Skyped with Matt at the internet café so we could see each other. With the time difference Saturday is really the best day to catch each other.
Potluck tonight and I made a popular taco salad. Not the same made with the 'Doritos' (not same as US Doritos) that you can buy here. A large group attended and I saw peoples kids that I don't usually see because I usually just interact with them in the office.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Internet Resources
Researching about what internet resources are available for helping OVC (orphans and vulnerable children) with their emotional needs. Helena says she doesn't have that much, but she seems to know a lot anyways, and so I can print up what I can find.
This is the best website I've found so far: http://www.ovcsupport.net/sw480.asp
This is the best website I've found so far: http://www.ovcsupport.net/sw480.asp
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Great Connection
Wonderful to meet with Helena today. Ran into her after-hours while emailing the other day. She cares about the emotional needs of children and is training trainers, training and teaching kids about grief and loss. Today we're following up on that with a real meeting.
This is something I've been quite excited about learning about since my play therapy training I received during my HIV School. We shared our resources with each other, and talked for a while. She needs help with the training manual she is working on. She has some things on the computer in a manual form but it's in no way finished, then she has some notes that someone typed up during an actual training. So I'll be helping her by combining those two documents into one document. Formatting it, then adding in where ever she needs extra ideas. This is something I could get quite excited about.
Great connection.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Donated blood
I was so excited that I could donate blood again. In the US I can't ever donate blood because I've had malaria but here I can so I did that today :) Unfortunately got a bit dizzy when I got home and went to bed early.
Had a long talk with Jed today about my future at Hands at Work and am feeling emotional about that.
Had a long talk with Jed today about my future at Hands at Work and am feeling emotional about that.
Monday, May 25, 2009
large cookies
Starting some new responsibilities today. I'm helping out on different teams for the rest of orientation to learn about what 'Hands' is about and where I might fit in. The Zambia country representative is away in Zambia, so I'm helping out the PR team. They want me to do some research and get some ideas for how we can be more promotional in using facebook. The internet is sloooooowwwww. It's okay for sending an occasional email but not for internet research. I really want to do something that is helpful.
Two volunteers that have been here a few months are leaving tomorrow so we had a 'braai' or barbeque for them. I made chocolate chip cookies for everyone and one large cookie with their initials on it for the two that were leaving. Made them smile anyways.
Two volunteers that have been here a few months are leaving tomorrow so we had a 'braai' or barbeque for them. I made chocolate chip cookies for everyone and one large cookie with their initials on it for the two that were leaving. Made them smile anyways.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Loud Microphones
Great church service this morning. Loved the worship and preaching, just wish the microphones didn't have to be turned up so loud for such a small space. Different sense of what the job of a sound booth person is than what I'm used to. Encouraging message on how it is 'not good to be alone' and how we need community. He even used an object lesson using grapes and raisins and kept everyone laughing.
Skyped with my sweet Matt for a while this afternoon at the internet café. He has a full day as his son has a birthday and his two brothers and their families are all having a 'reunion, after too long apart.
Skyped with my sweet Matt for a while this afternoon at the internet café. He has a full day as his son has a birthday and his two brothers and their families are all having a 'reunion, after too long apart.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Blyde River Canyon
Please check out the other pics in this series. Everything I saw was so beautiful.
The beautiful Blyde River Canyon is just an hour and a half from where I am now and so I joined a car load going to visit it. It is sooooo amazing. Check out these pics, it explain it way different than I could.
Here's the wikipedia description:
The Blyde River Canyon is a significant natural feature of South Africa. It is 16 miles (26 kilometers) in length and is, on average, around 2500 feet (800m) deep. The Canyon consists mostly of red sandstone. By some measures it is the third largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon in the United States and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia but this depends heavily on one's definition of a canyon. By any definition it is unquestionably the largest 'green canyon' due to its lush subtropical foliage, and it has some of the deepest precipitious cliffs of any canyon on the planet. Possibly the best view in the whole of the Blyde River Canyon is of the "Three Rondavels", huge, round rocks, thought to be reminiscent of the houses or huts of the indigenous people, known as rondavels.
The beautiful Blyde River Canyon is just an hour and a half from where I am now and so I joined a car load going to visit it. It is sooooo amazing. Check out these pics, it explain it way different than I could.
