Letters Home

During his visit in January, Christo asked, “Mom, have you heard about ChatGPT and how it has been impacting students lately?” Zander quickly chimed in, “It’s the same at our school. Some classmates have already discovered ways to use it to make money.” Naturally, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more.

ChatGPT is a versatile and powerful Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that can perform various tasks electronically. It is a chatbot that can answer questions and assist you with tasks such as composing emails, conducting research, writing essays, and even programming code.

Fast growing ChatGPT

ChatGPT is the fastest-growing app due to its usefulness and versatility. Other applications aim at a group of people. However, ChatGPT is a general bot targeted at the population instead of a specific group or interest. Any person will, therefore, find different uses for ChatGPT in daily life. It includes teachers, students, engineers, legal practitioners, programmers, writers, and CEOs. Being usable by everyone is a tremendous advantage that very few apps can boast of, even years after their existence.

My AI experience.

Zander let me play a game on his computer to give me an idea of what it was all about. I had two minutes to have a written conversation with another person online and then had to determine whether I had the conversation with a robot or a human. Convinced I was talking to a young man in his twenties, I could even form a picture of him in my mind. However, I had to find out I was talking to a Chatbot. What a strange and terrifying experience! The Human or Not game was part of a social experiment and has now ended. It is clear from the statistics that older people have more difficulty making the distinction.

Impact of ChatGPT on Universities and Schools

Technologies, such as ChatGPT, impact universities and schools significantly. They are currently available for free up to a certain level, and students can now easily and quickly generate an entire research task with ChatGPT. Educational institutions must, therefore, find ways to address academic integrity. As with all new things, there are very varied reactions to this new technology.

At Zander’s school, the teachers set up a task group to explore application possibilities. While Zander baked flap jacks, he told me more about how they explore ChatGPT in different subjects.

Zander’s ChatGPT exploration in different school subjects

In Spanish, they must conduct a simulated interview with a celebrity. ChatGPT is used in this interview process to act as the celebrity.

In Science, they used ChatGPT for research. They currently cover atoms, elements, and the periodic table. They learned the correct way of referencing ChatGPT as a source for their research.

The grade 9 students are currently studying the Gothic style as a genre In the English Language. They had to write their own gothic story to learn how different genres and languages can affect readers. As part of their own gothic story, they created a character. With an African inspiration, the character Zander created was a Nigerian witch doctor who lives in the forest. They gave ChatGPT more information about the main character and requested an image. Zander was very pleased with ChatGPT’s interpretation and creativity.

In the subject, Individuals and Communities, they studied the impact of the Industrial Revolution on society. They had to investigate a recent innovation or change and how it affected contemporary society. The teacher divided the class into two groups, and both groups had to present their findings. Only one group used ChatGPT. They concluded that using ChatGPT in their preparation did not result in a significant difference in the outcome.

In the work environment

Artificial Intelligence is one of the biggest trends affecting the workplace. Companies use it to improve efficiency and productivity. They can, for example, use AI technologies to automate repetitive tasks, process large amounts of data, and make more accurate predictions. The technologies will free employees to focus on more complex and creative tasks.

Artificial Intelligence has a significant impact on our society. Everyone can see the potential benefits but also the risks. To properly utilize the benefits, it must be regulated.

We live in a time with fascinating technological developments!

Regards

Emsia

I will remember my recent birthday as an exceptional special celebration. We were in Austria for the weekend, and the autumn beauty and our being together played a role, but I also received a wonderful surprise gift.

Christo and Simone decided to put together a collection of Letters to Emsia. With the help of Charl and my sister, they collected letters and photos from family and friends. It was a pleasant surprise that had me in tears. Everyone’s compassionate words were like a blanket of love that enveloped me. However, it was also like a mirror that gave me a clearer view of the nature of my relationships and their perceptions of me.

The variety of people in my life

The letters emphasized the variety and diversity of the people in my life. As I read each letter, I could hear the writer’s voice with recognizable sayings. With each relationship, we have different points of interest, symbols and memories with which we celebrate the friendship. I share some examples.

