Leaving straight from the University of
Cape Town after class on Thursday we headed to Ocean View for our homestay this
past weekend. Upon arrival we talked with the coordinator of the homestay for a
few moments before we went to our host family’s homes with our roommate. That
night we talked and got to know one another before having dinner and then
leaving for ballroom dancing with some of the youth from the community. At
first I was very reluctant to participate because I do not dance, but the instructor
made it his personal mission to make sure I gave it a try and enjoyed myself.
Although I was nervous and sweaty through most of the experience I am glad that
he pushed me to dance and taught me a few dances. Also just being there and
seeing the passion everyone had and how helpful they were was awesome. These
young men and women could have been doing anything else with their Thursday
night and decided to take part in learning ballroom dance, which is amazing
because people back home would think ballroom dancing is uncool.
On Friday we took the children from a
community crèche to the Muizenberg pool and spent the day there. This was super
fun because we got to see the kids enjoy the day swimming and playing with one
another, along with interacting with us and having fun. After the children went
back to Ocean View we took a walk to Kalk Bay and had a chance to explore
before we returned ourselves. Upon arrival we were able to hang out with our
host family and have dinner together, and watch a movie with them before we
went to sleep. The following day we got up early and went to the club house of
the biker club that our host parents were part of and made sandwiches that we
distributed to the children and some adults of an informal settlement. Helping make
and hand out the food was very sad for me because there were so many young
children and eventually we ran out and had to turn people away. However despite
this the people were telling me about what they do for the community and the
big party they throw for them in December. Which includes giving them food and
toys and other items that they need. I thought this was great because usually
when you think of a biker club you don’t think of them helping a community like
this and doing things out of the kindness of their hearts.
For the rest of the day our host
parents drove us all around introducing us to their daughters and other family
members and showing us new places that we have not been before. We ended up at
one of their friends’ homes where we had a braai and had conversations about
religion and politics. Which was very interesting because they had no qualms
about asking us personal questions. While back home these topics would be
avoided in order to not start conflict or offend someone. I thought it was
great because it showed that they wanted to get to know us more and were
interested in what we thought. Also pushing through my own discomfort allowed
me to express my thoughts, which will help when I am asked these questions
again in the future. In all this homestay experience was very educational and I
had a fun time learning about my family and being able to live with them for a
little while. I’m glad we had the chance to meet and now when I return in the
future I will have a place to stay and more friends that I can stay in contact
with.
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