Sunday, 28 April 2013

Afrika Tikkun Reflection Thursday, 25 April 2013


Afrika Tikkun Reflection

            On Thursday, 25 April 2013 I worked with two 1st graders at the community center. The two boys needed help with math and counting. Also, they needed assistance on how to write numbers. I went through two worksheets with them and helped them complete their homework. I hope to work with them again this Thursday and see their improvement in this subject. 

Wednesday, 17 April 2013

Interview Reflection


Interview Reflection

            The girl I chose to interview, Lucy, I had worked with her several times at Afrika Tikkun So, this was interesting to be on the more personal side than to be on the teaching side. Lucy and her three other friends appeared to be typical 12 to 15 year old girls: giddy, playful, and inquisitive. Throughout my interview, I could tell by Lucy’s body expressions that she was a bit sensitive and cautious with her replies. Understanding that she lives in a township, she is living a completely different life than me. So, I was careful with the questions I asked to be empathetic towards her living conditions. I kept my question pretty general such as school, friends, chores, and siblings. Things that I could relate to were that she attends school just like I do, she had lots of friends, and that she was family orientated. On the other hand, the things that she did for fun were completely different from mine. She plays outside, buy ice pops, and play games at church. I go to the movies, the mall, and play temple run on my iPhone. I enjoyed very much speaking with her and being able to see her perspective of life in a township, with which it has its own simple yet complex ways. I appreciated Lucy’s lighthearted and carefree spirit. It was wonderful to see the harmony between her and her friends, and seeing the deeper side of life of a girl living in a township. I also, throughout the interview tried to make her feel as comfortable as possible by sharing my own personal daily life. I look forward return every Thursday to Afrika Tikkun to continue to work with Lucy and the other children in hopes that I’m making a difference. 

Sunday, 14 April 2013


Diepsloot

A new day…
unpromising…
An overcrowded township with
eroded roads, compact shacks
poverty seeps from each crack.

Diepsloot…
unkept environment an arid place
full of life, markets, barber shops.
It’s the social place, laced with
drugs, alcohol, and social ills,
car washes, fast food, and many bills.

Diepsloot…
A small ghetto
unemployment a pressing issue
teen pregnancy
hustling trader and children
play in the streets.

Diepsloot…
The sounds of riots,
Langages such as Sepedi, Zulu,
and Sotho can’t be quieted.
Young and old hear the sounds
of the jukebox reverberate.
Beer halls fester, crime rate alarming,
This is what is harming the slums of Diepsloot.

Litter is dumped in open spaces.
HIV and AIDS they have many cases
poverty strickened households and
little economic growth
This is what is dominated in
the slums of Diepsloot.

A new day…
Unpromising…

By Enya

Interview with Lucy a 12 year old girl living in Diepsloot


INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDENT:

·      Hi! My name is Enya. I am from the American International School of Johannesburg. I volunteer here every Thursday to help students like you.

·      This week my school and I will be speaking with a few students like you to get to know you a little bit better. And talk about the differences between African students and International students.


·      Such as: school work, family life, sisters and brothers, pets, likes/dislikes, etc.


INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:


Enya the Interviewer - Would you like to help me with my work?

Lucy – “Yes” (with a few giggles).

Enya – Lucy, what school do you go to?

Lucy – “Diepsloot West Secondary School.”

Enya – Do you have a lot of friends?

Lucy – “Yes, all these girls are my friends.” (She had three other girls with her in the picture. Left to Right: Cordetta, Maragaret O., and Helen) “But I have lots more at school.”

Enya – Do you like school?

Lucy – “Sometimes, when they don’t give a lot of work.”

Enya the Interviewer - Shares with the student about attending AISJ and that I come from America. I have many in friends back in America and here. I am enjoying South Africa

Enya – Where do you live?

Lucy – “I live in Diepsloot but I was born in Limpopo. I live near the Church not far away.”

Enya – What do you have to help with at home?

Lucy – “My sisters and baby brother. I must look after them so; my baby brother doesn’t get hurt. Not much cleaning, my mom does the laundry. Sometimes I must make milk for my baby brother.”

Enya – What do you do for fun?

Lucy – She smiles very big and giggles. She replies, “Most of the time we play outside with my friends. We run to the store to buy ice pops. And play games at our Church.”

Enya the Interviewer – Shares with the student about living in Johannesburg, cleaning my cat’s litter box, and my free time is a lot of schoolwork.

Enya – Tell me about your mom and dad.

Lucy – “My dad cuts the hair at the barber shop. My mom doesn’t work; she is busy with my sisters and baby brother. They make big messes.”

Enya – I would love to know about your sisters and brothers.

Lucy – “I have two sisters, one brother. All younger than me. I forget ages. My two sisters names are Lesie and Princess. And my brother is Freddy. And my brother I think is two.” (Giggle, giggle)

Enya – Are you close to your Grandma and Grandpa? And do you have Aunts and Uncles?

Lucy – “My Grandparents live in Limpopo. They are very old. I don’t see them much. The taxi ride long way. I have one uncle that lives in Diepsloot. He works at the car wash. His name is Nelson.”

Enya – Do you have any pets?

Lucy – “No. But I would like to have dog. My mom says we don’t have room. She says a dog is too much trouble.”

Enya the Interviewer – Shares with the student about her family. I’m the only child. I have two dogs and a cat. All my relatives are back in America.

Enya – What is your native language?

Lucy – “Zulu.”

Enya – What is your name in your native language?

Lucy – “Aaylah.”
Enya – How would you say “Hello” in your native language?

Lucy – “Sawubona is hello.”

Enya – In your native language, how would you say “Mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grandma, grandpa, sister, and brother?”

Lucy – “Umama is what I call my mom. Ubaba is what I call my papa. Usisi and ubhuti are my sisters and brother. Can’t remember the other ones.

Enya – How would you say “Goodbye” in your native language?

Lucy – “Hamba kahle!”

Enya the Interviewer – Shares some of my Italian language with the student. (mama, papa, zia, zio, nonna, nonno, sorella, fratello, and ciao).

CONCLUSION:

·      Thank you so much for sharing your life with me.
·      I’ll see you next week. We’ll work on reading.
·      Bye. Ciao.