At this point in the trip, we are on the tail end. We have made it through our hump (days 7-10) and are now in the homestretch. For those of you who have been on extended travel trips, you know what happens in the middle. Some are tired. Others are easily frustrated. Many begin to feel homesick. Folks no longer want to be bothered or see each other for 24 hours a day. All of these feelings are somewhat normal, yet our EME LearnServe South Africa team has persevered and is still standing! In fact, we have been able to double down and produce some of the most meaningful service work to date, with the people at the Homestead Project.
Part of our LearnServe South Africa mission is to create sustainable social change within local communities. As a testament to the mission, our Eastern Men of Excellence have been preparing for months for this service learning trip to South Africa. We have read books, researched topics and explored common themes about South Africa and the United States. We also made a commitment for each student to fundraise (online and by word of mouth) to support local initiatives that we would work with while in South Africa: City Year South Africa and the Homestead Project. I am pleased to report that our EME students have collectively raised approximately $2100 to fund community based projects in JoBurg and Cape Town South Africa!!! Special Shout Out to our top fundraiser, Zac, and his family, as well as each of our supporters who invested in our vision and our project!
But, we didn’t come to South Africa simply to give money to local initiatives. We came to learn AND to serve. While our work with the Homestead Project began during our hump days of the trip and continued thereafter, I am so proud of our students for digging deep and producing some of the best service project work that I have ever witnessed!
Our Homestead Project work has been at two locations:
- The Launch Pad, which focuses on providing transitional housing opportunities from group homes to independent living for teenagers and young adults ages 17-22.
- The Child & Youth Care Center (CYCC), which focuses on younger children below the age of 17 who have been abandoned and may be suffering from exposure to street violence (“gangsterism” as it is called in SA). CYCC prepares young boys for more independent living and possible transition to the older Launch Pad facility.
- I hate not having enough mentors in my community.
- I hate the unequal distribution of wealth.
- I do not like the smoking of cigarettes around children.
- Sexual assault.
- Sex education (parents don’t even talk to kids about sex).
- Students unable to study because they can’t afford to (access to higher education).
- Create a DC Kings and Queens program to teach self love and empowerment.
- more emphasis on black history in schools.
- reduce the price of higher education.
Law Programs Teacher
Eastern High School