First look inside the Township

Yesterday we finally saw a more realistic picture of South Africa. It was the first time that we got out of the Rhodes University bubble and saw real people that are dealing with the real issues. Three of the students in our GPact class are from the 'township' area so they acted as our tourguides. We definitely stood out as our large and quite ostentasous bus drove around the community. At one point the boys went off to learn about the bush and circumsion school while the girls were left on the bus. These adorable little children came out and started waving and dancing. We got off the bus and started playing with them. Despite the language barrier, we connected with these children and had a little dance party. They were very excited by our cameras and posed for pictures with us. They got a kick out of seeing the picture immediately after on the digital camera! Everyone in the township was so welcoming and friendly-

The first place we visited was an NGO called Ragen's Road. This community center consists of a few different projects for the locals including a computer lab, a jewelry making and sewing group for the elderly women, a library (in the process of being built) and a place for students to eat before/after school (also in the process of being completed if i remember correctly) The CDP (community dev. practitioner) was lovely. She gave us some pointers--Be patient. Don't give up. Don't try to solve every problem at once. And some more motivational guidence for us as we start our own projects. My group is going back tomorrow to meet with her and see how we can partner with Ragen's Road to spread financial literacy to the local township people.

Next we drove to Makana Meadery, right here in Grahamstown. Makana iQhilika Meadery is an equitable, empowerment driven company. It is more than 50% owned and funded by previously disadvantaged individuals and is as such an Affirmative Business Enterprise. Dr. Garth Cambray is the definition of a social entrepreneur. He is the most brilliant man--He spoke on the global problem of the dying population of bees which directly relates to the global food crisis. While we think of bees as pestering stinging insects, they are infinitely valuable and necessary to our daily life. Dr. Cambray trains people as beekeepers, creating job opportunities for many of Grahamstown's people. The other side of the facility is used for biodesiel research and development. He has created a fuel based on animal fat- which I must say has the most horrible odor. He spoke on the power of publicity and using media to your advantage. Through networking he has acquired recycled materials that are used in the Meadery. The South African government will soon be investing in Dr. Cambrays facility, using it to pilot a program on biodesiel solutions which will power 40% of the Eastern Cape. I don't remember all of the details but I was enthralled by this man's genious and ability to break down an issue and create good for the community. Grahamstown is a town full of so much potential, and it is a wonderful thing for the town to have a man like Dr. Cambray working for it.

After our day in the township, AK invited some of the group to her digs (thier word for apartment) for a traditional SA supper. About 15 of us took her up on the offer and we brought along a few boxes of wine. Needless to say by around 7pm we were quite inebriated and ready to go out. After some people got out of a dance show, everyone met up at the SSS sports bar. Global Pact clearly brought the party! Very very fun night that of course, ended at Munchies for some late night grub.

Today was our first 'free day', which we now know means time to work on our groupwork. My group had a successful meeting over breakfast at the Madhatter. After eating Mike and I worked on the issue breakdown while Shazz Courtney and Lauren worked on the action research. My plan now is to walk around the festival Village Green for a few hours and then we are meeting back up around 5:30 to run through our presentation. Busy busy, but still absolutely loving this trip.