A Unique Adventure

Chicago to Amsterdam: 7 Hours

Amsterdam to Johannesburg: 11 Hours

Being welcomed with opened arms by a family in Bloemfontein, South Africa: Priceless.

After many seated hours from Chicago to South Africa on our KLM flights (yep—multiple), and a 4 hour drive from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein (both cities located in South Africa), our group could not have been more humbled and truly grateful for an amazing meal with at least thirty of Andrew’s “family” members. (This was Andrew’s host family during his volunteer year.)  We attended an event called a Braai, which is the South African term for a barbeque (unexpectedly similar to a typical American BBQ). There was singing, dancing, prayer, socialization, and lots of lots of delicious food, all provided by the Monama  family. We quickly made friends with many of the folks there, including some university students studying accounting to mechanical engineering.  I don’t think we could have started our trip out with a more joyful, friendlier or more cultural experience.

After the Braai, we loaded back into the bus and headed to Lesotho. We entered into the Magic Mountain Kingdom without any issues, and then headed to Roma. We arrived late, ate dinner and hit the hay. Man! Traveling really wore us out!

Today, Monday, March 03, 2014 was simply amazing. We began by connecting with a group of Basotho who serve as volunteers for BLOOM Africa by connecting our work in the States to the families and children in Leostho who we serve. Maicy, Ma’Monaheng, Bokang and Malefa make up an integral part in the success of BLOOM Africa’s projects and mission.  We then walked to the Leratong Community Center, and saw all the great aspects of that space. The Leratong Community Center offers a space for children to play after school, while also growing their life skills: Volunteer Basotho women teach young children from the community how to knit and sew. Children also get the opportunity to read, write and build their language, social and emotional skills.  Since BLOOM Africa funds this Center, it was great to get an inside look.

Later in the day we returned to Leratong to enjoy the shiny, smiling faces of the children post-school day. We played Duck, Duck, Goose and also learned a fun game/song combination that Basotho children—Bana, in Sesotho—grow up playing. We played basketball and soccer; we read books; our normal-seeming volunteers became the silliest Tickle Monsters you’ve ever met. The joy and laughter was overwhelming, in a good way.

We ended the day hiking up to the top of a mountain in Roma to see dinosaur footprints—made, they say, by the Lesothosaurus— and a Lesotho sunset. We were accompanied by about 20 kids who were eager to show us the way to the “dinosaur”. It was apparent that they were proud to know the way, and proud to show us around their home. While the dinosaur prints were cool, they were no match for the breathtaking views that were waiting for us at the top of the mountain. Words cannot describe the beauty, peace and joy of the sight.

My name is Sarah Braden, and I am BLOOM Voluntour 2014 teammate and a long-time BLOOM supporter. While I absolutely enjoy reporting about this adventure from the eyes of group as a whole, this blog entry wouldn’t be complete without a personal reflection:

The joy and vitality of the Basotho is something that cannot be explained; only experienced. It is humbling, exciting and restores my faith in the strength and love of humanity. Families support each other with extremely limited resources; kids find joy in silly games; strangers greet you, no matter the color of your skin. The community is filled with a sense of amity, hard work and hope.  The grass is not the greenest, the work is not the easiest, and circumstances are far from ideal. However, joy, hope and acceptance are definitely present; and that makes all the difference in the world.

I speak for my group when I say that this day, well, it ROCKED. And tomorrow we will travel to Ramamabanta to continue this unique adventure.

Sarah

Sarah Braden is from Dallas, Texas and on the BLOOM Voluntour

It's That Time

Nervous. Apprehensive. Excited. All emotions I felt as I waited to
depart on my first flight to Lesotho.

Today, nearly eight years later and for the third year in a row, my
brother and partner, Andrew and I will be embarking on a trip to the
mountain kingdom to continue the work of BLOOM Africa.
But this time feels extra special.

With us, we are joined by six volunteers. I can tell they are all
nervous, apprehensive, and naive - as I was my first trip. And excited
(talking about you, Adam Waxman, Mr. three-calls-a-day and new Lesotho
travel guide extraordinaire.)

Their excitement fills me with pride. As well as gratitude to Profesor
Rosenberg, who first introduced me to me the tremendous spirit and
culture of Lesotho all those years ago and encouraged me to become a
shepherd of the Lesotho culture myself.

Will you join us on this adventure?

Over the next eight days, I will be sharing my love for Lesotho with
our volunteers and here on the blog with you. Visit daily for updates
and please send your comments, questions and good spirits on our
Facebook page.