A creative friend

One of my friends and I decided that the colour of our friendship was yellow. It is a symbol of joy for us. I enjoyed her letter’s play on yellow.

Although I use technology, in my mind’s eye, I am writing you a letter in my best handwriting on a 1970s notepad page (collected as a hobby in elementary school days) with an old-fashioned Sarah Moon picture on and with a yellow Bic pen in my hand. (to make you nostalgic about our childhood era in South Africa). I close my letter with much love and joy and put it in a bright yellow envelope, especially for you.

A numbers-orientated friend

As you know, numbers are more my thing. However, I’m going to write you a birthday note. I imagine God was in an exceptional, good mood the day he created you.

With all the steadfastness, God thought she might be a bit boring – so God gave Emsia a great sense of humour. He also gives her the talent to be content. God looked at her that way, and He was also pleased.

My first friend

My first friendship is 50 years old. She is one year and one day older than me and taught me to read when she was in 1st grade. We both became accountants, had Kruger as married surnames and baptized our children on the same day in the town we grew up in because our roots are in the Kalahari. They christened their son Charl Kruger, and we ours Christo Charl Kruger. We both currently live abroad.

She wrote,

There are so many memories I share with you. The list goes on and on. Some are fun, some nostalgic and some just plain hurt. It reflects true friendship – through thick and thin.

In-laws

The letters reaffirmed to me how rich I am with my in-laws. When you marry or share your life with someone, you become part of another family.

I got to know the Kruger family as a student. We stayed in touch, even after I stopped writing Kruger after my name. I am friends with my sons’ nieces and nephews on social media and watch their life paths unfold.

With my second chance in love and life, I became part of the Goosen family. I have two older sisters-in-law who keep in touch and share love and sorrow even though we live across different continents. In the form of Candice, Charl’s brother’s daughter, I gained a daughter when she lost her parents.

We still have contact with Charl’s father-in-law from his previous marriage and adopted him as Zander’s Grandfather. He visited and played with Zander on Saturdays and offered Charl and me a few hours without responsibilities. According to him, he is now a remote grandfather. He is a father figure for both Charl and me.

My children

In my older sons’ words, I could see that even though they appreciated my role as a mother, they were also beginning to see the other dimensions that make up all of my being. They now understand better the challenges of keeping busy boys full of creative plans alive.

My 15-year-old youngest explained in his letter that he already knows that in the future, he will also have a better appreciation for the things that annoy him now.

For many, photos are a way to preserve memories or share experiences with others. My mother likes to take pictures. She always has her camera and has even saved every photo she has taken over the past 30 years. In theory, it seems like a good idea, but my dad and I must pose and wait for her to take pictures everywhere we go!

Mom, know that next time we tease you for taking pictures, we’re just saying we love you. We may not see the full benefits now, but the number of thanks you will receive when we see them in a few years will make it worth it. So thank you, Mom, for caring and loving us, even when you can’t see our gratitude.

My realization

The biggest realization from all the letters was the importance of expressing our love and appreciation for the people in our lives while we have the opportunity. The letters I received were exactly that.

Regards

Emsia

The impact of climate change is visible in Switzerland.

Heat waves during the summer months have increased significantly in frequency and intensity. To save energy, the government banned conventional air-cooling systems. I never thought I would experience the heat in Switzerland more intensely than in South Africa.

Global warming in Switzerland is now more than double that of the average globally. The fact that there is no ocean in Switzerland is the reason for this situation. Land masses do not absorb heat as effectively as water. The oceans use the heat for evaporation. As the glaciers melt and snow covers decrease, the land masses absorb more solar heat.

The impact of climate change on winter tourism

Winter tourism is the most important source of income for large parts of Switzerland. These areas in the Swiss Alps depend on reliable snowfall. Climate change is already significantly affecting snowfall lower in the Alps.

The glaciers in the Alps have lost more than 60% of their volume since 1850. Ski resorts in Switzerland cover their glaciers with blankets to slow the melting process.