Here's the wikipedia description:
The Blyde River Canyon is a significant natural feature of South Africa. It is 16 miles (26 kilometers) in length and is, on average, around 2500 feet (800m) deep. The Canyon consists mostly of red sandstone. By some measures it is the third largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon in the United States and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia but this depends heavily on one's definition of a canyon. By any definition it is unquestionably the largest 'green canyon' due to its lush subtropical foliage, and it has some of the deepest precipitious cliffs of any canyon on the planet. Possibly the best view in the whole of the Blyde River Canyon is of the "Three Rondavels", huge, round rocks, thought to be reminiscent of the houses or huts of the indigenous people, known as rondavels.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Mkelego Leaving
Mkelego from our orientation group was just here for a month and is leaving. He requested a braai/bbq for his last dinner. I made a pasta salad and we ate and talked for hours.
questions questions questions questions
Meeting with Jed and asked all the questions that I've had throughout orientation but didn't want to ask in front of others. Good to voice those things. We didn't finish our long conversation so we'll continue another time.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Home Based Care Visits
The heart of the Hands at Work vision is based around 'home-based visits' and I've been hearing a lot about them so it was great to spend the morning going with a team of home-carers to see what really goes on. I was able to take some great pics, that tell the story. The goal of the program is to train and empower local people to go and visit and provide encouragement, prayer and medical advice (if they have that much training) to people that are sick in the community. This is a way to care for sick people and encourage them to take their medicines, and to provide love for HIV+ people that others stigmatize. This type of program is successful in many communities around Africa and doesn't require a lot of training or hospitals. Because of HIV & AIDS wiping out many adults who have kids, this model of home-based care is now being adjusted to include visits to child-headed-households where an older child, maybe teenager, is caring for their sibling in a home where they used to live.
Actually each house we visited today seemed like a success story. Most of them are doing well on whatever meds they're on and doing much better than they had in the past. Check out the pictures.
Actually each house we visited today seemed like a success story. Most of them are doing well on whatever meds they're on and doing much better than they had in the past. Check out the pictures.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Power is OFF
The powers gone off. I love my laptop, I can still keep working :) hooray! I just borrowed a lighter from the next room and now have dripped candle wax accidentally on my keyboard - oh dear.
First letter from my sweet Matt today :) On the outside of the envelope he wrote, "Please deliver this to the most beautiful woman in the world." He knows how to make me blush.
I was frying an egg for lunch when I saw the housekeeping ladies and just happened to ask them if they had lunch and they said there wasn't any food for them there, when there usually is, so I made them egg and toast, not much but I think they were encouraged and fed. I was late for my afternoon session though.
Growing up my mom used to make us Taro Pancakes, and I was craving those today so tried to make some potato pancakes but they turned out bland and not cooked through. Anyone have a recipe for that? Or maybe my Mom will?
First letter from my sweet Matt today :) On the outside of the envelope he wrote, "Please deliver this to the most beautiful woman in the world." He knows how to make me blush.
I was frying an egg for lunch when I saw the housekeeping ladies and just happened to ask them if they had lunch and they said there wasn't any food for them there, when there usually is, so I made them egg and toast, not much but I think they were encouraged and fed. I was late for my afternoon session though.
Growing up my mom used to make us Taro Pancakes, and I was craving those today so tried to make some potato pancakes but they turned out bland and not cooked through. Anyone have a recipe for that? Or maybe my Mom will?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Racing pulse
Feeling tired today. To bed super early because feeling tired and sick even after taking a nap, but then woke up at 3am. Yuck, Lying awake with a fast pulse , reading, resting, phone call to US until time to get up. Worried about why not feeling well. I'll force myself to stay awake until later tonight.
Two orientation sessions today.
Communicating with supporters using facebook, flickr, blogs… I learned about this google analytics which track the statistics of the people who visit your web page or blog. Seems like that would be valuable with my new web page when that gets started, and my blog.
Cross-cultural workshop was interesting because the leader of the workshop is a young man from UK. Around the table the countries represented were: Swaziland, Kenya, Canada, UK, USA, USA, and Zambia. Wow, what a mix. And all our backgrounds and travel experience are very varied as well.
Interviews for how we will fit into HAW are this Friday. I'm very very very curious how this will turn out. Please be in prayer about this.
Ma Agnes is cooking a spice and plant mixture on the stove, she says it's for her flu/cold.
Two orientation sessions today.
Communicating with supporters using facebook, flickr, blogs… I learned about this google analytics which track the statistics of the people who visit your web page or blog. Seems like that would be valuable with my new web page when that gets started, and my blog.