With excitement,

William

William is BLOOM Africa's Deputy Director and Vice Chair of the Board

Being a Voluntourist in Community

So there is a blog that has gone viral over the last couple of weeks.  The blog, titled 'The problem with little white girls (and boys)" touches on the ever present issue of short-lived 'mission trips' that commonly takes place in less developed nations.  As we at BLOOM Africa gear up for a return visit to Lesotho on Friday, taking with us 6 volunteers for the first time, I felt like it was necessary to reflect and respond.

Many of us on the BLOOM team are on this team because of a short time spent in Lesotho at one time or another.  For me, it was a month in the summer of 2009.  Looking back, I have to admit that as a 22 year old college senior, I didn't yet "get it."  Our trip was focused on building things, which typically fell apart 6 months to a year later.  And unfortunately, it was easy to see some people were there for the wrong reasons.  But that doesn't mean that trip, and all of those before and after, were at a great fault.  Service trips can be done well if the local community is involved.  If there are things being built together, with a local expert leading the way, the extra hands from western volunteers may actually be warmly welcomed.  There is the ability for cultural understanding through working together that could be helpful.  But, sadly, often times this is not how these trips are typically organized.  But, the impact the trip had on my life can't be overlooked.  The experience did something to me that I couldn't explain. It ignited a passion in me that I never knew I had.  Many students, myself included, suddenly were on a path for a life of service.  For that, I am forever thankful.  But I longed for something that was more sustainable.

The trip caused me to pursue service opportunities, which led me to volunteering in Bloemfontein, South Africa for a year after graduation.  The program I served through, called Young Adults in Global Mission, has an unlikely mission.  The mission is 'accompaniment.'  What does that mean!?  Accompaniment basically means to be in community with those you serve.  To walk hand-in-hand with the marginalized and go foar beyond sympathy and empathy.  It is living in true community where understanding and love can occur.  So I have to be thankful for that time spent in Lesotho, although I learned so much more about community development after living in South Africa.

Recently, I was lucky enough to attend a lecture by Dr. Paul Farmer (founder of Partners In Health) and Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez (founder of Liberation Theology) in Chicago.  These two giants in the field of development and fighting poverty have written a book (In the Company of the Poor) where accompaniment is seen as the best way to fight poverty.  Why?  Because until a person breaks the barriers of their privilege and truly feels what their brothers and sisters feel, they will not be able to understand poverty.  Without understanding poverty, how can we ever overcome it?

As we embark on BLOOM Africa's first ever 'Voluntour', accompaniment remains our focus.  As the volunteers going on the Voluntour saw our itinerary, they may have been a bit surprised to not find any cement mixing, building houses or painting projects.  Instead, they found a lot of community conversations, long walks, meetings with village chiefs and time spent with out volunteers.  I believe there is great value in cross-cultural experiences that sometimes come from "mission trips", but the mission has to be right.  If the mission is to travel somewhere less developed than home, throw together a structure and then leave, it is neither sustainable nor beneficial to the community.  But if the mission is to travel somewhere to share in experiences with others, learn a new culture, and create friendships and relationships, it is a sustainable good.

Reuniting with my dear friend, Rose

We believe that BLOOM Africa has positioned itself in a true accompaniment model.  Our team of volunteers and staff in Lesotho are growing every year, and we are empowered by their passion for BLOOM's work.  Our Community Learning Centers are organized and operated by our partners in Lesotho, and we want the programming to stem from community needs and local challenges.

As we count down the hours until we depart for Lesotho, there was an excerpt from the blog that caught my attention, "Before you sign up for a volunteer trip anywhere in the world this summer, consider whether you possess the skill set necessary for that trip to be successful.  If yes, awesome.  If not, it might be a good idea to reconsider your trip.  Sadly, taking part in international aid where you aren't particularly helpful is no benign.  It's detrimental."

Well I think every human has the skill of accompaniment.  We all have the ability to spend time with others, get to know others, and understand others.  We all know how to share a meal, share a laugh and share hope.  I highly encourage you to travel internationally, but keeping in mind how much you have to learn by spending time with others in community...a community that has much to teach us, and not the other way around.

Andrew Steele is the Founder of BLOOM Africa and served as a Young Adult in Global Mission volunteer in 2010-2011

An Exciting Return

It’s that time of year again.  In just 10 short days, I will be heading back to Lesotho with my good friend and BLOOM Deputy Director, William Thomas.  This will be the third year we have gone back to Lesotho to continue building strong, life-long relationships with our friends and partners.  But, this year is different than the last few years in a big way.  We are bringing 6 volunteers with us.

This year is the inaugural BLOOM Voluntour, where 6 volunteers will join us on an amazing journey of self-discovery and transformative experiences.  The volunteers are as diverse as the beautiful mountain ranges in Lesotho.  Three volunteers will join us from Chicago, one from Dallas, one from Cincinnati and one from sunny Santa Monica.  You have already met two of the volunteers on this blog, (Laura and Sarah) and you’ll meet the rest of the gang on this blog and on our social media.  On February 28, we will all depart from Chicago’s O’Hare airport towards our welcoming hosts and friends in Lesotho and South Africa. 

