Astra

Below is a brief description of my work at the school, actually something I sent to a professor, please excuse the recycling on my part...

I started at the Astra School 2 days after my arrival. I began there with an orientation in which they welcomed and familiarized me with the day to day functioning of the school.

Astra is a government-funded school for children with physical and/or learning disabilities. The student body is comprised of about 300 ‘learners’ as they call them here, and ranges from grades one through nine. In addition there are ‘skills classes’ that involve learning basic skills for students who are unable to be in the regular classes. Outside of the classroom the school has 3 main departments: Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychology. Each department has an average of 3 professionals working under it, as well as other interns like myself assisting. If students are approved for admittance to Astra they are offered all 3 services if needed. It really is a wonderful school with an amazing energy. Most of the students come from surrounding townships (extremely poor neighborhoods) and would never be able to live a normally functioning life if it were not for Astra.

The children are all very aware of their own circumstances as well as that of their peers, but yet this does not seem to be the source of any ridicule. The environment of Astra seems to mute the negative stigma that accompanies disability, and for many the school provides an escape from unhealthy homes.

My first few days I was observing in the Psych Department, shadowing one of the psychologists and learning the ins and outs of the administrative/ clerical process. I reviewed some of the students’ files, reading from their initial assessments to their present session reports. The students are able to request sessions themselves, however most of the time they are referred by their teachers or are signed up immediately upon admittance, depending on their circumstances. Although not overly exciting, I feel like this part of the internship is necessary for me to be able to see the entire process of what exactly this career entails.

In the department there is a social worker whose main job is to follow up on absenteeism, as it is usually an indication of trouble at home. Last week she invited me to go on a home visit with her. The learner under review was a 15 year old male with excessive absences from class and a reported history of running away from home (this was reported by the mother – in most cases the parents do not have access to social services and thus often turn to the school for help). The home was in an extremely impoverished township called Guguletu. The neighborhood (if you can even call it that) was composed of a series of shacks made from scraps of wood and corrugated tin slates. The boy’s house was a one-room space with sheets used as dividers, no windows and no flooring (it was just the ground dirt). This was a very shocking experience for me. I have definitely seen poverty from the outside, but never have I been invited in as a guest into a home like this. It made me appreciate my blessings to say the least.

The conversation in the home was in both English and Afrikaans, so it was a little bit difficult for me to follow at times. The parents (mother and step-father) were very kind to us and expressed compassion for their son. Despite the nature of the space it was determined afterwards that the home environment was acceptable. The child has been scheduled for sessions with one of the psychologists and hopefully progress will be made.

In between working with the social worker and shadowing the psychologist I have been spending some time in the actual classes. My supervisors thought that it would be a good idea for the kids to see me around and become comfortable with me first.

And finally, this week, I had my first counseling session! I was definitely nervous, as this was my first time doing any formal work. I have mentored before with Epic Community Services in St. Augustine but that is all. My client is 9 years old and in the 2^nd grade. He has a slight learning disability, which keeps him behind in school, but he is very responsive and also very willing to talk.

He was referred to the department by his 2^nd grade teacher. She said that he had been saying his father was in jail and that he missed him. The bus driver who picks the boy up from school every day had also reported him moving 7 times (or being picked up at 7 different locations) within the past few months.

I read his file before our session and got a feel for his situation. His family includes his mother who is black, his father who is white, his grandmother and a 4 year old sister. When admitted to the school in January he was living in a flat with 17 people, some of who were allegedly prostitutes and drug dealers. Both of his parents are ‘car-guards’, meaning they watch parked cars in the city and work for tips (this is very common here). This is the family’s only source of income, as the grandmother does not work.

The session lasted for one hour, in which the boy and I sat together in one of the therapy rooms. My supervisor gave me free reign, leaving me alone with him immediately. I was surprised but enthused, especially as I don’t think I’d ever be able to counsel by myself in the US without the proper qualifications. As it was the first session I mainly just tried to get to know him, and let him get to know me. He seems to focus most on his father – he is really upset over him being in jail but yet conflicted as he remembers the pain of his dad hitting him and his family. Apparently the father beat the 3 of them quite frequently and this is why he is now locked up. The boy seems to be fairly optimistic and unaware of the unfortunate nature of his situation. However this may have just been because it was our first session together, time will tell. The boy is now my client here at the school, and I will continue to see him (twice a week) for the duration of my time here. After my first few sessions with him I will receive an evaluation from my supervisor, after which I will be given another student to work with.

As it is now I am working 2 days a week at Astra. For the other 3 days I have an interview Wednesday for a position counseling child victims of sexual abuse at the Child Welfare Centre here. Updates will follow...

