Philadelphia students return transformed after south africa immersion
Eight young women from West Philadelphia are back stateside, but they’re not quite the same. A recent trip to Cape Town, South Africa, funded by the KB Foundation, has irrevocably altered their perspectives, trading textbook lessons for visceral experiences ranging from wildlife encounters to confronting the legacy of apartheid at Robben Island.
A safari of the soul, beyond the lions
The journey, spearheaded by KB Foundation founder Kirk Berry, aimed to expose these students to possibilities beyond their immediate surroundings. It wasn’t just about witnessing lions prowling the African savanna – though that, according to one student, elicited a stunned “Oh my God, there's no way I'm really in Africa.” The itinerary included a visit to PricewaterhouseCoopers, a deliberate move to immerse them in the intricacies of global business, a world many hadn’t previously envisioned themselves inhabiting.
Berry’s ambition, he stated, is simple: “We are hoping this can be somebody's story. We want this to be something positive that shapes their life.” And initial accounts suggest that’s precisely what transpired. The students weren't mere tourists; they engaged with local communities, donating shoes and food – acts of generosity that, they say, brought a profound sense of gratitude.
One student described witnessing “everybody’s faces and how happy they were getting the food. It really made me happy.” This reciprocal exchange underscores a deeper lesson: that understanding transcends geographical boundaries and thrives on shared humanity. Of course, the trip wasn't without its more unusual moments. The students recounted, with laughter, sampling local delicacies like caterpillars and termites, often paired with peanut butter—a testament to embracing the unfamiliar.
The experience, by all accounts, was transformative. Beyond the tourist snapshots and the exotic cuisine, the students returned with a newfound appreciation for their own lives and a clearer vision for their futures. The KB Foundation is already planning a similar expedition for a group of young men next year, a testament to the program’s demonstrable impact. Fundraising efforts are slated to begin shortly, with the hope of expanding this opportunity to even more deserving students.