Collecting Randomness

Above: Cape Town Waterfront

As promised, here is Day 2 of the Ryan Blogging Spree! Its madness here in blog world, so lets get right to it...

Many of my professors at the Clinton School of Public Service have impressed upon me the idea of outsourcing. So in tribute to Thomas Friedman and all the flat-worlders out there, I am going to borrow from many sources for this update. Contrary to the usual post describing weekend adventures, I would like to use this space to describe some of the random, relevant events going on in South Africa life.

First off, Boots The Cat. Sarah has discovered the true story of Boots, and why she is always daredevil-style jumping into our house. (Boots is currently sleeping under my bed inside of my backpack.) Check out her Boots blog post here: The Story of Boots!

Second, on Monday June 16th, South Africa celebrated Youth Day, a national holiday dedicated to the memory of thousands of students that were killed during peaceful protests for equal education in the apartheid era. My classmate Marquita Little, who is serving at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy outside of Johannesburg, recently sent an update to our students and faculty about Youth Day that I feel summed everything up very well. Here is a snippet of what she wrote:

"Youth Day – June 16, 1976.

In September 2007 we were all there for the historic celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the integration of Central High. Central High was integrated on 1957 and nine brave students changed a nation. They were ridiculed, spit on and shoved, but they marched on. Central High was integrated. Almost 20 years later students in Soweto made the same attempt. In addition to a separate school system for blacks, the decision was made that all instruction would be given in Afrikaans. In the face of an already inadequate education students would now be forced to learn in a language that their ethnic group did not speak. On June 16, 1976 the students of Soweto organized for a peaceful protest. What was intended as a peaceful protest ended with the deaths of thousands of students (the youngest reported to be 8 years old) when the police begin to open fire on them. Many recounted stories of the green car that road around pointing a rifle and randomly firing the gun at groups of students. Two nations. Twenty years apart. One history. One purpose. All in the name of equal education.

Today I learned a lot. I learned more about the horrible impact of apartheid and how its continuing to affect lives even today (which is not surprising since it was not outlawed until 1994). We celebrated Youth Day and discussed the true value of education…an education that many died for today’s youth to have. I also had a wonderful visit with Molly Banks the creator of the documentary Testing Hope that chronicles the lives of South Africans preparing for the matriculation exam. It’s an exam that must be taken after completing grade 12 and the score basically determines what your lot in life will be. The lowest scoring students won’t attend college and will most likely work as laborers. All South African youth take the same exam, but they don’t all get the same education. Many of the schools located in black townships have inadequate facilities, little supplies and no access to technology. These students’ chances of making it are slim to none. Two of the students from the documentary were also present. The both passed and are attending college."

Next up, surgery. Many things happen here in our lovely house on 12 Cambridge Rd. including family dinners, Settlers games, and lots of screaming about shower thievery. A new activity can now be added to this list: minor finger surgery! The other night I successfully removed a deep hangnail from Sarah's finger, armed with a Red Cross first aid kit and the knife we chop vegetables with (sterilized, of course.) There are no pictures, as I didn't allow cameras inside the operating room (bathroom,) but pretty I'm sure it looked exactly like ER...

And finally I'll give you the "Ryan Driving in South Africa Update." As I have mentioned, driving takes place on the left side of the road here. Surprisingly, its pretty easy to drive on the wrong side of the road when no other cars are coming. Usually Sanford and I barter with Heloise to let us drive her car- for an unsupervised drive, all we must do is pass the grocery store and buy her some chocolate. This seems to work out well for all parties involved... Here is a post (and song) from Sanford about our last driving experience: We are Bad Drivers!
* A quick update: since this night, I have also successfully driven on the highway! Still no idea whether or not my California Driver's License will do anything if I'm pulled over...

Back to the usual format with pictures on the next post.
much love,
Ryan