Interim 2017: Service in the Kalahari (South Africa)

Ruth

When I signed up for this trip, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that I wanted to go to South Africa— but I had no close friends on the trip, no idea what kind of work we would be doing, and no idea what South African culture was like. This picture, which shows my group (the Lions of Soweto) working at the school, encapsulates the two most important aspects of my interim experience— the work we did, and the friends I made. Often times, the service that we do as privileged expats ends up being more like "volunteer tourism" than actual service; we intrude on the lives of foreigners, take a few pictures, play with some kids, and leave feeling good about ourselves. I've been guilty of that in the past for sure, but on this trip I was suddenly hit by how inadequately prepared I was to serve the community that we visited. The work we did was physically demanding and mundane. Scraping, sandpapering, brushing, washing, priming, painting— there was none of the feel-good instant gratification that we usually associate with 'service'. We had to learn how to do everything, and we messed up a lot along the way. Many times, when the kids were out of class, I wanted to drop what I was doing and go play with them and talk to them. However, Craig made sure to remind us that our work came first, and that our first priority was to get the job done— something I really wasn't used to hearing. In my mind, the most important thing we could do was play with the kids, and make an impact on their lives through interaction, and I didn't understand why we didn't get to spend more time with them. But I didn't want to slack off, so I did my best to take the odd jobs, to always say yes, and to help the rest of the team. For those three days, we really were like a family. Through working together, we were able to get to know new people, understand different aspects of those we already knew, and even be angry and frustrated at one another— but this only brought us closer together. I knew I could rely on any of the other people on the trip to watch my ladder, clean up my mess, or refill my paint. I also discovered that I am a helper— I was willing to drop whatever I was doing to help someone else complete their job. We learnt and grew together. And, at the end of our time there, seeing the finished product and knowing that we made a lasting impact on the school was even more rewarding than the temporary self-esteem boost. Although I may not have spent as much time with the children as I wanted to, seeing how intently they watched us paint, and hearing their "thank yous" as we left made me realize that there is more than one way to make an impact on these kids' lives. It was selfish of me to believe that only my company would make that time memorable for both of us— in reality, leaving a finished product, something they'll reap benefits from for a long time, will be just as valuable. I've spent a lot of my time in HS learning about and doing service, but this trip was able to show me that service is not just about making yourself and others feel good; it's also about doing the work that nobody else wants to do so that the community will be improved for everybody. My experiences in Kuruman were unforgettable— not just because of the people I met and the new experiences I had, but also because of the valuable lessons I learnt about service. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity.

Before I went on this trip, I thought no interim could possibly be better than the London interim I went on, just last year. But I was wrong. The London interim was just a trip -- but this interim was a real interim.

One thing I’ll never forget about this interim is the kids. They elicited from me a variety of different emotions. First, there was this warmth I felt from their smiles and their waves, the way they approached me with their thumbs out, chortling “sharp”. Then, I felt astonished by how pure and genuine they seemed to be. They were genuinely excited to see us, to play with us. I respected how lively they were during their breaks, skipping ropes and playing with rocks. It was so unlike students in Singapore, whose heads are always bent over tiny screens, finding entertainment through social media, music, and games. Seeing these kids made me wonder if we were truly the privileged ones. Those kids find joy in their humble lives, and know what gratification is. We, on the other hand, constantly ask for more, stressing ourselves out to achieve more and get more out of our lives. So who truly is more “privileged”? I want to thank these kids for teaching me the importance of satisfaction; my life really has been enriched by this trip.

Armaan

Working hard under the summer sun and forming new bonds with peers was what this trip was all about. Our whole group was tested beyond our limits and taken out of our comfort zones just to support the people who need it. We worked tirelessly in what felt like 100 degree weather and as a result, our group intermingled and really got to know each other. We got to share advice, learn from each other and bond all while making a significant impact on the Kuruman community. But, I think that over meeting new people and doing service for those who needed it, I probably learnt the most from the little kids that I met during the trip. Through out my time in South Africa, I never met one kid that was sad, and didn't have a smile on his/her faces. From the very first day until the time our bus pulled out of the primary school, our group was serenaded with endless amounts of love. I will never forget the utter joy on their faces as they approached me with their thumbs up and called at me, "Armaan! Armaan!", from across the courtyard. When I arrived in South Africa, I knew that I was going to learn many things but I never would have expected that my whole outlook on life would change drastically. You see, despite having close to nothing, these kids were habitually happy and that completely stunned me. They were happy to meet new people, happy to learn new things and were friendly at all times. Their attitude towards life conveyed a stark contrast to how we, privileged and fortunate kids live and I admire their endless optimism and contentment. I'll admit, at times I got frustrated painting the building, I grew tired doing the strenuous jobs that we were assigned to do, but when I looked inside the windows of the classrooms, I saw children whose eyes lit up as they looked back at me. They would smile and that was enough to give me an instant mood boost to get the job done. So for that, I want to thank the kids for completely changing my perspective. Their happiness has left a lasting impression on my attitude towards life. I learnt from them what it really meant to be thankful and to be humble at all times. Their smiles kept me going and reminded me of what good our service would do and what lasting impression we would leave at their school. As Mr Craig said, "we touched the ground and left a legacy there", and I want to thank everyone on this trip for being a part of that. Without you all, none of what we did could have been accomplished. I want to thank Mr Hopkins, Mr Fitts and Mr Craig for supporting us, guiding us and always keeping us in check, and finally, I want to acknowledge each and every one of my peers that went on this trip with me, working hand in hand with each other we laughed and bonded together becoming brothers and sisters.

