Ikamva Labantu

So far, Ryan and I have shared a lot about what we do when we are not at our ‘placements’ (Ryan likes to refer to his SAEP gig as a placement- he jokes about secretly dreaming of being a social worker). Although it might seem like all we do here is tour, both Ryan and I spend most of our work week doing some pretty interesting stuff.

Like I mentioned in my first entry, I am doing a placement at a community development agency. Ikamva Labantu started as an anti-apartheid movement and over the years has come to offer many services, including programs for preschoolers, foster children and parents, seniors, youth and people with disabilities.

I spend all my time in the foster services sector. Thus far, Ange and I have researched, planned and implemented two out of three behaviour management sessions for foster mothers. We use research and our own experience with difficult kids to present principles and strategies to deal with challenging behaviours in foster homes. We plan to leave behind a manual that will (hopefully) be used as a reference for similar training in the future.

Given our age and (relatively) very minimal experience dealing with children and no experience as sole caregivers for any kids, we integrate the women’s years of experience and knowledge with skills and techniques we have gathered through research and training we have taken over the years. These women dedicate their lives to caring for children who otherwise might not have homes. They care for up to 25 children in their homes with few resources. It is inspirational and a privilege to spent time with them.

Another major part of our work is the planning and facilitating of a weekly psycho-educational/support group for women who care for others in their community (this includes foster mothers, women who work at preschools and women who care for elderly people). This has been a challenge that has (again, hopefully) strengthened my social work skills and increased my awareness of cultural and language sensitivities. This group has become my favorite part of the week. Once again, I am amazed by the spirit, strength and dedication of the women we meet with.

Other parts of my placement include some ‘officy’ stuff that can be both a break and little boring (at times). We also attend meetings (including the AGM) and other random events. Two weeks ago, we had the privilege of attending a seniors’ celebration in Crossroads. Although most of the speeches were in Xhosa, I thoroughly enjoyed the regular breaks that were taken to sing and dance, as well as the amazing homemade meal that was served at the end of our day. The roles of seniors in South African communities have changed a lot over the last number of years. The high rates of HIV/AIDS have made it so that many seniors must care for children on a part and/or full-time basis and continue to financially support their children and grandchildren; the seniors’ day was a much deserved celebration for a group people who take on a lot of responsibility in their families and communities.

Volunteering at SAEP

South African Education and Environmental Project (SAEP) was founded by Norton and later joined by Jane and has since been dedicated to improving the lives and opportunities of children in the townships near Philipi through education and life-skills training.

SAEP’s initial focus on environmental education was expanded to meet the academic needs of children in some of Cape Town’s poorest informal settlements. They work under three umbrella programs: early childhood development, high school support and enrichment programs and "gap year" program that assists post matric students (high grad graduates from high school) with receiving acceptance into university.

They are a very small not-for-profit-organization operated by four full time staff and numerous, often transient volunteers. With realistic dreams and a dedicated staff, SAEP has assisted in many of the township crèches (preschool centres that house up to 150 students in very modest and often insufficient facilities) providing specific assistance such as food delivery, supplies, volunteer partnerships and fundraising. The high school programs are dedicated to developing leaders and ambitious learners through after school and extracurricular programs including: English, drama, debate programs, tutoring, outdoor activities involving hikes or weekend retreats, math, science and technology programs and many others.

Unfortunately, SAEP is extremely under-funded and thus very dependant on its volunteers, which has allowed me to become involved in numerous tasks and programs. I have assisted in tasks from painting crèches, helping out with their computer issues (this just demonstrates how understaffed they are… cuz I’m no computer genius), tutoring, helping out with English enrichment, delivering food and supplies, designing and interviewing for development of updated creche pamphlets, to strategizing and developing a student learner tracking system. Through these experiences I have spent enough time in the townships to realize the positive impact SAEP is having on many children, from abandoned 2 year olds to high school learners, with the hope in providing future leaders.

Please follow the links to SAEP, to learn more about them. As we prepare for the holiday season, consider donating to SAEP or another small organization (whether local or abroad) as many small ngos are in need of sponsorship and deserve recognition for their direct contribution to grateful, hopeful, yet persistently impoverished communities, such as those in the townships of Cape Town.

Kasteelpoort??

A few tourist spots in Cape Town were "crossed off our list" this weekend", including a brief visit to Bo-Kaap (a historical and present day predominately Muslim community), including a stop at the very informative Bo-kaap museum, an afternoon at Clifton beach, and the highlight going on a sunday hike along Pipetrack (which goes from Signal hill above Camps Bay), up Kasteelpoort trail, to Table Mountain.

Post Your Comments!!!

Hello all. I recently corrected the settings for comment entry after a number of non-blogger members were asking how to comment. I hope you are enjoying our experiences.

Stay tuned for specific entries on SAEP (My volunteer organization), Ikamva (Sarah's placement organization) and a typical week-day in Cape Town.

Sick Surf...

After a grueling week volunteering and at placement, the Cape quad embarked on a relaxed weekend touring small cape side towns including Simon's Town, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg.

