Packing for more than 3 weeks

Here it is, my first attempt at being a blogger...

As you know I am leaving on Friday, May 22 for a three week trip to Cape Town, South Africa, escorting a phenomenal group of students from the University of Minnesota to study aspects of leadership in the township of Guguletu. We will spend the first week learning about apartheid and the modern history of the country and seeing the sites of Cape Town (and my husband Marc will be along for this part of the trip!). We then a week in the township learning about the hardships of poverty and HIV/AIDS, as well as the work of community to overcome these issues. Our final week is spent back at the University of Cape Town, trying to make sense of the leadership lessons and emotions we will experience. More on that in future posts as I get closer to the departure date. But for now, let's talk about packing!

Because we are guests in the homes of community members in Guguletu, we are all bringing things to donate to the JL Zwane community center, which serves as church and gathering post for the township. In my case I put out a call to my friends for used children's clothing and I cannot believe the outpouring! I took a picture of what I have to date and I told people I'd accept things up to Wednesday. Looks like I may need more than one extra suitcase! I am happy to tote it along!

I am also taking $60 that Ingrid & Sophia (my daughters, ages 9 & 6 1/2) have donated from the proceeds of their recent garage sale. They want me to purchase school supplies for the kids in Guguletu! I love that they've learned this lesson of giving so early in life. They make us very proud and I am not sure I will be able to stand being away from them for so long.

Thanks for checking out my first blog...more to come, more to come...