Kristen

Having already been on a service trip in the pass, I did not think there would be so much more gratitude to be given. Upon arriving to the school and seeing the wide-eyed, cheek-to-cheek smile, I knew that this would be another unforgettable experience. While helping the children and the school for three days and five hours per day - scraping, sanding, washing, plastering, and painting - they actually helped me; each child made me realize the magnitude of the deepened gap between our lives. Granted, I have always acknowledged my privilege but it is so easy to fall back into the "first world problems" system, and this trip had left a mark to ALWAYS be aware and grateful for every opportunity and the life we were given. While giving as many kids piggy-back rides and hoping to make them happy, I had only spent perhaps an hour with Junir (above) when some left for the soccer match greatly impacted me. They say that music brings people together, and I truly believe that; we had put on some music which lightened the pressure of getting the paint done on the final day at the school. Junir and his little brother came back after school ended and were watching us dancing, and soon all of us were dancing to some Michael Jackson. In that moment, all I wanted was to keep making them smile and in those hours of spending time with Junir, it truly embodied the essence of gratitude. Although Junir did not speak a lot, I felt a huge connection with him. The little things and the little time spent to see that he was genuinely curious about our time there by coming back to watch us after school had ended, and the many talents he showed us (front flips, juggling, pushups) furthered that bond. They deserve so much more than what we can give them, and when we had to say our final goodbyes, Seyoung and I held Junir's hand toward the bus and he started to turn away, hiding his face. I knew what it meant, and I started to tear up as well. Besides our accomplishment on the school, I don't think any of us wanted to leave. The fact that I most likely will never see Junir again, and the fact that they all were so grateful to even just see us arrive to the school says so much about our different definition of happiness. It breaks my heart that I can't give more to the children, but as I learned from Junir and the rest of the children at the school, I am so incredibly thankful and genuinely happy to have been able to go on this trip to hopefully touched their lives and made it better at the very least.

Lyanna

Open-mindedness. Passion. Teamwork. Gratitude. Over the past week I have mentally tested my limits beyond what I could have ever imagine. Travelling with a phenomenal group of individuals and getting work done in a completely different continent was an eye-opening experience. Rather than learning through textbooks and information from the news, throughout this trip I was able to expand my perception of the world by diving right into a new culture. Experiencing first-hand how many people live, work and think, I was able to make comparisons and create connections to other aspects of the world. I think this picture perfectly emphasises what I have taken away from this trip because of the memories I cherish of this little boy sitting in this little red chair. Adana is a young child who attends the school and on the last day of work he stayed after school to watch us proceed with the finishing touches on the building. Absolutely astonished at his dedication to stay with our group even after school hours, I could not have been more excited to witness such a simple moment. Adana stayed at the school for hours after all the teachers and his classmates had left. Although our group had to keep working on the building, Adana took a broken school chair from the store room and sat completely mesmerised at our work. He was an inspiration to not only me but many of the students on our trip. As he sat quietly and watched curiously, we took some time to play some music for him and play with him. I noticed that the smallest bit of interaction or the slightest wave of a hand would light up his entire face. For me, this emphasised that it was necessary to be grateful and to be humble. We always hear stories about many children living in poverty in developing countries, but having Adana's hand mine, or watching him dance with Se Young and Kristen, or admiring the excitement he got when Sawyer picked him up - I knew that we had so much power to do good in the world (even with the simplest things). These kids reflected genuine happiness and it didn't arise from material goods or donations. Another fond memory I have was when I was sanding a back-wall with Clara and Ruth when a little boy came out of the classroom and he waved to me. He whispered "thank you for cleaning my school". Feeling slightly frustrated and uninfluential, this little boy was a reminder that what we were doing was making a difference, even if it was (for now) a small one. Although we completed a building, the interactions with the local people (younger and older) opened my eyes to the reality that not everyone is as privileged as me. Not everyone is as educated as me. And not everyone has the opportunity or the power to make a difference like our trip did. I'd like to thank Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Fitts and Mr. Craig for allowing us this amazing experience and for constantly reminding us to look around and soak up the last bit of everything. This trip also would not have been nearly as memorable without the other 19 troopers who never failed to put a smile on my face and keep me motivated throughout all the teamwork. Adana made me realise that you don't have to donate buckets of money or ship boxes of donations. The appreciation of human touch and creating a connection with people around the world is a reminder that we're all human. Regardless of status, economic circumstances or political rules, we all appreciate the power of laughter and togetherness.

