Hello!

A quick update...

I spent last week in my last homestay in Wentworth, a region that was defined by the apartheid regime as being the destination for "coloured" South Africans. While the racial classifications here are quite complex (and largely ambiguous and irrelevant to an outsider), for the purposes of this blog the coloured community consists of people of mixed race--which over time has developed a distinct identity from the other racial groups in South Africa.

During the week I stayed with a woman named Patricia, who is the founder of the Wentworth Organization of Women. "WOW," as it is fondly called, is a community organization which aims to deal with a wide range of social ills that affect this coloured community, including teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, education and sports programs and facilities for children, crime reduction, and general "moral regeneration." I participated in a number of the organization's functions, including conducting surveys in the neighborhood with families in need of affordable early childhood education, providing support to a victim of domestic abuse by attending her trial, and attending a Crime Awareness Day put on by the local Community Policing Forum, with a goal of reducing crime in the area.

Overall I really enjoyed the experience--Wentworth has a much stronger community feel to it. Everywhere we went, we walked--and eveyrone seemed to know eachother! One evening Patricia brought us with her to her parents' 58th anniversary party, which was a family gathering much like something my own family back home would have. Patricia has 11 siblings, so even though only half of the family was present the house was filled with around 30 aunties, uncles, brothers, sisters, moms, dads, and cousins. We played a game called 30 seconds which is much like some of the games that I play with my friends and family (a little like Taboo, or parts of Cranium)! I must admit it made me a bit homesick.

The most difficult part of the homestay was that during the week we had to write out our approximately 20-30 page Independent Study Project Proposal--quite a task! We submitted our proposals on Friday, and only 8 or so people's were approved...I have revised mine and will resubmit it today. Unfortunately I also have an 8-10 page research paper on the evolution of South Africa's immigration policy due tomorrow at 5, along with my Reflective Journal which is still missing 18 entries from earlier in the trip. Basically, I have my work cut out for me! But After Friday I should be all set to relax and get into the swing of my ISP. (If you are interested in seeing my proposal, let me know and I can send it to you.)

On Monday we moved out of this last homestay, and I am finally living in the Windermere! I will take some photos ASAP to show you guys the amazing view from our balcony...it's really quite breathtaking! We're living in the city right on North Beach, just about a 30-second walk to the beach where there are lots of shops, street vendors, and restaurants. I'm living with three roommates; Anna, Emily, and Julia--our next door neighbors are Hiwi and Shauna and just down the hall are the Annies, Halle, and Daryl. We're all a little stressed out with the work load but the end is in sight!

In other news, there is talk about doing a day-trip to Lesotho sometime at the end of the program, and I'm debating going to Cape Town for at least a small portion of my 10 days after it ends. Exciting!!

Thanks for reading--I'll update again soon! Miss you all,

Jenny