Rain, Rain Go Away

Had plans to go to an organic open market this morning, however I woke up to heavy rain so it’s a no go. I am drinking Rose’s Early Grey tea and looking out at my brick wall. Unfortunately I blew my hair dryer on the first day so it’s air dry for me, not that it would matter with this rain right now.

The VAC team went on a wine tour yesterday. It was a very enjoyable experience; South African wine country is so incredibly beautiful. The rich autumn yellows, browns and greens seem almost fake or out of place against the hot red dirt. We visited 3 wineries in the Constantia area. They seem to be pretty big on whites here, unlike my self. This was my first tasting so I am in no way a connoisseur (like our ABC employees), but nonetheless it’s neat to hear about all that goes into the perfect wine (although it’s hard not to think a whole lot of it is bs, I for one did not taste the subtle hints of asparagus). VAC swindled us out of most of the wine tasting fees, so it really didn’t cost much. The bottles are very reasonably priced to, Scott and I bought a really nice Malbec for 110 Rand, which is about $14.

There is always so much happening here, the pace never slows down. There are about 15 interns here with VAC right now (remember Scott and I are the only interns in our house of 17). These folk and many more tend to usually have something planned every day/ night. I live in the heart of the Observatory that is known for its concentration of students as it is so close to U of Cape Town.  The street that runs through it is called Lower Main Road (also the street I live on). Lower Main offers a huge variety of eats and happenings. There are a whole bunch of really awesome little cafés. My favourite, a place called Mango Ginger, offers great wheat free pancakes, ginger tea, goat cheese quiche and really good ginger chicken mandarin salads. The whole organic-eat-well movement seems to have caught a pretty strong hold on Cape Town. There’s also a great used bookstore that’s always open late called Obz Books. The only problem is my allergies are so intense in there I always fall into a sneezing fit and have to leave.

I’m still getting used to making me way around here. There are 3 main types of transportation: taxi/cab, minibus and train. The taxis are your average personal taxi that we are used to in the US, only considerably cheaper than we are used to. The minibuses are little vans that are sort of like group taxis – they take many people at once, and they will not leave until they are full (their understanding of full is very different from just each seat being taken). They are super cheap at about R5 a trip (R8.2 = $1). The trains are cheap as well; I have yet to take one. The stations are huge and chaotic – a little overwhelming for being so new in town. Mostly we take minibuses, you just have to catch one going in the right direction and they let you off wherever you want. They aren’t safe to take at night though, so this is when we usually take the taxis. Or when it’s pouring rain out, like it is now.

Cape Town is a big city, much bigger than anything I am used to. Its nice to be in Obs as it’s sort of a smaller, calmer version of town. There is a supermarket around the corner from us called KwikSpar were we do our grocery shopping. It’s pretty small but has most things. We are advised to use the ATM in it, as it tends to be a safer bet. People are known to try to offer “assistance” to you at some of the machines on the street (mention you dropped something and when you look up your cash is swiped). It’s hard to get a lot of groceries though because you do have to walk it all back. I try to plan and get only what I can carry, that or Scott and I try to go together. Also you have to pay for your grocery bags (not much) but you don’t want to need like 50. I usually try to bring my backpack. It’s definitely a cool system though as it encourages people to recycle their bags.

That’s all for now folks. Take care. 

Up and Coming

            Hello!! Wow, what a week it has been! My travels began with the move out of Bravo St. on May 1st. It was a task that did not seem possible, and would not have been with out the help of so many: Lace, Sutts, Mal, Scootty, Maddie, Salazar, Emily and Bus Bus you are all champions! I can’t believe we actually made the deadline!

Friday came and with no home to return to Bus and I were left with a dog bowl and the clothes in my backpack. How simple things were already becoming. Jess was kind enough to take us in for the night, letting us crash on her futon, thanks to Sam too for the space. Art walk that Friday brought us all together in an unplanned farewell at the San Sebastien Winery. I am grateful I had the opportunity to be with everyone together one last time. 

Hunt came up Saturday and we spent the day wondering, a few errands here and there but taking it easy for the most part. In the evening he graciously drove me to the airport where I was finally off! 

The flight to London was not bad for the most part. Unfortunately delays at the Dallas airport turned out to be a major stressor. I had to run clear across the airport to the international terminal (the skytrains were turned off due to weather) only to discover that my flight now wouldn't be leaving for another 3 hours. This of course caused me to miss my train from London to Liverpool. I managed to catch another one though, and after 6 hours of blurred but beautiful green fields and red brick I finally made it to Shafa. 

I was only there for one full day for which it rained but it was still worth it. Shafa showed me around the big city and his school (U of Liverpool). We ate a traditional English breakfast of sausage (I had veggie sausages that were fried to a degree that was pretty awful), eggs, toast, tomatoes, mushrooms and beans. We did a little bit of shopping and while I was prepared for things to be expensive I still couldn't help but be shocked by the outrageous prices next to my meager USDollars. 

