EIL Intercultural Learning

I haven’t been very good for posting blogs. Lynda’s are so informative and interesting I sit back and let her do all the work!  I have learned so much from her over the past few months and I am so grateful to EIL for being paired with such a passionate and knowledgeable travel partner.

On September 18, 2009 The Roscommon People covered Ciara Cunningham's story in the article The sad plight of an AIDS orphan. Ciara is one of the winners of EIL Travel Awards 2009. She have travelled to South Africa for nine weeks as part of EIL’s Global Awareness Programme, to volunteer with people living with HIV and AIDS.

Cape Town Diary

by Ciara Cunningham

I’m not a twin so I don’t know the connection they share. However, I am a sister and if it is anything like the relationship between siblings, then it is a very special bond. This is what makes Toban’s* situation so unfortunate.

In Africa there are 13 million AIDS orphans. "A generation of human beings who have never known a mother's loving cuddle or a father's guiding hand. These children will learn life skills in institutions rather than imbibe them from their parents." Richard Dowden - AFRICA: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles.  

I will never understand how it feels for a child to be abandoned by his family, not knowing when he will see a familiar face again, if ever.   

On August 14, 2009 The Roscommon People covered Ciara Cunningham's story in the article Roscommon, Cape Town and a boy called Chkwan . Ciara is one of the winners of EIL Travel Awards 2009. She have travelled to South Africa for nine weeks as part of EIL’s Global Awareness Programme, to volunteer with people living with HIV and AIDS.

Greetings from Cape Town!
 
Having a great time here so far. We spent our first weekend on orientation with ten other volunteers from all over the world. We had a fun filled week of sight seeing around the city, wine tasting, exploring the prison cell of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, touring local townships and tasting their homemade beer in their local shebeens, so it has been busy and fun!