Ann O’Neill

This is the first dispatch of the Pedagogy of Action 2010. Our stint in Johannesburg is over and we are now in the middle of our work in Durban. This marks the 10th year of the Pedagogy of Action. It has been a remarkable journey and much has been accomplished. Our objective now is more capacity building of institutions in South Africa to infrastructurally continue the work of the POA. We have just begun establishing our work with CAPRISA , the Center for Aids Prevention Research in South Africa at the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine at the University of Kwa- zulu Natal, at the University of Johannesburg with the HIV unit, with the Office of transformation at the University of Witwatersrand, the International Office at the Durban University of Technology and the HIV unit at the University of Zululand. Although we have limited our work in communities because of this emphasis on capacity building we still work at the Twilight home for street children and will be at a new primary school in Pine Town. There is much more to share with you. This week’s dispatch is written by Ann O’Neill who is in Women’s Studies and Medical Anthropology.

Enjoy. Nesha

The Rule of Johannesburg

As we begin our transition to life in Durban, I am filled with anticipation for the next city hoping that it contains half of the generosity and energy of Johannesburg. When someone once described Josie as warm I didn’t understand what they meant. After being there for just over a week, there is no other word that better captures the hospitality and kindness I found there.

Our first introduction to the people was in the dedicated and driven students of the University of Johannesburg. Students in the HIV outreach group called The Link came in on a Saturday during finals to learn the module. We were all impressed with the eagerness and interest they expressed in the program. We also had a lot of fun interacting with our peers and were awed with their language skills. In addition to English, most students could command another five or six languages, sometimes more! I struggle with maintaining just Italian for goodness sakes! Because of language and their pre-existing knowledge base, they were engaged and relatable and warm. It was a great orientation for the module in South Africa.
The next location for teaching was at the Twilight shelter for “street boys”. Here even after their full school day, over 50 boys ages averaging between 12 and 20 years old would break into four groups and actively participate in learning the module. In the beginning some of us needed to work through language differences, and some of us needed to find a level of respect from the boys before they wanted to participate. In just four short days, however, these boys and young men shared with us and allowed us in. Together we worked to reverse the roles of teacher and student. The results being their full comprehension and development in their chosen languages. For me, here is where I truly saw the transformative power of the module. I also gained invaluable perspective from the dialogue with the “kids” of Twilight. These “kids” are not kids at all, but have been through more in twelve years of life than most go through in 80 years. Some might think this would make them hardened and distrustful; instead, they were welcoming and warm. They shared with us and gave me a humbling perspective about the realities of a life of constant struggle. On the final day, I was so proud when the students conveyed their ownership of the information packed into the module through their multi-lingual teachbacks. After the certification ceremony, we each performed dances and songs. I could not have asked for a better closing event, because it initiated cultural exchanges and strengthened the bonds we made there. We were sad to leave but left knowing that these young men gained empowerment through their ownership of knowledge, and that we, ourselves, learned and grew as well.

Johannesburg also gave us amazing opportunities to see historical places and meet with current leaders. Between the museums, the world’s greatest and wisest tour guide Kenny, and United Nations leaders, the Pedagogy of Action program exceeded any ordinary study abroad program I’ve ever heard of. For instance, Mr. Ahmed Kathrada is one of the founding fathers of the new South Africa. He invited us into his home, and spoke with us about his experiences during Apartheid and insight into the present relations of the new post-Apartheid generation. I am still awed that we were able to meet and talk with a man who directly resisted the oppressive laws of Apartheid and spent over 26 years in jail in commitment to the struggle. Despite these years of harsh oppression, Mr. Kathrada was gracious and kind. The wonderful part about Johannesburg is that his warmth was not the exception but the rule.

On Behalf of the 2010 Pedagogy of Action Team,

Ann O’Neill