Mitch

Without any doubt, this picture is the very embodiment, and encapsulation of all the rewarding and positive emotions that I associate with this Interim. Choosing this particular photo was not easy for me whatsoever, as to truly define what this interim meant to me would mean pouring over thousands of photos. I looked at my pictures from the braai, the incredible paint job our group did, and of course the stunning landscape of the Kalahari. In the end, however, I chose this one because it meant more to me than lamb chops and elephants. This photo represented all the joy and content the kids brought to me. Before I went on this trip I, like most people, found myself stressed over school. I was sleep deprived, anxious over tests, and left school with regret and sadness of what would soon become my grades. I boarded the plane with not much excitement at all, and a greater feeling of dread as I was completing manual labor for a week under the hot African sun. Although I went into this trip thinking to not get much out of it, by the end, I believe smiled more than I have in months. The answer to why I felt this unconditional joy was the kids I helped on this trip. The most defining, or momentous experience I had with the kids was, without a doubt, the soccer game. Since we had already been working at our first school for three days, I thought the reactions of the kids at the new school would be the same--kind, but slight apprehensive. I was incredibly wrong. Within five seconds of jumping out of the bus, kids instantly swarmed me in hugs and fist-bumps, and curiously asked for my name. They were absolutely elated to see our group, and their happiness was certainly contagious. On the way over to the soccer pitch I was holding hands with a small boy who had a ripped shirt and shoes that were utterly destroyed, and I thought of something Craig had said. On the beginning of the trip Craig mentioned that these children will wear these same clothes everyday until all the threads of cotton are torn, as they simply have no other option. Despite not being able to have a proper set of clothes, this boy looked up at me and beamed, as if he did not have a single worry in the world. In that moment, issues like grades and school appeared virtually insignificant as these children, while having almost nothing, were teaming with happiness. Prior to the soccer game, Sawyer and I spent time playing tag, running with the children and giving them rides on our backs. This was, without a doubt, the most heartwarming and satisfying experience I have ever had. Soon, it got to the point where children were lining up to just have a moment with us. By picking up the children, giving them candy and playing a game of soccer, it was incredibly gratifying to see the smile on their face and the affection they gave us. Although we were merely playing tag with the kids, we were doing as much service to the town of Kuruman as painting the school. Our group was able to improve the quality of those children's lives by playing and laughing with them. Even if it was only temporary, we were able to make those children completely forget about the immense challenges they, and their community face on a daily basis. We were able to give these children a positive experience that they can hold onto forever. When we got back on the bus, Madhav tapped on my shoulder and whispered, “Dude, this trip was surreal”. I could not agree more.

Madhav -

Having grown up in South Africa, I went into the trip with the mindset that I wasn’t going to learn anything new, and was proven wrong every single day of the trip. Each day, I learnt something new - whether it be about South African culture, my friends on the trip, the children at the two schools and most importantly - I learnt something about myself. From the moment we began working at the school, I realised that we would be making a lasting difference in the lives of each and every student. I could only imagine how children felt, coming daily to a school destroyed by the elements over decades and the difference coming to a freshly painted school will make. Although this may not seem like a sizeable contribution to their community, after seeing how these kids value the little things in life, I knew this will make all the difference in the world to them. Although the work was extremely challenging and frustrating at times, looking back now I can see that it was all worth it - just to be able to make a difference in the lives of each and every child.

Another way I know we made an impact upon these children is just the time we spent with them. Whether it was playing soccer at Gamasega or Manyeding, I konw that they valued the time we spent with them just as much as we did. Something I’ll never forget is when we left the box of extra fruit as we left. Seeing the children fight over a few apples and a bottle of water changed my perspective completely. I realised how relatively small the things that concern me on a day to day basis are. Whether it’s my grades, a little bit of rain or my parents yelling me about something or the other - I realised that I need to stop focusing on the negatives and begin paying attention to the abundant positives I have in my life. Seeing those children fight over leftovers showed me how much I truly have and how much I need to change the way I live my day to day life.

Sophie -

A lot of the history and culture of South Africa encompasses the theme of overcoming adversity. This is especially true with the rise then fall of apartheid, and all of the events and culture that manifested as a result of it. Throughout our trip, we learned about the different ways that apartheid affected the lives of South Africans. Visiting the apartheid museum and listening to our guide Craig’s first hand experiences with this horrible period were just two ways we got to re-live the past. The shocking stories of apartheid left a lasting impact on all of us.

