On Leaving South Africa

By Danielle Koon, dream team assistant producer

March 4, 2007

We have left South Africa and I am above all relieved. I appreciated South Africa for the experiences I encountered with the Safari at Sun City , restaurants and interfacing with the people. However, I am ready to focus on Senegal and what type of experiences I will receive there. But before I go on about Senagal, let me explain my journey in South Africa .
When I first arrived in South Africa I wasn’t emotionally connected. Maybe it was because my expectations were too high. I loved eating out and meeting Ms. Charlayne Hunter-Gault.
She’s somebody that I read about in school. I know about her accomplishments as a journalist. I’m not a shy person at all but seeing her was big deal. It was like having someone you read about become a reality. Just being able to shake the hand of the person who covered Mandela was unbelievable.

But I wasn’t fascinated with the culture. Mr. Will (one of our team members) said it might be because I’ve been exposed to so much that wooden figures don’t excite me. I’m not sure if that was it but I was just having trouble.

What most surprised me was that I didn’t cry or emotionally connect to our Random Acts receivers until later. I’m normally a bag of tears, but not this trip. I’m sure this issue that I’m having will reveal itself either in Senegal or afterwards. Now, I’m not saying that I didn’t enjoy seeing the faces of the children or women, but I guess I just wanted to feel more.

Overall, I just want Busy to accomplish her dreams. I’m happy if she’s happy.
Let’s go to Senegal !

Visit: http://www.randomactsfoundation.com/story.html

Watch: http://www.ibroadcasts.tv/randomacts.html