A Peace Corps Moment

I have a new happy place in Bafokeng—my youth clubs.  I love the kids!!! In particular, the group in this picture crack me up and warm my heart every time we meet.  They are a very talented, smart, and outspoken group.  Today we were discussing discrimination, equality, and human rights.  One of the more interesting comments they shared was in reference to xenophobia. 

Xenophobia is a huge problem here in SA.  There is a large amount of foreigners from across Africa living in South Africa.   South Africa is the “America” of Africa, so people from across the continent come here as refugees or in search of economic opportunities.  To my understanding, they are ostracized and treated like 2^nd class citizens.  A couple of years ago, there was even a problem with violence against foreigners (this partly stemmed from foreigners cheating the system and receiving free reparations housing that was intended for Black South Africans).

The mining area I live in attracts a lot folks from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Botswana.  In local town hall meetings I have heard people express their discontentment in, “all of the foreigners coming here and taking their jobs” (sound familiar to anyone). 

Check it out this Nando’s commercial, that was actually pulled off the air, which addresses xenophobia.

Anywho, now that you have some background…one student shared that she feels xenophobia exists because Blacks are seeking revenge.  She feels that Black people feel that they suffered during apartheid.  Now it is their turn to “live well.”  They don’t want anyone else coming and taking that opportunity away from them.  And they are also taking their vengeance against the Boers (Afrikaans) out against the foreigners. Interesting.  Funny how oppressed people always oppress other people.  The Boers actually followed this trend as well.  They were mistreated by the British, and even put into camps, and when they came into power they treated Black people in the same fashion.

While we are talking about it, I also didn’t realize that there is also discrimination, well at least in my community, against Black South Africans that aren’t Mafikeng (the local tribal classification) or Tswana (the language and larger tribal/ethnic group).  So if you are Zulu or Xhosa you are also treated as an outsider and ostracized.  And we won’t even start talking about the racial discrimination and prejudice.

So I am learning a lot about South African culture from my kids.  They have also made me realize how much healing South Africa still has to do.  But don’t we all.  Hopefully, some of these kids will help lead the healing process.

Gotta love the kids!!! 

--Mei

Yes, Virginia, There is Winter in Africa: Common Misperceptions About Africa

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Originally posted on: http://womenofcolorlivingabroad.blogspot.com/

Sally Struthers, "Tarzan," the media, and films such as "Blood Diamonds" have done a disservice to the perceptions of Africa and Africans.  For anyone planning a trip to Africa, feeling afraid to visit Africa, or desiring to visit Africa, here are the facts on a couple of common misperceptions about Africa.

1) It will be “Africa hot!”:  I am writing this post from my room in South Africa, while sitting under three blankets, one of which is an electric blanket.  Right now, it is winter in South Africa and where I live, at night, its 37°F or 3°C.  It snows in Lesotho and you can go skiing in Morocco.  So yes there are some countries that get “Africa hot,” but even they have a rainy or windy season where it gets "chilly."  

2) As a person of African descent, I will be welcomed back to the motherland by my brothers and sisters: This is what I like to refer to as a “Roots” experience. You know, we conjure up images similar to the last scene of the “Roots” mini-series where Alex Haley is welcomed back to Africa with big hugs from his distant African relatives.  Sorry to tell you that won’t happen.  Even if you go to Juffreh, the Gambian village where Kunta Kinte hails from, you won’t have a “Roots Experience.”

In fact, you will probably quickly realize how American (or insert other nationality here) you are.  If you are lighter skinned like I am, you will also have to come to grips with being called, white or mixed.  Even if you are the exact same shade as the locals in the country you visit, you will still stand out as a foreigner and be treated as such. 

However, you will feel a connection and see the cultural similarities.  You may be able to have experiences that non-Black people are not afforded.  And I still do recommend that every person of African descent visit Africa.