Taking all of this into consideration, Jaelen, Jahvon, and I wanted to capture the battle of segregation that the South Africans faced through the mini-presentation that all of us were required to give. We decided to combine our love of history and dance and present about a piece apartheid that means a lot to us – the origins and practice of Gumboot dance. Jaelen and Jahvon are the best people to have by my side not only for this interim and presentation, but also for pretty much everything else, and I’m very lucky to have experienced this with them. In the video above, you’ll see a short dance choreographed by the twins and I that includes the basics of Gumboot.

Before the dance, we explained the history and impact of Gumboot. In short, oppressed miners sought expression when being abused by their bosses, and allowed their boots to speak when they weren’t allowed to use their voices. They slapped and stomped their way to communication, and formed a language to skirt around the harsh regulations they were under. Although it was initially discouraged by their mine bosses, they and the South African people started to embrace the language and encourage Gumboot dance. Eventually, Gumboot became supported fully and is now a beautiful form of traditional dance. It has even globalized and is the root of the popular American ‘step’ dance.

Gumboot is a perfect example of overcoming adversity, with the evolution of it starting out as a form of protest and turning into a popular artform, it truly sums up the spirit of what the South African people accomplished. It’s one thing to read about what other countries’ histories and cultures are like, but actually getting to live it and touch the ground that these people stood on is completely different and so much more rewarding and enlightening.

To me, this picture truly encompasses my experience on Interim Semester. My main focus going into the trip was to do as much service in the small amount of time we were given and spend time playing with (or even teaching) the local students. Little did I know, I would be finding myself learning far more from them than anything else. In general, we take what we have--our food, our education, our living situation--for granted. The kids here were not fortunate enough to have the amenities that we take as a given, but they were truly happy. Not once did I see a sour face during our entire trip. Looking into classroom windows I was greeted with shining eyes and big smiles. Even the adults were constantly shaking hands, smiling, and saying hello. It was truly shocking! These people were happy about essentially nothing. This positive outlook on life and the little things was truly humbling for myself. I want to translate this perspective into my life from now on. The other aspect of my experience on Interim Semester was the service. Painting the school was not an easy task, but it really did cause the group to form stronger bonds as we worked together. I was incredibly proud of the work we all put in and it encouraged me to want to do much more hands-on service as I can in the future. Without the amazing group of people I went on this trip with, we wouldn't have left such a large impact on that community. While we should be proud of the impact we left on the community in Kuruman, we can't forget the impact that they had on us.

Aaron

Largely, what I want to write about is an ineffable sense of gratitude and self-actualization. Due to this, what I write will not directly and comprehensively represent how I feel. That being said, the first thing I want to talk about is this picture and why I chose it. This is a picture (and a very well taken one at that, lots of credit to Clara) of Sophie and I standing along the back wall of the school that we had come to help. We were the tape team. Sophie and I worked for hours trying to make straight lines out of painter's tape.

The struggles and successes of this individual job are a very good representation of the process as a whole. The constant war between perfectionism and and our ever-depleting time was especially visceral in this job, but we got it done. That was our service experience; frenetic dashes towards a blue and slightly lighter blue finish line peppered with ultra rewarding conversations and interactions with the local kids. My hair in this picture is not up to my "standards." However, standards, along with self image, were entirely abandoned on this trip, and that's huge. Modern affluent societies, myself especially, live a life that is concerned with their appearance. I do not think anyone saw that in Kuruman. It was a good and all too brief respite from normal life.

This picture also shows the wall before it was painted, and that also means something to me. This goes without saying, but the wall does not look like that anymore. The interesting thing to me is that the wall could very well return to that state in the future. That might be ten or fifteen years from now, but it's not inconceivable. In a sense however, that doesn't really matter. Like out guide Craig said, we can change the children's lives just through our presence. The paint chips off – our influence doesn't.

