The STEP project I took part in was a Buck-I-SERV trip to Cape Town South Africa. During our two weeks there we worked in the Sakhulwazi Womens Hub. Each day we started by assisting in the Educare Programs in the community. This involved working with preschool aged children on whatever tasks the teachers needed help with. The second half of the day we worked in a garden that gives back to the community.
This project was incredibly life changing. It helped me to better understand how I work in a group and as an individual. While in South Africa we had a team of 8 students, 2 student leaders, and 2 advisors. This trip helped me to better understand how sometimes you need to step back and let others lead. Everyone on our trip had various strengths and weaknesses, it was important to know when to step up but also when to let others stand out and do their best work. This trip also allowed me to better understand how I best work within a group. Team reflections and group discussions allowed me to listen and grow from each person’s different life experiences and perspectives.
This project also changed how I view the world. Volunteering abroad made me realize how different the United States is from South Africa but also how similar it is. People often have negative prejudices about Africa and what it is like. However, this trip allowed me to see the parallels between the United States and this nation. Systematic issues that exist there, such as gentrification, also exist here but are just hidden or covered up differently in the United States.
One aspect that led to this transformation was our group and the team activities throughout the week. Getting to know a diverse group of peers allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and grow as an individual. Also having the immense knowledge of our 2 leaders and 2 advisors was extremely beneficial. Their diverse viewpoints and knowledge of social justice issues allowed me to be challenged in my views and supported in forming my own opinions.
Another aspect that helped with my transformation was the work in the garden alongside women in the hub. Seeing the amount of work, first hand, that it takes to plant, grow, and nourish a single vegetable made me appreciate the life I have at home. The hardwork and determination that these women showed me during my two weeks there helped me to reflect on my own work ethic and priorities. It also allowed me to understand more about waste and how throwing away food in the United States is normalized.
The last aspect that helped with my transformation was the four educational lessons we had throughout the two weeks in South Africa. They were about the languages, singing in a choir, the HIV crisis, and a history lesson. Becoming educated on these different topics allowed my cultural understanding of the country to grow. I feel this made me grow as a person because I know understand a culture that I very different from my own and what it is like to live in a very different country. Living and working in a community based culture is very different from the individualistic culture we have in the United States. This helped me to work with my group and draw parallels between the two nations. The history lesson about the Apartheid and the HIV crisis lessons were very eye opening and moving. They allowed me to learn more about the oppression of people in South Africa and inspired me to want to help stop these issues as they still exist in todays society.
This experience was beneficial to me personally and academically/professionally. Personally, it allowed me to grow and appreciate aspects of my life at home. This experience inspires me to want to volunteer more domestically and also internationally, again. I hope the discussions and service I did over seas does not stop once I return home. I am certain that I will continue to stay involved with projects I am passionate about.
Academically and professionally this trip allowed me to grow. Working in a diverse group is something that will be life long. This trip was great exposure to this idea and practicing the skills that are needed for it. The trip also allowed me to be exposed to various social justice issues that involve race, gender, and class. I am not sure what my end goal for a career is. However, I know I want a helping career and this trip allowed me to see which issues I am most impacted by and hope to help fight in the future. This trip was more than I hoped it would be and extremely beneficial for me. I know that my views, opinions, and life will not be the same.