3) There will be animals everywhere: Lions, Tigers, and Bears oh my!  Unless you are in a protected wildlife park like Kruger National Park in Southern Africa or the Serengeti in Tanzania you will probably not see wild animals.  I have seen the occasional pack of monkeys while traveling in South Africa and there were hippos, which were rarely seen, in the river near my home in Benin.   

Donkey "Racing," Dogon Country, Mali

What are more common to see?  Farm animals.  In more rural areas, you will see donkeys, chickens, goats, pigs and cows, roaming and grazing freely.  BTW if you are driving and hit one of these animals you will be required to compensate the farmer!

4) All of is Africa is a village: Yes, there are a lot of non-developed, rural areas in Africa where you can still find people living in mud huts.   At the same time though, visiting Accra, Johannesburg, Abidjan, or Nairobi, feels like you are in Europe or the United States. There is a booming middle class in Africa that live comparable to their Western counterparts.  We won’t even mention the wealthy upper class, but let’s just say they are living large, even from a Western perspective.

Rooftop Bar, Johannesburg, South Africa

5) You are helping to alleviate poverty by giving away money: I understand the sentiment behind giving away money, candy, and whatever other small tokens you were able to stash in your luggage to beggars and children.  And I get over tipping or over paying because you can’t imagine only paying ___ when you would usually pay ___ at home.  However, what you don’t realize is that you perpetuate the myth that all foreigners are wealthy, normalize begging as a means of income, and establish a handout mentality. Plus, for those of us that live here, we are then constantly harassed to give people everything from money to the shoes on our feet.

If you would like to help, I recommend funneling your donations thru a local religious institution, school, or non-profit or supporting local artisans and small businesses.  Staying at a small, local hotel instead of Sofitel and trying street food instead of 5-star dining it every night has a stronger, more sustainable impact on economic development. 

Ndebele Women, Cultural Village, South Africa

8) Traveling in Africa isn’t safe. So yes, there are some countries in Africa that have political unrest, but the majority of Africa has had stable democracies for decades. And yes, there are men walking around with machetes, but they are farmers. And the only people with guns I have seen have been the police. Coming from an American city like Philadelphia where the murder rate is pretty high, in some ways I feel safer here then I did at home.  I have even hitched hiked multiple times here, while I would never do this in the U.S.  Like any place, there are the muggers and pickpocketers that prey on tourists but a little street smarts and common sense can keep you from falling into their traps.

7) Africans don’t speak English.  The English colonized a large percentage of Africa. Former British colonies, like Nigeria, will have English as on one of their national languages along with several traditional languages.  And even where English isn’t one of the national languages, English is taught in school.  So you may actually meet people in Africa that not only speak better English than you, but more languages than you!

Zulu Men Dancing, Cultural Village, South Africa

8) All Africans are Black.  Colonization brought people from all over the world to settle in Africa.  There are people of Indian, Asian, and European descent that have lived in Africa for several generations and consider themselves just as African as their black brethren.

9) Africa is one homogenous continent.  One of the best parts of traveling in Africa is experiencing the diverse cultures. This can be done by not only traveling to different countries, but traveling within one country.  Northern Africa with its heavy Arabic influence is very different than Southern Africa with its strong British influence.  Likewise, in a single country, one might find 30 different cultural classifications each speaking a different language.

Reality Check

My neighborhood kids and me!

My first big reality check is that it is FREEZING!!!!  It gets cold in Africa???  Anyone want to know what it feels like to live in an igloo−−feel free to come and visit.

Really though, I had a heart to heart with myself and realized how jaded and cynical I have become over my five months in South Africa.  Living in a community that I feel is indifferent to my presence and lacking initiative while teeming with apathy and entitlement has dwindled my drive. Please do not get me wrong, not everyone fits into these characteristics.  And my frustrations also don’t mean that people aren’t nice and hospitable.  This characterization stems from trying to get something done in my community, working in my community.  I spent weeks pushing, trying to make stuff happen but felt like I was trapped behind a wall of empty promises. 

