So far, I have led a privileged life.  Growing up in Livingston, NJ as the oldest child of an upper middle class family, I was treated to the finest public school education, a beautiful, safe suburban home to grow up in,  and a cultural education learned on the streets of New York that spoiled me with the best of everything, from style to the arts to cuisine.  I spent summers as a child at sleep-away camp, the Jersey Shore and Fire Island. I attended one of the best Universities in one of the best cities in the country, and came away with a job at one of the best of the “Big Eight” Accounting Firms in the world.  When I married, I learned what being a member of a country club felt like, quite honestly something I was never comfortable with but admittedly tried to look like I was.   I learned to spend money frivolously in the 90’s, because it was abundant and I didn’t know it would end.  I earned another degree and launched a second career in Interior Design. We bought a second home in East Hampton and lived the high life, or so it seemed.   And I learned  money comes and goes, and so do marriages. Lucky for me, I have one of the most amicable divorces of anyone I know. I worked hard at my business, borrowed money to keep my house until the kids graduated high school, and still was able to walk away in the black (barely, but black is black) when all was sold and settled.

However, when I start to really delve deep into it, “privilege” is all perception and comparison, isn’t it?  I choose to look at life the way I do.  I don’t ignore the hard stuff, I just get through it, learn from it, and move on. My parents divorced when I was very young, and for years I prayed upon every first star that they would get back together. At that time, divorce was uncommon, and I was part of a start-up club that I didn’t want to be in.  My dad moved far away for work. My house was always dark.  Literally.  The lights were kept off because my mom worked full-time to support us and we had to save money.  There was never anyone home to welcome me from school or to give me snacks.  There wasn’t much food in the house either.  I remember the vast difference in warmth and nurturing that I felt when I was at friends’ houses where their moms would be there with a hug and some cookies and milk.  By 7th grade I had a part-time job after school and weekends so I could try to keep up with the latest designer jeans and pay my way at the diner.  By 8th grade, I had been a victim of sexual abuse by my mother’s then-boyfriend, and by 9th grade I had an eating disorder. And the list goes on.  Still, this is a pretty normal, privileged life, isn’t it?  In my world, it is.  I’m certainly not complaining.

The world that I am about to enter is a mix of extreme poverty and disease mixed with beauty beyond measure and wealth in all it’s chicest displays.  South African writer Richard Mason describes it as a “deeply humbling” experience, where I hope to get a “context for (my) own troubles and inspire (me) to make a difference in this magical land.  In this world of contrasts, where poverty and wealth exist side by side, it is possible to combine indulgence with activism, to drink the cup of pleasure deep while making an impact on a nation still healing from a brutally unequal past.”  One of the most important personal goals on this tour is to give back to those less fortunate than I am.  I have chosen two South African foundations that will allow me to accomplish this during my time there.

Ubuntu Africa (www.ubafrica.org) is a not-for-profit dedicated to improving the health and well-being of HIV+ children in under-served communities in South Africa.  I had the pleasure of meeting Whitney Johnson, Founder and Executive Director, and Jessica Annis, US Director of Operations, at a fundraiser last month. Whitney spoke briefly about the obvious need to educate about HIV/Aids and the ongoing affected children that suffer from this.  But what resonated is that this person was truly making a difference in the lives of these children, ages 4 to 18.  Before starting Ubuntu, Whitney had witnessed 4 deaths in 6 months of her working with HIV+ children.  Since the 2006 inception of Ubuntu, the organization has not lost one child.  I was immediately impressed with their accomplishments, their drive, and their mission, and knew this was one organization that I want to support. The website is full of information and quite an interesting read.  I am grateful to have met Whitney and Jessica, and look forward to working with them in Cape Town (yes, they will both be there!) as well as the beautiful and deserving children of this organization.

The Kay Mason Foundation (www.kmf.org.za),  is a not-for-profit dedicated to bridging the gap in education for underprivileged children in South Africa.  Founded by Richard Mason, and under the patronage of Desmond Tutu, the organization recruits and sponsors select children’s education, providing opportunity for empowerment and sustainable growth.  Richard’s proven track record has grown to helping up to 75 scholars per year in various quality schools throughout South Africa.  The beauty of the growth of this organization can be seen in the “pay it forward” work that the graduates of these programs have adopted.  Many of these graduates have taken on the roles of their mentors and leaders in this organization, proving that young people can bring about the positive social change and development on which South Africa’s future success depends.  I believe education is the greatest tool one can have in shaping his or her own destiny, and I would be honored to join this group in its mission.

I want to make a difference in the lives of people.  I don’t know how I will accomplish that yet, but I know I will try to find my voice as I explore these opportunities for change.  Stay tuned for all the pics and commentary during my time spent at these organizations in early December.