africa and the US, SSP gives five year high school scholarships to academically distinguished students.
But SSP’s commitment is not only financial. SSP provides continued support through the mentorship programme where each student is paired with a mentor. The mentor provides additional guidance throughout the mentee’s high school career and when this relationship is properly nurtured, beautiful friendships have emerged from this programme.
The final component of the SSP model in addition to financial assistance and mentorship is leadership development. SSP’s vision is to develop “Leaders for South Africa” who are committed to the creation of a non-racist, non-sexist, democratic, united and prosperous South Africa as articulated in the South African Constitution – one of the most progressive constitutions in the world that has provisions to protect rights such as human dignity – a right which was repeatedly denied throughout the apartheid era and a right which remains compromised throughout the world...
During my year here, I will be responsible for developing the leadership component of the SSP model along with other programme officers. I have been conducting research on similar leadership development programs, curriculum, and/ or models here in South Africa and in New York such as Global Kids, The Leadership Program, and Prep for Prep. SSP is in the process of examining the way in which it defines leadership and strengthening its program to ensure that our scholars are developing into people of influence that will remain committed to public service and South Africa throughout their lives and in their careers. I have been learning a lot through interactions with staff, students, and stakeholders. I designed a survey that was distributed to current students and alumni so that they could comment on different components of the SSP journey; it also assessed the professional development needs of our alumni. There is a lot of good work to be done and I am blessed with this tremendous opportunity. I wake up every morning hoping that I can contribute in a meaningful way through small and consistent acts of love and diligence.
Some highlights
• Team Building Outing to the ABSA Money Museum on my first day of work (July 13th) where I learned about South Africa’s numismatic history and bonded with my colleagues. They’ve been so welcoming & warm – a true testament to the character of (South) African people.
• Visit to African Leadership Academy for the enke closing Awards ceremony (July 15th). Over 100 students in grade 11 came together for a week long camp in entrepreneurship and presented their community action plans at the closing ceremony.
• Application Day in Soweto (July 30th)
o SSP staff were at sites throughout Johannesburg collecting application from grade 6 students who would like to be SSP scholars. They needed to have qualifying marks of 65% and above in three key subjects of maths, natural science, and English to be eligible to sit for the entrance exam which will take place this weekend.
o Funny story: So, while I was capturing applications on Excel at a primary school in Soweto, an older gentleman who came to drop off his child’s application began speaking to me in Zulu. I had to tell him “Sorry, but I don’t speak Zulu; I am from America.” I even said it in Zulu on some occasions: Ngiyaxolisa. Ngiphuma e-America. However, he didn’t believe that I was from America so he asked another volunteer to confirm. He said, “she says she is from New York; is that true?” She told him that I indeed was! To that he responded, “But she looks like Sowetan!”lol. So now I am also known as “The Sowetan” in the office. It’s all good though :)
• US College Application & SAT Prep Workshop (August 6th)
o Education USA from the US Consulate and a SAT Prep specialist came to speak to SSP scholars in grades 11 and 12. I also gave a brief presentation on the advantages of a global education and how to navigate through the US college application process while proudly sporting my GEORGETOWN hoodie :) one student approached me after the workshop and said that she was applying to Georgetown!! So trying to assist her in the best way that I can.
• Matric Brunch (August 6th).
o This followed the US College Application & SAT Prep Workshop. The guest speaker who is quite well known in SA’s music industry spoke about his personal trials and triumphs and encouraged the grade 12 students to live their lives intentionally. He said numerous profound things. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of living a selfless and purpose-driven life: “There are two important days in your life: The day you were born and the day that you figure out why.” He emphasized servant leadership, being less self-absorbed and more others-oriented and that life is not about comfort zones. One should always be striving and overcoming because there will be numerous mountains along the way but if you reach out for help and advice there will be numerous people who will be eager to help. He also reminded the students to not forget the Giver behind the gift of life and to get in touch with their Creator. The talk was deep, inspiring, and motivational and impacted both student and staff who were present.