Not only was I struggling trying to get my projects started.  I was also wrestling with my vision of the impact I wanted to have.   Part of my reason for joining the Peace Corps again was so I could leverage my professional experience and my MBA to help an organization and a community---two things that I didn’t have when I originally did the Peace Corps.  Only to get here and realize that my distance to the Special Olympics office would not truly allow me to do the type of marketing work that was outlined in the position description I applied to.  

I was interviewed for the Black MBA magazine right after I left my job.  The article was just released (You can check it out at: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/NBMQ0411/#/30).  I was so passionate and idealistic in the article.  I lost that person.  Reading over the article made me realize what this journey is all about.  At the end of the day I may not be doing what I wanted to do, but I am doing what needs to be done.  Like they say, get in where you fit it!  

Presenting to one of the youth clubs

Likewise, Peace Corps and Special Olympics are about to celebrate the one year anniversary of their partnership.  I was asked to write a brief description of my projects and accomplishments.  Here is what I sent them. 

I am supporting the Special Olympics South Africa (SOSA) by serving as the Marketing and Community Events Coordinator for the Africa Unity Cup (AUC). The AUC is the first Special Olympics Africa Regional Unified Football Tournament.  Hosted by the Royal Bafokeng Sports, it is a Unified 7-a-side football tournament where teams from 16 African countries will compete for a qualifying place at a FIFA endorsed Special Olympics Unified Football Cup in Brazil in 2013.  

As the Marketing and Community Events Coordinator, I have developed the regional, national, and local marketing plan and am overseeing the implementation of the local plan within the Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN).  To drive awareness of Special Olympics and engage the local community, I have initiated and am running Special Olympics “Get Into It”  (SOGII) Youth Clubs at three High Schools.  These are the first SOGII Clubs in South Africa and will serve as the model for future clubs in South Africa and the RBN.

I am also planning the Youth Summit that will take place during the AUC and finding local talent to participate in the AUC Opening Ceremony by conducting talent shows. Supporting SOSA directly, I developed a social media strategy and relaunched the SOSA Facebook page and am in the process of assembling a social media toolkit and creating marketing collateral materials (i.e. brochures and pamphlets).  

Presenting to one of the youth clubs

Lastly, as the only Special Olympics representative residing in the RBN, I serve as the local Special Olympics spokesperson and help push AUC planning activities forward such as the creation of the Royal Bafokeng Nation team that will compete in the AUC. Also, please note, I want to further Peace Corps' involvement with the Special Olympics by recruiting volunteers for the AUC from the Peace Corps Community.  I have already spoken to a couple of volunteers about it and they are excited about the opportunity to be able to participate!

Looking at that, I am actually amazed.  I am doing a lot more than I imagined.  I WILL be able to leave saying that I did something.  That my time was worthwhile, even if I am not doing the traditional marketing that I originally imagined.  The spare time I have is not an indication of my work.  The Lord has a plan for me and it may not always dovetail with the plan I have for myself, lol.  Someone also advised me today to reeastablish my expectations based on my community's expectation.  Moving forward I plan to do just that.

With that I also realized that I will not have a lot of real friends in this community.  I have one really great friend though.  I appreciate being able to completely be myself around her and enjoy her company.  Plus, I have learned how to have a good time completely by myself. Last Friday night, I had a ball doing the “Wobble” by myself.  Oh yeah I was accompanied by a YouTube video of folks doing the Wobble as well (I may be a bit off when I get home but it will be ok).

Hanging out with some of my "co-workers"

This has all taught me that happiness is a lot simpler notion than I realized when I was living in the states.  I am continuing to learn that happiness starts with the joy and peace that we have within.  Our exterior environment should amplify our internal joy but we cannot allow it to deplete or steal our joy.

I am happy because I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.  I constantly receive confirmation that I am where I am supposed to be; this brings me peace.

I am happy because I am at peace with who I am and who I am not.