After we settle in for the night after our long flight, we will travel to Lesotho with a stop in Bloemfontein.  We will be having a South African braai with the Monamas, my host family during my time in South Africa, and others in the community.  After our fill, we will head east and cross into Lesotho through the Maseru Bridge border gate. 

We will be spending 5 days in Lesotho, mainly in the Roma and Ramabanta communities.  In Roma, we will volunteer at Leratong Community Centre, meet members of the community and hike to see dinosaur footprints.  We’ll spend a day in Thaba Bosiu, the mountain range where the Lesotho kingdom was born.  There, we will meet with partners who BLOOM Africa has funded, and hike up the famous mountain where King Moshoeshoe defended the Basotho nation against all intruders.  We will then trek high up into the mountains until we reach the tranquil village of Ramabanta.  The volunteers will enjoy an afternoon of pony trekking where they will see cave paintings dating back thousands of years.  We’ll also meet with women in the community who have been making scarves and hats in the Center where BLOOM is expanding its work. 

Ramabanta

After our time in Lesotho, we will head to the world famous Kruger National Park in South Africa, where we will spend 3 days on safari.  There, we will have the chance to spot the big 5 (Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard, Water Buffalo), as well as embark on some exciting activities and adventures.  Our visit will conclude with a visit to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, one of the most powerful museum experiences one can endure.  And on March 10, we will return to our homes, changed and transformed forever.

I’ve often been asked what I’m most looking forward to about this upcoming visit.  I honestly have to say that it’s the opportunity to introduce Lesotho and South Africa to 6 fantastic folks.  To see their faces when they see the sun set behind the majestic Maluti Mountains.  To hear their laughter when talking  with the children at the Community Center.  To touch their hands as we walk together with our partners and learn more about Basotho culture.  To taste new foods with them that they have never had.  To see their expressions when they hear their first Lion roar in the distance deep in the bush.

And like last year, we will be blogging our experiences right here.  Follow us on our journey, and I hope you can join us next year!

With great anticipation,

Andrew

Volunteer Spotlight: Sarah Braden

Sarah will be joining us on the BLOOM Voluntour in March.  In preparation for her return to Lesotho, we posed these questions in which she responds below:

Sarah and her dog Lucy

What made you want to go on the Voluntour?

I took my first trip to Lesotho in 2009 with a group of Wittenberg University students, and the 'Magic Mountain Kingdom' totally stole my heart.  While there was great need, the happiness I saw in the children, and the selfless giving of the Basotho was overwhelming.  When our bus arrived in the city, happy children ran alongside us with bright smiles on their faces.  For being a country of immense poverty, it struck me how excited and happy they were.  I was truly moved that first night.  Our group completed many different projects around the city, including planting gardens, digging pit latrines, and painting bedrooms and orphanages.  It is so rewarding to serve.  Our trip lasted for a little under a month, and upon leaving, I knew that I had to go back someday.  I began volunteering for BLOOM Africa the year after I graduated by hosting annual happy hour events in Beaumont and then Dallas, Texas.  When I heard about the Voluntour opportunity, it wasn't even a question of whether or not I wanted to go. I emailed Andrew and said, "Where do I sign up!?"

What are some things you're excited about to experience in Lesotho?

I am most excited to interact with the children and families.  It's a very freeing feeling to work alongside somebody.  I am also excited to grow alongside the other BLOOM volunteers.  A person experiences a lot of emotions when put in a new environment, especially an environment so completely different than where we live.  I think that talking about our experiences together as a group will allow each of us to grow in our own ways.

What makes you want to serve

I've always had a heart for service.  I went on my first service trip in 2007 with Athletes in Action.  We went to LA and served at churches and day cares along skid row.  That's when I truly realized how much I've been blessed in my own life, and it made me want to give time and energy to people who really need it.  Ever since that trip, I've continued to seek out ways to serve.  I believe when you give for no reason other than to just give, you get just as much out of the experience as what you produce.

Sarah lives in Dallas, Texas.

Volunteer Spotlight: Laura Olson

Hello BLOOM supporters! Thank you for supporting such a great organization. I look forward to learning so much more about the country of Lesotho and how we can make a difference! I work in the non-profit world and know that it indeed does 'take a village' to not only raise a child, but also to create change for the better. The mission of BLOOM Africa appeals to me because it is not only supporting the immediate needs of orphans in Lesotho, but it is looking for ways to create ways to sustain that support and improve their way of life.