Ji Won

Whenever I recall my times at South Africa, I vividly think of the exposed patches of skin being scorched under the sun and paint-smeared hands moving across the half-painted concrete of the cracked walls. The torn and tattered sandpaper, and the acrid smell of paint that whiffed by whenever someone pasted a slob of paint on the wall. Before this trip, I could not really admit myself being a sociable, helpful person, and I was barely acquainted with any sort of service towards any groups. Because I had been used to leading an aloof, detached life from the concerns of others, this trip was especially memorable. The picture above shows a comparison between the two buildings, painted and washed, and untouched. The building on the left shows the result of our days of labor: handprints, sweat drops and paint smears. It is painted in brightly washed paint, while the other building remains unpainted and cracked. When I witnessed the disparity from afar, it was evident that the building had been changed; when I drew nearer, I could see the fascinated faces of the students as I painted across the window, their helping hands as they closed the windows for me to paint on, and the expression of gratitude shared by both the staff and the students. That instance, I saw myself in the painted buildings. How myself, aloof and detached from others, finding little moments of happiness and gratitude in every corner of the school while covering up the dried cracks of the buildings. How differently I perceived things after the work. How I changed over the course of work we did in Manyeding Primary School. To some, what we have done might seem humble and insignificant. But every passing moment I see myself back under the sun of Kalahari, exchanging sharps with the children as I scraped the remnants of the paint, where I, despite never having done this much service or any similar kind of work, sanded the walls until my arms were sore, but still waving to the sheepishly smiling student who peeked through the windows of the buildings, experiencing how they think, view and live. I believe the students, and the time I spent in the school has given me more than I had given them. And I would keep this memory for the longest time I would ever remember. As what our guide Craig said, we might be just passing traveler to them. The children may not remember our faces in future, and they might simply recall us as someone who painted their buildings. But as long as our paint-smeared handprints stay on the walls of the school, I will remember them and our time in South Africa.

Jahvon

Like many of my peers, choosing one photo or video that summarizes my experience in South Africa was extremely difficult. After scrolling through the thousands of pictures that were taken during the week and solitarily reminiscing on the unforgettable times that we shared during this trip, I finally stumbled upon a video that I believe most accurately reflected my time on Interim. This two minute clip is footage of my brother and I playing a game of copycat with the children of the local school in Kuruman. Although a large portion of this video was captured without my knowledge, looking back at this clip I realised that this moment was much more than just another “playtime with the kids”. It was a time when my brother and I had the special opportunity to interact with these kids on a deeper level, building a connection beyond one that could be formed simply through the exchange of a common language. Seeing the wide smiles plastered on the childrens' faces and watching their bodies overflow with enthusiasm during the video prompted my memory of the emotions that I was feeling during this particular moment.

At this moment, I remembered one of the emotions that was coursing through my body was a sense of pure joy and happiness - a feeling that unfortunately I hadn’t experienced in a while due to the constant stress of school, grades, and now college. In this moment, I was somehow able to miraculously forget about all of the minute problems that were plaguing my life all thanks to the infectious positive attitudes that the kids displayed. Because of these children, many of whom don’t have access to clean water and have to walk countless meters to school everyday, I allowed myself to overlook the infinitesimal issues in my own life. I realized that life is too short to spend complaining about everything that’s going wrong and that I need to start being appreciative for the simplest moments that I get to experience. I don’t know if you can hear the part in the video where I release a big “awe” after the kids repeated the word “together” but at that point, the feeling of gratitude and solidarity rushed through my body because I was genuinely shocked that these children who come from so little can show us so much happiness, love, and compassion. It’s a feeling that I will never forget and an experience that I will continue to cherish for a long time.

Walking away from interim, I have left South Africa not only with more knowledge about the history behind the booming country but with a new perspective on life itself. Although we traveled halfway across the world to serve the children in these local schools, I truly believe in my heart that they gave more to us than we will ever be able to give back to them.

Se Young Chun

Service is fuelled by love.

Admittedly, I first signed up for this interim trip with little realisation on the kind of service we would be doing. I had chosen this trip for two main reasons: I had always wanted to visit South Africa and my closest friends were also going on the trip. At that time, I was not aware of the immense impact my seven-day interim trip would have on me. There is something special about the way that we had served during this interim. Although the strenuous and mundane work of scraping, sand papering, priming, and painting could have easily been done by individuals in South Africa, it has taught me something that could not have been attained through other means. Service learning. I have found remarkable and sacrificial warmth in the form of endless conversations with the students and teachers of the school. I had arrived in South Africa as a bitter and stressed individual due to my overloaded schedules and ambitions, and I found myself genuinely happy while conversing with these children. These children gave me a feeling of hope and bliss - something I had not felt in a while. This picture, which shows my interaction with Junir ,an eight year old boy at the school, encapsulates my sense of gratitude and realisation I had felt from this service trip. After school, when the sun was bright and hot, Junir would drag a broken chair from his classroom and place it in the center of the field as he quietly observed us paint his school. Junir was different from the other children. He manifested a sense of maturity that was uncommon for his age. He didn’t ask us to take pictures with him; he didn’t ask us to play with him; he simply sat in his chair and quietly watched us repaint his school. But perhaps this sense of maturity from Junir was not an innate characteristic of his, but rather because he had seen too much of the world at an early age. He was unable to freely roam the world of childhood as he was aware of reality. When I look back on this interim trip in a couple of years, I will probably have forgotten the small jokes at the dinner table and the games we played on the six hour bus rides; but, the one thing I will always remember from this trip is Junir. He has motivated me; he has stimulated me; and he has inspired me. I will distinctly remember cleaning up on the last day at the school with Junir tagging along, helping me haul chairs and tables back into the classrooms as he told me about the different names each classroom had and which one he studied in. I will distinctly remember him holding my hand as we walked towards the bus when he stopped and looked at my bracelet covered in blue paint. I will distinctly remember how he softly started to scrape off the paint from my bracelet with his bare hands as tears streamed down his face. One day, the vivid blue paint of the school will come off, but I believe that our interaction with the children will have a lasting impression on both the children and the school. If anything, I hope that my interaction with Junir has positively benefited him as it has for me. It may have been a short encounter, but my relationship with Junir will have an everlasting effect on the way I perceive life. He has taught me to be gracious, forgiving, and kind. He has shown me and given me hope that there is faith and human goodness in this world.