Cross-cultural workshop was interesting because the leader of the workshop is a young man from UK. Around the table the countries represented were: Swaziland, Kenya, Canada, UK, USA, USA, and Zambia. Wow, what a mix. And all our backgrounds and travel experience are very varied as well.
Interviews for how we will fit into HAW are this Friday. I'm very very very curious how this will turn out. Please be in prayer about this.
Ma Agnes is cooking a spice and plant mixture on the stove, she says it's for her flu/cold.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Start with Prayer
Starting each week with an all staff prayer meeting is a great way to reconnect after the weekend and start the week off right. My small group was leading today but I didn't feel comfortable leading any bit of it so I baked two coffee cakes this morning that was my contribution. Talked about reconciliation.
Because all the workers for Hands at Work are volunteers or raise support or get small stripends, then that makes life hard for the average volunteer on the ground. These caregivers often have very little themselves, then come away for 2-5 days a week to look after the orphans or sick and still have to return to their own homes at the end of day. They often walk long distances and use their own resources to help the children. HAW wants to care for these caregivers without committing to salaries that can disappear depending on the funding, so that the world can see the church stepping up to take their God-given role. One way they are helping them is by helping them to start 'Income Generating Activities'. Selling hens seems to be the most common IGA right now.
In the afternoon we learned from Levy, about expansion and how HAW goes into a new area. He is the first person who will go to break ground in a new country and area to make connections, do community mapping and communicating between the Hub here and the new potential area. They are looking for areas that are the poorest of the poor, so if there's good water supply, another int'l organizataion, or other resources then HAW doesn't want to go there.
Fortunately I slept very well, so maybe last night was just a once-off thing rather than a pattern.
Because all the workers for Hands at Work are volunteers or raise support or get small stripends, then that makes life hard for the average volunteer on the ground. These caregivers often have very little themselves, then come away for 2-5 days a week to look after the orphans or sick and still have to return to their own homes at the end of day. They often walk long distances and use their own resources to help the children. HAW wants to care for these caregivers without committing to salaries that can disappear depending on the funding, so that the world can see the church stepping up to take their God-given role. One way they are helping them is by helping them to start 'Income Generating Activities'. Selling hens seems to be the most common IGA right now.
In the afternoon we learned from Levy, about expansion and how HAW goes into a new area. He is the first person who will go to break ground in a new country and area to make connections, do community mapping and communicating between the Hub here and the new potential area. They are looking for areas that are the poorest of the poor, so if there's good water supply, another int'l organizataion, or other resources then HAW doesn't want to go there.
Fortunately I slept very well, so maybe last night was just a once-off thing rather than a pattern.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Yes, they have malls in Africa
Nelspruit is a large town about 45 minutes from where we are and they have large stores, and modern shopping. I spent the afternoon at the 'Riverside Mall', feeling quite spoiled. Not as nice as the malls in Cape Town but anything I would need but much more. Purchased a warm poncho/sweater thing to wear as the weather's getting colder and I only have a winter coat which isn't needed yet. A few restaurants but mostly fast food burger places, movie theatre, casino, 3 grocery stores and hooray for the internet café. Chatted with Matt for 2 hours over skype, talked to bro Kurt and got some emailing and downloading done. Downloaded my monthly digital scrapbooking supplies. Back late :)
Emailing at the regular offices is very difficult because the connection is slow.
Emailing at the regular offices is very difficult because the connection is slow.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Brides Price Rituals
Once a month Hands at Work has 'All Hands on Deck' at 8am on a Friday to fill everyone in on who was out and about travelling to the different service centers. With so many people away there wasn't anyone to share, so we had a beautiful time of singing and a testimony. I cried during the singing. Feeling sad about some sad news. I went to my room to cry for a bit.
We regrouped for a morning session discussing 'What we learned'. I find the topic of 'relationships' coming up and what that means in different cultures. Dan suggested it would be a great idea to define what is good healthy godly relationship and strive for that.
Dan and Jenn (and Miley and Sonny) had our orientation group over for chilli on rice. They don't live in the 'Hands Village' where I live so they don't have much furnishings yet and are needing to buy more things. But they plan to be here for two years so it will be a good investment. We had a fun evening. Chatted about brides price rituals from around the world at one point in the evening.
We regrouped for a morning session discussing 'What we learned'. I find the topic of 'relationships' coming up and what that means in different cultures. Dan suggested it would be a great idea to define what is good healthy godly relationship and strive for that.
