Postcards from Around the Globe
MAY 28, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Freddie Wilkes
Every day I wake up I have to remind myself that I’m in South Africa. To this very day, I still have trouble realizing that I am finally here. After the morning breakfast, we loaded into the vans and headed to 
Soweto. When we arrived in Soweto, we entered the Hector Pieterson Museum. This museum was erected in memory of a 1976 student protest in which many schoolchildren lost their lives. Whenever we visit any location in South Africa, I can always hear the words of my mother whispering in my ear, “Remember to internalize all of your experiences.” While at the museum that is exactly what I did. As I read the writings and looked at the graphic pictures, I could not help but think about the similarities between apartheid in South Africa and the Civil Rights Movement in America. The museum was really helped me understand the impact that apartheid had on South Africa.
After the museum, we ate lunch at the Vlakazi Street Restaurant, which was very good. We also had an opportunity to walk through the community and talk with children and adults about South Africa. Most children asked us about music celebrities in the U.S. and many adults asked us how we were enjoying our time in South Africa. It was so amazing to me how passionate everyone was about the country of South Africa. Everywhere we traveled through the country, people were always asking us about how we felt about the country. As we finished talking to people in the community, we walked down the street to tour Nelson Mandela’s old house. Mr. Mandela’s house was very interesting because we were actually standing in a piece of history. As we walked through the door of the house, the first thing that caught everyone’s eye was a blanket laid upon his couch that had a Morehouse College logo sewed into it. This was very special to all of the Morehouse students, because it let us know that we were making our mark across the world in South Africa.
As we departed the area of Soweto, we headed to Wilberforce Community College in Evaton. On our way to Wilberforce, we drove through the area of Soweto, and we saw some of the worst cases of poverty in our lives. There were hundreds of houses made from metal sheets, mud, and wood that would shock most Americans. Driving through the townships, made me really appreciate the things and the blessings that I have back in the U.S. 
Even though I may think I have it bad sometimes, this was a real reality check for me and others. After traveling through the townships, we finally made it to Evaton. When we arrived it was very dark outside, and in the distance there were many fires burning. The smoke outside was very thick and heavy because most people throughout Evaton burn their trash at night. Once we settled in our guest houses at Wilberforce Community College, we headed out for dinner at the Vaal Triangle. The dinner that Stone Haven and Wilberforce Community College put together for us was amazing. The tables were dressed up with many different fabrics and the food was delicious. I can’t wait to see what the rest of Evaton and Wilberforce Community College has in store for us.
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
