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Heartland Community College

South Africa

Through our partnership with EDU Africa, Heartland Community College is proud to offer two different summer programs to Cape Town, South Africa. Both programs will provide 3 credits of Service Learning 101: Introduction to Service Learning.

As its name might suggest, South Africa is a country located on the southernmost tip of the African continent. South Africa is well-known on the global stage for its long struggle with Apartheid, transitioning to a democratic nation in 1994. Its formative histories, however, are much longer and more complex than the narrow lens of Apartheid allows. Contact between the indigenous societies of the Khoi and the San, and the waves of migration that brought various Bantu civilizations south from West Africa are a couple of examples. Like many other African countries, South Africa is home to varied people groups, cultures, and religious belief systems; for this reason, it is often called the “Rainbow Nation”. It is also geographically rich and varied, comprising 8 different biomes that are spread across the country, and is home to a spectacular array of plant, mammal, and bird species.

Agriculture, water conservation, and sustainability

This program will introduce participants to agriculture, water conservation, and sustainability practices in South Africa. Participants will interact with organizations to explore different farming practices, learn about innovative responses to global issues, and actively practice conservation in their own life. Additionally, they will engage with themes of water as a natural resource and the effects of water shortages on the environment, economy, and society.

  • Depart Chicago on January 5 and depart Cape Town on January 14

Curricular Activities

Sprightly Seeds

  • Sprightly Seeds is an organization that focuses on meeting the basic needs of children by catering to their basic food security and nutritional needs. The Sprightly Seeds organization is currently working with Guerilla House to develop the grounds on a school in order to support both the school and the community. The development of these grounds encompasses the topics of urban farming, permaculture, growing food for both the community and school and providing a green space for learners.

Abalimi Bezekhaya

  • Abalimi Bezekhaya is a South African non-profit organization founded in 1982 with a focus
    on urban agriculture and community development. Their "Home Food and Garden" program empowers individuals and communities to establish small-scale food gardens, promoting food security and income generation through surplus produce sales. The organization provides training and ongoing support for community-based agricultural projects, contributing to poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability. Abalimi Bezekhaya's commitment lies in fostering self-sufficiency, empowering individuals, and enhancing community resilience through sustainable urban farming practices. A visit to Abalimi Bezekhaya provides students with hands-on experience in sustainable urban agriculture and insights into the intersection of social and environmental issues. It fosters practical skills, awareness of local challenges, and an understanding of how grassroots initiatives contribute to community development and empowerment.

Eco Synergy Exploration at Aquila

  • Close to Cape Town, just 12 km outside the little town of Touws River, is Aquila. They have introduced a number of eco synergy systems that co-exist together to minimize their carbon footprint. Part of their waste management program is Vermiculture. Recycled shipping containers were used to manufacture the worm farm. The earthworms are fed cardboard, paper and kitchen vegetable & fruit scraps which produce organic worm compost and tea. This is used in their veld regeneration project, to fertilize their on-site gardens and soil rejuvenation tunnels. Aquila also has
    biogas plants to add to their waste management program. Students will learn about all these endeavors and the ways that tourism and the environment can co-exist.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

  • Located on Table Mountain’s eastern slopes is the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. The garden was established in 1914 and is the first of its kind to be devoted to a country's indigenous flora. It forms part of a large conservatory that displays a large variety of vegetation from regions such as fynbos, karoo, savanna and others. On a walk through the beautiful botanical garden, students will learn about the sheer diversity of plant life within the Cape Floral Kingdom and why certain species and biomes are under threat of extinction.

ALLIED HEALTH

This 10-day program will introduce nursing and allied health students to private and public healthcare systems in South Africa. They will observe healthcare practices and actively participate in providing care through service-learning work. Students will also engage with local nursing and allied healthcare professionals and students, giving them insight into local career paths and trajectories. In addition, students will participate in a number of culturally immersive experiences.

  • Depart Chicago on May 21 and depart Cape Town on May 31

Curricular Activities

Baphumelele

  • Over the years, through the hard work, determination and help of the community and friends
    overseas, Baphumelele has developed into a thriving community project. In addition to a
    Children’s Home and Educare Center, Baphumelele has expanded to include the Adult Respite
    Care Center, Child Respite Center, Hospice in the Home, Child Headed Households, Fountain
    of Hope and Rosie’s Bakery/Sewing Project.

Desmond Tutu TB Center

  • The Desmond Tutu TB Center is an academic research centre located in the Stellenbosch
    University Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health
    Sciences. The goals of the center are designed on a strategy built on basic and applied
    research, as well as on the training of students and communities in all aspects of tuberculosis
    (TB). The Centre operates from the premise that grassroots research must never be
    underestimated, and includes working with communities and investigations into the everyday
    challenges of people infected and affected by TB and HIV.

Red Cross Children’s Hospital

  • The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital was built in 1956 and is the largest,
    standalone tertiary hospital dedicated entirely to child healthcare in Southern Africa. The
    Hospital is a public hospital and is also a teaching base for the University of Cape Town. This
    iconic children’s Hospital is world-renowned and is committed to delivering world-class paediatric
    treatment, care, research and specialist training. The Red Cross Children’s Hospital manages
    around 260 000 patient visits each year, the majority of which are from exceptionally poor and
    marginalised communities.

Accommodations

Both programs are scheduled to stay in the Leeuwenzee Guest House. Leeuwenzee is a Dutch name that translates to “sea and lion” - an apt name as the guest house is situated at the foot of Lion’s Head mountain in the lively sea-facing suburb of Sea Point. Sea Point is conveniently situated within walking distance of restaurants, shops, cafés, markets, sports grounds, parks, art galleries, and more. The  11km Sea Point Promenade is a favorite for runners, recreational cyclists, dog-walkers, families, beachgoers and anyone wanting to take in the breath-taking views of the Atlantic Seaboard. Rooms are configured with double or twin beds and some rooms have self-catering facilities. The Guesthouse also offers a communal dining area that doubles as a classroom space for groups to meet or for students to work.

Rooms are configured with twin beds

Extra-Curricular Activities

Both programs will provide cultural activities, which may change each year, but can include the following:

  • District Six Museum
  • Robben Island
  • Table Mountain Learning Experience
  • Cape Malay Cooking Experience
  • Boulders Penguin Colony
  • Safari

Fees

Both programs are cost on a sliding scale, with more participants reducing the expense. A minimum of 5 students are required, with an estimated cost of $3,000. The program fee includes: housing, airport pickup & drop-off, 15 meals, cultural visits & activities, dedicated local guide and local transportation.

Not included: You will have to pay for airfare to and from South Africa on the required flight provided by the group leader.

Eligibility:

Both programs have the same participant requirements:
  • 18 years old at the time of departure
  • 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Completion of at least 12 hours of college-level coursework by the time of departure

Application & How to Apply:

Application time will vary by the Program, and you should consult the Study Abroad Coordinator for more information.

To apply, please contact Zach Petrea, the Study Abroad Coordinator at 309-268-8613 or zach.petrea@heartland.edu