• Alumni Networking Event and Entrepreneurship Workshop (August 13th)
o This was another deeply inspiring and enlightening Saturday. SSP alumni gathered at Sophiatown restaurant in Newtown to network among themselves as well as with the 4 amazing entrepreneurs who were present. Each had stories of trials and triumphs and encouraged the alumni to be proud of their successes but more importantly, to not be afraid to share their personal narratives along the way. The power lies not only in one’s present achievements but in the ability of a sincere story of struggle to inspire others. All mentioned how they lost friends along the way in the pursuit of their dreams and on the road to success, but they retained those who were the most important in their lives whether that was their son, their parents, their mother, or spouse and children.
The past two Saturdays have reminded me about the Princeton in Africa orientation back in May and what Reverend Strasburger told the newest cohort of PiAf fellows about failure. Even though in life we all want success, success actually teaches us very little about ourselves. It is in our deepest failures and in our moments of inadequacy that we truly discover what we are truly made of and the people that are truly there to put us back on our feet again and are our zealous supporters. I/You/We shouldn’t be afraid to fail. The most successful people in life often turn to moments or seasons of failure in their life that profoundly contributed to their current success and shaped their character. So I guess it’s all about talking one step at a time, because it’s all about the climb not only the mountaintops but the valley lows as well…
Programs like SSP which give students from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to succeed through educational opportunities are so necessary especially when their communities have destined them to fail. These opportunities not only enrich the lives of the scholar, but of their family and can inspire their siblings and friends and future generations to achieve more as well.
The title of my first blog post is “Sawubona means ‘I see you.’” Let me explain further. One day one of my lovely colleagues, Nosipho was teaching me conversational Zulu on our way to lunch and she told me that she loves the greeting “Sawubona” because it literally means “I See You.” I thought that was profound because it wasn’t the generic ‘Hello’, or ‘How are you doing?’ that have become cliché and somewhat shallow greetings if one doesn’t actually stop to listen to the response. Instead, Sawubona is not only a greeting but an acknowledgment of a person’s presence and existence.
As I go through life, one thing that I know that is very important is to acknowledge people. Make them feel that they are seen, cared for, and appreciated. Whether that is a sincere greeting as you pass them by or acknowledging the potential of a budding scholar from a disadvantaged background, it is so important to acknowledge people and see them not only for what they are but who they potentially can be.
Speaking from personal experience, I have been extremely blessed in my life to have numerous people that have acknowledged the potential in me and have invested in me. From family, friends , church family, chance (divine) encounters, mentors, teachers, professors, Global Kids, The Leadership Program, the Greatest Generation Scholarship which allowed me to attend my dream college, Georgetown University, GSP, Community Scholars Program, IIPP and most recently the Princeton in Africa Fellowship, all of these people and/or programs have seen me and given me incredible opportunities to have access rewarding experiences that have shaped me into the woman that I am and that I am becoming. But it has also endowed me with the responsibility to give back because “To whom much has been given, much more shall be required.” (Luke 12:48)
With all that said, that is why I believe in the mission and vision of programs like SSP that acknowledge students who have diligent work ethics and are determined to overcome the obstacles in their lives through education. In the words of Tata Madiba, “Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.” SSP understands the Zulu greeting well and strives to send the message across to their scholars through our commitment to their education that “We See You.”
So remember the next time when you see someone to tell them (or at least think):
Sawubona sisi. Sawubona ubhuti.
I see you my sister. I see you my brother.
Salani kahle. Stay well
It’s been over a month since I arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa and coincidentally today, August 18th, is the one month ‘anniversary’ of Nelson Mandela Day and August is also Women’s Month! Since my arrival, so much has transpired that I would be remiss if I did not share with you at length. It’s been nothing but a blessed beginning thus far.