I am happy because I can smile during the storm (well learning how to :0).

I have joy because I know that I am not alone and that the Lord is always watching over and protecting me. 

I am have joy because I realize and appreciate how abundantly blessed I am.

I am happy because I am living and feel life running through my veins.

--Mei

 P.S. I promise to try to make this my last sappy, happy post!

Afrique, je t'aime! (Why I Love Africa)

Originally published on: www.womenofcolorlivingabroad.blogspot.com

I first fell in love with the continent of Africa while traveling across West Africa. The diversity of cultures, mixture of languages, beautiful landscapes, and richness of history drew me in.  However, it was the unique joie de vivre and spirit of the people I met from Senegal to Nigeria that made me fall in love with Africa.  Until now, I have never been able to fully express in words what I felt. I have learned a new word in South Africa though that fully captures the essence of the African spirit—Ubuntu!

Ubuntu is a South African word that loosely means humanity to others and is based on a philosophy that a person is a person through their relationship with others.  I have learned from my South African friends that Ubuntu is also togetherness.  Despite our differences we are one. Everyone is treated with the same respect.  And whether or not I know you, I respect you as a human being.  You are my brother.  You are my sister.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu once defined Ubuntu as, “the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality – Ubuntu – you are known for your generosity. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole World. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.” 

While Nelson Mandela described Ubuntu as when, “a traveller through a country would stop at a village and he didn't have to ask for food or for water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him.”

I have witnessed Ubuntu as far north as Morocco and as far south as South Africa, in the warm (and sometimes really long) greetings that are extended to strangers and friends alike. In the numerous cups of mint tea, meals, and Cokes I have shared with strangers to welcome me to their country.  In the trust my neighbor has in her community, which permits her to let her 3-year-old son walk around and play in the neighborhood without her supervision (she literally goes door to door looking for him sometimes).  Or in the rides that strangers have given me that kept me from walking in the hot African sun.

I will never forget while traveling from Senegal to The Gambia during Ramadan, I got stuck at the border for over an hour while workers prayed and consumed their evening meal.  My friends and I were a little concerned about finding lodging at night.  A couple we chatted with, while waiting, invited us to abandon our taxi and ride with them into The Gambia.  They not only escorted us to an awesome hotel, but the next day they picked us up, took us on a tour, and invited us over to dinner for a delish meal of Chicken Yassa!  This was all done with no expectations.  The couple wouldn’t even take gas money from us.    

I encourage you, if you haven’t already, to visit Africa so you can experience Ubuntu for yourself. Be sure to include activities that will allow you truly mix and mingle with the local culture. I promise you that once you have a love for Africa will also develop in your heart!

--Mei

A Special Week

Last week, I had the opportunity to not only take part in a Special Olympics event, but also to visit Kutlwanong (pronounced Klu-klano), a special school in the Royal Bafokeng Nation.  Although, I am working for Special Olympics, I don’t have a lot of contact with the program side of the organization.  So I really enjoyed actually working with and seeing the community that I am “aiding.” It was a good reminder of what it is all about!!!

Kutlwanong

Kutlwanong is a boarding school for deaf learners and people with intellectual disabilities.   Learners start at the preschool level and go all the way up to vocational school (high school level).

Girls dorm.  Students in the sewing classes make the comforters and curtains.

Preschool Boarders

One of the students with intellectual disabilities

Some of the learners with intellectual disabilities

What the students were learning

Students pass a certain age learn professional and life skills like construction, welding, sewing, cooking, and building furniture.  Here is a wall the learners built.

Computer class with deaf learners.  I got to assist in this class.  It was a lot of fun!

Female soccer team warming up before practice

BTW-I have started Special Olympics youth clubs with learners from the mainstream schools.  We will be adopting Kutlwanong and another neighboring special school.

