Watch CNN's Soledad O'Brien as she travels in South Africa with 30 kids from Malaak Compton-Rock's Journey for Change program.

August 4, 2008

They say jet lag really hits you on the third day in South Africa. If that’s true, I’m dreading tomorrow. We’ve hit the ground running in Johannesburg. Thirty kids from around Bushwick, Brooklyn, matched with 30 college-aged mentors as part of Journey for Change, a program started by Malaak Compton-Rock, that brought disadvantaged kids to South Africa to volunteer. Plus the CNN crew—me, my producer Michelle, photographers Fred, Kevin, Tawanda and our soundtech Ted. Our days are long, our body clocks way off.

But it’s hard to be anything but joyful when you’re surrounded by teenagers discovering and uncovering South Africa. The kids began their service on Monday — and it was a tough day. A visit to an orphanage, filled with young children who’ve been abandoned or lost parents. Some of the babies are HIV positive.

The Journey for Change kids sat with smaller children on their laps, or rocked tiny babies. It was surprising to see the teenagers quickly bond with the babies—it was heartbreaking to leave the babies behind.Later in the day a short ride to the shantytowns that dot Soweto, where the kids were shocked by the depth of poverty of the grannies, raising their grandchildren and sometimes great-grandchildren in tiny rectangular shacks … with holes in the roofs, no food, no heat, no running water, no electricity.

Part of the service is to take notes on what these impoverished families need—so they can go shopping and deliver it tomorrow. It was emotionally wrenching, some of the kids cried while they described having to prioritize the shopping list for their families. The families have nothing, and it seems brutally unfair to have to pick and choose among necessities like warm clothes and food.

We’ve asked the Journey for Change kids, aged almost 12 to 16, to blog about their experiences while they are here in South Africa, to give you a better sense of who they are, what they hope to gain by giving and what changes they expect to bring about in others and hope to see in themselves.

Malaak Compton-Rock explains how the Journey for Change mission to South Africa is changing the lives of young people from Bushwick, Brooklyn.

"Hello my name is Tasheema Walker and I’m going to the 9th grade in high school. My birthday is November 20.  In life some of the things I like to do is stepping, dancing, singing, and playing basketball. I also have a very great family who I love and adore for the rest of my life. But when I was a little girl I used to attend the Salvation Army Day Care Center which I really loved a lot because they were like my second family. So then my grandparents decided that my sister Vandesha and I should go to the Salvation Army Camp which we actually have been attending since we were about five years old. But this year they told me and Vandesha that we were no longer campers there but we are junior counselors and when we were told that my heart lit up like a Christmas tree on Christmas.   “

- Tasheema Walker, 13

"Today was a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn’t believe my eyes in Soweto.  First we went to the Salvation Army orphanage. They take care of children from the ages of 0 months to 3 years. All these children were abandoned in all types of places you can imagine: garbage bins, toilets, in abandoned homes, and so much more. I had to cry when I heard all of this. It makes you think about how much of a great life you have. There was a little boy named Blessing and to me he is a blessing. Not was a blessing but is a blessing. We played with them and laughed with them and it was a joyful experience. I love these kids so much. I just wanted to take them home with me. After I had to leave, but that wasn’t the end. We went to a granny headed home and that is where the real drama begins.When I got to the house and looked inside it was dirty, musty, and had a little room. There was one twin bed and six people in the house. There are four boys, the granny, and her daughter.  Two boys are 17.  One is eight and the other is 18 months."

- Imaan Williams, 12  

"Today was so emotional.  I mean when we went to the orphanage to see the infants – when I first went in – I didn’t know what was going on.  When I saw my friends Mariah and Zuliana crying I started to realize what was really going on with these infants.  It kind of made me soft inside. When it was over and time for me to go I kind of wanted to go and adopt all of those infants.  Kids this young shouldn’t be going through what they are going through without knowing their actual parents.  That’s kind of hurtful. After we left the orphanage we went to a granny led home which wasn’t in good shape. Her furniture was all ripped up and she was taking care of two kids plus herself which was a hand full being that she needed a lot of things she can’t get.  After, we went to a child led home which was kind of better in some ways but not in other ways. Here a 21 year old girl was taking care of two other teenagers. They needed certain things like food and clothing. This is all for now.  See you later."

- Benjamin Goode, 11

"Today we were split up into six different groups.  We each went into different households here in South Africa.  My group went to two households — one led by a granny and another one led by a child.  The child led house was led by a girl that was only twenty one.  She has been taking care of this household since she was only sixteen.  She has been doing this for about five years now.  I’m not even in the situation and I was feeling sad.  What I noticed is that they kept their heads up and they stayed positive.  There are three children living in this household.  They only have one bedroom and mattress.  The granny led household was more compact.  There were nine grandchildren living in the household. There was only one bedroom and one mattress.  All of the covers were ripped up and had many, many stains.  The grandmother and the oldest grandchild had to sleep on two chairs.  The granny never has any spare time on her hands.  I think this is crazy.  That’s why tomorrow morning my group is going shopping.  I will keep you updated on everything that is going on here in South Africa — also about the households and the people in them. Have a nice day."

