My internship at Women on Farms Project wrapped up back in the beginning of December in what now seems like a blur. I spent my last ten days or so in Durban, South Africa working at and participating in the Rural Women's Assembly which was a people's movement in conjunction with COP17 on climate change. Over 500 rural women from ten+ African countries, as well as women from India and Guatemala, attended the five day assembly. The women had time to voice their opinions and struggles with climate change, share farming advice with each other and form recommendations for the COP17 talks. We also participated in multiple marches and protests. I mainly served as an extra pair of hands while there. This was the largest event that I had participated in while interning for WFP and so it was quite an experience and challenging at times. I definitely learned a thing or two about 'African' time and organization! Despite some minor issues, the assembly did go well and I hope that the women all returned home with renewed motivation and fresh ideas for sustainable and productive agriculture.
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| Rural Women's Assembly |
While I was sad to say goodbye to Stellenbosch, it was not quite as painful as that first goodbye back in 2010. I shed many tears but was excited to be returning home at the same time. I think after my second South African adventure I have a more accurate vision of the country, acknowledging both the positive and negative aspects of life there while also seeing the good and the bad of the States at the same time. I don't think I will ever live in South Africa permanently but I also don't think I can stay away for long. I know I will be back soon - as soon as I find a new reason to go back!
Anyway, I've been back in St. Louis for three whole weeks now! Just two days after I returned from Cape Town I jumped on another plane and made a quick trip to D.C. for the wedding of one of my closest friends from home, Kaitlin Davidson. Kaitlin married a Chilean named Timo whom she had met while studying abroad a few years ago. There were eight or so other Parkway West people at the wedding so it turned out to be a mini high school reunion. Despite some major jetlag, I had a fantastic time seeing everyone and enjoyed watching Kaitlin walk down the aisle in her beautiful dress!
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| High school friends at the Lincoln Memorial |
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| Parkway West reunion |
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| With the bride in her beautiful dress! |
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| Christmas day with my cousins in our homemade tacky sweatshirts - Goodwill was picked over by the time we went looking there! |
