For the local communities

Only few days left in South Africa. Every day saying goodbye for the mountains with the clouds rolling down their peaks, for the sounds of the cold waves. This week I also said goodbye to the kids of three different neighbourhoods, luckily Skype relationship continues. From the time here I succeeded to receive what I came for to do, almost 40 interviews including children as well as my colleagues and to broaden personal understanding of life. Last week I heard the most beautiful music by the students of SACM UCT, my housemate is the vocalist and she is incredible! She composed the song called  Daima  herself. this city is incredible, people here have warmth and light in their heart, they have a strong need to belong, to have an identity. It brings conflicts but also amazing hospitality, rootedness, loyalty and laughter. If I could bring something back to Europe it would be exactly this the lightness of heart, humour and laughter. I feel I have lear...

Now 2 weeks in Ottery is over, and I have finished with my interviews, having 32 at the moment! In upcoming week I will interview also my colleagues and their feelings of their own neighbourhoods. This week I will also see all the after school programs and say goodbye to the kids, since my last full week here starts! I have been doing other things also, last weekend we climbed on the Lion's head with my housemates, and had Snookies fish&chips in Hot Bay: This weekend I went to see the sunrise in Lagoon Beach, having amazing view to the Table Mountain. After that I also painted the view for the same family that ordered the mural. And today finally, I also reached the peak of the Table Mountain, 1085m! And saw penguins in Simons Town!

Now  I have worked already one week in the new neighborhood, Ottery , close to Lotus River where I started 6 weeks ago. Workshops, already 26 interviews done! Typical urban landscape from Lavender Hill, Grassy Park Me with my colleague from who I have learned so much! Mural finally ready :-) My student colleague left after 5 weeks and now on my own!

This week I have been painting the mural in Woodstock every day a bit. Magic forest is starting to seem like from a fairytale indeed! I'm pleased to see how the faces of the locals passing by has slowly changed from doubtful head shakes towards approving nodding during the week. Also I have worked with the kids every day: on Monday in an assembly in Ottery as well as in the afternoon visiting again Lotus River and the children there. Mainly I have worked (three days) with the kids in Khayelitsha . I have now altogether 18 interviews already done form the children between 8-15 age! What is interesting that from the 18 interview, almost none of the kids fully trust to their friends, since they " turn against you ", " bully you " or " spread your secrets to the others ". I think that this is a fundamental problem in the communities that struggle with insecurity and crime, since besides the family, friends are the base of social interac...

I have been busy with the school programs and painting workshops in Khayelitsha as well as starting the mural project in Woodstock. On Wednesday we did a bicycle trip to the Lion's head mountain, 600 meters high to see the beautiful sunset of Cape Tow. In Cape Town there is a strong fear towards townships and poorer neighbourhoods which are struggling with gang violence. People I met in Stellenbosch as well as residents here in Woodstock and Salt River would never enter to these neighbourhoods with thrilling reputations. There is a difference between the residents and non-residents of these neighbourhoods: the people living in these areas don't have so strong reactions of their living areas as well a the crime and fear is not so dominant discourse in everyday discussion. It seems that the fear of crime (so now we are not talking about the crime itself) is grasping stronger rather to the people who have a choice not to live in these areas than to the residents of ...

Last weekend went very fast by exploring Cape Town and playing soccer. I found out that just behind our corner there is an informal soccer field with breathtaking landscape (as always in Cape Town). We girls were mainly watching when the boys from the house were running after ball. But the plan is to attend to the game next weekend. This field is always open and free, which makes it accessible for many people in the neighbourhood. I had a nice visit in Khayelitsha, every weekend there is a huge party in a local club, Rands . If you want to enjoy life, it is definitely known as the coolest place to be in Cape Town. The flow of people starts around midday and around 8pm it is so full that you can't much move, just dance to the amazing african house beat. People looked gorgeous with their outfits and makeups and a drone is flying constantly in the sky filming the best moments. I also ate the best braai so far. Definitely not the image of Khayelitsha that media mainly mainta...