Bells put painting skills to the test!

After a sufficient viewing of the tall giraffes, playful elephants, feasting lions, hippos, zebras, cheetahs, and a few more animals, we headed home from the very cold Aquila Reserve, back to Cape Town. Today, we had the opportunity to engage in service with the Amy Biehl Foundation again, and headed to a school with the hope we could all harness our inner painting skills, and help touch up one of their schools. First, we stopped to pick up supplies, including paint, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, scrubbers and a few other odds and ends. Before heading directly to the school, due to testing in the morning, we stopped in to local craft market to peruse the goods and to get to know the people selling these items. It was very interesting to speak with the vendors about their particular crafts and where they were made or how they were made. Also, we talked to them about where they were from and why they travelled to South Africa if they were not originally from here. Then, after lunch, we headed over to the school to get to work. First, we scrubbed loose paint chips and dirt or mold off the walls, ensuring our new paint would stick. Then, each person stepped up and assumed a different task during the painting process. Our main goal was to paint three walls, the top half beige, the bottom half teal and we succeeded after a few coats of fresh new paint were skillfully applied by the group. The Bells scrubbed walls, painted in tight spots, cut in around window bars, balanced on ladders, tables and chairs to reach the high points and, maybe spilled a drop here and there, but all in all, it was a great success. They represented the spirit of the Bells today and had a great time in doing so. We came back to the hotel to clean up and then off to dinner. A special guest joined us tonight: fellow Bell alum, Lucas Parelius, who is tutoring here for over a month. He talked to the boys about his experiences at in high school and his first year at USD and how they have guided his life choices. We wrapped up the night with a very reflective evening, as the boys discussed their fears, motivations, setbacks, hardships and opened up about how this trip has helped them think differently about the future and their goals and priorities. As we are winding down the trip, this was a very appropriate way to end our evening. Tomorrow, we will again be working at a school, helping out after school programs, after visiting the District 6 Museum. We look forward to seeing you all in only a few days! GO BELLS!!

Langa Township and Cape of Good Hope

Yesterday, we visited the biggest township in Cape Town, Langa. We met with out guide, who currently lives there, and he took us on a walking tour to see different sections of Langa. We first started walking down a street, toward the jail, and he pointed out to us where the wealthy individuals live, and these people would be lawyers, doctors or policemen in this specific township. Then, our view shifted sharply as we turned down the next street and saw temporary housing for those in need of more permanent residences. While waiting for rooms to open up, these families live in old cargo containers converted into a house for families of 6-8 people, if not more. Tonight, during our reflection, some of the students noted feeling so helpless and confused on how to help this problem. Some also acknowledged that recognizing there is a need to help the poor is the first step. As our walk continued, we also we careful to not step in puddles and soak our shoes, only to notice young kids, running around with bare feet--a truly thought provoking moment, forcing us to examine their every day struggles. Our guide then invited us in to 3 different homes, where we were confronted with their every day living situation. Again, tonight, during the reflection, some students commented on how tough it is to digest these harsh realities. Others also noted the strong bond of these families, and their undeniable abilities to take what seemed like nothing to us, and make them into true homes. Their relationships are truly valued. We finished the walking portion by visiting a kindergarten and engaging with the kids for a few minutes. They seemed so happy to welcome us to their classroom. After the visit, we went to Mama Sheila's house, also in Langa, for lessons in traditional drumming. These Bells have some true talent! Under the guidance of the locals, we were able to not only play the drums, but the marimbas as well. We then enjoyed a delicious home cooked meal with Mama Sheila and our new teachers. The visit to Langa was truly remarkable. Today, we got an early start on our way to visit the Cape of Good Hope, the most south westerly point in Africa and also where people believe the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. On our way, we stopped in Hout Bay Harbour to take a very, very, very choppy boat ride out to Duiker Island, which is home to thousands of Cape Fur Seals. Due to the inclement weather, we were happy it was a short visit and to be back on solid ground, safely on our way to the next adventure. Fighting the wind and rain, we quickly went out to explore Cape of Good Hope and then continued on to Cape Point. Luckily, the rain stopped upon our arrival, so we hiked up to the top of the point, and the views were breathtaking. We could see all along the coast and surrounding lighthouses and also learned there have been thousands of shipwrecks along this cape. We followed with lunch in Simonstown, before visiting Boulder's Beach, the home of the African Penguins and their growing colonies. We all had a great day, and are gearing up for a one night safari in Aquila Game Reserve tomorrow. Go Bells!

