Tyler Williams-Hamilton, Age 13
Today was one of those days where you Go somewhere , you say your goodbyes to people you won’t see again, go someplace interesting and fun and you learn something, play, and to top it off we get to eat at a all you can eat restaurant with ribs and brownies. Yea today was one of those days.
Last day with Diepsloot GoGo’s
A grandma in Diepsloot
We left to say goodbye to the GoGo’s we have been helping since the beginning of the trip. It felt good and bad for three reasons. The first is, I know that we helped them and all and we gave them food clothing and light for some; however I grew an unbreakable bond with them that wants me to keep them in touch. I can’t do that. Second are they all having kids and all are mostly grandparents who are caring for the kids because the mother either died or abandoned them. The problem is that they provide for the kids first, not that there is anything wrong with that it’s just that they have limited resources like their shacks being the size of my closet back in the states. Finally the last problem I have with not seeing them is I was hoping I could continue providing for them even though I could only do that if I live here (they live on property they don’t own or pay rent for.
We visited the U.S. Consulate
After we left Diepsloot, we started heading towards the U.S Consulate, a place where they provide services specifically to Americans in Africa or Africans trying to go into America via passport or visa. We saw their equipment, we even got to play a game where one group would be in a booth and the other group would be on the other side trying to get a visa and the proof person would try to identify them as valid or fraudulent. I was the second person and I denied everyone. The funniest one was where my mentor lily and her friend Michael were trying to get a visa I asked Michael what was their relationship he said brother and sister, I asked him what was their last name he said Tavares a minute later I asked lily what is their last name she didn’t say anything. I asked for her paper and said I approved her visa she said thanks not knowing I stamped deny she came back a few minutes later when she found out, I already closed the booth that was funny.
Dinner at Moyo provided by African Tourism
Dinner at Moyo in South Africa
Dinner was okay I liked the ribs but the brownies were horrible, wait I’m sorry I can’t even lie that was one of the best ribs I ever tasted. It was smoked and BBQ’d. Then for entertainment a man was playing his guitar and singing at the same time. He wasn’t half bad especially when we were leaving we all started singing the world cup song. It was awesome then the bathroom was all dark and spooky. The food was the best of the whole thing. This day made me smile. =D
Chanell Thompson, Age 13
Yesterday, my day started off sad but ended GREAT! To start our day off, we visited our families for the last time. That was what made my day sad in the
JFC ambassadors playing with Diepsloot kids
beginning. After we left our homes, we went to the playground where we played jump rope and gave out cards to show that we appreciated them for letting us into their homes. Soon as we left, we went to the U.S Consulate, which was a little boring in the beginning, but after that meeting we took a tour and did like a skit, which was hilarious. Later on that day, we made our way to the restaurant Moyo, where we had dinner. The food was OKAY, but not that good! But my day was good so that’s how my day was and I loved it so much.
Keion Staton, Age 13
Today I woke up and only showered for ten minutes. When I got to the lunchroom I was upset because I was the only one there. Everybody woke up late because they stay up past curfew time. While on the bus I went to
JFC2 ambassadors with a family in Diepsloot, South Africa
sleep and next thing I know I was in Diepsloot for our last visit with the families. We went to Diepsloot to say our last goodbyes to the families we were working with. After leaving Diepsloot, we went to the United States consulate in Johannesburg.
At the United States consulate we learned how to find an identity theft with passports. The presenter told us to look at the ears of a person because that is the most successful way to find an identity theft. We also learned how the United States sends mail to the other countries out of the continents. After the United States consulate we had to change our clothes because we were going to have dinner at a restaurant called Moyo. The food was good. Almost everything was meat. Then we went back to HeronBridge to get ourselves ready to go to bed.
Gabrielle Bradley, Age 12
Today was an educational day. One difference that I noticed today was that
JFC2 Ambassadors and Diepsloot Children in South Africa
the children loved the little toys we brought for them. But most kids in Brooklyn would want more than we gave them. Also, the GoGo’s liked the letters we wrote to them telling them about how we appreciate them. Also to tell them how much we thank them for letting us in their homes. Another thing that is different is in Brooklyn the things that exhibits they show at the Apartheid Museum take place somewhere else but in this museum all what I saw took place here in South Africa .
Keara Sheppard, Age 14
Today we went back to Diepsloot to visit our 3 families. It was a bittersweet moment for me. I was happy that we got another chance to sit down and talk to them but I was kind of sad that it would be our last visit. We stayed at their homes longer than usual so that we could sit down with them and talk. I thought it was so interesting that they would have so much to tell and share after just meeting us. From Diepsloot, we went to the U.S consulate in Johannesburg. This was actually exciting for me. Basically, this place is for when Americans who are currently in South Africa have any type of problems. It was interesting when we got to actually play the role and deny or approve people for getting visas. Then we got to tell how people steal identities and fraud. After we went to this really nice and well decorated restaurant called Moyo. The food was so good and we had a great time. Today was actually a very fun and exciting day.
Aneudy Taveraz, Age 13
The day before yesterday, we all had to drop off clothing to the people that live in Diepsloot. I felt relief that we did all that stuff for those people. Then we went to the museum, it had a lot a lot of information about racial discrimination within the African culture. There were a lot of war(s) including the Boston massacre which took place in 1770. One of the interesting parts was the two people that found gold and they were the first ones, their names were George.
Aneudy and the South African Flag
After we left the museum, we went back to Heron Bridge where we practice a dance for the talent show six days from now, it was a cool dance.
Then the next day, we did our last home visit to Diepsloot, they have better lives now thanks to me and my group I felt happy that I made an impact in someone’s life. Then after that, I went to the US consulate here the group learned about fraud identification. Then after that we went to Moyo for dinner, it was good it was like an all you can eat buffet, It was a fun day.
Douglas Williams, Age 14
Today was a good day. After breakfast we had our last day with the family’s we helped in Diepsloot. Then we went the U.S. consult. We had dinner at a very nice place called Moyo.
Our families were so thankful and happy they all wanted to cry. One of them asked when were coming back to visit. They didn’t want us to leave. They were following us until we got on the bus and they still didn’t want us to leave. A lady cried as we pulled off.
When we went to the U.S. consult we met different types of people that worked there. I learned how to noticed fraud when people apply for passports. Also I can tell when someone’s an imposter. The way to tell difference is by isolating one part of their face. Also there facial hair.
When we went to Moyo for dinner it looked like a regular store at first. Then when we went upstairs I seen the tables were clean with silverware. They started calling tables off one by one to get our food. They gave us wrist bands to know that we were able to eat. They had all different types of food different chickens, different salads, different fruits, and more.
To view photos of the mission trip to South Africa, please go to: http://angelrockproject.com/arp/pr/angel_buzz_jfc2.asp
Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service uplifts the lives of inner-city youth through global travel, volunteerism and advocacy work. More information on the program can be found at www.angelrockproject.com.