Dan and Jenn (and Miley and Sonny) had our orientation group over for chilli on rice. They don't live in the 'Hands Village' where I live so they don't have much furnishings yet and are needing to buy more things. But they plan to be here for two years so it will be a good investment. We had a fun evening. Chatted about brides price rituals from around the world at one point in the evening.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Single Ladies Bible Study
'Gardening God's Way' is the gardening program that Hands at Work want to teach the community based organizations to use. The premise is that because in the forest there's no one to pick up the leaves and clean up then that is what is needed in our gardens as well. They have a 'test garden' here just by the gate and aside from the monkeys that came in and ate some of the vegetables you can see very clearly that the half that is using mulch over the plants is growing my faster, thicker and fuller than the other half that was planted at the same time.
HAW gets a lot of volunteers coming through for all different lengths of times (1 day or months or years), so this afternoon we learned about their role, and the teachable attitude they/we need to have and how we will probably be working with other volunteers ourselves.
I'm disappointed the ACTS clinic tour (HIV/AIDS Clinic) didn't occur but tonight they've just started a new Bible study group for single ladies so that's good timing for me. Only four of us tonight. I really like small groups.
HAW gets a lot of volunteers coming through for all different lengths of times (1 day or months or years), so this afternoon we learned about their role, and the teachable attitude they/we need to have and how we will probably be working with other volunteers ourselves.
I'm disappointed the ACTS clinic tour (HIV/AIDS Clinic) didn't occur but tonight they've just started a new Bible study group for single ladies so that's good timing for me. Only four of us tonight. I really like small groups.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Identity in Christ
Second small group meeting. At least I know where it is this time, things starting to be familiar.
Dave and Marilyn play a pastoral role here at HAW and for our morning session we are discussing 'Our identity in Christ.'
Dave and Marilyn play a pastoral role here at HAW and for our morning session we are discussing 'Our identity in Christ.'
Meet My Sweetheart
Today is a special day. I officially have a boyfriend and get to share it with you. We were hanging out a LOT before I left but because I was leaving I was holding back on calling it anything official. But I miss him like crazy and we talk or email every day and so I'm finally calling our relationship by the name, that it really has been for a while, I was just nervous.
This is Matthew Hoffman. He's my sweetie. We met about 5-6 months ago through a website where we both submit our writing for other peoples insight. We realized we lived close to each other and met. I never expected it to turn into anything, he just seemed like a safe person to talk to. We talked about just personal things at first and writing. Maybe because we didn't have any expectations is why it started so well.
We are so similar and so different at the same time. When we talk I feel like we really connect in a way I've never connected with another guy. He's an ENFP, and a website says that INFP, and ENFP are perfectly matched and I can feel that in our conversations with each other. We talk and talk.
He has a sensitive compassionate side. He's good with words and loves words, and uses them well. He loves to learn. He's a great listener :) He's handsome. He makes me laugh. He asks good questions. He's smart and has a great memory. He loves books and to read. He reads more fantasy and science fiction so he's given me a few books in those genres to read. We're reading 'the Case for Christ' together now.
But our lives were so different. He was divorced, he has 2 very creative kids, average job, not travelled a lot.
He's recently returning to his faith in God and Jesus, and is now attending 'my' church in PA. We pray together every time we talk which I love.
He's a great writer, and story ideas come to him even more than they come to me. He writes me a poem (a haiku) every day, and has written me some beautiful poetry.
So…the struggle is that we miss each other like crazy but are on separate continents. He would like to come to Africa, but has finances and his children to think about. I feel very divided, wanting him, but wanting my dream at the same time. We're praying for how to work things out and when we can see each other next. We're hoping for Christmas time.
I'll let him tell you a little about himself in his own words:
Hi! My name is Matthew, and I hail from Pennsylvania. I love reading and music and, though I have many interests, at the end of the day I am a storyteller and a poet.I am also a nerd, and I love science fiction. I pretty much love anything that involves imagination because every day I imagine a world where life is peaceful and all of Gods 'children' are loved. I see beauty in the world around me constantly, and I want to explain why things are beautiful to me so others may share that beauty. I could ask nothing better out of life than to love a woman as amazing as Dietlinde, and I am humbled by her love for me.
This is Matthew Hoffman. He's my sweetie. We met about 5-6 months ago through a website where we both submit our writing for other peoples insight. We realized we lived close to each other and met. I never expected it to turn into anything, he just seemed like a safe person to talk to. We talked about just personal things at first and writing. Maybe because we didn't have any expectations is why it started so well.
