Contrasts

Queenstown, South Africa is full of contrasts from the lush flatlands surrounded by mountains, the hot, sunny days intermittent with cool, rain showers, the mixing of cultures in the various neighbourhoods to the more culturally defined areas.  While shopping areas are open to all, economics play a large role in participation. In most cases the economic divide is also cultural.  Opportunitities are most evident yet some barriers are still hard to conquer.  In the schools, the lack of resources in some is most apparent. There is a great need of resources here in order to level the playing field for full future success.
Throughout the history of South Africa there have been distinctions made between four basic groups of people, the Indian, the Blacks, the Coloured and the Whites.  Now, although time has brought many changes those four groups, while able to live and travel anywhere freely, social events have not yet entirely woven together.
Courtney and I have had the good fortune to be included in a wide variety of activities and events here in South Africa as a whole.  Being a mixed couple and from Canada has afforded us opportunities others may not have been lucky enough to experience.  As a result of this good fortune we are able to see the past, and present, from many points of view.  While barriers have begun to breakdown somewhat much is still developing.  Personal freedoms are evident yet internal and subtle biases and outlooks linger on.  This process will take a long time. 
The hope of greater barrier breaking lies within the schools, within the level of education that all students are entitled to, the formal training that all teachers, in both public and private schools, must have and particularly within the Ministry of Education and its checks and balances regarding Human Rights within its mandate.
Contrasts in philosophy cling to some past discipline practices which conflict with needed understandings in respect to the dignity of all children and the valuing of their worth.  Encouraging them to think and to share their knowledge through collaboration, debate and dialogue is slow to reach its importance.
Jobs and wages need to improve to allow families to work closer to home to ensure that the children grow up with a strong sense of family as many parents are forced to work far from home,even in other cities to be able to afford their children's schooling and in many cases their boarding fees as their schools are also far from home. Those children living at home are often cared for by grandparents or extended family.
While the struggles continue, actualizing full potential is within grasp.  I am grateful to be a small part of helping to bring that reality closer.  Courtney's and my contributions to date have been well received.
We love this country and its people!