The highlights included a failed attempt to go along Chapman’s peak pass, a “late” breakfast in Kalk bay where we enjoyed coffees, lunch and relaxed shorefront scenery. The afternoon included another trip, on behalf of our roommates, to Cape of Good Hope, where we avoided the hoards of tourists and hiked along the light keepers trail to the farthest point at the cape.

By far the highlight of the weekend was our stop in Muizenberg where Ange and I went surfing. I tell you, the sea was angry that day, like an old man trying to return a sandwich at a deli… but this didn’t stop Ange and I from suiting up and grabbing our long boards. Following a failed attempt in 2005 in Tofino (for those who don’t know Tofino is the “surfing capital of Canada” situated on Vancouver Island), I was able to get up and catch a few waves. Certainly, leaving me motivated to try my luck another time.

Cheers, Prost!

South Africa is well known for its wines. In particular, the western cape region which encompases Cape Town and The Winelands is world renown for its wine tasting and wine production. Hosting more than 120 wineries, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl is a popular place for both locals and tourists to visit. In particular this region boasts the worlds finest Pinotage wines.

On Saturday October 28, 2006, we embarked on a Cape Wine Tours hosted by Robbie.

Four wineries visited were Villeria, Beyerskloof, Tokara and Fairview. The following is a brief list for those who may be interested in our favourite wines at the respective wineries. As represented by the group, for this entry Sarah will serve as the white wine connisseur, and I the red wine connisseur (the wines will be listed in white and then red, respectively). If you are able, please try these wines and on a first- come -first- serve- basis we will try to purchase a few bottles as SA gifts... oh and did I mention the wine is very inexpensive here... which has us running to the local grocery store and consuming a few more bottles than usual.

Villeria: Gewurztraminer 2005 (Fruity and off dry); Monro 2002 (a classic Merlot/ Cab blend)

Beyerskloof: (no whites tried) Pinotage 2005 and Pinotage Reserve 2003

Tokara: Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006 and Tokara Red 2004 (a blend of Cab Sav Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cab Franc. dry and firm)

Fairview: Sarah loved them all at this point (actually she was on to the water by the second winery)... mine was the Beacon Shiraz (Full of flavour)

Catching up from Sept 2006

Arriving in Cape Town

I have been in Cape Town for just under two months, so I thought I would write a "catch-up" entry. I am new to this blog thing, so this quick update is a simplified version of what I am seeing and experiencing with not too many details or thoughts. Consider it an account of the touristy part of my experience. Needless to say, there is much more to Cape Town and South Africa that I am discussing in the following entry and many more things I have no idea about.

Sarah and Josh with our apartment (across from the tall apartment) in the background.

Placement
After traveling with Ange (an MSW’er from Laurier), I arrived in Cape Town on September 5th and was greeted at my apartment by my Josh (another MSW’er from Laurier). To my and Ange’s surprise, we were expected at our placement at 9 AM the next morning and so life in Cape Town began…

I am doing my placement at Ikamva Labantu, a community development agency that has many different services. I work in the Family Services Sector which works with Foster Carers and children. I am involved in planning and implementing a behaviour management training program for foster mothers and facilitating a support group for foster mothers. If you have followed my work over the last few years, you’ll recognize that these projects fit perfectly with my professional interests at home. I couldn’t have asked for a better placement (in Canada or abroad).

I head to placement Monday through Friday, so that part of life is very familiar. We live one block from the ocean, which is a great motivator to walk and run after work…and as the weather gets nicer, I really don’t have any excuses not to keep in shape. Ryan has found a local pool that overlooks the ocean; he has purchased a pair of very geeky goggles and is at the pool to swim laps a few times a week. I tried to join them, but turns out I can’t swim very well, so as Ryan says "I'm more of a terrestrial being".

Sightseeing Updates

Our first road trip in SA, took Ange, Josh and I to the Cederberg. It is a beautiful park about 4 hours north of here (6 hours, if you get a flat tire, which we did). We drove through incredible smelling citrus growing areas on our way and once there, enjoyed an awesome hike that involved caving and climbing. Super cool!
Table Mountain is the backdrop for this beautiful city and something I am hoping to explore a little more while we are here. So far I have only done one hike; Ange, Josh and I climbed the PlatteKlip Gorge one Friday afternoon which led us to an amazing view of the coast and Cape Town.

This past weekend, the Canadian Quad went on a wine tour in three local wine growing areas (Stellenbosch, Franschoek and Paarl). We had a great day of wine, cheese and chocolate tasting. Belgian chocolate tasting! Oh man, I loved the wine, but the chocolate was the best!

Ryan and I also met up with my uncle and aunt (Wietze and Griet), who were Cape Town at the end of an SA tour. We had a hele gezellig day on a tour of Cape Point and then dinner at their hotel (which happened to be one block from here…what a crazy coincidence!). It was so nice to spend some time with family.

Sarah along Cederberg hike (above right) and a "family" picture at Cape Point

We hope to write more often and keep a few more people in the loop…on that note, stay tuned for more…