Special Olympics North West

Rustenburg hosted a province wide Special Olympics competition that brought together all of the special schools in the North West.  Learners or Athletes competed in 7-a-side Unified Soccer, Unified Basketball, and Table Tennis.  BTW-unified sports is a Special Olympics program to promote inclusion by having equal numbers of individuals with and without disabilities on the same team. 

Here are a couple of photos from the event.

What is so “special” about Special Olympics?

Special Olympics gives people with intellectual disabilities the courage, strength, and the desire to dream.  I wanted to conclude this post by sharing the dreams and visions of two athletes from Namibia that I met at a Special Olympic Africa Leadership meeting.

--Mei

Don’t Worry I Don’t Understand You Either…

Here is a conversation I had with a “co-worker” the other day.

• Me: I have to go now. I need to go mail something to my mom.
• Co-worker: You never mention your family.  How often do you talk to your family?
• Me: (In my head thinking I don’t talk to you that often and we only have superficial conversations) Once a week.  Depending on their schedules, every other week.
• Co-worker: REALLY!  I speak to my four sisters, my brother, and my parents every day on What’s up, Mixit, (a social media app) or BBM.
• Me: (In my head thinking you also live with your parents and one of your sisters) About what?
• Co-worker: Everything. If my brother cuts himself he will contact me and let me know.
• Me: Oh (shrugs), well I wouldn’t talk to my family that much if I was home either.
• Co-worker: OK.  Now I understand why you ran away from home!

OK.  I get it.  I came all of the way from America to live in Phokeng (this statement is always followed with a lot of laughter)!!!  I’m an American living in a “village” (more laughter).  It makes no sense.  You don’t understand how I could leave my home and live in another country for an extended amount of time.  You don’t even want to live in another province for an extended period of time.  You don’t get the volunteering thing.  You don’t get the I don’t have a car thing, the taking taxi thing, or the walking thing (I don’t understand how else I could get around without a car).  And you really don’t get the being ok with living alone thing.  And you SO don’t understand the not having a boyfriend or kids thing. Got it!!!  Sharp, Sharp!!!  (Actually there are Americans that don't get some of these things as well!)

Sorry I can’t explain pursuing my dreams and passions in a way that you will understand.  I can’t make you understand the benefits of living in another culture the personal growth from traveling the world.  But don’t worry there are tons of things I don’t understand about you.  Like….

• I know its winter, but its also high 70° - 80°during the day (well it was at the beginning of the winter).  Why do you have on leather pants?
• If you call them house shoes (slippers), why do you insist on wearing them out of the house like they are real shoes? (to me this is the equivalent of Philly chicks sporting silk bonnets and NY/NJ chicks rocking dubees)
• A full head of weave flowing down your 2 year old’s back, really???
• Better yet mother daughter matching weaves????
• Why do you insist on riding 14 people deep in a van in 70°+ weather with all of the windows up? And why every time I crack a window do people look at me like I committed a mortal sin and make me close it?
• Your West African sisters use a piece of material to tie a baby to their backs don’t you think this is a better solution than a bath towel?
• What’s so confusing about a yes/no question?  Why do I always feel like I am in the Abbott and Costello “Who’s on First” Comedy Skit when I ask a simple yes/no question?
• Why make sandwiches out of shredded cheese and shredded French pologna (similar to bologna)?  Wouldn’t it make more sense to slice the meat and cheese so everything doesn’t fall out as soon as you take a bite?
• While we are talking about food, what's up with eating a half of loaf of bread with or as every meal?
• To my Afrikaans brethren, do you really think it’s copasetic to walk around in the mall, parking lots, public restroom, grocery stores, and well everywhere and anywhere barefoot?
• Also, my dear Afrikaans while I am talking to you can you please explain the on the mouth kisses to say hello.  The other day I saw a teenage girl kiss her father on the mouth and then while she hugged him around his waist, he patted her on the butt???  Kind of weirded me out.

If you can shed any light on these questions, feel free.  Or if you have any questions for the folks some place you have traveled to I would love to hear.

--Mei