Debi Johnson – Kamehameha School – Science Dept.

When asked to reflect upon my teaching experience in South Africa this past summer, I can sum it up simply: I am not the same person. I have heard that said before, but now I understand how it can be true. I have grown immensely, not only professionally but personally as well.

My first impression when I walked into the Vaal University auditorium with 400 students was, “Wow, where in the U.S. could you find this many high school students who would come on their vacation to learn about Math and Science?” I was awestruck by the hunger the students had for learning. I knew during those first moments that this trip was going to be very special, and yet, very different from what I expected. Looking back, I’m not sure exactly what I expected. I had read everything I could that would give me insight: Teacher’s Without Borders websites, travel books, past teachers’ reflections. But I still felt unprepared for what was eventually to unfold in those four weeks of teaching and learning alongside the South African teachers and students.

One of the things I was unprepared for was the tremendous number of people (many who were behind the scenes) who had to work together for these workshops to happen. There were SO many people: the ladies from the local Rotary Club who baked turkeys in their ovens at home in order to feed us, the cafeteria worker who bent the rules and let me “borrow” a gallon of vinegar so that I could run an experiment, Zwich, a local teacher, who stepped up and helped us find our way around a confusing stockroom. In each place we taught there were people that took us into their homes, fed us, made us feel at home and we left there knowing we had made good friends.

Another thing I was unprepared for was the sheer number of teachers and students who had given up their vacations to come and share a week with a few “teachers from Hawaii.” At each workshop venue, there was always such a wonderful turn out. I was told that the numbers keep getting bigger and bigger each year and that we had to be selective with our advertising because “everyone wants to come.” I certainly found that to be true. I still am amazed about that. I think everything went so well because everyone who had anything to do with the workshops really cared about what they were doing and when you care about something it shows.

My trip with the Teachers Without Borders-South Africa has been an experience that is so hard to put into words. My heart is in my throat right now as I remember those weeks in South Africa, from the beaches of Cape Town to the rural areas of Umtata. It can be summed up as people working together toward a common goal, which could not have been accomplished without each person’s part. But, no matter what I say, I am left wondering if it isn’t something you just have to experience for yourself. Maybe that’s why I felt unprepared—how can one be prepared for the depth of feelings, sights, and sounds they’ve never even conceived before? I just had to experience it myself. Now that I have, I know am different. I will never forget South Africa, and I will be forever thankful.