Postcards from Around the Globe
MAY 25, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Richard C. Jones
Greetings from Houghton, South Africa!
I've learned some new handshakes, short phrases, as well as dances.
Today we visited the campus of Cida College, where we worked together with their students painting, construction, cleaning up, and various other details to help prepare the campus for the opening of several buildings next week. To see these students take such pride in their campus shows their enthusiasm and pride, which I could only hope Morehouse can instill amongst current and future students. Taking ownership of their campus, Cida City College Students wash dishes, do maintenance, make repairs, and sweep. Anything that needs to be done is accomplished without fuss. Students come together and get it done. Nothing is too menial or demanding!
Walking around the campus, however, one gets a deep sense of spirituality and peace. There was fellowship, breaking bread, dancing, and singing, and plenty of conversations I've had that I'm sure will be with me for some time to come!
At lunch, I discussed with several of the students about death, transcendentalism, my concept of heaven and hell, then a question was posed of which I could not answer; Why is it that black Americans want to claim South Africa but not its people?!
Tonight, we will be celebrating the traditional Memorial Day weekend with several students at Africa Day downtown, which is so much like the cities of downtown Los Angeles and Atlanta, with its people coming and going, doing this type of business and that. There will be a concert in the park and it's expected to last a little after midnight.
The weather was totally perfect and cooperative today, but there is a chill in the air as evening draws near.
More Postcards
JUNE 18, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Richard C. Jones
MAY 29, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Mauri J. Robinson
MAY 29, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Kelechi Kalu
MAY 28, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Kweku Arko-Gilbert
MAY 28, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Freddie Wilkes