Charlene

Admittedly, I had blindly chosen this trip to fulfill the service requirement needed in order to graduate. I skipped the first two Interim meetings and arrived at the airport with absolute uncertainty about what we were doing, who the people on this trip were, and was determined to "just get it over with."

If things had remained that way, I would not have been able to experience the authenticity of every emotion I had felt during this trip.

It is no task to see that things are different 9,207 kilometres away. But I did not feel an impact until I volunteered to go and play soccer with the children attending school down the road. I specifically remember a girl of about 3 years old bolting towards me as a crowd of children continued playing with my hair, wiping red soil off my knees, and clinging onto me. Her expression was one I had never seen within my entire existence, it was one I can only describe as genuine happiness. Living in a society where strong feelings often feel artificial and replicated, I had never been able to look at one’s face and feel something within me resonate so strongly that I had formed a bond so instantaneously. This girl I am describing is the same girl in the photo above, Cabo.

And though she is just one individual, the moments I spent propping her up on my shoulders, holding hands whilst guiding her amongst other children, and kneeling on the ground watching her giggle as she amused herself by tugging the skin on my face…These short lived moments were the most cherished.

I was able to reflect upon the overall experience through this interaction. The fact that ones’ perspective on life changes everything because, as someone wisely said, “…It doesn’t matter what shade of blue we put on their walls…” What mattered most was every raw, natural, human interaction experienced. They came running to us with open arms, and although I never want to touch sandpaper ever again, I would gladly work under the scorching sun by myself to see any of these smiling children once more.

I left South Africa deeply saddened by the fact that these children gave us, privileged people who consistently struggle with trivial first-world problems, more than we may ever be able to give them. Yet, we all felt the weight of their sincerity through each expression of gratitude. I felt undeserving of what I had been given on this trip, and the memories I took back. The paint will flake off; our “legacy” may fade. One can only hope that they will one day understand how we will remember them.

Chae

This experience was unforgettable, words can’t describe how much I have learned from this and how it has changed my attitudes.

One of the things which was memorable was the fact that people in Kalahari were unbelievably happy and welcoming. I will never forget this one moment when I let a little girl play with my phone, and it made her day, she was excited to see herself on camera. Seeing the bright smile on her face showed me the significance of helping out and also showed that doing small things can help some people a lot. On my service trip to South Africa, I met people who have so little in material goods, yet are so thankful for the life they have. These people have shown me that wealth is not measured materialistically. They were genuinely enjoying to play with ropes, balls, and rocks. This experience has changed my view on life, and it has made me realize how materialistic and spoiled children are in the Singapore. It doesn’t mean we live wrong, but it reminded me we should remember the things in life which are more important things, like family and friends.

High schoolers always try to divide their time between athletics, academics, and social time properly. However, stressed individuals with tough schedule shared their opinions and felt gratitude by helping out others during this interim.

Before leaving South Africa I made it a goal of mine to leave some sort of legacy. Whether it was an accomplishment of painting or scraping one part of the school, chatting with one of the little kids, or performing a cultural dance, I wanted to leave my mark. However unexpectedly, the reverse of my initial goal occurred. Instead, the trip to South Africa and the service I got the opportunity to participate in at Kuruman had an extreme imprint on me emotionally and truly changed my perspective of how I view my purpose in life.

This photo captures the moment where I first saw the signs of a lion during the morning of the second game drive we took at Pilanesburg National Park. I noticed that the massive paws of the lion were really evident and heavily imprinted on the dirt road. Despite not being able to track the lion down, to me this photo represented how South Africa has been able to leave its imprint and embed a long lasting experience into my life that I will never forget.

Having the unique opportunity to visit the apartheid museum, restore and refurbish the school in Kuruman, build relationships with the kids, and observe the natural beauty of South Africa during the two game drives all contributed to a once in a life time experience. This trip made me realize how to never take life for granted. It reminded me how blessed and fortunate I am to live the stable life that I do already and not have to worry about some of the bare necessities that the kids I interacted with encounter on a daily basis. Most of all it demonstrated to me the innate power of happiness and how the insignificant things such as money and clothes really don’t matter. I learned that it's only a matter of what you do with the blessings you have to help improve and make an imprint on the lives of others around you.

