Expression seems to be the human right that everyone demands; if it supressed, people cannot, or believe they cannot accurately and appropriately exist as humans.

Visiting Regina Mundi Church, the sight of protests in Soweto against apartheid, reinforced any idea I had about the essential human right being the freedom of speech. I was completely blown away by what the supression of that right ignites in a population. Students using their voices inspired a new level of involvement and awareness of the oppression of apartheid in the 1970s.

Three weeks have gone by nearly to the day and we've seen and experienced a lot. For myself, the most powerful lessons have been those that expose my untested self. That is, the cultural dynamics at work here in South Africa are very different than our own even though they appear so similar. I am convinced that Ubuntu is at the root of it all. Here is a culture that views its own identity in terms of the identity of those within it. The people are loving, embracing, and dedicated; dedicated to "the new generation of the new South Africa" as one of the students explained to me.

As I sit here on my last chunk of 30rand internet time, I find myself wondering what will life be like when we come home. Before traveling to South Africa I had never studied away before. I was excited to learn and to show how much I had already learned but I was completely unaware of how much changing I would do on this trip.

We don't slow down. Why would we? We are in South Africa. The Rainbow Nation, the land of Contrast, so much to see, learn and feel. AN experience of a lifetime.

It's hard to believe that our group only has three more days in the great country of South Africa. Over the past few weeks, I have taken up the margins of my journals with numerous lists. There's the list of encounters that I am hesitant to share with my parents: bungy jumping from the world's highest bungy point, digging out a tick from my leg, diving from cliffs into the rivers of the Wild Coast. I have a list of activities that the trip has inspired me to complete: receiving a graduate degree in social work and increasing awareness of the everyday realism of AIDS in Africa.

This is an entry from my journal for Monday January 29th, 2007.

Today was one of the best of the trip. We visited two high schools, one more middle class, the other struggling.

Yesterday was an emotionally draining day in all aspects . Our time spent at the Apartheid Museum was the most thought provoking visit of the day for me. We've read and learned a lot about the history of Apartheid before coming to South Africa, but seeing the different pictures, watching videos, and hearing stories made it all the more meaningful. It astounds me that the horrific history of South Africa definitely did not occur in the distant past. It is just so incredible that something as detrimental as Apartheid even happened in the first place, and not that long ago.

A few days ago we visited a handful of schools and had the opportunity to speak with students and faculty at Midrand High School and Eqinisweni Secondary School. I was shocked and sobered by their response in regards to the AIDS epidemic and rape prevalence. I am still working to digest the harsh reality--perhaps this blog entry will help me do so.

At Midrand High School we stat in Ms. Sinah Komane's life orientation (L.O.) class. The high school itself has 1023 learners. It was established in 1993 (post-apartheid) and has 40 highly qualified teachers.

Only a day left and I finally get a chance to use the computer again. I used my last time to post pictures, which I hope everyone has enjoyed. I will be posting lost more just after I return, so stay tuned. We hear so much about crime in the cities and townships that you start to get a perception of what it is going to be like, but your whole image completely goes out the window when you actually get there. I have felt more at risk in cities in the US than I have in the townships and squatter camps here.

This is an entry from my journal, Tuesday, January 30th.

Today was a powerful and emotional day. It was also very busy.