Guguletu Part VI

My experience in Guguletu was definitely eye opening. A comment was said that I have not forgotten: "Can you understand the life of the poor if you're not poor?" I don't remember who said this, but it really makes me think - did I really understand what I learned while living in Guguletu? Was I able to take it what I could knowing the whole time I was going back to a house that I called my own at the end of the week? I think I was able to absorb to the best of my abilities, but that statement still remains true. I only lived in poverty for 5 days - not my entire life. I only had the opportunity to see it at a glance. (And it wasn't even the worst of the worst)

Despite this, I created relationships that will impact me for a very long time and these people with whom I created them have taught me so much. They allowed us into their homes, fed us their food, and told us their stories. They have the biggest hearts. My host mother told me, "It's not about the money, it's about the heart." They taught me how important community, family, and friends are. They also showed me how much I take what I have for granted, which is a lot.

I have so much more to say about Guguletu. I could go on and on about every person and every family but that would take blog after blog. It's much easier to do when I have pictures to go with every story.

This experience did what it was meant to do - taught me how to look at life in a new perspective.