Many ski resorts produce artificial snow. During the winter of 2020-2021, artificially created snow covered 53% of the ski slopes in the Swiss Alps. They use water from nearby streams and lakes and run it through snow machines under pressure. These tiny water droplets freeze the moment they come out of the nozzles. However, artificial snow hurts water resources and costs.

In earlier years, a thick layer of ice formed on top of the lakes in winter. Lake Zurich was frozen for the last time in the winter of 1962/63 and was everyone’s playground for a while. Severe cold spells are less frequent, and frozen lakes are almost a thing of the past when it comes to the larger lakes.

Swisstainable

Voters recently voted for Switzerland to commit to becoming climate-neutral by 2050. It will require a change in habits and cooperation from everyone to achieve the goal. Individuals and businesses will need to save Energy in many possible ways.

Fortunately, Switzerland already has a very efficient public transport system. With one of the densest rail networks in the world, even the most remote places are accessible by public transport. More than 1.1 million passengers use trains, trams, or buses daily. I also decided to use the public transport system in Switzerland. I have been doing this for four years and enjoy the safety and reliability.

There is a big drive to use organic products. Compared to other countries, the Swiss use the most organic products per capita, and Swiss retailers have been at the top of international sustainability rankings for years. The country’s attitude has created a greater awareness in us, and we as a family also live much more organically since living here.

Authorities take recycling seriously

Authorities take recycling and waste management very seriously in Switzerland, and the government expects every person to cooperate. It took us a while to get on the program. We were unknowingly in trouble a few times for not following the correct procedures, but our household now has processes to ensure our cooperation.

Switzerland recycles almost 53% of all the waste it creates, one of the highest rates in Europe. Each type of waste is handled separately – from glass and PET bottles to paper and cardboard and right through to organic waste, batteries, and aluminium. The consumer must sort it at home and then hand it in free of charge to a central public waste point. This submission has now become a routine weekend activity for us.

Conversion of waste into energy

Authorities encourage users to throw as few items into garbage bags as possible and heavily tax household waste. In Switzerland, no waste is buried in landfills but converted into usable energy. Waste incineration plants convert garbage into usable energy, such as electricity and heat. The incinerators gladly accept plastic waste as plastic is a petroleum product with an energy value.

Everyone must be part of the solution

The public must be part of the solution, and various countries offer inspiring solutions. In Denmark, for example, the citizens own two-thirds of the wind farms. The ecological transition, therefore, goes hand in hand with privatising the ownership of the energy infrastructure. I hope South Africa’s current electricity crisis also forces future solutions in that direction.

Kind regards

Emsia

Switzerland celebrates the pumpkin season. Every year, Jucker Farms has a pumpkin exhibition with a theme and this year it is the power of women. I enjoyed the creativity and the stories of powerful women who each made a significant difference.

I share more about the insights and impressions the exhibition left with me.

Joan of Arc

St. Joan of Arc is a national heroine of France.

She was a religious peasant girl who acted under divine guidance and led the French army to a significant victory. She wore men’s clothing that allowed her to command an army of men in battle and cut her hair short in the ‘Bob’ style we now associate with French women.

Although Joan was wounded twice in battle, her faith and intuition protected her until she accomplished her mission.

Greta Thunberg

Greta is an environmental activist. Instead of going to school, she made a big sign that read ‘SCHOOL STRIKE FOR CLIMATE’ and sat outside the Swedish parliament. The media spread awareness of her actions, and tens of thousands of students worldwide joined her.

She has Asperger syndrome but sees it as her superpower. She says it helps her see the world in black and white and that there are no grey areas regarding climate change.

Bertha Benz

As with many new things, people were sceptical about Carl Benz’s patent application for a car with an engine. Bertha, his wife, loaded their two sons into the car and drove for twelve hours and 100 kilometres on dirt roads. She drew public attention to her husband’s invention without him knowing about her plan. She also invested her inheritance in this research.

Berta followed a practical approach without fear to support her husband and contributed to technological progress. What an inspiration!

