Yebo, friends! That’s Zulu for “hello.” As we have mentioned in our first blog entry, we had the great opportunity to travel on the VSC Mission of Good Hope Trip to Zinkwazi, South Africa last summer. During these three weeks, our “Dream-Team” of 10 Wake Forest students and 2 Winston-Salem State students worked and taught at Bongimfundo Primary School in the desolate township of Zumani. The primary school consists of Zulu children from Kindergarten to 7th grade. The Zulus are one of the largest black ethnicities in the eastern region of South Africa. MOGH made their impact by providing aid to teacher and students, alike. Volunteers did everything from teaching in the classrooms to constructing goalposts for the children’s new soccer field. So, collegiettes™, we talked to former and current MOGH participants to get the scoop on this African adventure…
Freshman Jen Koniuk puts it simply, “When I heard about an international service trip in Africa, I couldn’t imagine anything better!” Most MOGH volunteers agree that they were attracted to the allure of helping impoverished children, while exploring land overseas. Sophomore India Prather saw the trip as a good opportunity to serve while traveling. Prather says, “For me it was like two-in-one, helping students while being abroad at the same time.” For sophomore McKenna Begin, this trip offered the great opportunity to connect the world. Begin says, “I am a huge believer in the importance of global community.”
And talking to the 2010 participants, we were able to see how these students stepped out of the Wake bubble and went global. Junior Jarrett Stephens sums up his feelings on the trip: “It was simply amazing. From the school, to the beach, safari, and soccer stadiums, I definitely enjoyed myself”. Senior Lana Williams agrees, “It was an eye-opening and completely rewarding experience in one of the most beautiful places in the world.” Sophomore India Prather’s, favorite memory was teaching her class of 4th and 5th grade students the planets of the solar system. Prather remembers, “I received the greatest feeling of pride, joy, and triumph when the following day, Lana, Jarrett and I quizzed them and all of their hands shot up in the air because every single student (a class of 40) remembered.”
And the trip not only provided memories and many scrapbook photos, but more importantly, impacted the MOGH participants’ lives at Wake today. For senior Lana Williams the trip solidified her future career plans. Williams says, “I knew I had always wanted to spend my life serving others in some way or another, and this trip helped me to see that I want to work to empower less-fortunate children and help them better themselves in some way or another.” For junior Alan Blount the trip to South Africa has helped him to understand that life isn’t all about the books. Blount says, “It always comes back to my mind when I’m here at Wake. It helps keep school in perspective.” When asked about the trip’s impact, India Prather said, “Impacted is an understatement – the children have taught me to appreciate the simple things like smiles and nice gestures!” Blount agrees: “It was definitely the most powerful trip of my life, just seeing how happy those kids were when they literally had one pair of clothes and ate sugar cane all day. It was a blessing for which I am so happy I got to experience.”
The current MOGH 2011 Team hopes to experience the same impact at Bongimfundo. Junior Brantynn Washington knows he will leave South Africa feeling changed. “But more importantly, I hope I can also change the lives of those children for the better,” he said.
Collegiettes™, if the idea of an international service trip appeals to you, please take the time to peruse the VSC International Trip website. As past participants ourselves, we can assure you- your life will never be the same!