JOMUN XII Article "All About Johannesburg" by Enya Calibuso

“All About Johannesburg”

If you happen to have the opportunity to visit a couple places while in Johannesburg, South Africa and manage to pull yourself away from the heated debating occurring in JOMUN XII here’s a few recommendations:

1.     Gold Reef City

This historical amusement park is designed for the thrill seekers, adrenaline junkies, and those who are still young at heart. There are an abundance of different activities you can indulge in including: thrill rides, theater plays, restaurants and cafes, and an interactive gold-mine that was once full-functioning. In addition, traditional african dancing to the beat of drums can be seen roaming through the boulevards.

2.     Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuaries

Nestled among the gorges of the Magliasberg mountain range lies a sanctuary committed to providing abused and orphaned monkeys the freedom of a natural environment. A guided walking tour through the indigenous forest on wooden walkways can be booked to view many exotic monkeys and african birds. If you have a chance stop by the curio shop, as all funds go to supporting the sanctuary. 

3.     The Lion Park

The Lion Park is currently Gauteng’s number 1 tourist destination. Whether you choose a self-driving tour or a guided tour up close views of the prides of lions and other african wildlife are guarnateed. A walk with a real live cheetah and an experienced trainer as well as an exclusive tour with the world renowned animal behaviorist, Alex Larenty are fascinating experiences. Just don’t forget your camera!

4.     The Cradle of Humankind

The worlds richest hominin site is located just outside Johannesburg. It is believed to be the home to the evolution and dispersal of Homo sapiens. An interactive museum provides an education experience on where we all began. Balloon safaris, stargazing, and wild cave adventures are all offered in Maropeng. Also, the Sterkfontein caves are nearby, ready to capture the views in the simple beauty of a subterranian cathedral of stalegtites and stalegmites.

5.     Lesedi Cultural Village

A traditional african cultural show, of dancing and singing, in a Boma provides the ultimate experience while visiting the Ndebele Village. Tourists will be guided through five types of traditioal South African tribal houses, in which you can spend the night. Abseiling, game drives, river rafting, hot air ballooning, and horse back riding are all attractions that are offered during your stay. 

6.     Nelson Mandela Square

Nelson Mandela Square is located just outside Sandton City Mall. The square is alive with a vibrant atmosphere with multiple dining options ranging from Italian to Thai. It’s a great place to meet up with friends and family and have some good conversation and decadent food. Of course, remember to take a group picture with the famous 6-meter statue of Nelson Mandela.

7.     Montecasino

Montecasino offers limitless attractions; including: exclusive international and national plays at the teatro, fine dining, movie theater, bird gardens, bowling, and the hyundai balloon. Montecasino is modelled after a picturesque Italian villa set in an eternal blue sky with cobblestone pathways. It is known as Gauteng’s premier entertainment destination, as it suits both the young and old alike.

8.     Aerial Cableway Harbeespoort

Harties Cableway is known for its scenic views of both the Harbeespoort Dam, as well as the Joburg cityscape. An educational stroll along the 1km Dassie loop provides a small background of Johannesburg’s beginnning. Restful picnics in the clean mountain air provides a nice gettaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The Little Shop at the Top is an ideal place to purchase gifts.

9.     The African Craft Market of Rosebank

This shopping destination contains exotic african artifacts from all around the African continent including: South Africa, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Congo, the Ivory Coast, and more. It offers an eclectic blend of fabric, clothing, jewelry, carvings, beadworks, ceramics, and almost anything else you could think of! While your there, get a taste of some true african cuising at the multitude of vendors and stalls. This is a must-see while visiting South Africa.

10.  Orlando Towers and Soweto Township

The Orlando Towers is one of the most distinctive landmarks in Soweto. Bungee jumping off the Orlando Towers is the most exciting way to see South Africa’s most famous township. Soweto is the largest township and holds many historical sites from the Apartheid Era – the house of Nelson Mandela. A township tour can be arranged for a two hour walk, a day, or even to spend the night.

JOMUN XII Reflection 9 - 16 - 14

JOMUN XII Reflection 9 – 16 – 14

            On Tuesday, September 16, 2014 JOMUN XII Press Team met afterschool in the Teaching and Learning 1 center. We continued to write up articles to use for the upcoming conference. I focused on “How To JOMUN” which consisted of methods of note taking and lobbying for the delegates to prepare for the conference; and “All About Johannesburg” sites and travel for the visiting schools. Some of the recommended places to explore were: gold reef city, an amusement park; rose bank market, a colorful cultural arts and crafts market; and the lion park, where the visitors’ can have hands on interaction with the lions and take part in the safari.