Frida Kahlo

I am familiar with this Mexican artist’s colourful work. In the exhibit, I learned she suffered from polio as a child and nearly died in a bus accident as a teenager. She had many broken bones and fractures and started painting while in a body cast. In her lifetime, she had 30 operations. Many of her paintings are self-portraits.

Her ability to create so much beauty despite her pain inspires me. Frida is a standard bearer for women’s inner strength and courage.

Cleopatra

Cleopatra was an Egyptian queen known in history as the lover of Julius Caesar and later as the wife of Mark Anthony. During this time, she actively influenced Roman politics.

Cleopatra was well-educated and very intelligent. She was skilled in chemistry, economics, trade strategy, military theory, law, and linguistics. Cleopatra was fluent in ten languages and the first Pharaoh to speak to the diverse groups of people in her empire in their mother tongue.

Mental load

This mental load exhibition conveyed a message that most women can relate to. In English, they call it “worry work”. Zander says that, in his opinion, worrying is the activity I spend the most time on.

I walked away with the realization that strong women throughout history, each in their own way, made a significant impact. Most women will never appear in history books, but their support, encouragement, and ability to hold things together make a long-lasting difference in their families and communities.

Regards

Emsia

My sister recently turned 50. I considered a suitable gift to celebrate this milestone birthday carefully. My only objective was to reaffirm my love and appreciation for her.

I finally decided against a gift wrapped in paper. I wanted to share my time and listen with genuine interest as Ansa shared more about her joys and sorrows. Each with a cup of coffee at different sides of the world, we enjoyed precious bonding time and had a good laugh.

These days, I see gifts in a very different light. Any time or effort from someone to make a situation easier or make me feel better is a gift. However, it should positively affect both the receiver and the giver. Any effort driven by obligation qualifies as a task, not a gift. Presents, gifted with love from the heart, can take many forms.

Make time for someone

My love language is quality time. If you make time with or for me, I appreciate it infinitely. Every visit, conversation or message is a precious gift because someone has shared time with me.

I have a standing appointment to talk to my mother on the phone every Monday. After the first ring, she answers, always friendly and happy to hear my voice. The fact that I can still talk to her is my gift, but she always expresses her appreciation for my time and interest. The conversation is valuable for both of us.

I have an arrangement with one of my friends to celebrate each other’s birthdays through an online video chat in the month of our birthday. I always conclude the conversation with new inspiration and a song in my heart. No physical gift can come close to that.

Share more honestly about yourself.

I like the Swedish expression, “Shared joy is double joy; Shared sorrow is half a sorrow.” The premise is simple. Our Creator created us as humans, to be empathetic.

Joy

When we hear stories of joy, happiness, and achievement, it impacts us positively. We should encourage people to share their positive experiences and help in this way to spread joy.

Challenges and Sorrows

People are generally reluctant to share more about the challenges and sorrows in their lives. We all fear judgment, insensitivity, and rejection. Yet, I learn so much from other people’s stories. The perseverance in the stories gives me new inspiration and different perspectives.

I have a friend whose son has cancer. She is a very private individual but has created a WhatsApp group for family and friends in which she shares more about how he and they are doing. The situation is too much for a mom and dad to bear alone. Her honest sharing about an emotional situation allows many people to carry them in their hearts and pray for them. In addition, we all learn and understand much more about the cancer experience.

A friend who struggled with depression taught me more about this black dog and broadened my understanding and perspective regarding this illness. It helped me when we had to support a family member with depression.

Life throws different challenges our way. By sharing our stories, we create awareness and opportunities for others to support us in different ways.

Acknowledge each other

People share their joys, feelings, and sorrows in different ways. Some people have friends and family who live close by and are willing to listen. It makes it easier to share joys and sorrows with them. When someone listens, you and your pain feel acknowledged.

In many cases, people live alone or far from family and friends. They share joys and sorrows through electronic messages or posts on social media. When someone reacts, they feel acknowledged. However, when people do not respond, the situation makes them feel even more alone.

Listen to someone with your heart

When you share more about yourself, and someone listens attentively and with interest, it has a positive impact. You feel heard and valued. If I’m upset and someone listens to me without interruption, it helps me to release emotionally and gain a better perspective on my situation. It also builds trust and makes me feel like I matter. Even just attentively listening to someone can be a valuable gift.

