Service prodject and Cape town

Hey everybody,
between SAT's yesterday and being a little under the weather and haven't had much time so sorry about not keeping you all updated.

This past week we did a service project with and organization called CASE community action twoard a safer enviroment. We fixed up the library in their high school by painstakingly taking dusty books off shelves, organizing, sorting, boxing, and putting new books on the shelves. Then we transformed the space into something that kids hopfully will use and learn from. We did a really amazing job, and in 4 days it looked like a room striagt out of one of those makeover shows on TLC. We painted the walls and reorganized it to be kid friendly. It looks really grate and I have tons of pictures. We also taught a kids club with the leaders of CASE. This entitled us controlling a crowd of screaming children, teaching them songs and dances, playing games and ugggh....doing the Beyonce booty shake.. the kids got a laugh out of that one. The CASE leaders organise these kids clubs each with a different theme, self image, sex, drugs, teamwork. It is really amazing because it is kids teaching kids so there is a deeper connection than if adults were just teaching them. These clubs are so good for all of the children because sometimes they live in places where they don't get the proper roll models to make good choices. Let me tell you the CASE leaders were amazing roll models, they really wanted to improve the lives of the kids in the community. We all made quick and great friends with the CASE leaders and I wish them nothing but the best of luck in the future. I think that they could not be doing anything more for the community around them, they really loved what they did and loved the kids. Eventually though we had to say some sad godbyes to out new friends.

Also we had to day goodbye to our homestay family. Of course they took Me and KD along with our "cousins" for the week Kara, Quinn and Maggie (by the way Maggie's mom, Maggie told me to say hi!) out to all you can eat pizza. And I think we really did eat all we could. Goodbyes with our families were once again sad, they had made us feel so welcome and it reminded us of what it was like to live with a loving family. We all are having trouble adjusting back into our more permanant family, the traveling school family.

Allready we have visited a plantearium and went on a hip hop tour. Although we aren't the best dances we got to meet some "B-boys" who showed us some sick dance moves haha. Then the leader of the class taught us about his organization called "healing the hood" which uses dancing as an outlet for children in underpriveldged neighborhoods. He also explained a little of the history of hip hop in South Africa, it was amazing to learn how much American media influences people from across the world. He also rapped of his one of his songs which was not you tipical rap lyrics, it was actuallly pretty eye opening. Then we went around and saw some (get this...) government funded grafitti murals on the walls of building, they are actually used as way to make that part of town more beautiful.

Tonight we ate out at a funky organic restaurant and now I have to head back to catch up on some homework, soon we will be heading out to the consolate general's house for breakfast to watch the elections! exciting!

Love always,
Melissa