President de Klerk and Amy Biehl Foundation

Yesterday, the Bells had the very unique opportunity to meet with former President F. W. de Klerk, the man responsible for starting the movement to dismantle Apartheid. It was one of the most amazing moments of this trip. In the morning, we toured Parliament and then headed to a cafe to meet with him. The former President talked with us for over an hour, first explaining a bit about South Africa 's past, his goals when he became President and then explained the details of the negotiations with Mandela and other political members as they tried to agree on a new constitution for this country, eliminating exclusion. Following that, the boys asked him questions and de Klerk was very candid and open with his responses, giving us his opinions about South Africa today, and other governments around the world. He even spoke about his close relationship with Mandela, highlighting the elements necessary to truly make their partnership a success during such a troubled time in this country. He did let us know they are still very good friends and he will be calling him to wish him a happy birthday next month. After de Klerk left, we discussed our favorite interview moments, and the boys could not stop talking about everything they learned. They all seemed to admire him for his ability to assume his term as President, knowing he would be giving up his power and only serving one term with the goals he hoped to accomplish. After our meeting, we theN went to the Amy Biehl headquarters, the organization we are doing service with while in Cape Town. If you are not familiar with her story, you should read about it online--it provides so many challenging lesons for us to learn. This foundation helps serve over 2,000 youth in townships every day during various after school programs. After learning about the foundation, we ventured to our first school, where we were able to participate in some of these classes. They had music, dance, English, math, cricket, soccer, field hockey and more and we were impressed by all of them. The entire group had to pull out our best dance moves as we joined in the hip hop class and we each got one child as a partner. We could barely keep up with the 4 year olds! We left feeling very excited about our time with them tomorrow. This morning, we arranged an unexpected meeting with David Steward, de Klerk's Chief of Staff during his term. He also provided a rich history lesson, reminding us you can't understand the present without accurate knowledge of the past. He was very open with the fears and struggles during de Klerk's term and discussed hope for the future and the work that still needs to be done. After, we visited Kirstenbosch gardens and then returned to the townships for work in the schools. We split up and visited all the different rooms and enjoyed our two hours there. We helped serve the kids a meal as they left and then returned to the hotel. We will be working with the foundation later in the week helping level out part of a play area and plant grass--wish us luck! Tomorrow, the Bells will be learning traditional drumming skills during a tour of the biggest township in South Africa. We are having an amazing time and look forward to our last week here. GO BELLS!