When opportunities arise to give gifts, we must remember the goal we want to achieve with them. Not all presents need to be physical items wrapped in paper. It is when we give of our time or ourselves together with love from our hearts that it has an impact.

Regards

Emsia

When we arrived in Zurich, I was amazed by all the graffiti in the city. At that stage, I perceived graffiti as a form of vandalism. However, graffiti and street art’s role in society has changed significantly. Art in public places offers opportunities for artists to showcase their talent and share social opinions.

Banksy

Banksy played a significant role in making graffiti more acceptable. The artist’s street art highlights social and political issues directly and beautifully. The honesty of the art and the fact that the artist is anonymous contribute to Banksy’s fame. Banksy’s style is minimalist and often uses other items from the street to form part of the image. Banksy managed to promote the creativity and place of graffiti in the artistic community.

People discovered various Banksy art in Ukraine since the outbreak of the war. Recently, an exhibition, “The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind”, allowed people in Zurich to learn more and appreciate Banksy’s art.

When I think of Banksy, the girl reaching for the heart-shaped balloon comes to mind. The image has many emotional interpretations. Some see the girl as losing the balloon, while others see her as about to catch it. It symbolizes hope, love, and freedom.

BANE

I recently became aware of BANE, a famous Swiss street artist. Fabian Florin, aka BANE, lives in the Swiss town of Chur. Many of his creations are in Chur but his works also now decorate walls in other world cities. An impressive mural is on the wheat mill tower in Chur. Next to a river in Chur, there is also a beautiful 3D picture of a fisherman.

BANE’s life story is very inspiring. At fourteen, he became addicted to drugs and lived on the streets for 14 years. His lifestyle put him behind bars several times. In his late twenties, he reached a low point. He was threatened with three and a half years in prison but chose long-term therapy. The hard withdrawal lasted two months, and the therapy two years. During this time, Fabian started spraying murals.

For him, his art was like a small “flame” that burned within him.  BANE said,

“Call it hope or the will to survive. But this little flame managed to make the difference at that moment.”

BANE has opened doors for other graffiti artists as well. Damage to property by graffiti is illegal in Switzerland as elsewhere. However, the city of Chur has decided to support graffiti as a form of art and has released numerous walls for creative artworks since 2014. The city officials ask the artists to tag their artwork on social media with the hashtag #streetartchur or #churkultur and recognise them for their participation.

Street Art Festival in Frauenfeld

Wanting to see BANE’s work in person, I visited Frauenfeld. The town held a Street Art Festival at the beginning of June. Sixty national and international street artists transformed Frauenfeld into an open-air art gallery and visitors can have a look at the artwork for the entire summer. I think it is a very creative way to attract tourists.

I love BANE’s artwork with the title – Cutting through History. The building carrying the mural of a young girl sewing used to be the shop of the town’s tailor. My mother used to sew all our clothes herself, and in my childhood picture of her, she was in front of her sewing machine or had a needle or scissors in her hand. This work of art stirred something in me and cut through my history.

Street art plays an important role

I look at street art differently now and can see the benefits it brings. There is a tourism benefit because people may travel to see murals and other street art, which can generate income for local businesses. Street art has become a tourist attraction in many cities around the world. There is even a Street Art Application that you can download that will help you view works of art in a particular city.

Street art can also serve as a platform for social commentary and awareness. It can draw attention to important issues and stimulate conversations within the community. Street art reminds me of the expression by Albert Einstein. He said Creativity is intelligence that is having fun.

I close with words from Banksy.

Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.

I’ve learnt from experience that a painting isn’t finished when you put down your brush – that’s when it starts. The public reaction is what supplies meaning and value. Art comes alive in the arguments you have about it.

Kind regards

Emsia

We all would like to have friends but are not always willing to put in the effort and time to form friendships. In a new country, I soon realised how much courage it takes to reach out to a stranger. However, a simple conversation is required to initialise the move from stranger to friend.

