EIL Intercultural Learning

Chantelle Wallace, an EIL travel award winner went to South Africa in 2007, she's written to us with an account of her experience.

It all started on a wet dreary day in college. I was just checking my college e-mail account and I saw an e-mail about traveling abroad for the summer. It was for students who had not traveled abroad before and offered the chance to travel away for the summer to do volunteer work. It sounded interesting so I filled out an application form, sent it off and promptly forgot about it, thinking that would never be that lucky! Weeks passed and then I got a letter saying that I was on the shortlist for a travel award. To say I was shocked is an understatement. I had to go to Dublin for an interview and I thought it went well but still didn't think I really stood a chance. A month later whilst studying for my summer exams, my phone rang. It was Kevin, the director of EIL informing me that I was a recipient of a travel award and that I would be spending eight weeks of my summer in South Africa. And with that my incredible adventure began.

My first day in Cape Town is a memory that I will have forever. Leaving the airport, you are struck by the sight of the townships such as Langa and Guguleto. The metal shacks and poverty are right there by the side of the motorway for everyone to see. It really shocked me. I remember thinking; wow people actually do live like this. That may seem silly but we often see such images of poverty in the news and dismiss them but seeing the reality is overwhelming. The hostel where we stayed for our first week was really lovely and I felt at home immediately. The staff in Ashanti are very friendly and helpful whenever we asked where was safe to go and the best methods of transport. The other volunteers were lovely too and I made friends quickly and as we got to know each other it was nice to know that we were all scared as hell! The fear and nerves soon passed. We spent the first week travelling around Cape Town, doing the tourist things. Robben Island, the Cape of Good Hope etc. During the first week the SASTS team do orientation workshops preparing you for what to expect when you go to your host families and projects. This was helpful in ways but speaking from my personal experience, nothing can really prepare you for it. As Karen from EIL had said during our pre departure workshop, try not to have an idea or image of what it will be like because more than likely you will be wrong.

This was certainly true for me. I really didn't know what to expect but the house I saw pulling up on Vredendal Road in Athlone (Yes, Athlone, right there in Cape Town!) It was not what I expected. It looked like a normal house and it had a proper roof etc. To be honest, I had thought I might be living in a shack as well which maybe was naive of me but my relief at seeing my host family's home was enormous!

My family were amazing, I stayed with an elderly lady called Shirley, her mother who we called Ma and their lodger, a young girl called Lana. Ruth (an English volunteer who lived there also) and I got on so well with them! I live with my grandmother back home in Ireland so it was living situation that I was used to! We certainly were a girl power household! Shirley was extremely fun-loving and giggled every Sunday evening as Ruth and I recounted our adventures in Cape Town and elsewhere at the weekends. She was an amazing cook as well and I came home knowing how to make authentic Indian curry from scratch! Shirley and her family really made me feel like part of the family. I was there for two months so while other volunteers came and went I was always pottering about and by the end of it I really felt like one of the Titus clan! This feeling was cemented by a family trip to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and farewell braai (barbeque) that they had for me. Many tears were shed at the airport and I've promised that I will come back and visit as soon as I can afford a plane ticket!

During my time in Cape Town I worked at two projects. The first was Little Children's Nursery School. I was only there for a week because when I arrived the schools were on a mid term break and I started at a local primary school once it reopened. I really enjoyed my time at the creche. The children were so full of fun and spirit that no matter how tired or cross I was they always managed to put a smile on my face. And though the creche was basic in comparison to the ones at home the staff were so thoroughly dedicated to looking after the children that if never seemed as if they were disadvantaged. I even learnt the South African National Anthem while I was there! My friends were thoroughly shocked when we were watching the Rugby World Cup to see me singing along with the Springboks!

The project where I spent the main duration of my trip was Sunnyside Primary School. I loved every minute there, even the days when I wanted to quit and go home.

Working at Sunnyside was a challenge; we were working with a Grade 1 class that consisted of 43 six and seven year olds. The overcrowded class was definitely a major problem as it meant that each child did not get the individual attention that they deserved and needed and it was this problem that me and another Irish volunteer, Sarah set out to try and fix. From the offset we recognised that many of the children had reading difficulties and did not have the basic maths skills that they should have at that age. So with the permission of the parents and the guidance of the principal Ms. Florez (quite simply the most inspiring woman I ever met) we set up an after school remedial programme. The difference in the children after this was incredible! They all improved academically and also in confidence as we showed them that just because they did not understand did not mean they were stupid! It was such a rewarding experience, especially when parents came to thank us for helping their children. It was simply incredible.

During my time there I got to know my pupils and their backgrounds quite well. Several were in foster care, some had parents who were in jail, others just came from one parent families and one particular boy did not even have a home. He lived in a car with his grandfather. But despite this, he was quite easily one of the brightest in the class. These children truly inspired me. They have come from such troubled backgrounds and yet everyday began with a smile, a big hug for teacher and noisy banter with their class mates. It certainly made me think how lucky how I was and that the problems I have are really nothing in comparison to those belonging to the bright and smiling faces that I saw everyday.

Teaching was an incredibly challenging job, certainly frustrating when you just could not convey an idea to the children or when they simply just would not stop talking! But the love and gratitude you get from these children make it all worth while. A memory that will live with me forever is when I got very cross with the class and was just about to crack and Ayesha came up to me with a little drawing and the words ÒI love you teacherÓ written in that childish script that only six year olds have. It brought tears to my eyes and that little picture is stuck up on wall at home now. I know I will treasure it forever.

Athlone, the area where I was living is a ÒcolouredÓ community which while considered a derogatory term in Europe is the official term for people of mixes Asian, Africa or European descent. Before I left Ireland I had not considered my colour and the fact that I may experience racist behaviour and while the majority of people were welcoming and curious about the white girls in the area, a few people did make negative comments about the fact that we Òwe didn't belong thereÓ and in the beginning cars would beep at us but by the end of my stay the beeps were often from parents who recognised us from the school saying hello!

Overall, my experience in South Africa was positive. There were tough times and challenges which made me want to give up but looking back, nearly a month since my return home I realise that overcoming such difficulties are made what this trip such an incredible experience. I relished every moment I was there and I have absolutely no regrets about going there. I feel extremely privileged to have travelled with EIL and hopefully made a difference in the lives of the children's that I encountered during my stay in Cape Town. It wasn't a typical way to spend a summer but I feel it is one of the best things I will ever do in my life.

Chantelle Wallace