A family learning journey in South Africa

Li Lu-Porter, OSR-13 graduate and Dave Porter, OSR-14 student, along with their teenage son, traveled to South Africa this summer on a learning journey organized by The Berkana Institute.

Li writes: "There were many unforgettable, heart-touching and life changing moments, as we witnessed these amazing leaders at work.

"Mother Carol who came forward to care for 3 orphans from a friend dying of AIDS, and is now running the orphanage for over 1000 kids who lost their parents in similar circumstances. She also organized volunteers to teach and mentor young leaders in the community.

"Thulan in Soweto Kliptown ,who organized kids to learn and to stay away from drugs, invited us as guests to his community. The youth there welcomed us with an amazing dance performance. We experienced such joy and life celebration! Nicholas Negroponte’s $100 laptops were also present there to help kids learn.   

"Dora and friends at Greenhouse project turned an abandoned park in downtown Johannesburg into a productive community, hosting a preschool, a vegetable garden, and community space for gatherings. They also found ways to not use electricity for two years and continued their work. 

"Tshidiso organized his “out of work” community to grow food organically for sustainability and finding ways out of poverty. 

"Modise was beaten, tortured and brutalized in unthinkable ways. Modise told a story of how the only thing that allowed him to keep his sanity was learning to see both himself and the prison guards as victims of the same apartheid system. Nelson Mandela (spent 26 years there) was his teacher during the 5-years he spent at the Robben Island (Cape Town) prison.

"Despite alcoholism, drug abuse, spouse abuse, loss of will, destruction of spirit, the Fisher-women in Cape Town were rebuilding their community one pot of soup and one soccer game at a time.

"Ella Gandhi was continuing her grand-father Gandhi’s work, living and teaching the concept of 'building the condition for peace.' Gandhi lived and worked at Durban South Africa for 21 years."

Berkana connects and supports pioneering, life-affirming leaders around the world who strengthen their communities by working with the wisdom and wealth already present in its people, traditions and environment. Learn more about Berkana.