Drama and Sharks

Anita Kelman, volunteer at Helderberg College in South Africa, talks about her experience so far.

Since graduating from Avondale College in 2001, I had been working as a registered nurse in Sydney. In the back of my mind I had always wanted to be a volunteer overseas and had been waiting for the opportunity to follow this dream. By chance (or pre-ordained destiny), I met up with my school friend, Leesa, at church.

She had just been accepted to a volunteer position in Kenya and was so excited. It was then that I realised that I too wanted to be volunteer. I prayed about this decision and that God would lead me to where I should go. I put my name down for a number of positions and when the call came through that I had been accepted to go to South Africa, I was excited too.

I am serving at Helderberg College near Cape Town. Working in the library is my day job. Outside of work I also find time for worship, to eat meals, sleep, and train with the college netball team and be involved in choir and drama.

The weekends are also a highlight with Friday night vespers and Sabbath programs that are spiritual and challenging. The traditional African style of worship is very different from what I am accustomed to. We have been blessed this year to have a variety of renowned speakers and music groups visit our campus including Samuele Bacchiocchi, the Kings Heralds and the New England Youth Ensemble and Choir.

My friend, Theodore, decided to start a drama club at the beginning of this year and asked me to help him. Our group is made up of mainly high school students who, though talented, are extremely hyperactive. We managed to put together in six weeks a stage production about the resurrection of Christ.

It was a struggle at times to motivate everybody to learn their lines and turn up for rehearsals. The big night finally came. Theodore and I were so nervous and the adrenalin was pumping. The team were committed and we put on a fabulous performance with more than 150 people attending. I was involved in behind-the-scenes coordination and acted a small role in the play. The buzz afterwards knowing what we had achieved was amazing. It was definitely the highlight of my year.

Drama is a great way to reach people and tell them about God. Our drama team also participates in Sabbath school and has travelled to other churches in the Cape area to present our messages.

Since being in South Africa I have really missed going to the beach and being able to swim in relative safety. In South Africa there seem to be regular shark attacks mainly in False Bay near where I stay. I went swimming during the college camp and the two boys I was with spotted a dark object in the water near us and they alerted everyone to get out of the water immediately. I was frightened and trying to swim in as fast as possible. I escaped only to find out it was just a curious seal. I have not been back in the ocean since.

If you're interested in being a volunteer, you can visit www.adventistvolunteers.org to find out more, check out some of the volunteer positions or get in contact with people who can help you with your volunteering dreams.
Or you can write to HMasters@adventist.org.au to find out more about volunteering!