Sarah Luke's Weblog

"Jesus be a fence all around me everyday
Jesus I want you to protect me as I travel along the way
I know you can
I know you will
Fight my battle
If I just keep still
Lord be a fence all around me everyday"
- Fred Hammond

I leave for South Africa bright and early tomorrow. I'm excited to go, but a little nervous about switching airports in NYC. I guess that's the price I pay for the student discount :) It will be a colorful experience, I'm sure!

Just made it safely to Durban, and I'm unpacking as I write this... It was a colorful trip, to be sure. But it's apparent to me that God truly has His hand on my life, and He's definitely looking out for me.

I arrived safely and easily to both Chicago and New York. Switching airports in NY was not difficult, and I met a nice couple from DC who rode the shuttle w. me and told me all about Venice. The flight from JFK to Jo'Burg went well. It was long, but I sat next to a really nice South African woman who is earning her PhD in social work at a school in Kentucky. She gave me lots of good travel advice, and offered to send me a list of contacts/ friends of hers in Durban. She was very thoughtful.

After the 17+ hour flight, and a small stopover in Senegal, I arrived in Jo'Burg. It took a very long time to retrieve the luggage and go through customs. I almost missed my connecting flight, but a persistent (and somewhat annoying) porter actually ended up helping me quite a bit. We literally ran through the Jo'burg airport (both w. one luggage in hand... him sprinting ahead and me panting to keep up) -- and I arrived just in time to board my flight to Durban.

I recieved an upgrade for the final flight and sat by a very nice South African man who was returning to Durban from a business trip in NYC. When we arrived in the Durban airport, he made sure that I got my luggage safely, and allowed me to use his phone to call my B&B (who had forgotten to come and pick me up). He patted me on the head and sent me away with 20 rand to purchase a cup of coffee and wait for my ride. He also told me where his business was located in the airport in case I had any problems getting to the B&B. I think I'm going to purchase some thank you cards tomorrow, becuase he really went out of his way to help me.

Now I am settling into the B&B. My room is beautiful, and it overlooks the Durban skyline. Tomorrow we start the day with home cooked breakfast and an early morning walk on the beach... and then grocery shopping.

That's it for me, for now...

G'nite everyone!

A big barbecue -- but much better than anything we have in the states :) I attended my first braii with my B&B hosts Peter and Jean, and their neighbor Johan. Complete with a stir-fry, grilled steaks, and bread -- my stomach is full and content.

They want me to grill hamburgers and hot dogs (to demonstrate a traditional American tailgating party). I secretly suspect that Peter just wants to hear me say "hamburgers and hotdogs" over and over again, because he thinks my accent is funny. I can provide expertise where the beverages are concerned ;) but I'll have to ask my mom how to make hamburger patties... If they wanted someone to demonstrate American cooking, they got the wrong one :P Maybe I can bake some cookies for a dessert -- I actually know how to make those ;)

Off to bed now; tomorrow includes an early morning walk on the beach and my first day of work at the HRC :)

meaning brown on the outside, but white on the inside. Apparently this is because I only speak English (not Zulu, Xhosa, etc) ... should be offended? (joke) :)

Today was my first day at the HRC, and it was wonderful. The organization is run almost completely by interns, so I met some really cool people who are law students/ young attorneys here in KZN (Kwa Zulu Natal). They taught me how to take complaints (via phone and via walk ins), when to refer them to other agencies, when to reject them, and when to pursue them.

The work is difficult. This country has only been independant for 12 years, and the remnants of aparthied remain strong. It has affected both public and private institutions, women, children, racial groups, people with disabilities... This is what makes the work of the HRC so valuable. Some of the stories are so sad: a girl injures her leg at school, but doesn't have enough money for a taxi to take her to the hospital. The school does nothing to aid her, and her mother is forced to carry her to school 5K in a wheelbarrow. The school's inaction infringes on the girl's right to education. Thus, HRC will intervene providing proper medical testing, access to a wheel chair, etc.

One of my co-workers explained to me that the HRC is involved in almost every story or controversy reported in the newspaper. On the one hand, it is overwhelming. On the other hand, it is inspiring.

On a lighter note -- I'm going to learn to take the bus tomorrow. Durban is a big bustling city (2 million + depending on whether one counts the suburbs) -- so public transport here will prove an adventure for sure.

Furthermore, I've learned that South Africans find the American affinity for peanut butter puzzling. Perhaps it's because they don't have Jiff here... Skippy and "Yum Yums" is just not the same.

Finally, traffic lights are not traffic lights here: they're robots. Call one a traffic light, and you're a coconut for sure!

Please pray for those who lost loved ones 5 years ago today. Please pray that God would change the hearts of those who would commit such atrocities. 5 years later... but never forgotten: 9.11.2001.

My co-worker explained when I asked "what's the difference between the Myna buses and the Durban transport buses?" Needless to say, I'll take the fairer smelling Myna :)

We are organizing a roundtable discussion to combat violence in South African schools. One of my coworkers and I have worked on inviting almost 40 different organizations to the program. I think it will be a great way to meet people from different South African NGO's, and I look forward to hearing their thoughts about the best ways to combat youth violence.