Solenn

This picture was taken at the end of the trip, on our first safari. By that time, we had all realized that the trip was coming to an end and Ruth and I kept bringing up to each other that the trip had felt so short. Looking into the distance and seeing the beautiful animals such as zebras and giraffes, I began reflecting on how lucky we were to be seeing them that way, out in the wild. I couldn't help but feel like not only were we lucky to have seen them, but were lucky to even be in Africa at all. We were so lucky to have the privilege of traveling at all. Travel has become a regular thing in my life lately but every time I look back and consider how much of a privilege that is. This time, after our interactions with the children, I really had perspective to put into our reflection. I started thinking how the children from the schools we went had and might never get to travel this far into their own country or see the animals globally praise which reside in their home countries. And those children might never get to travel outside of their country. Also, though it seem a bit silly to some that our trip as a whole cost such a fortune, I strongly and genuinely believe in making the world better through human interaction. I thought we were so privileged to have such special opportunities in our lives, but couldn't help to think that we were ourselves a proof that humans, no matter the race or origin, could work and bond together simply as people. Then when put together with the children, not only did we show that "diversity" of people can work together, but I realized that privilege was not such a big deal in a way. When we played with the children we were all equal and everyone had a chance to play with everyone, our laughs were genuine and the happiness we shared with those kids created our bond with them. I believe that if showing others that you care at least even the least bit can make someone's day. And a day is just a day, but our lives are made day by day so why not make one last in our minds and hearts to make the next ones better. All this need up sounding pretty cheesy but I truly meant it and couldn't find any other way to put it. Having Ruth as a roommate was really great because I knew she would be calm and organized but I also got to see a goofy and relaxed side of her. Most of us got to know each other better on this trip and having Ruth as a roommate and buddy really made that easier for me. Thank you, Ruth. Thanks to the whole group for making this trip so enjoyable. And finally, thanks to Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Fitts, and Mr. Craig this amazing trip.

Austin

I spent a lot of time thinking during this trip. With the sounds of the African bush putting me into a somewhat hypnotic state at certain times, focused on the task at hand, I really did think of a lot more than I imagined, considering I was with so many people I was genuinely delighted to be around. I thought of how grateful I was, of how I wish there was more we could do for the amazing kids we had the opportunity to work with. I thought of the simple fact that we were on a different continent for a school trip, which is absolutely mind-blowing. Above anything else though, I was thinking about the work I was doing. Scraping, sanding, plastering, and smoothing. For my whole life I had thought painting was grabbing a bucket and brush and setting off to the job, jumping right into the fun, trackable work. It is safe to say that I was wrong. Instant gratification is not something to expect until the very very last step of painting, and all of the work before that point is both physically and emotionally draining. During my time in which I had the opportunity to ponder, I started imagining my life like one of these walls. In less than a year, I will have made and will still be making some of the biggest choices of my life. As I was doing this preparation work for our paint job, I realized that the entire first 17 years of my life have been my personal preparation work. School, mistakes, lessons, trials, triumphs, and failures are my sanding, smoothing, and scraping, preparing me to start painting the wall which is the rest of my life. 17 years of this arduous pre-painting process. Had I not gone through all the incredible hardships and learning experiences I did, I would not be able to even begin my metaphorical “paint job” of life after high school. Sure, we could have painted right over the old paint, but soon thereafter the weather’s elements would begin to break it down. Sure, I could have stayed in my house, never tried anything, and lived like a hermit, but I would have been just like a lazily-applied paint coat, wearing down and not surviving long after applied. The struggle that was gone through before the actual painting is what ensured the long-lasting paint job with a solid, stout foundation, and just like I learned so thankfully during the extent of this interim, the difficulties and hardships of life are these pre-painting processes that prepare us best for the final result.

Kaitlyn-

My destination for Interim 2017 felt unreal up until the day I left. As the only American born child of a South African family, I've grown up being told my values all derive from a culture I hardly remember. Prior to this Interim, I had few fuzzy memories of my last trip to South Africa in 2003, yet no proper recollection of the country. However, I feel that there was no better way to reconnect with my 'home' country than through the service we did.

