Unforgettable experience with unforgettable people

The U.S. delegation poses for a picture the night of the cultural parade. The U.S. delegation wore all white as a symbol of the suffragette movement. Photo courtesy of the YWCA U.S. delegation.

The U.S. delegation poses for a picture the night of the cultural parade. The U.S. delegation wore all white as a symbol of the suffragette movement. Photo courtesy of the YWCA U.S. delegation.

Sybonae Acosta, Class Sections Editor
December 16, 2019

As I left El Paso to embark on my journey to South Africa, I considered all the possibilities I was about to experience at the 29th YWCA International World Council Meeting.

The minute I exited the plane in Johannesburg, I had stepped into a completely different world.

I was greeted by a breeze of warm air and friendly faces waiting to take my mother and I to the conference center.

At the conference center, there was a diversity of faces and languages that I had never heard before.

On the night of the “culture parade” each country dressed in their native attire and showed off their national pride.

The conference tackled difficult topics such as elections, budgets, and political disputes.

The president, vice president, treasurer, and board members were to be elected for the next quadranium.

World YWCA is currently facing enormous financial losses that could potentially result in the downfall of the organization.

Therefore, the future of the organization would be bestowed onto a select few people.

The president elected was from YWCA Palestine named Mira Rizeq.

This left the United States delegation plagued with a difficult decision.

Being that a large amount of Jewish board members and donors comprise the YWCA USA, it could potentially create ripple effects within our home organization.

After much discussion with the soon-to-be president, a common ground was reached in that Rizeq’s primary focus would be on the betterment of women around the world rather than the Palestine and Israeli conflict.

Elephants in Pilanesberg National Park can be seen from just off the road. The park is also home to four other members of the “Big Five.” The “Big Five” includes lions, jaguars, elephants, rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses. Photo courtesy of Sybonae Acosta.

Overall the experience was a learning opportunity for me. 

I learned about the importance of diplomacy and how difficult it is working with so many people from different countries.

Throughout the remainder of my trip in South Africa, I took advantage of the beautiful environment I was in and went on a safari.

While in Pilanesberg National Park, I saw everything from lions to giraffes.

I then took a trip down to Cape Town where I was able to go to Table Mountain and view the bustling city from above.

Looking back on my time in South Africa, I can gladly say it was an unforgettable experience filled with many unforgettable people.