I had my first bunny today (a bread bowl of curry, Durban's finest contribution to the wonderful world of food :) And we all ate lunch together in the office. It was fun. We discussed how to best reconcile the preservation of traditional Zulu culture with the HRC's mission to promote and protect human rights. The personalities in the office made the conversation about a serious topic hillarious. I really love working here :)

Well, it's supper time for me. Maybe I'll stay up and watch Oprah tonight :)

No, seriously -- Kisha was right: There are A LOT of soap operas here. My coworkers suggested some to me. Apparently "Generations" is the most popular, but they don't prefer it because it is not very realistic. It's sort of like a South African "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." They prefer another soap, Isidingo, which they say is a more realistic portrayal of South African life becuase it shows people from all the different socio economic classes. So that's the one that I'm watching right now... 6:30 on SABC3.

Today I finally feel like I'm getting settled. I'm comfortable riding the Myna and walking around the CBD (Central Business District). I know where to pick up groceries. I wrote my first memo at work, and completed my part of the preparations for the roundtable. I'm learning so much about South African law, its development, and its implementation. I'm really enjoying myself.

My law school friend who is also in Durban, Amanda, is meeting me for dinner at a Zulu restaurant tonight. It should be nice -- I haven't had a chance to talk with her yet, so I'm excited to hear about what she's been up to :)

I better get ready... (tummy is grumbling already)... :)

I got my first client today! It was a good day.

I'm really tired, so I think I'm going to bed early. I'll try to get up to run tomorrow... 5am is SO early!! ;)

I found my corner store! Everyone needs one, right? And mine is a little Indian shop off of Earl Hague. They have all the little Indian treats a girl could ever want, and frankly -- they don't have much else. Nonetheless, it is a store, and it is on the corner nearest my humble abode: so there you have it -- my corner store. Oh, and they also sell "coke light" which I have grown to appreciate. I'm not really sure WHAT it is... it tastes much better than diet coke (which makes me think that it probably has sugar in it, or something else unhealthy). I think I'll have to ration myself before this becomes an addiction ;)

Today I registered with the U.S. counsulate in Durban, and they gave me the general travel warnings. Apparently noone in the world likes Americans, and therefore we are in danger everywhere. Beware readers: you may think that I am in danger -- but YOU are in danger too!! Unfortunately, the travel warning was much less clear about exactly what type of danger we are all in. Inspite of that, this omnipresent danger seems most serious in the eyes of the State Department, so I'd advise you to take appropriate precautions -- and then write me and let me know what precautions are appropriate :)

Tomorrow the Umich students from Jo'Burg are coming, and we might take them to a rugby game if they are interested. I've never seen a rugby match before, so it should be fun :)

Alright then, enough from me today -- I'm going to retire so I can be up and ready for my run tomorrow.

As we say in Durban, "Cheers!"

Today I went to my first rugby game with the law students working in Jo'Burg and Pretoria and their friend Gary. We had a great time at the game. I didn't really know anything about Rugby, but Gary and Amanda had played before, so they explained it to the rest of us. It was really fun. Afterwards, we all went out for dinner. It was nice to hear how the other interns were enjoying their placements. Amanda and I plan to visit Jo'Burg and Pretoria next weekend. We want to see the aparthied museum and take a tour of Soweto. Hopefully we can find cheap flights, so we won't have to drive ;)

I also went to Musgrave for the first time today. The Musgrave shopping center closely resembles an American shopping mall -- much different from the hustle and bustle of the CBD. Kisha was right: it's like the CBD for rich people. I walked there (which took me about 45 minutes!) and went to the camera store where the salesman sold me a device to allow me to download pictures from my camera's memory card onto the computer :) It works really well! Now I just have to figure out how to upload the pictures onto my computer ;) -- It's taking a long time, and I don't think it's working...

Finally, I spotted a church that appears within walking distance. So, I'm going to venture out there tomorrow morning.

I have to work on my character and fitness application while here (which I just realized this weekend) -- so I think I'm going to start on it now... and then to bed in time to make it to church tomorrow :)

Good night everyone!

I went to church today. It was raining, so one of the B&B employees let me borrow her umbrella. She is so sweet. The church was about a 15 minute walk away. It was a predominately Indian congregation, and they were very friendly. They sing most of the same songs that we sing at church at home. I was surprised at how similar it was. I think I might visit a bunch of different places while I'm here, at least to start. The society is so segregated (kind of like the US) -- so I want to make sure I am exposing myself to all the diversity here. It's easy to just hang around the Indians, because they are the group that has been the most accepting thus far. It's interesting how much race colors one's experience in South Africa. I wonder if those who visit the US have similar experiences?

Next weekend I'm going to Jo'Burg to visit the aparthied museum, Soweto, and Pretoria. It will be nice to see a different city.

Durban's Diwalli festival is October 14&15. Prof. Govender said that he would take me. They have commercials for it on TV -- it looks like it will be lots of fun :)

Other than that, I don't have much else to report! My computer keeps shutting down unexpectedly :( So I'm bringing it to Jo'Burg because apparently they have a mac store there! :) Hopefully I can get it fixed or at least turn it in to the shop over the weekend!

