PTPI Blog

We are catching up with the 29 EXPERIENCE delegates who have recently traveled from Cape Town to Johannesburg, South Africa, with a safari in between!  View more photos on PTPI’s Facebook Page.

Day 8

“I am who I am because of who we all are.” As the campfire crackled, these were the words spoken as the group reminisced on the day’s events, and the entire week so far. Waking up later than normal this morning, the group was recharged and excited to visit the Cape of Good Hope. The Cape is the southwestern most point in South Africa (as well as Africa!). The group stood in awe awe as we absorbed the postcard view from the Cape of Good Hope. The steep hike was forgotten as a lighthouse towered over the rest of the mountain. Next, we adventured to Simonstown where we ate lunch. Some enjoyed seafood, while others dove into their exotic meals of crocodile or ostrich.

EXPERIENCE delegates at the Cape of Good Hope

Boulder’s Beach was the next stop on our itinerary. Penguins waddled as cameras flashed. We witnessed one of nature’s beauties. As the light receded, we took a scenic drive through some of Cape Town’s most memorable points. The bus stopped many times so that we could take pictures of the views. We shortly arrived at the guesthouse where our group bonfire would be held.

“I am who I am because of who we all are.” This is the philosophy of Ubuntu. We have learned during this trip that this certainly rings true in everyone’s lives. Nobody can say that they are who they are because of themselves. Personalities are traits which are taken in small pieces from everyone that a person comes in contact with. Due to all of whom the People to People International delegates and leaders have had the honor to meet and work alongside, all of our personalities have been altered, even if it is the slightest bit. We truly “are who we are because of who we all are.”

- David Nichols, PTPI delegate & Ethan Rosen, PTPI delegate & PTPI Student Chapter President

Day 9

All of the EXPERIENCE delegates in their yellow shirts

Today we left the beautiful city of Cape Town. Although we were sad to leave behind the gorgeous coast and rolling hills, we were all excited for the new adventures in Johannesburg, which we now refer to as Joburg— what it is commonly called here in South Africa. We had an early start to the day in order to make it down to the Green Market one last time before heading to the airport. After hard bargaining, most of us still left with scarce amounts of Rand. Besides making a scene in the airport with 32 yellow shirts, the flight from Cape Town to Joburg was uneventful.

Learning about African culture in Lesedi

Fresh off the plane, we drove straight to Lesedi, where we learned about African culture and its diversity by walking through each tribe’s “village.” We were taught the difference among each tribe and what makes them unique. The tour ended with a cultural dance show. It was amazing to see the diversity in cultures combine into one show. Our night in Lesedi ended with an African dinner. It was delicious! There were so many different choices: lamb, chicken, beef, crocodile, and ostrich. After dinner, we made our way back to the hotel; we needed rest for the next day’s adventures.

- Sara Dunlap & Jillian Burns

Day 10

We started off our day in Soweto, which is an abbreviation for South Western Township. First, we went to Freedom Square, which is where the “People’s Bill of Rights” document was finalized. It was hard to believe that at one time, not too long ago, these people did not have the same basic rights that we have in the states. Next, we went on a tour in a township within Soweto, called Kliptown. Our guide was a local man that started Kliptown Youth Program which helps kids stay in school.   This organization provides educational support and positive after-school activities. He showed us inside his home and told us how HIV/AIDS has affected his community.Walking through his home opened our eyes to the major differences between living conditions in Soweto and the United States.

Touring Soweto

Then we went to two museums: Nelson Mandela’s former home and the Hector Pieterson Museum. It was interesting to see how a former South African president lived before he became a political leader.  Hector Pieterson was a young boy that had died in the youth revolt of 1976. The museum showed us pictures of the very oppressing times that had faced the country and had stones representing those who died for freedom.

We had a delicious lunch at Ikageng Itireleng. Ikageng Itireleng is an incredible NGO which assists children affected by HIV/AIDS.  The program puts them in a home, sends them to school, provides food, provides a wellbeing, and hope. The founder, Carol Dyantyi, was very inspirational. Her story touched each of our hearts. We were able to play with the younger children and talk to high school students our age about problems they are facing. It was moving to see that U.S. teens face similar problems like peer pressure, drugs, teen pregnancy, etc. Instantly we related with these teens that at first seemed so different, but then so alike.  We made instant friends with the younger children by playing and interacting with them.  Some of the kids recited poems and rap songs for a goodbye performance.  The new relationships we had just made seemed so hard to leave behind.  We will always remember this experience!

- Cassandra Cook & Kelsiann Halboom

 

 

To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org