Dritter Bericht

SAGE Net Report Number: 3

Name: Tina Papenfuß

Project: Dance for All

1. What was your highlight in the last 3 months (personal/in project context)?

In the last 3 months, March was my personal highlight month. The midterm seminar was fun and rewarding and made me looking forward even more to the rest of my stay in SA. Right after the seminar, my parents came to visit which was very special to me. I could show them my new life and this amazing country, which also made me reflect on the question “What is typical for South Africa?”. Of course they asked me questions, which meant I was forced to sum up all my experience I have gained so far. Here I could actually use what I have just realized during the seminar again – not to generalize anything and to avoid stereotyping.

In project context, my highlights were the very encouraging moments of success I had recently. My work in the fundraising field is usually rather discouraging. Proposals or applications for funding are more often declined than approved. That is why it made me even happier when one of my application to a foundation was approved and helped Dance for All to cope in a difficult financial situation. I also arranged a meeting with the Rotary Club Sea Point where the fundraising manager and I were invited to hold a presentation about Dance for All. I was also given the responsibility for the new German website for DFA which is going live soon.

2. What kind of challenges did you experience?

(How did you deal with them? What other options do you see to deal with them, for achieving a positive learning experience and a win-win situation for all involved people?)

As I said already, my daily work in the office at Dance for All can be frustrating at some points. I am doing lots of research and write many proposals – then I mostly either get no reply or a “no” reply. But I am trying to stay positive by enjoying the writing, the responsibility I got and by appreciating all the work I am doing instead of only valuing positive results. I also had no option but continuing the fundraising work as this is highly important for the organisation at the moment.

3. What are your learning goals in the next 3 months (personal/ in project context)?

For my last three months in Cape Town I want to learn how to make the best out of only three months! I am already sad about leaving and still have many things to do and to accomplish – I need to learn more Xhosa, Contemporary Dance and maybe surfing. I also want to learn how stay warm in the South African winter and how to enjoy it. The next three months are going to be very different from for example Dec./Jan./Feb. that were just fun, when you had so many things to do and could go to the beach every day.

In project context I want to learn how to take on more responsibilities without taking on too many as I know I am only a volunteer and leaving soon. At my fundraising work I have started many relationships with donors, potential donors as well as foundations – I need to find out whether this is right, as I am not staying for much longer and it may be difficult to pass all of this on to someone else.