Thousands of refugees from surrounding war-torn and destitute African countries flock to South Africa in hope of a better life, or just a means to at least feed their children.  However, life is not easy for them when they get to South Africa, a country that itself has huge levels of unemployment and poverty.  The refugees are faced with dealing with Home Affairs to get their asylum papers, a lengthy and difficult process. They are often faced with xenophobia from South Africans in the communities they are trying to stay in, who see them as unwelcome and a threat to their employment.  They find themselves, having escaped the horrors of their home countries in a desperate situation, now having no access to basic necessities like food, clothing, shelter, and water, let alone employment and a positive future for themselves and their families.

In order to make this difficult transition easier, there are several non-profit and human rights organizations in Cape Town that aim to assist this needy population.  Connect-123 has partnered with these organizations that include refugee centers, orphanages, activist organizations, legal aid clinics, and organizations that offer humanitarian assistance, and skills training and development.  Our interns and volunteers come and apply their skills to assist these organizations in helping these desperately needy people.

This is an area that needs great assistance and we look forward to welcoming more people to help in this area.  Whether you have an interest in human rights, are able to speak French, have a legal background, social work skills, are interested in research around issues of migration, or you simply want to help, we need you!  Many of our program participants volunteer their extra time to assist refugee orphans with their homework, and even donating unwanted clothes and toiletries goes some way in helping to give these people at least some dignity and a chance for a better life.

During my time in Cape Town I completed a 4-week internship for an NGO partnering with big business in order to progress goals set under the Sustainable Cape Town 2030 Vision. The internship provided me with an opportunity to explore how sustainable initiatives are being implemented from both bottom-up and top-down approaches. It also highlighted the challenges of achieving sustainability in a country with different political concerns than what I am used to. Through my host organization I was able to make contact with a range of stakeholders including government, renewable energy developers, advisory bodies, regional action groups and other NGOs. Connect-123 helped to make the experience memorable, the organised social events were great and I found the team to be energetic and helpful. Overall my internship allowed me to gain valuable practical skills in applying learnt theory to real world situations. Cape Town is a great place to better grasp the intricacies behind realizing sustainable development.

I know that when I go back to the States I will be asked, “So how was South Africa?” I’ve been wondering what I could possibly say to that, and I think I’ve found an answer that is unfortunately as broad as the question itself. “It was everything.” Think of an adjective and it was Cape Town – stunning, exhilarating, challenging, painful, hilarious, breathtaking, terrifying, comforting, emotional, etc, etc, etc. I’ve built a life here, and life is full of everything.

Looking back, I would not trade my experience in Connect for anything. It was a beautiful opportunity to befriend and live with people from all over the world while still becoming part of the local South African community. I worked at a literacy organization for at-risk children. The organization operates in five schools around Cape Town. I became a “link” at one of the schools, which means that I ran the daily operations of the Literacy Centre at that school. I coordinated over 50 incredible volunteers and 76 adorable children and had the time of my life. The children are tutored twice a week and usually have more one-on-one time with their literacy mentor than with any other adult in their educational life. It was amazing to see the changes in the children over my six months and to be given such great responsibility in the organization. Sometimes significant responsibility can mean a stressful working environment, but I always felt supported and loved as part of the team. Connect led me to what truly was my perfect internship situation, and I know that my experience will follow me throughout my life.  If you’re questioning coming to this incredible place, don’t. There is a depth here that sinks into you, and I’ve met so many people that come here and end up staying. Whether or not you decide Cape Town is the place you wish you could spend your life, however, I promise you’ll have a blast, grow in ways you never imagined and go home with amazing stories to tell.