In addition, Raquel Wilson and I worked collaboratively to edit and revise the JOMUN XII Conference Guide and Booklet. I, as part of the press team, edited page 11 on “JOMUN XII Forum Room Allocation,” to direct the participating delegates to their appropriate committee room. In addition, I steadily revised page 14 “JOMUN XII Officers” to include the correct presidents and deputy chairs to each committee room. Then, the Press team transferred the revised JOMUN XII Conference Guide and Booklet to Ms. Slattery. She then organized to have it printed. From there, Secretariat would distribute them to all participating delegates on Thursday, September 25, 2014.

Furthermore, I created a list of nearby South African schools with both their email addresses and telephone numbers to forward to Secretariat to contact and invite to the JOMUN XII Conference.

My observation during the preparation for JOMUN XII Conference as a whole was a well-organized team of students with a passion for international relationships. They were driven and hard working with a mission for success. With this being my second year of participating in Model United Nations, I came forth with more knowledge and expertise and I could definitely see improvement and confidence in all of the involved students. One particular learning moment that I particularly experienced during this conference was how important preparing several related articles before the conference saved time and was very productive. I openly accepted opportunities and challenges that directly affected the Press Team. My actions and attitudes were positive, productive, and organized, which reflected on the team as a whole. As far as my own limitations, I don’t feel I had any since I’ve had prior experience in Johannesburg Model United Nations.

My learning experience from JOMUN XI can be applied to JOMUN XII as it keeps in consistency with the ethical obligation to observe implications in Africa to finding solutions to 21^st century challenges. Moreover, this engages me in issues of global importance that I can relate to through living in South Africa and personally eye witnessing many disparities and challenges. New knowledge that I’ve learned throughout the conference is that Africa is a mineral rich continent yet ridden with despair. Simply the profits are not put back into African countries. Which leads to multiple other problems such as: the rights of prisoners, a technological divide, and the freedom of information. Changes that could have been made are recruiting more press members. While the press team was discussing ideas a bit of conflict arose, but was transfigured into constructive criticism. My future goal is to travel abroad to work with exotic animals. My commitment and perseverance to international relations will enhance my character and communication skills with people from all over the world.

JOMUN XII Reflection 9 - 2 - 14

JOMUN XII Reflection 9 – 2 – 14

On Tuesday, September 2, 2014 JOMUN XII Press team met after-school to discuss reformatting and editing the Conference Guide and Booklet. Some of the changes that we saw necessary included: cover artwork, the message from the American International School and Secretary General, Map of the Forum Conference Center, Schedule, Officers, Committee Room Allocations, Participating Schools and Directors, Guidelines for Debate at JOMUN XII, and Sample Resolution with Notes.

My observations regarding specific learning moments was that as a team member I worked diligently at the task at hand showing perseverance despite computer difficulties in reformatting of the Conference Guide and Booklet. I have shown commitment to JOMUN XII by attending every Tuesday after-school meeting and completing my work. JOMUN XII is engaged in issues of global importance, as this year’s theme is “Finding Solutions to 21^st Century Challenges in Africa.” Ethical implications will be respected not only in the overall theme JOMUN XII but also to each individual’s cultural background.

I know that my own actions reflect on the entire JOMUN XII Press Team. So, I display professionalism, good work ethic, and respect.  I am open to new ideas and concepts that will benefit JOMUN XII publicity. I take challenges with a positive attitude and form solutions to solve them. I realized at this particular meeting that I had some limitations on the computer program I was using to reformat the Conference Guide and Booklet. I was able to overcome them, learn a new skill, and persevere. I can relate this computer challenge to using our new slate this year. As the startup is always slightly difficult. The challenge this year that the Press Team is facing, is a lack of members. Thus, the task loads are extremely heavy on top of the rigorous IB curriculum for each student. However, between our few members we have divided the workload equally and will slowly begin to conquer it. Recruiting new members would be advantageous and would make the JOMUN XII experience a more enjoyable and less stressed one. Between our team members, we have completed the updated Conference Guide and Booklet. Our future goals for our next Tuesday meeting include writing general articles that can prepared before the Conference to reduce the workload and time efficiency. This in turn, will ease the pressure of completing each article for the JOMUN XII Conference on that day, as some are prepared beforehand.

Shumbashaba Horses Helping People Proposal

IB/CAS Proposal

Candidate Name: Enya Calibuso

Activity/Project: Shumbashaba Horses Helping People

Date: 15 September 2014

Intro: I choose to continue volunteering at Shumbashaba Horses Helping People for my second year because; it’s a very enriching experience to work with large animals. It also allows me to enhance my skills in many avenues such as: washing, brushing, feeding, and caring for horses. In return, it’s very therapeutic for the horses, which enhance their positive attitudes, health, trust in people, and standards of living. Being able to achieve this experience in the completion of these two years will expand my knowledge on large animals when I pursue the career of zoology. 

