Staff Blog
Joe From Swaziland: Part II
Intercordia Canada Executive Director, Joe Vorstermans sends his second blog while visiting SWAPOL (Swaziland for Positive Living)…
Joe Writes From Swaziland
Intercordia Canada’s Executive Director, Joe Vorstermans, is currently in Swaziland visiting with SWAPOL (Swaziland For Positive Living) an NGO supporting rural people living with HIV/AIDS. Read about his arrival in the last remaining absolute monarchy in Africa. SWAPOL is funded by the Stephen Lewis Foundation. You can find out more about SWAPOL at http://www.swapol.net.
Joining the Team!
My experience in the Intercordia Canada program has been one that has touched my heart in a variety of ways. Upon initially hearing of the Intercordia program being launched at St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, I was unsure whether I was ready to embark upon a journey of its kind. Little did I know then, Intercordia would soon become a significant part of my life.
My First Trip to Ghana
In a small rural village called Sega, the local school, founded by the Headmaster, Mister Godwin, provides classes for about 300 children from kindergarten to grade 7. I was asked to teach a grade 5 class while I was there so that I would experience the work that our students from Canada would be participating in.
Palestine 2006
I was visiting with a Palestinian family in a small village called Artas, which is a short distance south of Bethlehem. The father of the family, who drove a taxi for a living, generously took time to inform me of the reality of the situation they were living as we drove back and forth from Artas to Bethlehem or drank cups of strong coffee in his home. He spoke about the anger and frustration among the people of this area against the Israeli military occupation and the building of “The Wall,” which is not only separating the Palestinians from the Israelis but fragmenting the Palestinian land and population. He spoke about the injustice inflicted by the Israeli Government’s policies, how difficult life is, and how hopeless the future appears. He also spoke about the beauty of the Palestinian culture, the wisdom and practice of Islam, and the strength of the Palestinian family. The tone of his voice swayed between desperation and pride, and often his descriptions ended with the statement “This is our life!” spoken with despondency. He sometimes wondered out loud why the western world doesn’t speak out against the occupation.
