Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Categorical Proposition Assignment

I just turned in an assignment for my upper-level english class.  The prompt asked for a categorical proposition.  Not gonna lie, I had to look that one up.  After reading a couple things on the internet about what a categorical proposition is, I was able to write this essay:

click to read

Please post your comments below.  If you have additional information or would like to correct me in my assessment of the South African situation, comment below or email me at trevin.hoekzema@gmail.com. Some of my claims may be a bit brash as I am purposefully taking a stance in one direction.  South Africa is certainly not better off under apartheid, but the economic situation of many citizens has yet to change.  I will continue to develop these thoughts and arguments as the semester progresses so please pass along any information you would like to part with.  Thanks!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Six Months!

I can't believe its been more than six months since I've back from South Africa.  So much has happened since!  I completed the fall semester at UMD and just this week applied for several internships.  If you aren't aware, I am pursuing a major in International Development and applying for internships that deal with sustainable aid, specifically micro-financing.  Two of these micro-financing organizations are:



Both of these organizations are Christian-based, micro-financing, non-profit organizations.  HOPE is located in Lancaster, PA and Opportunity is in Oak Brook, Illinois, but has an internship opportunity in Washington, DC.  Feel free to click on their logos and check out their websites.


On a totally different topic, I just received news that the township that I spent most of my time in South Africa just got hit with a fire yesterday night.  By the time the fire was put out, 36 shacks had burned down.  They said about 100 people are out of a home right now, stranded in the heat of the African summer.  Below is a picture of the aftermath; clicking on the picture will take you to the site where Lourens describes the tragedy in greater detail and respectfully asks for our assistance.  Please join me in praying for them and sending them financial support.


Thank you for your continuing your interest of South Africa with me.  I definitely still feel like my heart is being drawn back there and hope to find myself in a long-term commitment there after I graduate from college.  If you would like to keep up with South Africa through the eyes of another college-aged American, feel free to follow Michelle Klassen's blog- she just arrived in South Africa and will spend the next 6 months there.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Still Writing...

Hey not sure if I still have any readers since I'm back in the States now, but I am still writing the debrief/summary of the trip.  In some respects its really just for my benefit and its definitely motivation if I think there is a crowd of people stalking the blog, waiting for anything to be updated- even if it is a false thought.

Until then, though, you can check out the pictures from the trip!  I finally got them all uploaded to Facebook.  There are several albums since I took over 1,500 pictures-- yikes!

Backseat Driver - an artistic portrayal of my travels from the backseat

Keep Them Safe - the main program I was involved with

Food - the good and the bad

Kruger National Park - usually the fan favorite

Enkhanini - my personal favorite and where we spent the most time

Shack Building - hard physical labor for immediate physical impact

Cape Town/Stellenbosch - beginning to end: people, places, things

Enjoy!