KEEP's mission is to work together with educators and local communities to inspire, motivate and empower students to reach their potential through teaching, advocacy and the provision of necessary resources and support. Fellow students and teachers work in collaboration with schools from around the world that are committed to enhancing and sustaining the education of the people in the Moshaweng Valley of South Africa, as well as developing the character of participants to grow into socially responsible global citizens.
This past summer, I took part in their yearly two- week trip; after preparing throughout the previous academic year. We meet almost every week to discuss how we will prepare for the trip, and what projects need to be worked on while on the trip. I led a group of about 10 adults, ages 20-50, with varying literacy levels. I led them in teaching geography, since most of the adults in my group had failed their geography exams preventing them from graduating highschool. The other students from my school working in the same village as me led other groups, math, business, physics, and sex education.The purpose of our work was to further educate the adults within their community, and empower them make further contributions within their community. After we worked several hours every day with the adults, elementary-school aged children would come in for an hour or two. Our main focus was to further their skills in english, however if they needed help with other subjects in school we would do so as well. Every night we would come home, and work on preparing our lesson plans for the next day. It took a lot of time and energy to do so, but it was all worth it in the long run. Taking part of the trip truly was a life changing experience that I will never take for granted. It taught me lessons beyond words, ones that only those who have experienced the trip can understand. Coming back from the trip not only taught me valuable life lessons, but it has also shifted my mindset on matters such as my desired career path, and selection for increasing the challenge I receive within my academic studies.
Being back from the trip now and having a normal everyday school schedule, I still continue to participate in the club. We meet regularly during lunch, and prepare for the trip that will be occurring in this coming summer. This entails splitting off into groups depending on what work needs to be done in the valley, planning fundraising events, and preparing events to try and raise any objects that would be needed down in the valley (eg. book drives, football drives, ect.). Although I will not be attending the trip this summer for various reason, I still continue to support this club.
This past summer, I took part in their yearly two- week trip; after preparing throughout the previous academic year. We meet almost every week to discuss how we will prepare for the trip, and what projects need to be worked on while on the trip. I led a group of about 10 adults, ages 20-50, with varying literacy levels. I led them in teaching geography, since most of the adults in my group had failed their geography exams preventing them from graduating highschool. The other students from my school working in the same village as me led other groups, math, business, physics, and sex education.The purpose of our work was to further educate the adults within their community, and empower them make further contributions within their community. After we worked several hours every day with the adults, elementary-school aged children would come in for an hour or two. Our main focus was to further their skills in english, however if they needed help with other subjects in school we would do so as well. Every night we would come home, and work on preparing our lesson plans for the next day. It took a lot of time and energy to do so, but it was all worth it in the long run. Taking part of the trip truly was a life changing experience that I will never take for granted. It taught me lessons beyond words, ones that only those who have experienced the trip can understand. Coming back from the trip not only taught me valuable life lessons, but it has also shifted my mindset on matters such as my desired career path, and selection for increasing the challenge I receive within my academic studies.
Being back from the trip now and having a normal everyday school schedule, I still continue to participate in the club. We meet regularly during lunch, and prepare for the trip that will be occurring in this coming summer. This entails splitting off into groups depending on what work needs to be done in the valley, planning fundraising events, and preparing events to try and raise any objects that would be needed down in the valley (eg. book drives, football drives, ect.). Although I will not be attending the trip this summer for various reason, I still continue to support this club.
Dance and Talent Show
The dance show that I ran (see dance page under "creativity") was also partnered with a talent show after the intermission. All of the profits that were raised during the dance and talent show were all put towards the Kalahari project.
Football Gear Drive
Besides regularly attending meetings, one way I have been staying involved in this club is through the football gear drive. My friend Laura and I advertised for people to bring some soccer/football gear they no longer use (anything from cleats to clothing to balls), and in exchange, they can receive a baked good (or more depending on the quantity they donated) during lunch. For those that had no gear to donate, we accepted money donations in return for a baked good. We received about 170 euros. After going down to the Kalahari this past summer, it was clear the the people of the valley community had a passion for the sport but did not have so little as a soccer ball to play with. This gear will be donated to them, and the money will be put into the club's funds.
End of Year Reflection and Supervisor Review
Overall, this was a very good year with the Kalahari. I participated as a member, and continued to support the club
Bake Sale
Here is a photo of the one of many bake sales I part took in, all the funds raised are to support the Kalahari Project.
Apple Fest 2018
This year, I helped set up the stand the Kalahari was at. I helped put up posters, and other necessary supplies. We were selling bratwurst this year, a classic apple fest food.
Reflection
This semester I learned that some commitments though they may be small, still contribute to the greater good of the service group. A bake sale, for example, is a great way to do. Take less than an hour out of your day to make brownies for the sale the next day, and violà you have helped create more goods to sell! Although I only helped set up at Apple fest, the set up for the most part was smooth. There were a lot of conflicting times as to what time I was supposed to arrive, this created confusion among several people setting up. I arrived half an hour too early, but I put myself to use and helped carry pumpkins to each stand. When it was finally time to set up the Kalahari's booth, the set up ran smoothly because the instructions given to us were clear. As learned with SAC, communication is key when you are contributing to a project!