This week we introduced the students to the different belief systems in South Africa.

On Tuesday, we went to Hildergarde, a traditional healer. For me, it was a very impressive experience. It’s a pity, in one month I have to leave Cape Town and especially for the last period I’m really going to feel the African feeling!!

Yesterday, it was all about the Islam. The students visited Dawood, an imam in Cape Town. They were able to ask all the questions they wanted to know and learned so much more about Muslims, the belief and everything what is related to it!!

Today, is already their last day. The school is quite buzzy because it is also the last day for the Kurus Team of 2009! Let’s get the holiday started and enjoy it to the max!!

~ Jessica

Thank you very much for the fantastic time in Cape Town.

We enjoyed this trip so much, we learned a lot of the culture and have a lot of fun with all of you.

We hope we will see you again!!

Best wishes,

Daniel, David, Julia Gu., Julia, Bennie, Rio, Carolin, Jana and Martin

Last evening we went on a boat trip with the Kurus English and Coffeebeans Routes teams!! What was supposed to be a sunset cruise was in reality a cruise with high level clouds and rain! Nevertheless, we had great fun together. A fantastic getaway to do before the holiday starts.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEWYEAR to everybody!!

~ Jessica

Last week was a diverse week in which the students got the chance to learn more about the African culture when it comes to entertaining and leisure.

The kick-off was a drive to Signal Hill to see the Cape Town Stadium. The view is amazing from that place! Afterwards, they went to the Fields of Play exhibition which explores the dynamic intersection of memory, football and forced removals in the history of Cape Town.

On Wednesday the students became artists at the Castle of Good Hope. They had a workshop there with John Bauer about the printing techniques. It seems like this is one of the more popular excursions last time.

The next day, on Thursday, it was all about Township Leisure at Langa. We literally took the bulls by the horns and tasted some sheep head and chicken liver. The township excursions are always impressive! Our singer from the Music Dinner before took us on a tour through Langa and we ended up in her yard to taste the food.

All together, a week with a lot of variation, fun and impressing experiences!!

~ Jessica

Last Tuesday was the second music dinner in 3 weeks with the FEFO V Group. This evening is becoming one of my favourite evenings how to spend my time. Unfortunately, it was my last but nevertheless I enjoyed it to the max!

I missed the dinner but lucky me! There was a bit left what I snacked in the kitchen. Then, it was time for the music because that’s the special element what makes the dinner so special and full of African atmosphere.
Finally, everybody stood up and joined on the dance floor in the backyard. Interesting conversations and meetings were going on and it was, again, a great evening!!

~ Jessica

Last week was the second and last week for the FEJO IV Group from Germany. Time flies when you’re in Cape Town! After a very active week with dancing and making art en music, it was time to refresh their history knowledge.

On Tuesday they visited the Slave Lodge where they got an impression about Africa during the time of the slaves. Where they came from and what kind of life they lived.

District 6 Museum and the Holocaust museum were on the list for Wednesday. Some heavy stuff but really good to experience and to see what Africa was like years ago.

Thursday was the day to celebrate that we are now free and can live our lives how we want to live them. The students went on a train ride to Langa!

This week was a good one to go back to Germany with a fresh start. The group learned so many new things and were also remembered about the history. And with the freedom in their minds they went back to their home country!!

~ Jessica

November 2009

‘Johannes Bruns, 18 years old, has just finished school and wants to pass the CAE exam at Kurus in Cape Town!’
‘Wildly ambitious, that young guy!’ Gavin must have thought when reading my application.
Indeed, it was a tall order but not a lost cause!

My sincere gratitude goes to:
- The remarkable nick names J was given (little Johannes, Prince…)
- Linguistic drill master Gavin Cuttler who turned my English into an almost immaculate diamond
- Aaliya’s natural tenderness and senses (or scents)
- Big Johannes German aura that never made me feel homesick
- Diana who is the quintessence of hospitality and altruism and truly the back love of Kurus English
- Jessica the fairest Dutch lady with an unbeatable, gorgeous island sun-teint whose enchantment lies in her modest personality tinged with intelligent sensibility
- Jacques the most admirable tour guide, the epitome of elegance and a true library of knowledge

November 2009,
FEJO Cape Town…

Celebrating together
Adventures under the sun
People with friendly faces
English communication

Townships
Opportunities meeting new places
Waves & white sandy fun
National nation making conversation

We will never forget & remember forever!

Kind teachers
Useful information
Really amazing
Unforgettable experience
Super organized

- ENGLISH

Christopher
Natascha
Sylvana
Martina
Kai
Flo
Heike
Katharina
Anna
Pascal
Thanks for all! Kathi & Sebastian

Paint some art, make a move and feel the beat. As you can imagine, last week was a very creative one.

The start off took place in the Castle of Good Hope. At this place, John Bauer presented the printing technique with knitted teddy bears. The artist knows different unique art techniques by experimenting time and time again. The students were busy with painting the teddy bears and printing them on a paper sheet to make their own art.

The next day, on Wednesday, it was time to develop the dancing skills on an African way. The students, teachers and private guide Jacques drove to the iKapa Dance Theatre to learn the gumboot dance. It was an unexpected experience but great to see and practise a real African dance at close quarters.

The first week went fast by and the students were already on the third day of excursions. This day, it was all happening in Gugulethu where the Djembe and Marimba again were discovered! Lucky learned them all about the instruments and the ilanga le Africa project.

Thanks everybody for taking creative part in this creative week!

~ Jessica

Last week Tuesday the new arrived Fejo Group and the Kurus Team were invited at Paradise Grey for a great music dinner. During the whole evening new people popped in at the very cosmopolitan place. A place to see and to be seen!

Different tables were placed in the backyard for a culinary dinner. We tried the delicious chicken with rice, thai curry sauce and pumpkins.
After chatting, eating and drinking the necessary drinks it was party time! Tables were taken inside and everybody was ready for the band and the amazing sound of their singer.

Finally, Michael showed up with a fresh melon dessert so the whole evening was made complete!!

~ Jessica