I believe in giving-back. It was instilled by my parents while growing up, and it continues to drive who I am today. I've been fundraising, volunteering and helping locally in my community since childhood. It has guided me to my current profession in fundraising for one of the largest non-profits in the world. But being in the fundraising world, I am always looking for more opportunities for hands-on work. I also work everyday to improve my immediate community, so the opportunity to branch out and travel internationally to help was very appealing. 

If there weren't these things called bills and student loans in my life, my dream job would be to help build needed infrastructure or help run empowerment programs in Africa. Ever since a very powerful class on Africa in college, I've been continuously learning about the cultures, ways of life and challenges within the continent. Specifically, I am drawn to issue of empowerment of women to take care of their families. Africa may be a long ways-away from our own everyday lives, but I believe it is important understand the world outside of our own bubble and to learn as much as I can about other cultures in order to fully appreciate our own blessings. 

I am so excited to learn more. I want to experience the beauty of Lesotho's landscape and culture. But I also want to learn as much as I can about how they live. How does their economy work? How does the culture vary from one village to another? How do they hope to continue traditions and/or change cultural norms? How do they hope to support the orphans in the country? How can we try to change the number of orphans that need help? Most of all, I want to know how I can help. I am looking forward to learn how I can and thank BLOOM Africa for giving the opportunity to do so - Kea leboha!

Laura Olson

Laura is a Senior Relationship Manager with United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.  She will be 1 of 4 volunteers visiting Lesotho on the inaugural BLOOM Voluntour in Spring 2014.

Lead With Love

It is no real secret, if you know me to any degree, that I really love people. I recently heard a quote by Cory Booker that said, “We need to lead with love”. I could not agree more, nor say it any better. It sounds so much like something I would say, I have wondered if Cory Booker stole the quote from me. He didn’t. I give him full credit for his simple, eloquent statement.

I think there are many salient moments in my formative years that shaped the way I move through this world. However, my two trips to the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho stretched and developed my emotional capacity for love and compassion beyond a limit that even I ever thought I could surpass. Working alongside the Basotho was an incredibly special time in my life and the experience was only heightened by the fact that I had the thrilling privilege to share it with Wittenberg college students. For the first time in my life, I could literally see the capacity for compassion in a person grow before my very own eyes. On more than a dozen occasions I saw a student “figure it out” – what it meant to have compassion and share an emotional experience in empathy with someone they hardly knew but understood why it was important to do so. Amazing. Simply stated.

Often I have wondered how we can enliven the compassionate spirit within others around us that we know could use a good dose of it. I have not created a magic potion, or remedy that I can use, although I will quickly market it if I do. What I have been able to do is recognize ways in which growing compassion in people might be effective. I have observed how my young niece is developing a strong sense of compassion and much of it, I believe, stems from sharing my stories and experiences from traveling to Lesotho. My niece, Zoe Sage, has a mother (my sister, Mickey) that believes in leading with love and has instilled much of that attitude in Zoe. Add this rearing approach to the exposure Zoe has had to my Lesotho stories and we have a loving, sensitive 9-year old that finds a space in her heart for even a piece of trash. That sounds humorous and as if I am exaggerating but I’m not. This young girl has a capacity to find a place for everything in this world and for everything to have a shared community in which it can grow and be loved. Yes, even trash. When Zoe was 7 years old, Africa was the second continent she could clearly point out on a world map, or globe, after indicating where North America was. But my favorite part of Zoe’s big heart is how often she references the children in Africa and Lesotho specifically. When we wrote a letter to Santa two years ago, one of Zoe’s items on her wish list was to provide all the “cheldrin in Afrika with shoos, soks and gud cloths”. That moment was imprinted on my heart so much that I still remember the beautifully expressed – albeit incorrectly spelled – words she used. This past spring when Mickey and Zoe were doing some spring-cleaning, Zoe suggested that they send “some of my old stuffed animals to the children in Lesotho so they have something to play with”. Priceless. Simply stated.

If I was going to experiment with how to build compassion in people, I may use the model of Zoe’s young life as the template as it appears that she has developed the care and understanding about the importance of our global brothers and sisters without much resistance. It proves to me that the ability to have compassion for others is an innate sensibility that we are born with and, if cultivated at an early stage in our childhood years, will be unveiled to the benefit of those who surround us.  To tell the story of my time in Lesotho with family and friends, while feeling futile at times, has proven to generate some shared compassion about a cause that is dear to me, including in my niece, Zoe. That is some rich residual impact of the growth of compassion in my own heart. Fulfilling. Simply stated.

I will continue my pursuit to share the development of compassion and empathy in others around me, whether they are 9, 19 or even 99 years old. As much as I can, after my time in Lesotho, I will always aim to do my best to Lead with Love. Simply stated.

Sarah

Sarah Jurewicz is a founding Board Member and currently resides in Springfield, Ohio.