- Albert Brunn III, 12

Jeremy Baker, 15, plays with an infant at the Ethembeni orphanage in Soweto, South Africa.

Editor's Note: Thirty kids, ages 12 to 16, from Bushwick, Brooklyn, were chosen to participate in "Journey for Change," a youth empowerment program created by Malaak Compton-Rock. We've asked them to share their experiences by blogging about the changes they expect to bring about in others and hope to see in themselves.

"I can’t believe we made it. We are in South Africa at last. It is so cold, that it feels like an oversized freezer. Maybe in the morning it will be a bit warmer. Right now, everybody is either writing in their journals or getting ready for bed. I am so happy to be in South Africa right now. I can’t wait until we start doing service work and helping out others. I am so happy to have been chosen to go on this journey. If it wasn’t for my wonderful essay, and Mrs. Malaak, I would not be here right now.  Most people don’t have opportunities like this. I am truly blessed, and all my thanks go to Mrs. Malaak, the Hope Worldwide foundation, my parents, and most of all God for giving me this opportunity to be here right now. After this trip my whole life will be different and my whole personality will change, and I can’t wait to be different."

- Vandesha Walker, 12

" 'Oh my' were the first words out of my mouth when I heard about the South Africa trip. “Definitely” was my reply and then the journey began. Next thing you know, you’re attending your first meeting, signing your contract, getting your passport (THE MOST DIFFICULT) and you’re off to Africa. The tears of happiness and joy cover your checks and you’re so happy that you let them roll down to your shirt. The hands waving to us on the bus encourages us to do our best and have a great time. Soon enough you’re on your flight.  You have great inspirations in your mind and you can’t stop them from coming.
When you have finished your 18 hour ride across the Atlantic Ocean you wake up the person next to you and whisper, “we’re in Africa!” and they’re fully awake in a second ready to pass the good news to the other sleeping passengers.  Truthfully, I was relieved that we were traveling above land not water anymore. We got off the plane excited for the next two weeks in South Africa.  The first things we did was claim our luggage, take attendance, and get on the bus to the resort that we will be staying for ten days.  When we got there I have to say it was quite chilly.  I wasn’t expecting that at all. My roommate is Laura. She is really funny. Later we ate our first made African meal.   It was stew beef and rice.  It was really delicious.The second day in Africa was fun. We first ate breakfast and then had a press conference.  We discussed why we think we are in South Africa and how and why we will make a change."

- Sydney Smart, 12

"Hi. My name is Imaan Williams and I am a Journey for Change participant. Over the last few weeks I have been interviewed, and been at several meetings for this trip. I believe this trip will be something like I have never experienced. We drove for five hours on Thursday to Dulles Airport in Virginia, and then flew to Africa, arriving on Friday.  It was an eighteen hour flight with a one hour stop.  I will be staying in South Africa for two amazing weeks.  Already I have been at a press conference, orientation, a museum and I have been on a tour of Soweto. Today we went to the Salvation Army Church.  At the museum, I learned a lot of things about apartheid and children my age standing up against apartheid.  Tomorrow the rest of the Journey for Change participants and I will be going to an orphanage.  When I reached Johannesburg, I had whole different idea about what it would look like. I couldn’t believe my eyes, with all the stars and the sunset. I love meeting new people and getting to know them. The part that I really feel sad about is that I miss my family. Anyways I have to go to bed. Goodbye. Peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Xoxoxoxoxo"

- Imaan Williams, 12

"Hi.  My name is Benjamin Goode and I am 11 and a half.  I live in Bushwick, Brooklyn and go to The Salvation Army. When I first heard about this trip I was so happy.  I always told myself that I was going to go on this trip and I never doubted myself.  Everyday I got closer and closer to the time for the interviews, and I was getting very scared.  When that day came I had a butterfly in my stomach.  My name was called and I thought, ‘here I go. I’m in the spotlight,’ but it went by like a breeze. When I had heard that I was going on this trip I got so excited because all that I had done had paid off. A few days pass. Now it’s time to pack and I need a bigger suitcase for my clothes. Even though I have a big suitcase my clothes are still not fitting– time to go to my grandmother.  She’s the best. She can really help with some problems. When I go to my grandmother and tell her my problem she jumps right on the case. My suitcase was packed in a matter of twenty minutes ”

- Benjamin Goode, 11

"Hello everyone.  My name is Albert Brunn III and I am a Journey for Change participant.  I’m twelve years old.  My favorite sport is football.  From the day I heard I was accepted by the one and only Malaak Compton- Rock, I really wanted to get involved with this Journey for Change. That’s because I told my Dad if I could ever help someone less fortunate than me that I would always take that chance.  I’m here now and I feel so special because of all the things people have donated to us, and to the people who have made this dream for us.  Part of Journey for Change is for kids to come to South Africa and make a change.  We have met so many people that have been nice to us.  The thing about this trip is that it was completely free for all 30 kids and their 30 mentors.  I feel that this trip will be a big change in my life.   I say that because I think it will give me a greater appreciation of how wealthy I am compared to the people here in South Africa.  I think this trip will also stop my huge amount of waste with food.  I want to cut down because I feel that why waste food that other people can eat?  So I will keep you posted.  Have a nice day."

- Albert Brunn III, 12