Tomorrow I meet my supervisor at work... wish me luck :)

and she seems very nice. She gave me two new assignments: one involving issues of human rights for people with mental illnesses within the criminal justice system. And the other: a survey of the right to "basic healthcare" in KZN. She said that I would get to tour the hospitals and clinics for that one. I also recieved correspondance from my client, so I'll get to start working on his file as well. Our roundtable discussion on youth violence is on Thursday, so I anticipate this to be a busy week.

Amanda and I found a great price on air tickets to Jo'Burg, so we are flying there this weekend to visit friends and tour Soweto and the aparthied museum. It will be nice to see the capital city -- and I'm glad that we are flying because otherwise it's a 5 hour drive on the left side of the road :P

Tomorrow we'll head to the mall after work: I'd like to purchase a jacket because it's cold in KZN! They said that it really doesn't warm up until end of October, and then it becomes very hot very fast. Right now, it's pretty chilly -- I'm glad that I brought some sweatshirts.

That's all for today. I'm going to head to bed early: slept through my run this morning, so I have to make it up tomorrow ;) G'nite everyone!

is the church that I attended on Sunday. They also meet on Tuesdays, so I think I will call a taxi and head down there this evening. It seemed like a very friendly church, so it might be a nice way to get to know more people in Durban :)

My friend and I are now leading the roundtable discussion this Thursday. We are both a bit aprehensive, because we aren't really sure how it should be led (neither of us has attended a roundtable discussion before). However, it's nice to work on a project with her :) I'm also looking forward to meeting the participants and hearing what people have to say.

I woke up in time to run this morning -- and I'll go to bed early tonight so I can do the same tomorrow. I think it's really the best part of each day -- that first 30 minutes of running... and it doesn't hurt that it's right next to the Indian Ocean ;)

This is so tragic...

http://www.tac.org.za/firemanto.html

How long will it take for Pres. Mbeki to act?

How many must loose their lives?

It's chilly in Durban -- so after work my friend Amanda and I went to the mall and I bought a white denim jacket from woolworths to keep warm. Amanda got a pair of hiking boots, because she's planning a trip to hike up Kilimanjaro!! She's much more ambitious than I am ;)

Tomorrow the HRC is hosting the roundtable discussion on violence in schools. My friend and I are co-chairing the event. I'm excited to see how many stakeholders come. We think there might be a lot of attendees.

I'm heading to bed now, cheers!

To You I give my future
As long as it may last
To You I give my present
To You I give my past

Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine

This is no sacrifice: Here's my life

-- Jason Upton

The roundtable went well today... and it's nice that it's finished. It was a lot of work to put together, so having it completed feels like a big relief! I'm working on typing up a draft of the final report -- my friend and I will compile everything tomorrow and finalize the document to be submitted at close of business.

They gave me two HRC T-shirts at work today :) They are a little big, but they are nice. One of them has all 12 official languages on it!

Tomorrow I leave for Jo'Burg. I'm excited to see the aparthied museum and Soweto. :) I think we'll spend an afternoon in Pretoria as well. Hopefully I'll be able to have my computer fixed by the people at the mac store there. (fingers crossed).

It's back to work for me... g'nite everyone!

was written on the side of the first combie taxi I took in Durban. I usually ride the Mynahs, but wanted to give the mini-bus taxis a try... and the name totally sold me :)

It's been a while since my last entry, because my laptop is currently in Jo'Burg being fixed! Hopefully I'll have it back in a few weeks, and my entries will become more frequent again.

The trip to Jo'Burg went well. Monday was a public holiday, so Amanda and I spent the weekend in Jo'Burg visiting the interns there, as well as some South African friends. We went to the aparthied museum, and also toured Soweto. It was a very difficult weekend, actually.

When we entered into Soweto, we stopped at a grocery store to buy some bottled water etc. About 15 small chidren surrounded us and started singing, with their hands folded, batting their little doe eyes. Some of them didn't have shoes. They told us that if we gave them a little money, they would all share it -- but when we gave them money, they fought eachother for it. The ones that didn't get any followed us the rest of the tour. I cried.

June 16 is an important day in South Africa, not because it's my birthday, but because it marks the beginning of the youth activism against aparthied that started in Soweto. Both in Soweto and in the aparthied museum, I saw pictures of police beating children, releasing tear gas, and treating black people like animals. All this happened in 1976, only 30 years ago.

Today many of the black South Africans I meet are scared of dogs, because the white people here train their dogs to attack black people. They aren't ashamed of it either. They think it's fine... and that burns me... There's something wrong with a society that condones such behavior; where white people believe that their racist actions are justified and such behavior is socially acceptable in order to protect their wealth (weath that is a direct result of aparthied).

I'm back at work now, and am realizing more and more the importance of the commission and how amazing the changes the government has implemented really are. I talked to one of my coworkers about the trip to Jo'Burg, and he told me, "We lived through that, and it's better now. So, it's not time to be sad anymore." I'm trying to take that advice. It's time to move forward. South Africa is a country full of hope; perhaps it is an example for the rest of the world. It's time to move forward and make things better.

Cheers.