We are so similar and so different at the same time. When we talk I feel like we really connect in a way I've never connected with another guy. He's an ENFP, and a website says that INFP, and ENFP are perfectly matched and I can feel that in our conversations with each other. We talk and talk.
He has a sensitive compassionate side. He's good with words and loves words, and uses them well. He loves to learn. He's a great listener :) He's handsome. He makes me laugh. He asks good questions. He's smart and has a great memory. He loves books and to read. He reads more fantasy and science fiction so he's given me a few books in those genres to read. We're reading 'the Case for Christ' together now.
But our lives were so different. He was divorced, he has 2 very creative kids, average job, not travelled a lot.
He's recently returning to his faith in God and Jesus, and is now attending 'my' church in PA. We pray together every time we talk which I love.
He's a great writer, and story ideas come to him even more than they come to me. He writes me a poem (a haiku) every day, and has written me some beautiful poetry.
So…the struggle is that we miss each other like crazy but are on separate continents. He would like to come to Africa, but has finances and his children to think about. I feel very divided, wanting him, but wanting my dream at the same time. We're praying for how to work things out and when we can see each other next. We're hoping for Christmas time.
I'll let him tell you a little about himself in his own words:
Hi! My name is Matthew, and I hail from Pennsylvania. I love reading and music and, though I have many interests, at the end of the day I am a storyteller and a poet.I am also a nerd, and I love science fiction. I pretty much love anything that involves imagination because every day I imagine a world where life is peaceful and all of Gods 'children' are loved. I see beauty in the world around me constantly, and I want to explain why things are beautiful to me so others may share that beauty. I could ask nothing better out of life than to love a woman as amazing as Dietlinde, and I am humbled by her love for me.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Lots of questions?????????????
At Ladies Prayer Meeting we were all encouraged to share something personal to pray for with a few others and so I shared about how I feel all 'transitioned out'. I've moved a lot in my life and just in the last few months travelled around New York state, came back to Pennsylvania to pack up my luggage, was in California for a week, then Cape Town for a week, the 4 days of driving, then here for 5 days then out to the community for 4 days and now I'm here for a few more weeks and then moving again. I'm tired of moving. Help!
Hallelujah, I have most of the day to organize my room and unpack. What a relief to see things disappear from boxes and the floor and go into tight quarters in the cupboard, on the table or under the beds.
Dave and Marilyn play a pastoral role here at HAW and for our morning session we are discussing 'Our identity in Christ.' There is the important role of the cross which provides for our forgiveness of sin but there is also the other side that provides us with abundant living. Hard to find that abundant living with everything being new and wondering how I fit in.
Lots of questions, not sure when, to whom, where to ask them. God help me know who to go to with my questions.
Hallelujah, I have most of the day to organize my room and unpack. What a relief to see things disappear from boxes and the floor and go into tight quarters in the cupboard, on the table or under the beds.
Dave and Marilyn play a pastoral role here at HAW and for our morning session we are discussing 'Our identity in Christ.' There is the important role of the cross which provides for our forgiveness of sin but there is also the other side that provides us with abundant living. Hard to find that abundant living with everything being new and wondering how I fit in.
Lots of questions, not sure when, to whom, where to ask them. God help me know who to go to with my questions.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Reflection on Community Stay - so many thoughts
Debriefed the community stay with the others in the orientation. It seems common that the lights are kept on all night because orphans are often afraid of the dark. One church that was attended, the pastor had a dream to build a church in the shape of an eagle. One home didn't have any electricity. Most of the people in the community seem to either have a TV and watch a lot of it or go to a neighbor that has TV, or go to bed early. Others said that going to bed at 4 was the earliest they ever heard about.
After hearing others talk, it confirms my suspicions that Caroline is probably depressed. At a loss of what to do for her. Caroline mentioned that she is friends with a staff person here, but she is away and will be away for quite some time.
Thinking a lot about what I've seen. How much is cultural differences? How much is poverty influencing? How much is Caroline and Bonnie's lack of stimulation and regular caring influence for either of them? Overall with the help of "Hands at Work" Caroline is doing well. She has food parcels, her grandfather pension money, her school fees paid, pre-school for her daughter, great goals in life, housing from government, clean functioning outhouse, water from neighbors hose runs into their yard, bars on the windows, large yard, garden space (not tended recently), support group for 'Young Mothers' that she helps run, and fun friends… But yet her emotional needs aren't being cared for. It's so much better than where she would have ended up without 'Hands at Work'.
