Our safari's lie ahead, but first we dip our toes in the waters of the Indian Ocean outside of Durban, SA.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Indian Ocean
Our safari's lie ahead, but first we dip our toes in the waters of the Indian Ocean outside of Durban, SA.
Our Stay in Eshowe
Our stay in the town of Eshowe provided us the opportunity to meet some amazing individuals. Michael, the engineer who scouts out future school locations and Lingia who works with the communities in which the schools are built. Michael started the 1st grade when he was 15 years old. He graduated highschool at age 26. Today he has an engineering degree and he is the proud father of 2. 
The Chennels, Jane and Jonathan who run a beautiful guest house and who are involved with ECAG. Mark Chennel who owns 20 rhino, grows grapefruit for export to Japan, bottles his own wine and lives on the top of the hill in an old church, his living room is the sanctuary, also involved with ECAG.
Thank you for making us feel so welcome!
Good-Bye Schools!
Over the course of 3 days we distributed over 400 toothbrushes to the learners. Here is a group waving their brushes and saying "CHEESE!"
Good-bye schools!
More Photos from School Visits
I just can't help but share all the 
wonderful photos that I took while visiting the learners (the term for students in South Africa). Teachers had been on strike for the last 3 weeks in South Africa prior to our visit and it wasn't until our last day that school was back in session and the strike was over. Even with the strike learners came to school to see us and shared some of their cultural dances with us.
wonderful photos that I took while visiting the learners (the term for students in South Africa). Teachers had been on strike for the last 3 weeks in South Africa prior to our visit and it wasn't until our last day that school was back in session and the strike was over. Even with the strike learners came to school to see us and shared some of their cultural dances with us.
Here is a clip of me on youtube introducing the learners to my family! Sorry Winnie, you're a brown dog!
Inside the Schools of KwaZulu-Natal
It just warms my heart to know that in a small way I have helped contribute to the lives of these school children through my trip to Africa. Their smiles, laughter, hospitality and the generosity of sharing their Zulu culture with us will forever be imprinted in my heart. It was these 3 days of visiting schools that made the trip unforgettable.
Africa Classroom Connection
The non-profit organization that I traveled with for this trip was Africa Classroom Connection (formerly known as Eshowe Community Action Group USA). The president and chair is Henry Bromelkamp who also was our fearless leader on our journeys through Malawi and South Africa.
Africa Classroom Connection holds a vision that every child in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa should have the opportunity for an excellent education. The mission is to provide resources to help build and improve schools in KwaZulu Natal. They work to get buildings built, help kids stay in school, and facilitate cultural exchanges/overseas travel.
Henry also sits on the board of directors as president for Books for Africa, a worldwide organization which was founded to end the book famine in Africa and help create a culture of literacy and provide the tools of empowerment to the next generation of parents, teachers, and leaders in Africa. You may have heard Oprah mention this group in the past.
More information can be found on Africa Classroom Connections website: http://africaclassroomconnection.org/
And also on Books for Africa's website:
http://www.booksforafrica.org/
My donation as part of my trip will help build a school like the one seen here.
Africa Classroom Connection holds a vision that every child in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa should have the opportunity for an excellent education. The mission is to provide resources to help build and improve schools in KwaZulu Natal. They work to get buildings built, help kids stay in school, and facilitate cultural exchanges/overseas travel.
Henry also sits on the board of directors as president for Books for Africa, a worldwide organization which was founded to end the book famine in Africa and help create a culture of literacy and provide the tools of empowerment to the next generation of parents, teachers, and leaders in Africa. You may have heard Oprah mention this group in the past.
More information can be found on Africa Classroom Connections website: http://africaclassroomconnection.org/
And also on Books for Africa's website:
http://www.booksforafrica.org/
My donation as part of my trip will help build a school like the one seen here.
Shanty Towns in Soweto
Shanty's are illegal because the occupants do not own the land. Shanty's have a tendency to crop up near migrant worker hostels. Women will set them up looking for husbands or to close to their husband since families are not allowed to live in the migrant
hostels 
in most cases. 
hostels 
in most cases. 
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