Dreamcatcher South Africa

          Me in my office <3        I spent most of my time in the office this week because of the rain. Usually, I like the rain but I miss painting! Either way, I had a lot of work to complete this week. From finalizing the order of the show to getting to the technical stuff like the creation of costumes. I was also working on my research project, I am gathering information about Melkhoutfontein and collecting data on the knowledge of kids, tourists, and viewers on the knowledge of Melkhoutfontein before and after the production, and the impact it had on them as an individual. Research has been a lot of hard work but also tons of fun! I love collecting data and getting the chance to talk to new people and grow in my own way by learning their points of view. I also put together an official schedule so that I could lay out what goals I want to achieve and the deadlines I will try to meet them. I love creating calendars, it helps so mu...

       Me and the kids practicing our surfer moves.          This weekend, my new Dreamcatcher friends and I rode the waves at Stilbaais public beach! The first thing we did when all the kids got there was run to the rocks, we had to be careful as we walked through the slippery rocks but the trouble was worth it when we each got our loose stones and placed them back on the walls of the ancient fish traps. The walls that are standing are more than 3,000 years old! We decided to switch things up and attempted beach volleyball instead of playing soccer. It was a new game for most of the kids but they caught on quickly and we all had a blast.  Some of us were more interested in the sea shells than the water. We had to be careful in picking up the shells because they were perfect homes for hermit crabs! One of my favorite parts of the trip was jumping and crashing into the waves, and then letting them push us back to shore. There were lots of...

  First day of Theater Club! This is me giving an overview of Melkhoutfonteins history.          I quickly grew a routine here in Melkhoutfontein- Mondays are my office days, on this day I usually am filling out my research report on the history of Stilbaai and Melkhoutfontein. I also work on choreo and touchups to the production. On Wednesday and Friday mornings, I am also in the office doing prep, for the kids that I will see in the afternoons. Sometimes I go over choreography by myself, and though I look a little silly dancing in a corner by myself it helps a lot to visualize, what I need to go over, or even change before the kids come. Rehearsals usually consist of singing, dancing, snacks, and games. I always look forward to these afternoons. The kids are so fun and learn so quickly! Me and Leonard with a Green Johanna :)          On other days you can find me in Stillbaai installing Green Johannas for people back backyards, Gr...

            This past weekend was very eventful! Marie kept me busy taking me to multiple events happening in the community. On Saturday I went to a High Tea, it was very fancy and I ate lots of yummy treats! During the High Tea, they held a raffle, Marie and I both ended up winning something! During the High Tea, they presented a guest singer who sang gospel songs for us. Her voice was beautiful, and the message spread that evening was powerful. The passages from the bible and the songs sung shared the same message: whatever hardship brought to Melkhoutfountein, not only would we overcome, but become more powerful.     Later in the Afternoon, I went to a gospel concert at Melkhoutfonteins Town Hall and again the guest speaker was there and she sang some of the songs at the end of the concert. She remembered me from the High Tea and translated the message of the night and sang some songs in english, I was embraced by the community and new str...

                 This is me with my host family Marie and Leonard.           When I first got off the plane at George Airport I was taken to the beach in Stillbaai where we sat at a restaurant and I shared a sandwich with my Dreamcatcher mentor Anthea. Watching the giant waves, I immediately decided I'd love it here.  I am a Dreamcatcher. I became one the moment I was welcomed into my host parents: Marie and Lenard's home, and joined in on a soccer game going on just in front of our house. The purpose of a Dreamcatcher is to dispel bad dreams from your sleep, the object is a symbol of lighter times. It is hope that rises as new volunteers come into the village each week, month, and year. With that hope, the Dreamcatcher can create a desired dream, a dream for hot water, a dream for education to grow up through, a dream for a roof over your head and food to eat, a new door, or a painted mural.  ...