After hearing others talk, it confirms my suspicions that Caroline is probably depressed. At a loss of what to do for her. Caroline mentioned that she is friends with a staff person here, but she is away and will be away for quite some time.
Thinking a lot about what I've seen. How much is cultural differences? How much is poverty influencing? How much is Caroline and Bonnie's lack of stimulation and regular caring influence for either of them? Overall with the help of "Hands at Work" Caroline is doing well. She has food parcels, her grandfather pension money, her school fees paid, pre-school for her daughter, great goals in life, housing from government, clean functioning outhouse, water from neighbors hose runs into their yard, bars on the windows, large yard, garden space (not tended recently), support group for 'Young Mothers' that she helps run, and fun friends… But yet her emotional needs aren't being cared for. It's so much better than where she would have ended up without 'Hands at Work'.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Understanding Poverty?
Yesterday Caroline said we were going to church, but that didn't happen. We got up and around, and I was ready to go, and we just never left, and no one made any more to go, so I didn't say anything.
The instructions for the community stay was to see what life was like for a 'child-headed-household'. We weren't supposed to do too much, just try to fit into their life, and so I wanted to go with the flow. I did bring a small bottle of bubble soap and so Bonnie loved it when I blew the bubbles for her. Squeals and laughter every time I blew the bubble. She enjoyed making them too. A friend of her joined us for a while, and then they ran off together so as Caroline was reading a book, I sat down on the ground near her and read my book.
I'm finding this book very fascinating, "Understanding Poverty". I really want to read and discuss it with somebody. It's about poverty in the US but I'm sure there are many similarities to poverty that Caroline lives with and poverty in cities and in third world countries. I wonder if the same strategies would help? I have so many thoughts in my head about the book, who can I discuss this with??
Caroline continued reading for hours. Bonnie and I ate lunch, then played some more. I got out my little note pad and gave her dotted lines for her to trace to practice her fine motor skills. She was so cute, I just couldn't teach her much because we couldn't speak the same language so she didn't understand my instruction. We sat close to each other on the bed, with her writing on my lap, it was a precious time. I've kept the pages in my notebook and love looking at them.
At one point I shared the pictures of my family that I had brought with me with Bonnie, and thought maybe sharing them with Caroline would be a good conversation starter, so I took them to her. She looked through them briefly but then gave them back and went back to her reading. I asked her what she was reading, it was a book for school. She wants to be a doctor she says.
I played with Bonnie until the car came to pick me up. Bonnie didn't want to give me a hug, I think her Mom hadn't told her when I was leaving so it was a surprise, and she was angry at me. I will miss her a lot. Wish I could take her with me. I have so much love to give and no kids to give it to.
Enjoyed being back in my own bed, and being able to turn the lights off at night. The darkness is soothing.
The instructions for the community stay was to see what life was like for a 'child-headed-household'. We weren't supposed to do too much, just try to fit into their life, and so I wanted to go with the flow. I did bring a small bottle of bubble soap and so Bonnie loved it when I blew the bubbles for her. Squeals and laughter every time I blew the bubble. She enjoyed making them too. A friend of her joined us for a while, and then they ran off together so as Caroline was reading a book, I sat down on the ground near her and read my book.
I'm finding this book very fascinating, "Understanding Poverty". I really want to read and discuss it with somebody. It's about poverty in the US but I'm sure there are many similarities to poverty that Caroline lives with and poverty in cities and in third world countries. I wonder if the same strategies would help? I have so many thoughts in my head about the book, who can I discuss this with??
Caroline continued reading for hours. Bonnie and I ate lunch, then played some more. I got out my little note pad and gave her dotted lines for her to trace to practice her fine motor skills. She was so cute, I just couldn't teach her much because we couldn't speak the same language so she didn't understand my instruction. We sat close to each other on the bed, with her writing on my lap, it was a precious time. I've kept the pages in my notebook and love looking at them.
At one point I shared the pictures of my family that I had brought with me with Bonnie, and thought maybe sharing them with Caroline would be a good conversation starter, so I took them to her. She looked through them briefly but then gave them back and went back to her reading. I asked her what she was reading, it was a book for school. She wants to be a doctor she says.
I played with Bonnie until the car came to pick me up. Bonnie didn't want to give me a hug, I think her Mom hadn't told her when I was leaving so it was a surprise, and she was angry at me. I will miss her a lot. Wish I could take her with me. I have so much love to give and no kids to give it to.