Targeted Learning Outcomes: By volunteering at Shumbashaba, this will allow me to take upon new challenges. Some of the challenges may be getting a little dirty, physical labor, basic medical care, and continuing to expand my knowledge on working with horses. I accept these challenges each time I arrive at Shumbashaba to help the horses and further my education. It is necessary to have clear communication and collaboration between the AISJ team and the Shumbashaba staff. This will allow us to use the time we have productively in a way that will benefit them. In addition, communication and collaboration is a life skill, important to conduct in everyday life. Ethical implications will always be at the forefront of this project, as the humane treatment and care of animals. Sensitivity to the animals needs and to be precautious around the horses is necessary to not startle them or stress them.

This activity will complete my Action and Service section of CAS.

Activity Description: As a second year return volunteer to Shumbashaba Horses Helping People I will work in cooperation with the staff of Shumbashaba to complete any tasks given. The skilled horse professional will teach us any new skills to needed to perform the task at hand. Several tasks could include: mucking stalls, basic medical care – temperatures, brushing, feeding, compost, and walking. As a senior volunteer, I will be mentoring younger students how to approach and work around horses. I will be timely and committed to this project.

End: I am looking forward to another educational, rewarding year working with the Shumbashaba horses, mentoring new students, and taking on new tasks. I will be a positive role model by passing on lessons learnt, being professional, and hard working. Reliability and safety will be a code of conduct. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with large animals at Shumbashaba, as it gives me prior experience necessary for college in the field of zoology.

Specific Schedule for the Commitment: Shumbashaba meets every Monday from approximately 3:10 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. The Shumbashaba volunteering will begin on 15 September 2014 to 7 May 2015.

Supervising Adult:

Ms. Maree

dmaree@aisj-jhb.com

CAS Coordinator:

Ms. Deanne Slattery

dslattery@aisj-jhb.com

Marumofase High School Limpopo

IB/CAS Proposal

Candidate Name: Enya Calibuso

Activity Project: Marumofase High School Limpopo

Date: 27 August 2014

Intro: I chose to continue volunteering in Marumofase High School Limpopo because; I found working with the born-free generation extremely rewarding. Being in my second year of IB Literature, I feel I have a lot more knowledge in writing skills to assist the students in completing their short stories and enhance their English skill to publish the book.

Targeted Learning Outcomes: I commit to working collaboratively with others to complete the Limpopo Book of short stories on the born-free generation this year. I believe not only collaboration between the AISJ students to plan and coordinate the meetings and trips to and from Limpopo but also the cooperation of the Limpopo students is necessary to produce a well thought out final product. Increasing my awareness of my strengths and areas for growth are important in the areas of patience and one-on-one assistance/tutoring for those who need extra help. In return, this will help me grow, as it is a life skill necessary when collaborating with others. I will fine-tune my writing skills and my verbal skills. I will gravitate in the strengths of the Limpopo and AISJ students to allow me to develop their strengths. By enhancing my strengths, new skills will be developed, in all areas: communication, collaboration, interaction, writing and tutoring.

This project would complete my Service and Creativity sections of CAS.

Activity Description: This year our meetings at AISJ entail the planning and preparation of the upcoming trip of Limpopo students to AISJ for our Limpopo writing workshops. Topics that have and will be covered in out meetings include: schedule for the publishing of the book, trips to and from Limpopo to work together to complete the book, fundraising, college tours, and guest speakers. I as a team member now have one year of experience, to share my expertise, opinions, and ideas that will enhance and benefit the Limpopo students and the creation of our book. As Communications Officer, I will assure that each week a bulletin is put in the morning announcements to brief AISJ on our Wednesday meetings; along with a Izindaba article at the end of each trip to/from Limpopo. 

End: This year I am looking forward to meeting the students once again. I will carry a positive attitude, a will to assist, and a welcoming smile to greet. Each Limpopo trip is an enriching learning experience for both the AISJ and Limpopo students. We will come away with fond memories, shared laughter, and expanded knowledge on both cultures.

Specific Schedule for Commitment: The AISJ students hold weekly meetings every Wednesday during lunch to plan, prepare, and execute the tasks. A preliminary date for the Limpopo students to visit AISJ to continue working on our book is set for September, 19, 2014. Future trips are in the making.

Supervising Adults:

Mr. Funky Ralethe

fralethe@aisj-jhb.com

Ms. Beatrice Murgues

bmurgues@aisj-jhb.com

CAS Coordinator:

Ms. Deanne Slattery

dslattery@aisj-jhb.com