It is Tuesday afternoon, and I am finishing up packing for my trip to South Africa. It is hard to believe that I have been preparing for this trip for over a year now. My interest in the Father Smith Fellowship at Providence College first peaked in April of last year when I heard about the opportunities for students to serve in a foreign country over the summer. I decided early on in my first year at PC that studying abroad would not be the best option for me during my undergraduate experience because I wanted to enjoy my classes without feeling rushed to fit everything in before a semester long trip. I also knew how passionate about service work I am from several previous service trips inside the U.S. Fortunately, the Father Smith Fellowship afforded me the opportunity to travel abroad while in college and cultivate my own service work for an entire six weeks. So, I was very excited to begin contacting Dominican communities around the world. Indeed, I eventually realized I was being called to serve in Springs, South Africa. I wish to share an excerpt from my final proposal to the program that reveals the nature of that decision. 

 

"It was in early September when I started to believe I was being called to South Africa. During the summer, Father Lewis told me that he would be visiting Providence College in August. However, one afternoon during the first few days of the fall semester, I followed up with Heidi about his visit and, as it turned out, his trip had actually been moved to September. In fact, he was on campus that very day. I was able to talk in person with him for a few moments about the ways in which volunteers generally serve at the St. Martin de Porres Development Center and the rest of the community of Springs. He also shed light on the harsh realities of South Africa and how my time in Springs would differ from my life in America. Father Lewis warned me that if I am fortunate enough to be granted a Smith Fellowship, I would need to be ready to face such realities of underserved and impoverished people. I am confident that I am ready to take what I have learned in America and share my gifts with those abroad."

  During this past academic year, I have discerned and written about the experiences I hope to have in South Africa living and serving with the community of Dominican Friars. I am very excited to be volunteering at the St. Martin de Porres Development Center where I will be able to spend time playing with and tutoring children in the community. I will be staying in a house of Dominicans about ten miles from the St. Martin's site. I hope to be able to meet and serve those in the community near the house as well. For the past month or so, I have been especially focused on preparing for a trip during which I may not be able to necessarily see physical change in the community in need. For example, I will not be building houses or planning large events to help those in need as I have done in past service experiences. However, I have been preparing myself to simply immerse myself in the culture and the lives of those I meet along the way. However I end up spending my time, I hope that I may positively impact the community in my efforts. In addition, I pray that I will have a safe and, as Fr. Robb would say “life focussing” experience in Springs. 

  Over the course of the next six weeks, I will be posting here about the people I meet and the experiences I have, which will probably include lots of pictures. Thank you to all those who have supported me the past year and especially to those who have donated their money and time into assuring that I have the opportunity to go to Springs. 

JW