I am living and working in Braamfontein with Student Sponsorship Programme through the Princeton in Africa Fellowship. PiAf gives recent US college graduates and young alumni who are committed to Africa and its advancement the opportunity to live and work on the continent for one year. I was blessed to be placed with SSP and each day I know without a doubt that this is where I am supposed to be at this season of my life.
Since 2000, the Student Sponsorship Programme has provided educational opportunities to hundreds of talented South African students from low-income families to attend the best schools in the Gauteng province (primarily in Johannesburg and Pretoria). SSP has expanded to the Eastern Cape as well. With the generous contributions of sponsors from South Africa and the US, SSP gives five year high school scholarships to academically distinguished students.
But SSP’s commitment is not only financial. SSP provides continued support through the mentorship programme where each student is paired with a mentor. The mentor provides additional guidance throughout the mentee’s high school career and when this relationship is properly nurtured, beautiful friendships have emerged from this programme.
The final component of the SSP model in addition to financial assistance and mentorship is leadership development. SSP’s vision is to develop “Leaders for South Africa” who are committed to the creation of a non-racist, non-sexist, democratic, united and prosperous South Africa as articulated in the South African Constitution – one of the most progressive constitutions in the world that has provisions to protect rights such as human dignity – a right which was repeatedly denied throughout the apartheid era and a right which remains compromised throughout the world...
During my year here, I will be responsible for developing the leadership component of the SSP model along with other programme officers. I have been conducting research on similar leadership development programs, curriculum, and/ or models here in South Africa and in New York such as Global Kids, The Leadership Program, and Prep for Prep. SSP is in the process of examining the way in which it defines leadership and strengthening its program to ensure that our scholars are developing into people of influence that will remain committed to public service and South Africa throughout their lives and in their careers. I have been learning a lot through interactions with staff, students, and stakeholders. I designed a survey that was distributed to current students and alumni so that they could comment on different components of the SSP journey; it also assessed the professional development needs of our alumni. There is a lot of good work to be done and I am blessed with this tremendous opportunity. I wake up every morning hoping that I can contribute in a meaningful way through small and consistent acts of love and diligence.
Some highlights
• Team Building Outing to the ABSA Money Museum on my first day of work (July 13th) where I learned about South Africa’s numismatic history and bonded with my colleagues. They’ve been so welcoming & warm – a true testament to the character of (South) African people.
• Visit to African Leadership Academy for the enke closing Awards ceremony (July 15th). Over 100 students in grade 11 came together for a week long camp in entrepreneurship and presented their community action plans at the closing ceremony.
• Application Day in Soweto (July 30th)
o SSP staff were at sites throughout Johannesburg collecting application from grade 6 students who would like to be SSP scholars. They needed to have qualifying marks of 65% and above in three key subjects of maths, natural science, and English to be eligible to sit for the entrance exam which will take place this weekend.
o Funny story: So, while I was capturing applications on Excel at a primary school in Soweto, an older gentleman who came to drop off his child’s application began speaking to me in Zulu. I had to tell him “Sorry, but I don’t speak Zulu; I am from America.” I even said it in Zulu on some occasions: Ngiyaxolisa. Ngiphuma e-America. However, he didn’t believe that I was from America so he asked another volunteer to confirm. He said, “she says she is from New York; is that true?” She told him that I indeed was! To that he responded, “But she looks like Sowetan!”lol. So now I am also known as “The Sowetan” in the office. It’s all good though :)
• US College Application & SAT Prep Workshop (August 6th)
o Education USA from the US Consulate and a SAT Prep specialist came to speak to SSP scholars in grades 11 and 12. I also gave a brief presentation on the advantages of a global education and how to navigate through the US college application process while proudly sporting my GEORGETOWN hoodie :) one student approached me after the workshop and said that she was applying to Georgetown!! So trying to assist her in the best way that I can.
