27May
Category: Maggie Castillo, Uncategorized
Posted by: Margarita Castillo at
10:20 pm No Comments
The last days in South Africa were amazing. Game drive at Kruger National Park was amazing. Specially when we saw the Black Rhino. Old Joes’ Kaia is a place that made us all feel at home. We found out that we had a lot of artist in our group including singers, guitar player, piano player and dancers. I have it all in video!!. The cultural visit to Shangaan village where orphan children dance for us was great. We learn what they are doing to preserve the culture and help the youth stay out of trouble. Dinner at Carnivore Restaurant was fun but I think I will not try crocodile again.
On friday we visited four companies. It was a marathon but we learn a lot of good things. JSE is the oldest exchange in Africa and has the same technology the London exchange uses. They have very modern surveillance system. Coca Cola South Africa is getting ready for FIFA World Cup 2010 and are using this as an opportunity to teach teenagers to recycle. Is good to see that the company with the #1 brand in the world do a lot to help the community with different programs.
For some reason I cryed when I was showing the pictures of Soweto to my family. Specially the ones when we stop to walk around the neighborhood, talk to the kids and went inside of a mini home. I realize I live with abundance in my life. I emptied my two walking closets and have a total of 8 bags full of cloth and shoes that I have not use in a while and tomorrow I am going to donate them. Too bad they will not make it to South Africa. I invite you to do the same; If you have not wear something in the past 2 years you will probably not wear it again. Donate those things, there is somebody out there that needs them.
Good luck South Africa you have a bright future in front of you. I hope I will be able to contribute to your success in some way. I will definitely encourage all my friends to visit you!! Thank you for your beautiful people that showed us a wonderful time.
17May
Category: Maggie Castillo
Posted by: Margarita Castillo at
5:36 pm 1 Comment
Apartheid Museum reminded us one more time of all the suffering and abuses South Africans had to go through at one point. It is unbelievable that this just stop happening 15 years ago.
Duane our awesome guide said “we are not proud that this took place in our country but we need to never forget and make sure this will never happened again in any part of the world”.
In Soweto we visit the house where Mandela lived at some point in his life. We also stop at one of the neighborhoods and walk around and saw the living conditions. They invited us to go to a house that probably is the size of my kitchen but everybody looked happy specially the kids. Our guide Ngugy asked us to please not to give money to the children b/c they wanted to make sure they will grow up and learn to look for a job. I have everything in video I wish and I will share it with you soon once Sabrina figures how to download it to her mac.
Tomorrow we will visit University of Pretoria and Ron Brown Institute and then go to Old Joes’ Kaia. On Tuesday we will arrive to Kruger Park and we will do Game Viewing (Safari) at night and during the day. I hope I get to see the Big Five: Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo. All of them appear on the bills here in South Africa. We will be there until Thursday and will not have access to internet. A group of us started taking our Malaria medicine last night just to be on the safe side but reality is that we do not need it.
We have been drinking tap water the entire trip and this water taste wonderful. Yes we are all doing great enjoyed the food, their hospitality and learning a lot of this great culture.
Be safe and most of all grateful of your health, your family and the great living conditions you have. Our visits today reminded me not to take anything for granted.
17May
Category: Maggie Castillo, Uncategorized
Posted by: Margarita Castillo at
12:56 pm No Comments
Monica who works at Standard Bank came to do a presentation to as on a Saturday morning. This bank has presence in 19 African countries and is a leading bank in emerging markets. They have been in South Africa for 145 years and have a total of 45,000 employees globally.
We visited Cullinan diamond mine. We had to dress like miners and carry our equipment: light, oxygen, cameras, etc. We went 1 km underground and met miners who have really good working conditions. The air and the break room are clean. Is totally different of what I expected. Unfortunately we did not get to keep any of the diamonds but we had the opportunity to go to the place where they sell the start cut diamond: “the diamond with a star in its heart”. Dear Santa, I would like one for Xmas!!
After that we had good food the Whisper Oaks and of course South African beer and wine.
17May
Category: Maggie Castillo, Uncategorized
Posted by: Margarita Castillo at
12:44 pm No Comments
On May 15 we went to Rustenberg to visit the Royal Bafokeng Institute. The produce 75% of the platinum in this part of South Africa and the King uses part of the proceeds of the business to good to society. The institute’s goal is to create a Child centered community and teach as many kids as possible. Unfortunately there are not that many teachers and sometimes they will have as many as 124 students in a class room.
We did not have the opportunity to meet the King b/c he is out of town. He is still single!!
We also visited Tapologo Hospice. They have different programs to help people that have HIV/AIDS. What they are doing really touched my heart and I encourage you to visit their website www.tapologo.org. I have not had the chance to do it b/c access to the internet has been a little bit challenging for me but I am sure there is a way to donate for this wonderful cause. They started in 2003 with 200 patients and they have been able to reach 6,350 patients. It is amazing how some people have the ability to dedicate their lives to help the poor. I was glad to hear that the US has help this cause through PEPFA when president Bush was in office. I know right now our country is going through challenging times but hopefully we will be able to keep helping South Africa.
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