By Ilse Fredericks - IOL.co.za
An American student, who enrolled at a traditionally Afrikaans university despite not speaking the language, has started a number of projects to help improve the informal settlement where he also lives.
Matthew Haden, 24, who lives in Kayamandi and is reading for a degree in International Studies at Stellenbosch University said he has a passion for development.
"I came to South Africa because I wanted to be involved in development but I didn't want to do so in a first world country. South Africa has wonderful universities and I could help with development while studying."
Haden hails from Kansas City and said moving to Kayamandi, where he lives with a local family, gave him a better understanding of what the community's needs were. "I wanted to help but I didn't want to impose my projects on the community. I wanted to see what the community's needs were first."
Haden, who is also involved with the Stellenbosch chapter of the United Nations Association of South Africa, has initiated several projects, including a campaign to promote HIV testing since his arrival. "Many people are hesitant to get tested. We managed to get about 350 people tested in Kayamandi and have since also run the campaign in Cloetesville."
He was also involved in a tree planting project at a local school and is currently setting up an Internet cafè in Kayamandi and is working on a project aimed at supplying the local school library with books.
Haden said while he has been the victim of petty crimes, he enjoys living in Kayamandi. "The people have accepted me and I have never felt threatened." Haden also serves on Stellenbosch University's Student Representative Council.His classes are in both English and Afrikaans and Haden said he could mostly follow his lectures.
Nuku Phalla, Haden's "South African mother", said she was proud of him. "He's done a lot of good things here in Kayamandi. He has taught the people of Kayamandi how to be good students."
Gerhard Wiese, chairperson of the university's SRC, said Haden was an inspiration and an example to other students. "He is passionate about people and is making a difference in the lives of people less fortunate."