Enjoyed being back in my own bed, and being able to turn the lights off at night. The darkness is soothing.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Squeals of Joy
After breakfast of bread and avocado I went off to a junior achievement program and the local youth groups meeting. The junior achievement program is some basic 'business' skills, to get them prepared for starting their own simple business some day. The youth group is about 80 teenagers who meet every Saturday. Both groups meet at the same place but the junior achievement program is classroom based. I enjoyed watching the J A program. The curriculum is actually very good - and I rarely ever say that about any curriculum. I'd love to get training in how to teach it myself. It is very hands on and interesting. I'm not sure how much the class understood. In the group I observed there were 11th and 12th graders and at the end of the lesson they still didn't know if something was a ''good' or 'service'. That's a lesson that I taught my second graders at Hillcrest.
Returned to my 'community home' and it was raining so we couldn't play outside. Caroline had again cooked the food and eaten so I ate dinner with Bonnie at 4, even though I had only eaten lunch at 3. Caroline announced she was going to bed at 4, and although the other nights I had gone to bed when she announced at 6, I just thought 4 was too early so didn't follow her to the bedroom, and Bonnie stayed with me, so I played with her until 6. She was laughing and laughing at every little thing I did. Her great grandfather came out and scolded her but we kept playing anyway because she gets to little interaction. I never saw anyone interact with her more than giving her instructions.
We played horsy, and hide and seek which brought her to squeals in the dark. I stretch out on the chair like a slide and my skirt was slippery so I became a climbing apparatus as well as a slide, over and over. She started copying my sounds that I made; because we couldn't talk to each other I used sounds and simple words. I gave her lots of hugs and to watch her reaction to it you would have thought it was the best thing on earth. She's so precious. I thought heading to bed at 6 was a respectful thing to do. So we went to bed, she climbed in with her mom and I went to sleep about 7:30.
Returned to my 'community home' and it was raining so we couldn't play outside. Caroline had again cooked the food and eaten so I ate dinner with Bonnie at 4, even though I had only eaten lunch at 3. Caroline announced she was going to bed at 4, and although the other nights I had gone to bed when she announced at 6, I just thought 4 was too early so didn't follow her to the bedroom, and Bonnie stayed with me, so I played with her until 6. She was laughing and laughing at every little thing I did. Her great grandfather came out and scolded her but we kept playing anyway because she gets to little interaction. I never saw anyone interact with her more than giving her instructions.
We played horsy, and hide and seek which brought her to squeals in the dark. I stretch out on the chair like a slide and my skirt was slippery so I became a climbing apparatus as well as a slide, over and over. She started copying my sounds that I made; because we couldn't talk to each other I used sounds and simple words. I gave her lots of hugs and to watch her reaction to it you would have thought it was the best thing on earth. She's so precious. I thought heading to bed at 6 was a respectful thing to do. So we went to bed, she climbed in with her mom and I went to sleep about 7:30.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Lula Care Center
Did some gardening, planting spinach, at Lula Care Center today. This is a care center we visited earlier in the week. Want to be useful but planting spinach with four of us, and two gardeners, and about 50 plants doesn’t feel useful. There is a pre-school class and two nursery classes taking place here during the day too, hard to help there because of the language difference.
Returned 'home' to Caroline's home. The power was on and she cooked Pap. We had some tinned fish with sauce with it. Fortunately I've had Pap before from when I lived in Cape Town, certainly not my favorite but I can get it down, and it is filling. It's a white, very thick paste made from mealie meal. The proper way to eat it is to take a little bit of it in you right hand, roll it between your fingers, dip it into whatever else your eating (veggies, meal or sauce) and then put it in your mouth. Without anything else with it, it's quite dry and hard to swallow. It's fairly tasteless but it's a staple of probably millions of people across Africa every day. Most everyone loves it and eats it every day, and they wouldn't feel like they'd eaten, unless they had some.
Caroline had already cooked and eaten before I arrived so I ate with her beautiful daughter Bonnie. She doesn't speak any English so talking is out, but with facial expressions we enjoyed dinner. After dinner I wasn't sure what else to do so played with Bonnie for quite a while. She's really warming up to me, and is quite open now. I pick her up and play 'horsie' on my lap. She has a tennis ball, which seems to be the only toy she plays with. She (or her mom?) has a lot of teddy bears but they are more decoration than toys I guess. We toss and catch the ball, she's not very good at catching. She's so happy to have someone to play with.
Only see Caroline's brother here and there, he seems to help start the fire, but go away to watch tv somewhere else. He sleeps in another room. Her sister is away until Saturday. Her grandfather doesn’t look ninety andn walks around. He likes to sit by the fire, which is in another building on the same property in which the fourth wall has been torn down (to let our the smoke?)