Mass in Soweto and Cape Town: Day 1

Yesterday, by far, was one of the most energetic and eye opening experiences on this trip. We attended a traditional mass in Soweto at St. Martin parish and it was like nothing we have ever been a part of before. When we met with the parish priest Fr. Bruce Botha, a Jesuit, he let us know that mass would be 2 hours or longer, so we were not sure what to expect. Imagine our surprise when mass finally ended and we wanted more. We were captiavted from the very beginning with the music and participation of the entire church. We have never witnessed such a lively celebration. When I asked the students why this was such a powerful day, many commented on the sense of community and dedicated faith life of these parishioners. Edson commented on their unity and dedication, something he connected with personally. Danny was surprised at how fast the 2 hours passed and he was up dancing in the pews with fellow Bells and fellow parishioners--he felt they truly welcomed him in their world. Nick and Kevin couldn't help but notice how much every person enjoyed the celebration, old and young alike and John bonded with the woman sitting next to him as she invited him to dance in the pews with her during the music. After mass, we spent time with the youth of this parish, talking about challenges faced in our every day lives. We all were surprised about how open they were with their numerous struggles, including death, hunger, umemployment, financial limitations, lack of schooling and much more. We were so impressed with their ability to open up and engage with us as we had only met them a few hours before. Nick also commented on how positive their attitudes were despite all these set backs--it takes a strong spirit and these youth embodied that. We shared a simple lunch with our new friends and then headed to the airport. We arrived safey in Cape Town a few hours later, had dinner and then off to bed to get ready for another early morning. We were greeted by our guide Jamie this morning to take us over to the waterfront to board our boat for the journey to Robben Island, where both Kathrada and Mandela were imprisoned for most of their sentences, along with other political prisoners. We were able to connect more fully to Kathrada's experiences by stepping in his former reality for a few hours. On our tour, we met the warden who was in charge of Mandela and walked through the main prison with a political prisoner who was in prison on the island during Apartheid. They both truly helped us better understand this harsh world. After the tour, we came back for lunch and then took the tram up to Table Mountain, the dominant natural landmark of the city. From the top, we were able to look down at parts of Cape Town and truly have a moment to reflect and clear our minds and digest our experiences thus far. All of us were drawn to the beauty of this mountain. They have never seen something some breathtaking as the views from this place. We then took the tram back down and headed to a rugby game: the junior semi-finals, South Africa versus Ireland. Sadly, South Africa did not win, but we still were able to partake and witness, as Nick identified, the sprit and pride the people in this country possess. It was a very exciting game to watch and gave us a chance to talk to the locals. Tomorrow, we will be visiting with former President F.W. De Klerk to engage in a conversation about the end of Apartheid and hope for the future. Goodnight from Cape Town and, as always, GO BELLS!!

Cultural learning in South Africa

Today's focus was to get a better understanding of the different cultures present in South Africa. We started our morning by heading to Lesedi Cultural Village to learn more about 5 tribes: the Basotho, the Xhosa, the Ndebele, the Pedi and the Zulu. Austin said he really enjoyed learning more about these tribes, especially the Pedi, who wear kilts. Our leader explained to us the meaning behind the traditional Scottish dress--legend has it that during wars against the British, the Pedi saw Scottish highlanders approaching in kilts and thought they were an army of women, so they did not fight. As a result, they were defeated and then adopted the kilts to remind themselves of this mistake so it wouldn't happen again. Danny and Raymond both enjoyed the tribal dancing, especially the different tribal attire. During the tour, Danny thought it was interesting how similar these tribes were, including the cooking techniques, the importance of cattle and the design of some of the huts. Dylan was impressed by the Zulu and their innovative weapons and dominance under the rule of Shaka Zulu. After touring their villages, we gathered to watch the dancing and Edson even volunteered to participate in a stick fighting demonstration. We all participated in some of the tribal dancing and then headed in to eat lunch. One again, some brave souls tried some adventurous food, including tasty crocodile. They said it was delicious (they may have been comparing it to the worms they sampled while in the Xhosa village). After lunch, we surprised the students and took them to Lion Park to get our first glimpse of local animals, and little did we know, there would be a celebrity there! We all hopped in an open air safari vehicle to see zebras, giraffes, antelope, wild dogs, cheetahs and lions. When entering lion camp number 3, we met our celebrity!! He starred in the movie White Lion and he was the main character, Letsatsi, a white lion. We also met his three sons, also white lions and their pride which included 3 lionesses and 4 cubs. Upon our return, we were able to pet lion cubs and Danny, Austin and Dylan all agree this was the best part of the day. A few of the cubs were a bit excited to see us and tried to nibble on Jack's shoe, hug John, and jumped on both Dylan and Nick's backs. Not to worry, since they are cubs, they were just playing around with us and no one was hurt. After a very exciting day of learning about South Africa's rich culture, we headed home for our last night in Johannesburg. We are packing up tonight as we have an early start tomorrow. We will return to Soweto to speak with the Jesuits about their work in the township. We are very much looking forward to attending mass and then meeting afterward to learn about what they are doing in Soweto to help the poor. It will be very interesting to hear about how they apply the teachings of Ignatius to their lives and their work and reflect upon our understandings of promoting social justice and becoming men and women for others. After mass and our lunch meeting, we are headed to the airport for our flight to Cape Town. We have truly enjoyed out time in Johannesburg and have learned a lot. Goodnight and GO BELLS!!

