We Grow Organically

Another component of the UNC consultants' project is to take a look at where former SAEP students are now and try to define "success" so as to develop a "theory of change" for us...business-school-speak for a model that boils down to "if you do ____ for these learners, ____ will happen for them." Former Bridging Programme interns from all the way back to 2003 attended, and it was almost overwhelming to see so many of Norton's "children," and how deeply he has impacted their lives.

In the past few years SAEP has become more institutional, but in the old days Norton would let the interns come up with their own ideas for how to change their communities, and would then find ways to help them make it happen. In talking about their experiences most of the old interns mentioned that Norton's mantra was always, "we grow organically," meaning that each year the organization would shift to support new people and new ideas. Khangelani wanted to start a school newspaper, so Norton found UCT volunteers to help him design and distribute one. He now owns a community newspaper and a recording studio for hip hop artists in the townships. Bulelani was interested in politics and public speaking, so Norton helped he and others start a township debating league (now its own independent organization). Bulelani went on to win a national debating championship and now leads an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign at a huge nonprofit.

It took hours to hear all their stories, and I choked up about a hundred times. The learners with whom I've worked during my time here are just making their way out into the world, and I really hope they will have come as far as so many of the former interns have when I return for a visit. The most important thing I learned (again) today is that college degrees are not an appropriate measure of success when the goal is to empower people. Nor are pass rates in the core subjects. This entire room was full of self-sufficient, confident, proud community leaders, and most of them didn't retake English and Math classes at SAEP. They were nurtured at a key time in the areas where they were passionate, and have achieved more than they ever thought they could as a result. This is at the core of my personal theory of change.