Days 1 and 2 -- travel and settling in

Day 1and 2 (June 28-29) – travelling…left out of sd at 7:45 to Atlanta and then on to Joburg…24 hours of flying all together. Once we landed, we were greeted by Sarah K, Jeanette, and two boys from the school, Tandanani and Partson. We then took the brand-new train to the mall where we would be having dinner. A couple of interesting technological observations…
1. their luggage carts are designed to be able to go down an escalator (which we didn’t realize and half of us went on the elevator with the luggage carts),
2. in the parking lot, there are lights above each parking space – it’s a green light if it’s available, red if it’s not…genius!
3. The escalator slows down when there isn’t someone on it to save power,
After we got to the mall we had dinner in a restaurant called Spurs, with a Native American theme, which Paul (friend/helper of Sarah’s) correctly observed was very ironic – that this was considered a very SA experience/restaurant. Paul was very helpful about sharing some uniquely SA customs, as far as etiquette is concerned…for example, when reaching for something or shaking hands, hold the arm you extend with your other hand, and pull up your sleeve.
When we got to the school, we were shown our apartment and given a quick tour of the classrooms and offices. It’s a pretty old house that’s been converted into the school – and upstairs is our apartment, which is cozy. They were very considerate, leaving towels, soap, fruit, eggs, etc…
I still can’t believe I’m here and probably won’t until I wake up here tomorrow. We’re getting a tour of Alex tomorrow…leaving the house at 10, so I should at least try to get some sleep now

HTHI 11th grade creative writing project!
In preparation for this trip, I've enlisted the aid of my wonderful 11th grade students. Their last project for the year was a creative writing assignment where they had to communicate through poetry, short stories, spoken word, plays...anything! what life is like for them as a teenager in the US...keeping in mind that their audience is teens in South Africa, and trying to find a connection -- what do teens have in common all around the world? I've been so touched and amazed by their thoughtful, honest responses...and have been moved to tears several times. We have collected all of their work onto a classroom blog. Here's the link if you're interested:
http://english3hthi.blogspot.com/

My hope is to start a conversation between these two groups. I hope to have the students in SA do a similar writing project where they try to communicate with my students what life is like for them in SA. Ultimately I would like to compile their responses into a book, along with their photos and art. Marc Shulman, one of the other teachers going has somehow found 66 disposable cameras to bring with us so that the students their can document their lives...way cool!

One week to go and I'll be on a plane -- for 24 hrs. I can't wait!!

Fund-raising letter
Dear Friends and Family
I am writing today to share with you an incredible opportunity I have been given and to ask for your support.
I don’t think I knew until a few years ago that creating access to quality education was my driving belief; I just kept finding myself drawn to situations where I could be of help to those trying to make their lives and the lives of their families better, whether it be at the local community college or currently at High Tech High International. I’m finishing my fourth year at HTHI, a charter high school in San Diego that actively works to provide more equitable access to a quality education by seeking out and accepting students from all areas of the city. It’s also a school that believes in project-based, collaborative, personalized instruction. And now I find myself with the opportunity to take what I have learned at HTHI and share it with a school half way across the world that is trying to accomplish the same things that I so strongly believe in.
This summer I will be working alongside teachers in Johannesburg, South Africa as a teaching fellow for the Teach With Africa program (www.teachwithafrica.org). For seven weeks I will be working at the LEAP Science and Math Schools where they work to address the inequalities in the South African education system by developing schools for some of the poorest townships in South Africa. Their work includes not only a very successful academic education program, which prepares these traditionally underserved students for a university education, but also (as their website states) facilitates “the personal development of each learner into successful and socially responsible citizens” They do this through personalized instruction and support, hands-on learning, and “an environment of shared values and commitment to change.” Please visit their website if you want to learn more about this worthwhile organization: www.leapschool.org
Teach with Africa works diligently to raise funds to send experienced educators to South Africa each summer, but because of the current financial climate, it is necessary that I raise funds for my fellowship myself, which is where I could use your help. The total cost of this 7-week fellowship is $5000. I would be grateful for whatever you could contribute, but please know that if you are unable to help monetarily, I know that your prayers and good wishes are with me, and that is just as valuable and cherished. The link to contribute directly to my fellowship is: http://teachwithafrica.org/chooseContribute.html. Sincere thanks for however you choose to support me.
I am so excited and honored to be part of the Teach With Africa team and look forward not only to what I can offer but also what I can learn. I know that this experience with the LEAP schools will make me a better, more effective teacher and I look forward to the opportunities, challenges, and friendships that this summer will bring. And I am excited to have you all as partners in this journey. I have set up a blog to document this experience: http://summerinjoburg.blogspot.com/ Please feel free to write, comment, etc. Once in South Africa I will keep a journal and post pictures so you can see what the team is up to!
Gratefully,
Pam