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| Interview Janine Scholte |
Janine: “All that you put into Young Africa comes directly back to you!” Following the completion of her degree in Social Studies, Janine Scholte (1978) didn’t hesitate for a moment about what she wanted to do next. Inspired by a friend, she immediately packed her bags and departed for Zimbabwe to help Young Africa. Now, three years later, in addition to her job in the communications department at the Fire Department in Utrecht, she continues to contribute to our website. From her couch in the City of Cathedrals she reflects on that special time. “It is difficult from such a distance to stay truly connected and to have a deep involvement. Therefore, following my return to The Netherlands I did such things as give informational presentations at schools and wrote articles for the newsletter. In this way I can keep abreast of what is happening at the site. Once you have seen for yourself what your presence and help means to the teenagers, the whole experience continues to remain alive for you.” During her ten months with Young Africa Janine did a bit of everything: from inventory work and general support duties at schools, to assisting with the organization of (art) festivals, sport days, festivities surrounding graduation to giving communication lessons for the secretarial program. And then of course, there were also the jazz ballet lessons that she gave at the end of the school day. Every Saturday night in one of the youth hostels there was a “girl’s night”: a fun evening of dancing or a chance for the girls to chat among themselves or with others, such as Janine and Dorien about subjects such as sexuality and self confidence. “It is fascinating to see how Young Africa helps the teenagers to develop a sense of self worth and pride in themselves.” “Almost every week I think back on my time in Africa. It was certainly not a hastily thought through decision! It is very fulfilling to work with the young adults. The people there really need your help and you can’t ignore the needs they have. I have great admiration for the employees that work there. It is motivating to work with them. You can learn a lot from each other if you really want to. All that you put into your work there, you receive immediately back.” What especially made an impression on Janine is the fact that despite everything, the young adults there do everything they can to ensure that they build a life for themselves, and they can also have a good time – “they can really laugh and have and fun”- in their lives. “It is amazing how little tolerance there is for doom and gloom thinking! I think that’s very good, especially considering the fact that the country has so many needs, especially considering the problems of AIDS orphans, alcoholism, unemployment, and inflation. Sometimes the realization that I could leave that place at any moment would suddenly nibble at me, but then I would feel guilty about that. On the other hand, sometimes these children have so much more strength and desire to live than we do…” “I will definitely go back again, in either case to the continent. One day I would also like to see what has been built in Mozambique. That is something also so beautiful about a country that is still developing: everything is not so established and settled as it is here in The Netherlands. There is still so much possible!” |
