The OT Abroad team stopped to “enjoy a few moments of togetherness” after their game drive at Pilanesberg National Park.
“When I think of the years of preparation and the tireless work of my colleague, Dr. Jewell Dickson, to allow us to get to this moment, it was just a special experience and moment of reflection.”
~Gavin Jenkins, chair, UAB Department of Occupational Therapy
Constitution Hill is a living museum with tours given daily that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. It is also a place of contrasts – the home of such injustice in the past is also home to the Constitutional Court. This space is dedicated to “preserving sites of atrocity for posterity, and also to recreating them so that they can serve the purposes of the present and serve to mould the future.” Click here to learn more. Click below to see our photos.
Continue reading “Constitution Hill (Photo Gallery)”South Africa’s Constitutional Court, the nation’s highest, is deeply symbolic. President Nelson Mandela first opened the court on February 14, 1995. It later moved to Constitution Hill “as an act of reclaiming a place previously affiliated with the violation of human rights.” Click here to learn more. Click below to see our photos.
Continue reading “Constitutional Court (Photo Gallery)”The GE Africa Innovation Centre is an award-winning glass-encased building that opened in June 2016. It is a place for collaboration with work and learning spaces for 2 to 120 people within. The GE-AIC team also provides “training, workshops, innovation programmes, and immersions for local partners.”
“This is at Belinda and Norman Lebowitz’s home – they welcomed us for lunch with them and their family. I met Bea – an occupational therapist specializing in low vision – after attending the World Fed of OT congress in 2018 after she took a photo of my poster and then we started emailing after.
In 2019, we met in person and since that day we have been working together. I introduced her to Beth Barstow, director of our Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation program, and our collaboration has gone from strength to strength. Beth met Bea in person for first time today.
It was just wonderful to meet in person again and continue our planning to create low vision education and resources for occupational therapists in the United States and South Africa.
Bea is also involved in mentoring Nikki Fernandez one of our students in the OTD and her capstone, so Nikki got to meet her in person as well.
Belinda and Norman welcomed this whole group – two dozen of us – into their home. It was a huge honor.”
~Gavin Jenkins, chair, UAB Department of Occupational Therapy
Today is Freedom Day in South Africa, which celebrates the country’s first democratic elections, which took place on April 27, 1994. The national holiday is an especially meaningful day for the group to visit Constitution Hill. This national historic site, which is now home to South Africa’s highest court on constitutional matters, began as the Old Fort, a military prison built in 1893 by the British colonial government. The prison was notorious for its harsh treatment of inmates, who were often subjected to brutal forms of punishment and forced labor.
During the apartheid era (1948–1996), the prison became a symbol of the oppressive regime, and held many anti-apartheid activists and political prisoners, including Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Albertina Sisulu, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Ahmed Kathrada.
The Constitutional Court of South Africa was inaugurated in 2004 on the site of the Old Fort, becoming a beacon of hope and justice for the country.
Today, Constitutional Hill is home to museums and exhibitions that tell the story of South Africa’s struggle for freedom and democracy. Prison cells have been preserved and are now open to visitors as a powerful reminder of the country’s turbulent history.
“This photo shows part of the Freedom Day celebration on Constitution Hill. These are traditional African performers, as seen through the windows of the South African High Court. The blinds reminded me of the cell bars where Black people were disproportionally imprisoned.”
~Jason Vice, assistant professor, UAB OT
“In this photo you will see an image painting on the wall at the children’s hospital. Throughout the hospital there are many different art pieces that allow the place to feel more peaceful and welcoming.
The message is very meaningful to any individual residing in the hospital. It serves as a reminder that even when they are away from family members during their stay they are still loved and cared for.
This image brings me joy and love.”
~Eleese Anthony, UAB OTS
The Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital opened in late 2016 as a result of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust mandate to raise 1 billion rand to build a 200-bed specialist pediatric hospital providing tertiary care to children living in Southern Africa.
“I am an occupational therapist, a UAB OT Alumni (Class of 2014), and an upcoming health services researcher standing next to some art in a Rehabilitation Unit. It’s a rare opportunity and experience to see art that connects so well with who I am and represent. This piece makes me feel joyful!”
~Edward Murrell, MS, OTR/L
On the first full day, the OT Abroad group visited a Johannesburg children’s hospital. They saw a GE HealthCare banner where they promote moving towards health care without limits.
“Promoting health care for everyone without any limits is powerful because a large percentage of the population in South Africa don’t have access to health care treatment. I was feeling heartbroken that health care has to be an issue everywhere in the world, but motivated to continue working with other professionals towards healthcare for everyone without it having any limits!”
~Caitlyn Caffee, UAB OTS
UAB’s largest study abroad group to date — 22 students, two parents, and six faculty — prepares to leave Birmingham for their 15-hour flight to Johannesburg, where they’ll begin their two-week journey through South Africa.
Continue reading “The Journey Begins”