First Official Day

Well, we hit the ground running for our first official day in Johannesburg. We met for breakfast at 8:15, and then headed to meet with Ahmed Kathrada at 9:30. Driving to the meeting was our first chance to see the city since we arrived so late last night. During our 30 minute bus ride, our guide, Jonas, pointed out many things along the way: soccer stadiums, schools, our first glimpse of Soweto, and old mining remnants as he told us some history about the city. Jack was interested to learn that we were driving on the waste from the old mines, including rocks, sand and even gold. We arrived at 10:30 to meet with Kathrada, a fellow prison mate of Nelson Mandela. He starterd by showing us a video about his time on Robben Island and then turned the floor over to us. The group asked some very thought provoking questions, helping us learn more about his imprisonment and hope for the future of equality in South Africa. He was very open, humorous and genuine. After about 2 hours, and a whole new understanding of Robben Island and Kathrada's struggles, we headed out to see Soweto (South West Township). The bus was silent as we drove in and were consumed with our first sites of extreme poverty. We pulled over to an area, with hundreds of shacks, and met with Googoo, a women who lives here with her husband and 2 daughters. The boys could not stop talking about her energy and how proud she was of her home. She gave us tours in groups of six because we could not all fit at once. Evan commented that this was his most humbling experience of the day, reflecting on her positive spirit, despite not having everything we have. John agreed, commenting about how it really made him think about what people need in life to make them happy. We then headed off to see where Desmond Tutu and Mandela lived in Soweto and to stop for lunch. On the way, we stopped to see Mandela murals by a church. While there, we started talking to a group of 10- 12 year old students, who wanted to show us their best dance moves, in an attempt to teach us. Edson and Nick attempted, but we couldn't compete with the locals. Jack and Edson said this was their favorite part of the day--an impromptu visit with school children, who seemed happy to welcome us in to their world. We then ate lunch, where a few were brave enough to try cow intestines and no one got sick! Then, we were off to the Apartheid Museum. The images here were so powerful. Sohum said he was struck immediately by a Mandela quote when we first walked in: "To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." After the museum closed, we came back for dinner, where exotic food was again the choice for a few brave ones: kudu, which is a type of gazelle and ostrich--and they seem to enjoy it. We had a great reflection with the group tonight, where they shared their thoughts about everything we experienced today. We are now off to get some much needed rest before a day at the Lesedi Cultural Village tomorrow. Our guide said we better be ready to learn some traditional dancing! Wish us luck, and, as always, GO BELLS!!

We Made It!!

We made it!! We walked out of the airport in Johannesburg at 11 PM tonight after a full day of flying and, oddly, quite a few things to report. As a group, during both flights, we watched 31 movies, 46 TV shows, each person ate 4 hot meals, 2 ice creams, candy and other snacks, listened to 9 full music albums, read a total of 15 books / magazines (Hunger Games was read twice), enjoyed lots of complimentary drinks(one spilled orange juice), Dylan's winning tetrus score, beating the entire plane, and not quite enough sleep. More importantly, we had time to converse on multiple topics and truly enjoyed each other. Our wake up call is coming in at 7:45, we will eat breakfast and be on our way to visit Ahmed Kathrada at 10:30 and then on to Soweto. GO BELLS!!

South Africa here we come!

After a year of prep work, including weekend meetings, readings, presentations, quizzes, discussions and much more, we are ready to depart on Bellarmine's inaugural South Africa Immersion Trip.  We are flying out May 30th from San Francisco, with a quick layover in Amsterdam, and arriving in Johannesburg on May 31st just in time for dinner and bed.  We are looking forward to our 2 week journey, so let the adventures begin!  GO BELLS!!