The sheer mental and physical toughness of painting the school exceeded my expectations. I distinctly remember how it felt when the skin on my legs and back blistered in the heat as I chipped away at the dried paint on the walls. I was jet lagged, unsure of whether we'd finish both schools, and exhausted from the late nights and early mornings. Nevertheless, everyone on the trip toiled onward. I think we can all agree that once we saw the unmistakable happiness from our presence on the children's faces, we never thought giving up was an option. In addition, we all understood that our privileged background put us in no position to complain. I think this was very apparent when rain suddenly fell down while we were all painting. Many of us cursed under our breaths, hopped under shelter, and attempted to sneak a peek around the corner to see whether our precious work had been ruined by the rainfall. Meanwhile, the children who had been playing outside and enjoying the sunshine prior to the rainfall actually cheered, many of which chose to dance in the rain. The stark contrast between the reactions to rain of the children and the students on our trips finally solidified in my mind that our hard work was actually greatly appreciated. We come from a country where the 2 o'clock daily rain is more of a minor inconvenience than anything else, but he children living in Kuruman live in a place where rainfall is cherished and drinking water is precious -- the very least we could be doing is spending a few days helping repaint.

Our trip bonded over the work. Little by little, I found I had connections with students I'd never spoken to before, and I rekindled old friendships. We became a family, no one was ever unwilling to help someone else with a difficult task. One of these undesirable tasks was skipping playing soccer at the other school to finish the work on the main school we were already working on. Myself and a few other students decided to do this. Staying behind wasn't necessarily an action we felt deserved praise or recognition, it was one that we knew was necessary and therefore perfectly ok with doing.

All I can say is that I'm thankful for this Interim trip. I not only got to reconnect with the culture of my family, but I also made a difference in the lives of many. I also made and rekindled lasting friendships that otherwise may not have existed. The memories i made on this trip will last me a lifetime.

Sawyer

To me, this picture truly encompasses my experience on Interim Semester. My main focus going into the trip was to do as much service in the small amount of time we were given and spend time playing with (or even teaching) the local students. Little did I know, I would be finding myself learning far more from them than anything else. In general, we take what we have--our food, our education, our living situation--for granted. The kids here were not fortunate enough to have the amenities that we take as a given, but they were truly happy. Not once did I see a sour face during our entire trip. Looking into classroom windows I was greeted with shining eyes and big smiles. Even the adults were constantly shaking hands, smiling, and saying hello. It was truly shocking! These people were happy about essentially nothing. This positive outlook on life and the little things was truly humbling for myself. I want to translate this perspective into my life from now on. The other aspect of my experience on Interim Semester was the service. Painting the school was not an easy task, but it really did cause the group to form stronger bonds as we worked together. I was incredibly proud of the work we all put in and it encouraged me to want to do much more hands-on service as I can in the future. Without the amazing group of people I went on this trip with, we wouldn't have left such a large impact on that community. While we should be proud of the impact we left on the community in Kuruman, we can't forget the impact that they had on us.

Clara's

I think that every SAS student has, at some point, in their high school career, heard how much privilege they have. My privilege and my luck have never been a burden to recognize, in fact, they’re things I’ve learned to appreciate and cherish deeply. In spite of that, it never seizes to amaze me that things like a service trip to South Africa are naturally weaved into my life. My past interim trips were very self-focused, they were trips I did to regain and discover a new perspective on myself. South Africa, however, was a much more external experience that, not only reinforced my appreciation for the opportunities I have but also revealed the striking and ravishing beauty of the South African people and culture. The picture posted I thought would represent this really well; when some of us had the chance to visit another school our third day of service, the children there didn’t hesitate to give us a warm welcome. All of us still had paint all over our hands and face, something I thought would be the least of my focus when getting to meet all the kids. Surprisingly, though, this group of four or five girls came up to me and immediately started helping me by scratching the paint off my hands while they curiously asked what my name was. They were eager to spend time with us and find out more about us. And not just them, every single kid smiled and looked happy to be there sharing the experience with us. Even those that didn’t talk that much and just sort of stood and stared at all of us; if you glanced at them they would return the smile without a doubt and shyly look away laughing. I noticed their innate acts of kindness towards us and how effortlessly it was for them to have a good time, their ability to be fully present in the moment without a complaint made the experience even more special to be a part of. Not just for myself, but for my other peers as well, getting away from school was something that completely changed our point of view.

It was no longer about stress, sleep-deprivation, and grade competitiveness, which is a customary thing for people in school to get caught up in. A lot of the times, that makes us lose the center of how much we have to be glad about. Which is why I’ll never feel like we did enough for the kids there; because there would always be something more to improve for them, more meaningful or indispensable things to do for them or to teach them, things that are mindless and inherent in our lives. I left South Africa with corroborated gratitude for my life, an unfamiliar sense of devotion to possibly pursue more service in my future, and memories that will lastingly define some part of who I am.

I’m glad I’ll always have this memory to remember and adore, and that I’ll always know to admire the kids and their overall gratitude and joy. It will always be an unforgettable experience and I’ll be grateful for the opportunity of having shared it with such other amazing people. Thank you guys and thank you to Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Fitts, and Craig for making this trip possible.