America Meets Oceanview

It’s crazy how fast strong relationships can be formed. I just got back from a weekend homestay in a township named Oceanview. My program arranges for its American students to stay with a South African family for the weekend. You get to experience the atmosphere of the township while learning more about how the South African families interact and live.

I didn’t think I would be as nervous as I was when the bus pulled up to the community center. Already the children were going crazy; they were waving at the bus and jumping up and down. It wasn’t long before the people who didn’t know we were coming realized what was going on. Once they saw the ninety Americans who were holding flowers and baked goods while exiting the bus, it was clear. However, they were all very welcoming and were so happy that we were happy to be there.

We all were given a number and had to find the family holding up that number. I found them and in my head I was going crazy with joy because my family had children, an eight-year-old girl named Amy and a thirteen-year-old boy named Robin. And that initial joy grew when I found out that my host mom was a caterer.

After the welcome dinner we went to their house. Now, I know this may sound ignorant and terrible but it was not what I expected. I expected Oceanview to be in much worse condition than it was. My host family’s house was very nice with a spacious kitchen and decorated walls. The parents were telling us what to look out for in Oceanview, but assured us for the most part it was very safe. They then took us to a “street bash”, which occurs every weekend. What happens is a DJ sets up giant speakers and people have a big dance party in the street until late. It was actually amazing to see, that sense of community and free spiritedness. This would never happen back in the States. There were kids, the youngest was maybe about 3 and the oldest was about eight, who were dancing in the streets with teenagers and middle aged adults. The lady I had met told me that music and dancing were big here because it kept the kids out of trouble. When I asked where the parents were she said some were not around and just trusted that their kids would be fine. It shows that this community is so trusting in each other that they allow kids to be more free and expressive. And the kids were loving it; they were socializing and doing some amazing dance moves. I must say that this sure beats the stereotypical couch potato US child.

The next day my family took me to Boulder beach to see the penguins and swim. I got to ride in the back of the truck with Amy. Amy is a funny kid who is not shy at all. She talked with me the whole way there. When we got back we ate more of my host mom’s delicious food and then went to a birthday party across the street. More dancing and good times. They knew more American music than me and kept singing along while I tried to lip sync and pretend to know the words.

I honestly had the best time. What an experience. It showed me that other side to Africa I was talking about in my last blog post. It’s the amazing community where everyone knows everyone and where people have each other’s backs. I am definitely going back to hang out with my host family. We exchanged numbers and my host mom is already urging me to come back and eat more. So I guess I should do as she wishes right? I mean, who would turn down that sort of environment?


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  • Tess I just read your blog for the first time. I’m glad you’re having a great time. I’m working hard. Been in contact re housing, everything is fine

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