The next day (Tuesday now I think) I turned around and reluctantly got right back on the train headed to London Euston. From there it was the underground (they really do say 'mind the gap' repeatedly at every stop) to Heathrow Airport which is pretty much a small city in itself. I had to take another train at the airport once I figured out which terminal I was in. 

The British Airways flight to Cape Town was actually pretty sweet, with decent food, personal bottles of wine and unlimited entertainment to chose from. I watched Bride Wars and Benjamin Button (Lace, I don't blame you for not wanting to see it again, how incredibly long it was!) And before I knew I was back in my homeland. 

It was early morning at this point, and as I did not see my name anywhere I decided to venture outside. The fog rolling in off the mountains was absolutely incredible, a magical blanket for the whole town. Mystified and FREEZING I stood waiting until I heard my name called over the loudspeaker, requesting that I meet my party at the information desk. I wandered over to find my new friend Sly (short for Sylvester). He had a huge smile and bundle of dreads looped under a beanie, he’s a really cool guy (it turns out that Sly is my driver to and from work). At the airport he was wearing sweats and a thick fleece hoodie and I immediately knew I was nowhere near prepared for the weather here.

We headed to my new house first, passing a few townships on the way to Obs (short for the Observatory, where I live now). My landlord, Lindiwe, met us at the house and handed over my new room key, house key and gate key. There are metal barred gates on all entrances here, even local shops etc, where you have to be buzzed in. My room was not exactly what I had expected. Pretty tiny, pretty dirty, and very dark. I have 2 windows that look out to the concrete wall that surrounds the property, not exactly a lovely view. Due to the wall little sunlight makes it in, making for very poor lighting. The more time I spend in it though, the more it seems to become my own. Mom I have your card up on my windowsill, it makes for a homey addition. Second only to a raincoat the one thing I really regret not bringing is pictures of you all. My walls are so barren and lonely (hint, hint). 

The house is large, with 17 available rooms, 15 of which are filled. There are 3 bathrooms that never seem to have TP (that’s another interesting story, I keep buying it and it keeps disappearing within a couple hours). The kitchen is nice and open. Even though there are 4 fridges there was very little space left for Scott and I to put our groceries, we kind of had to cram stuff around. We managed to grab a cupboard shelf as well were we store our bread and instant coffee (ugh!). I woke up the first morning, due to be at the VAC office for orientation early, only to find that there was not a single coffee-making device in the house. With this many students in one place how could this be possible?! I have now discovered that real coffee is pretty uncommon here. The restaurants rarely have drip coffee, mostly serving only espresso drinks. Scott and I have had to grudgingly settle for the instant coffee for our mornings, let’s just say it’s a touchy subject.

We are the only interns in the house, with everyone else studying at U of Cape Town. There’s a whole bunch from Michigan, some from Germany, one from Australia, anther from Norway, and a few others from around the US. It’s quite the international mix to say the least. Our first weekend here the house hosted a hip-hop themed party. It was fun, a good chance to get to know our new housemates and meet many more friends.

I don’t even know where to begin with Cape Town itself, it’s like no place I’ve ever been. The full description might have to wait for another posting, when I have more pictures and a cheaper Internet connection. We do get wireless in our house, but unfortunately it is a little costly and you are charged by the amount of megabytes used. The service has to be paid for in advance, which seems to be true of a lot here, including electricity and cell phone minutes. By the way if you did not know Scott and I both were given phones by VAC, I will write the numbers below. Please call us we would absolutely love to hear from you, and with Skype being so cheap now how could you resist!?

Describing my internship at the Astra School will have to wait as well, for one things are somewhat up in the air right now, due to the fact that I am not exactly pleased with the situation. In short I do not feel like I am really needed and am not too happy with were they have placed me right now, a mostly Afrikaans speaking 5^th grade class (far away from counseling opportunities). I am searching for other opportunities and it really does seem like there is a lot going on in town where I could be of service. I am most eagerly looking at the Centre for Conflict Resolution located in the Obs neighborhood, although I am doubtful as a requirement to work there is that I be a South African citizen.

Hopefully that’s enough for you all to chew on for now, I will be writing more soon when internet is more easily available like I said.

My love to you all, I miss home more than I imagined I would. How lucky I am to be surrounded by so much love and encouragement all the time. You all really are the best. xo.

CONTACT INFO:

Mac's cell: 011 27 725229133

Scott's cell: 011 27 799437840

(011 is the international code, 27 is South Africa's country code.)

Both our addresses:

197 Lower Main Road

Observatory

Cape Town, South Africa

7925