The value of friendship

All people need connection, and we find it in different relationships.

Friendship is a relationship that plays a significant role in our well-being. Healthy and supportive friendships improve our self-confidence and self-worth. It helps us deal with serious life events such as change or loss. Moreover, it reinforces our sense of belonging and encourages us to make changes when necessary. It also allows us to play a role in someone else’s life story.

Reach out

One often underestimates how much someone appreciates it when you reach out to them. Last year, a mom in Zander’s grade group, Darja, sent me an unexpected message. She asked if I would consider being a grade group parent with her and handling communication between the school and parents. She pointed out the opportunity it creates for us to get to know each other better. Initially, I doubted my abilities but knew I had to give it a chance.

She will never realise what a great favour she has done me. Her action inspired me to reach out more to other people because I experienced the positivity of it. The more people you know and feel comfortable talking to, the greater sense of belonging you experience.

Get involved

I make friends most easily by doing something with someone. Getting involved as a volunteer creates opportunities to meet other people. Working together on a common goal is an excellent way to get to know people better and identify common interests.

At the international school, most families stay between 3 and 5 years. The school has many structures and processes to help people integrate and cope with the change. The Parent Association organises events where parents can work with other parents as volunteers. They also coordinate clubs where parents with common interests can enjoy activities together.

It took a lot of courage to put my name on the activity list and attend an event for the first time. I initially joined the tennis club and the refugee camp volunteer group. Fortunately, the other moms made me feel at home. I experienced a lot of positivity in being together and less alone in my challenges of adapting to a new country.

After some time, I was willing to take up the South African country representative role. The South African moms meet regularly for coffee, and we put together a country stall at the International Festival.

Invest in friendships and relationships

It’s easy to be so focused on work and family that we don’t try and make time for friendships. I have been guilty of it for many years. However, something drastic, like moving to another country, opened my eyes.

Distance and a change in environment forced me to look at relationships differently and put more effort into them. One must think outside the box and find creative ways to maintain the relationship. Some friends enjoy being active together, and others like visiting new places. I do online Bible study with some friends, and I keep in touch with others through regular coffee visits, phone calls and letters.

We must invest time in the people who are precious to us. Its connection and positive effects are always worth the sacrifice and investment.

A recent friendship gift

I recently received an Afrikaans-speaking friend in Switzerland as a precious gift. We have so much in common that I know Marna is God send.

Once a week, we go on a day trip and explore Switzerland together. It is an exciting way to grow the friendship. I value having a friend in another country who understands my culture, speaks my language, and has similar values and interests. It is a positive way to share the foreign experience, joys, and challenges.

Looking back on my life, I can see how the right people crossed my path at the right time. Although, in different ways and times, each has played a significant role in my life. In a previous letter, I celebrated the friends who eased my motherhood turbulence. I now understand that each was a gift given to me with a purpose.

Kind regards

Emsia

In Switzerland, the postal system is efficient, and the residents take full advantage of it. Residents send invitations and thank you cards by post like we used to do in South Africa. The Post In Switzerland delivers the daily mail in distinctive yellow delivery vehicles. I have seen in the smaller towns how they ring the doorbells of the retired residents and hand over letters along with friendly chat.

It is precious to receive a handwritten thank you note in the mail. It feels like something of the sender’s intention arrives with the note. I love letters and save everyone I receive. When I had to pack our belongings into storage room boxes during our move, I got lost among all the letters received in the past that brought up many precious memories.

I value written words

I value words. Words are powerful and can heal, motivate, and communicate matters of the heart. However, it can also hurt. Letters carry words and accompanying emotions and have always played a significant role in society. When we moved to Switzerland, my letters to family and friends became a lifeline.

Writing letters is a way to keep in touch with the people who are precious to me. It forces me to reflect on what is happening in my life, process events and then express it in words.

Letters for difficult conversations

I have used letters in the past to convey difficult messages. Some were just a good outlet for pent-up anger and frustration. Fortunately, afterwards, I tore them up into small pieces and threw them in the trash.

