November 27, 2007
by James Collins
I’ve been on the road now for almost three weeks and it has been a truly amazing experience. From the gnarled baobab trees of Musina on the Zimbabwean border, to the diamond mines of Kimberley in the heartland and the towering cliffs of Cape Town on the Atlantic coast, I’ve managed to cover quite a bit of ground. I’ve seen more than a few breathtaking sights and I’ve met some wonderful new friends along the way. Working with the field bands in their communities has been a very special experience and my appreciation and understanding of this country are constantly growing. But, by far the most important thing I’ve gained from this journey has been a love for teaching.
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November 27, 2007
by Phally Chroy
No matter how much I love Cambodia, I dislike some things about her. Take for example this video that I shot with my fellow interns. GIVING alms, it is very funny that all these business people in Cambodia dedicate one day out of their “busy” life to give charity. I thought it was pretty ironic that their activities on this “special” occasion are to make up for all the “occasions” they fail to give or help out. It was also kind of funny how the cops are out there walking around, beating people with a bamboo stick, so that the people do not take “more than needed.” Well I better stop being cynical. Today is actually Independence day, and I actually do understand why people make alms in Cambodia–so they can reincarnate into a better life (if you believe in Buddhism), but who wants to not reincarnated back into a rich family? I think maybe the poor…
Click here to email Phally with your questions or comments
The views and information presented are the Fulbright grantee’s own and do not represent the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State.
November 20, 2007
by Phally Chroy
So you may have been wondering what ever happened to the person who won the Fulbright to Cambodia?…
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November 16, 2007
by James Collins
I’ve decided to leave Johannesburg for the time being to explore South Africa from the open road. I’ve had a great time in Joburg so far, but I’d like to see more of the country before deciding where to base myself for the rest of the year. I plan to visit as many field bands as possible along the way, and if all goes well, I will cover most of the country in just one month.
I’m excited to visit the bands and to meet the tutors and see how they work with the kids. From what I’ve seen so far, each band is very distinctive. Some run on a tight schedule, while others are pretty loose. Some try to experiment with their performances, while others choose to “go with the flow”. Some place a strong focus on teaching life skills, while others stick more closely to the music. There are a lot of different teaching styles and approaches in use and I’m hoping to learn from the different bands and see what works best. I think my teaching will benefit greatly from the experience. I’m also looking forward to meeting some teachers from the Norwegian Peace Corps who are working with the field bands in Limpopo (a province in the northeast). Some of them have been here for over a year, so I’m sure I can learn quite a bit from them.
I’ll be sure to send some updates and hopefully a few videos from the road. Thanks for all your recent comments! Keep them coming and let me know if you would like to see anything in particular on the blog.
Click here to email James with your questions or comments
The views and information presented are the Fulbright grantee’s own and do not represent the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State.
November 16, 2007
by James Collins
I’ve grown to like Johannesburg over the last month. I’ve gotten to know its quirks and charms. I’ve learned about the different neighborhoods and how shacks can be minutes from mansions. I’ve been to many of the malls, where the upper and middle classes mingle, and I’ve been to several of the townships, where the Field Band Foundation comes to life. I’ve become used to frequent power outages and broken robots (the South African term for traffic lights). I even managed to purchase and register a car here, which is a true accomplishment (involving six trips to the licensing office). There are moments when I’m reminded of Los Angeles or even Mexico City as I drive through the various neighborhoods tucked away in my car. But, Jozi, as it is affectionately called, is definitely unique.
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November 2, 2007
by James Collins
I’ve finally managed to put together a video from the National Championships. It’s split into two parts to reflect each day of competition (and so that I could have files small enough to send over my wimpy and temperamental internet connection). Let me know what you think!
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