From Skyline to Savanna

Bloomfield, New Jersey is 8,180 miles from Makhanda, South Africa. Bloomfield College of Montclair State University Media Communication student Daisha Robinson recently made that trip. Robinson set out on a journey to the town in the Eastern Cape Province in January, home to about 140,000 people: a trip that she only described as transformative.

Daisha's mission was to collaborate with the nonprofit organization Inkululeko (inkululeko.org), an initiative spearheaded by Jason Torreano. Inkululeko's focus revolves around providing educational opportunities to underserved communities, expressed through its slogan: "We believe in the transformative power of education."

Originating from Jersey City, Daisha's journey not only gave way to her first time flying but also served as a catalyst for self-discovery and awareness. "It was difficult adjusting to the weather and the time difference," she acknowledged. "Sometimes, I would call my parents or friends during the day here, but in New Jersey, it would be something like one or two in the morning." Amid it all, Daisha echoed a sentiment of and personal growth. "Yes, it was difficult and different, but it's worth it for all the things I took away from the experience."

*Daisha (left) pictured with Mziyanda Bulani (right), entrepreneur in Inkululeko's Common Ground Cafe*

When asked about the experience, Daisha spoke passionately about her newfound perspective. "It was transformative,” said Robinson. “I learned how to live in the moment, and my eyes were opened to a different perspective," she reflected. "People often take for granted how good they may have it compared to elsewhere in the world." Daisha painted a vivid picture of the challenges faced by the communities she encountered. "There are certain periods in the day where the power just goes out for hours (locally referred to as loadshedding), and I couldn't imagine having to deal with that before this trip."

With the significant challenges Daisha witnessed the people of South Africa facing, she intends to make changes in her own lifestyle back in Jersey. “Being here made me realize that I do not need certain things that I spend my money on,” says Robinson. “After getting home I plan to focus on the things that actually deserve to be focused on.”

Aside from changing her own spending habits, she also goes on to say that she feels as though she took for granted all of the extracurriculars at Bloomfield College, after seeing that students in South Africa do not have those opportunities. “Now I am definitely going to take advantage of the programs that are on campus. I realized that many students have no access to the things that I do.”

Additionally upon her return to New Jersey, she seamlessly integrates her acquired skills and knowledge, actively contributing to a podcast that not only expands its reach but also diminishes geographical barriers. Serving as a virtual channel, this podcast fosters meaningful communication between students in South Africa and those at Syracuse University.

Beyond connectivity, this podcast serves as a platform to exchange cultural insights, share educational experiences, and address pressing mental health issues, fostering a global dialogue that enriches the lives of all involved.

Among her involvement in these transformative initiatives, she orchestrates efforts into her capstone project, providing students with an opportunity to showcase their accumulated knowledge and skills. Collaborating closely with Jason Torreano, the esteemed founder of a nonprofit organization and a professor at Bloomfield College of Montclair, she ensures that her capstone project embodies excellence and innovation, paving the way for future scholars to follow suit.

“I plan to use all of the film I took in South Africa in my capstone project,” Robinson explains. “Basically it will emphasize the way South Africans work and the way education is there in comparison to the U.S.”.

As far as the future of her internship with Inkululeko goes, she plans to continue her work and share all that she has learned. She plans on making a page on the nonprofit’s website that goes into detail about her trip and what she learned about the education system in South Africa.