• Matric Brunch (August 6th).
o This followed the US College Application & SAT Prep Workshop. The guest speaker who is quite well known in SA’s music industry spoke about his personal trials and triumphs and encouraged the grade 12 students to live their lives intentionally. He said numerous profound things. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of living a selfless and purpose-driven life: “There are two important days in your life: The day you were born and the day that you figure out why.” He emphasized servant leadership, being less self-absorbed and more others-oriented and that life is not about comfort zones. One should always be striving and overcoming because there will be numerous mountains along the way but if you reach out for help and advice there will be numerous people who will be eager to help. He also reminded the students to not forget the Giver behind the gift of life and to get in touch with their Creator. The talk was deep, inspiring, and motivational and impacted both student and staff who were present.
• Alumni Networking Event and Entrepreneurship Workshop (August 13th)
o This was another deeply inspiring and enlightening Saturday. SSP alumni gathered at Sophiatown restaurant in Newtown to network among themselves as well as with the 4 amazing entrepreneurs who were present. Each had stories of trials and triumphs and encouraged the alumni to be proud of their successes but more importantly, to not be afraid to share their personal narratives along the way. The power lies not only in one’s present achievements but in the ability of a sincere story of struggle to inspire others. All mentioned how they lost friends along the way in the pursuit of their dreams and on the road to success, but they retained those who were the most important in their lives whether that was their son, their parents, their mother, or spouse and children.
The past two Saturdays have reminded me about the Princeton in Africa orientation back in May and what Reverend Strasburger told the newest cohort of PiAf fellows about failure. Even though in life we all want success, success actually teaches us very little about ourselves. It is in our deepest failures and in our moments of inadequacy that we truly discover what we are truly made of and the people that are truly there to put us back on our feet again and are our zealous supporters. I/You/We shouldn’t be afraid to fail. The most successful people in life often turn to moments or seasons of failure in their life that profoundly contributed to their current success and shaped their character. So I guess it’s all about talking one step at a time, because it’s all about the climb not only the mountaintops but the valley lows as well…
Programs like SSP which give students from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to succeed through educational opportunities are so necessary especially when their communities have destined them to fail. These opportunities not only enrich the lives of the scholar, but of their family and can inspire their siblings and friends and future generations to achieve more as well.
The title of my first blog post is “Sawubona means ‘I see you.’” Let me explain further. One day one of my lovely colleagues, Nosipho was teaching me conversational Zulu on our way to lunch and she told me that she loves the greeting “Sawubona” because it literally means “I See You.” I thought that was profound because it wasn’t the generic ‘Hello’, or ‘How are you doing?’ that have become cliché and somewhat shallow greetings if one doesn’t actually stop to listen to the response. Instead, Sawubona is not only a greeting but an acknowledgment of a person’s presence and existence.
As I go through life, one thing that I know that is very important is to acknowledge people. Make them feel that they are seen, cared for, and appreciated. Whether that is a sincere greeting as you pass them by or acknowledging the potential of a budding scholar from a disadvantaged background, it is so important to acknowledge people and see them not only for what they are but who they potentially can be.
Speaking from personal experience, I have been extremely blessed in my life to have numerous people that have acknowledged the potential in me and have invested in me. From family, friends , church family, chance (divine) encounters, mentors, teachers, professors, Global Kids, The Leadership Program, the Greatest Generation Scholarship which allowed me to attend my dream college, Georgetown University, GSP, Community Scholars Program, IIPP and most recently the Princeton in Africa Fellowship, all of these people and/or programs have seen me and given me incredible opportunities to have access rewarding experiences that have shaped me into the woman that I am and that I am becoming. But it has also endowed me with the responsibility to give back because “To whom much has been given, much more shall be required.” (Luke 12:48)
With all that said, that is why I believe in the mission and vision of programs like SSP that acknowledge students who have diligent work ethics and are determined to overcome the obstacles in their lives through education. In the words of Tata Madiba, “Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.” SSP understands the Zulu greeting well and strives to send the message across to their scholars through our commitment to their education that “We See You.”
So remember the next time when you see someone to tell them (or at least think):
Sawubona sisi. Sawubona ubhuti.
I see you my sister. I see you my brother.
Salani kahle. Stay well
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