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| Alice & Sydney on the Human Rights Weekend |
Last weekend we all went to Goedgedacht
Olive Farm for a Human Rights Training Weekend with others from across Africa. Before
leaving for this trip we were not told what we would be doing or what to be
expected. However as the weekend went on I realized it was a good thing because
I did not have any expectations for the weekend and was open to the different
activities. This was great because I was able to meet incredible people and
learn a lot about human rights and the issues other countries face. Along with
this I was able to talk to people who had different points of views on topics
like marriage, women and the role they play and more. However one of the
activities that really stuck with me was when we had to fill out a form seeking
asylum. The first four questions we were able to figure out because they were
in Spanish but the other questions we could not read because they were in a
language no one could read. This activity stuck with me because even though we
could not understand the form we still tried to fill it out and continued to
approach the “officials” with it. This showed me how difficult it is for people
who are coming into a different country and don’t know the language. It showed
me how powerless they must feel and showed how we need to change the system so
that people will be able to get the help they need.
Then this weekend I was able to get to know
some of my housemates a little better and have a relaxing few days. With only
five people, including myself, left in the house while the others went on the
Garden Route and not having anything planned we were able to explore. I was
able to go out with a new friend I met and just talk and get to know him and
Cape Town better. Also me and a few of my housemates went to Kirstenbosch
Botanical Gardens and were able to walk in the tree canopy. This was an awesome
experience because we got the opportunity to explore and enjoy nature and talk
for a few hours. Also while there we went to a restaurant called Moyo. This was
cool because while we were waiting for our food a lady came to our table and
painted our faces. In all I couldn’t have asked for a more educational and
relaxing two weekends. Hopefully when others visit Cape Town they will be able
to experience some of these things and get to spend time enjoying nature and
the amazing people in Cape Town.
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Sydney, Mary, Elizabeth, and Alex L on the Tree WalkWay in Kirstenbosch Gardens |
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