After difficult conversations, I can usually think of many other things that I wish I had said or put in a better way. Words on paper give me time to think and make sure I choose them carefully to convey the message with the right intention. Words on paper are more permanent, and I have learned that I must write these letters with the long term in mind.

Letters to my sons

I like to recognise special events in my children’s lives with letters. In my notes, I tell them what I observe in them but also express my hope for their life path. I know they read it sometimes when they reach those places on the road where they feel discouraged and need words. Even when I am no longer a phone call away, I know my words will be with them.

I saved all the letters they wrote during their childhood. There are beautiful letters with Mother’s Day, birthdays, and letters to Santa Claus.

In certain parenting situations, I was more accommodating than other parents.  However, I was strict about age-appropriate computer games and movies. Years ago, Christo’s friends were very frustrated with me because I would not allow him to play a 16-age-limit computer game with them. They decided to each write me a personal letter. I could only smile when I read the 12-year-old arguments. I plan to give those letters to him one day when he has a teenager.

Letters to my mom and dad

As a young adult, I became more aware of life’s dragons. I looked at my parents differently and was grateful for what they did for us despite all their challenges. In a letter to my parents, I thanked them for all their sacrifices. There were holidays they stayed at home because all available funds had to fund our after-school education.  I expressed gratitude for them getting up early, making plans and solving problems. My mom told me about my dad`s emotions when he read my letter. I am so grateful I wrote it because I lost my dad shortly after.

During a recent visit, my mom showed me the letters my dad wrote to her before their wedding. They lived in different small towns. Letters were the only way they could communicate privately over a distance. I appreciated seeing my father’s handwriting on paper and reading his words, so full of love for her.

I could experience something of his being in his letters and gain better insight into their challenges. He had to brave a dirt road with his first car to visit her. Many of his problems had to do with that car. I’m sure his letters transport my mom far back in time.

Thank you for reading my letters

Kind regards

Emsia

The International Festival is one of the annual highlights at Zander’s Inter Community School (ICS) school in Zurich. There are families from 55 countries, and during the festival, compatriots work together to teach others more about their food, clothes, language and culture. Each country has a stall where people can see and try traditional food.

“Wow, I enjoy this feeling of patriotism!” Zander said with a smile and his South African shirt on. He certainly wasn’t the only one. In each stall, people talked to each other in their native language, beautifully dressed in traditional clothes that united them. Sometimes they just danced happily to their traditional music.

There were a few stalls that caught my eye for different reasons.

Ukraine

Last year, Ukraine had a stall at the festival for the first time. The international festival was just a few months after the outbreak of the war. I walked past the Ukrainian food stall with compassion because it reminded me of the trauma many families experience.

They decorated their stall with sunflowers, and the women wore wreaths of flowers on their heads that gave them an angelic appearance. Sunflowers are Ukraine’s national flower and appear in most of their decorations. Sunflower oil is a significant export product, and the Ukrainians have used sunflowers as a symbol of peace throughout their history.

Nepal

Our ICS school has a special connection with Nepal. In Nepal, schooling is not compulsory. There is a boarding school (SMD) for children from remote Himalayan villages in Kathmandu, Nepal. Our school has a partnership with this school.

ICS offers scholarships to learners from Nepal to complete grades 11 and 12 and forms part of ICS families’ households during these two years. During a talk, I learned more about life in Nepal and was amazed at the simplicity but also the strong values of the people. Some families must travel for days to get to the school, and the school can only accommodate a limited number of learners.

Nepal is in a high-risk area for earthquakes. In 2015 the earthquakes damaged and rendered the SMD school buildings unusable. The ICS community contributed financially to the school to help with repairs and rebuilding.

Every year Nepal has a stall at the festival. Volunteers assist the Nepal learners with preparations. Nepal food is a mix of Indian, Tibetan, and Chinese cuisine.

Spain

The Spanish stall was close to us. The smell of Paella prepared by the Spanish families in a large pan hung in the air. Customers could enjoy it with a delicious glass of Sangria.

I admired the most beautiful Spanish dresses and enjoyed it when the mums happily danced to the music in the stall on Mother’s Day

Benefits of learning about other cultures

The opportunity to live in another country and our commitment to the international school made me look at cultural diversity differently. We made friends with people from other cultures. I like to ask questions and try to learn and understand more.

I like to ask friends what they miss about their country of origin. In addition, what they enjoy here in Switzerland, but also what they find challenging. My answer would be that we are fond of Swiss cheese and other traditions and events that connect generations. However, we sometimes struggle with all the many rules and have been unknowingly in trouble a few times.

Knowledge helps us to live with greater cultural sensitivity. We have specific beliefs about what we consider normal or abnormal. Once we get exposure to other cultures, we learn how people from different backgrounds view the world. It teaches us to think more critically and even creatively.

When we learn and understand more about other cultures, it helps us to be less judgmental. It teaches us to respect our differences and be more tolerant of each other. South Africa is known for its ethnic and cultural diversity, and we have learned from experience how important it is to learn and understand more about other cultures.

I like the quote by John Hume about diversity.

“Difference is the essence of humanity. Difference is an accident of birth and it should therefore never be the source of hatred or conflict. The answer to difference is to respect it. Therein lies a most fundamental principle of peace: respect for diversity.”

Kind regards

Emsia

Just like 17 years ago, I also celebrated this year’s Easter weekend with my mom and sons. Last time in 2006, my circumstances were very different. I found peace in the togetherness and the beauty of nature after challenging two years of being a single mother and keeping my head above water. It was also the end of the period I allowed myself loads of solitude to find the real me between the ashes.

Before we returned home, I asked my mom to watch my two little boys so I could go rowing on the lake. Everything was quiet, and the water was like a mirror.

I prayed out loud and asked God for a second chance.

Lord, I’m ready for the rest of the journey
and need guidance on the way
Please send me the right travel partner
one ready for challenge and adventure
Please handpick that person
Someone who will steal my heart
and love and care for my children
But above all, someone who loves You.

Receiving second chances

Charl and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary this April. For us, it was a celebration of gratitude for second chances. In our case, it was a second chance at a marriage relationship.

However, second chances come in different guises and areas of our lives. Second chances differ from first chances in many ways.

First chances give us more experience.

First chances are excellent teachers, but we only realize this with time. We learn quickly through experience because the feedback is loud and clear, and we experience it first-hand. It widens our frame of reference and teaches us to be less judgmental, as we have usually experienced other people’s judgment through failed first chances. It gives us more insight, compassion, and perspective.

First chances teach us perspective.

When we first step into situations, we usually have a lot of expectations. Without realizing it, we focus on the benefit we will get. With second chances, we have learned to shift our focus to what we can bring to a situation or relationship instead of what we will get out of it.

Sometimes we assume we are entitled to all life experiences. We see something as a privilege when we cannot have or have lost it. They have different priorities in our lives. We approach them with more respect and put more effort into them.

First chances teach us that nobody is perfect, and people often do not display their best version.

In most cases, others’ behaviour is more about themselves than about us and teaches us to look at others through lenses of love, understanding and tolerance. The hardest part for me was learning to look at myself through these lenses.

Giving second chances

Sometimes you reach a place where you must decide whether to give another person a second chance. The ability to give each other second chances is one of humanity’s superpowers, and we must use it wisely.

Giving second chances is also a chance that you must choose to seize or not. When you need to make that decision, it is critical that you decide from a place of love for the other person and yourselves rather than fear or pain. You should also only do it when you feel that you and the other party are willing to put in the effort and time to make it work again.

Life consists of chances

Looking back on my life’s path, I realize that life offers us different chances or opportunities in various aspects of our lives. Before each event, we decide whether we want to risk it or not and this decision will determine what the next chapter in our book of life will look like. When we take a chance, there is always the risk that we could lose something, which is painful. The fear of pain often cautions us to take second chances because we have experienced the pain. However, it is also true that we will never win anything if we do not open ourselves up to first or second chances.

People often refer to the “The 3 C`s of Life

Kind regards

Emsia