She again announced that she was going to bed at 6. The lights stayed on, she said her brother would be turning them off. I read until about 8, then went to sleep myself. Her brother never turned the lights off so I was grateful for my eye covers. They again slept all the way until almost seven. That's a lot of sleep. Bonnie probably also gets a nap at her pre-school in the early afternoons. Didn't have a conversation with Caroline today. Was hoping to get to know her better.
Returned 'home' to Caroline's home. The power was on and she cooked Pap. We had some tinned fish with sauce with it. Fortunately I've had Pap before from when I lived in Cape Town, certainly not my favorite but I can get it down, and it is filling. It's a white, very thick paste made from mealie meal. The proper way to eat it is to take a little bit of it in you right hand, roll it between your fingers, dip it into whatever else your eating (veggies, meal or sauce) and then put it in your mouth. Without anything else with it, it's quite dry and hard to swallow. It's fairly tasteless but it's a staple of probably millions of people across Africa every day. Most everyone loves it and eats it every day, and they wouldn't feel like they'd eaten, unless they had some.
Caroline had already cooked and eaten before I arrived so I ate with her beautiful daughter Bonnie. She doesn't speak any English so talking is out, but with facial expressions we enjoyed dinner. After dinner I wasn't sure what else to do so played with Bonnie for quite a while. She's really warming up to me, and is quite open now. I pick her up and play 'horsie' on my lap. She has a tennis ball, which seems to be the only toy she plays with. She (or her mom?) has a lot of teddy bears but they are more decoration than toys I guess. We toss and catch the ball, she's not very good at catching. She's so happy to have someone to play with.
Only see Caroline's brother here and there, he seems to help start the fire, but go away to watch tv somewhere else. He sleeps in another room. Her sister is away until Saturday. Her grandfather doesn’t look ninety andn walks around. He likes to sit by the fire, which is in another building on the same property in which the fourth wall has been torn down (to let our the smoke?)
She again announced that she was going to bed at 6. The lights stayed on, she said her brother would be turning them off. I read until about 8, then went to sleep myself. Her brother never turned the lights off so I was grateful for my eye covers. They again slept all the way until almost seven. That's a lot of sleep. Bonnie probably also gets a nap at her pre-school in the early afternoons. Didn't have a conversation with Caroline today. Was hoping to get to know her better.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Community Stay Starts
Started my community stay today towards the end of the day. Caroline (not her real name) is a 20 year old girl in 11th grade. She is an orphan as her mother died when she was in third grade, she remembers her mothers death very clearly and in talking to her that was the only time she showed some emotion is when she talked about her. Her fourteenth year of life was horrible for her, her father died, then a few weeks later her grandmother died, then she got pregnant. Her daughter is six years old, and is shy around me. She has a younger brother and sister that are twins (like me) that are maybe 5 years younger than her that she looks after. She also cares for her grandfather whom she says is ninety.
My heart is broken for her, she seems smart and speaks English pretty well. She shares a room and bed with her daughter and I slept in the other bed which doesn't get used regularly, seems like more a 'display' bed.
The power was off so we have bread and a little bit of peanut butter for dinner, and tea. We brought some basic food staples with us so that I wouldn't be a burden to her financially. We went to bed at 6pm which surprised me but is maybe because the power is off.
My heart is broken for her, she seems smart and speaks English pretty well. She shares a room and bed with her daughter and I slept in the other bed which doesn't get used regularly, seems like more a 'display' bed.
The power was off so we have bread and a little bit of peanut butter for dinner, and tea. We brought some basic food staples with us so that I wouldn't be a burden to her financially. We went to bed at 6pm which surprised me but is maybe because the power is off.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Packing again (just for a few days away)
Learning about what things are like in the community today because our community stay starts tomorrow. I'm still not unpacked and settle in. I have a lot more than any others because I'm coming with my stuff from Cape Town, because I’m older, and because I’m comitted long-term to Africa and some of the others are just short term. I've been travelling now for weeks because of Cape Town, California, and the NY trip I took shortly before I left, and now they want us to go to the community for four days and I'm not even feeling settled and taking off again. I wish this was later in the orientation, at least after I was settled in. Lots of emailing to catch up on too, people don't even know I've arrived safely yet and I'm taking off on another trip.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
My Orientation Group
Hot today, which is a surprise since it's autumn. I think I'm going to like winters better here than Cape Town or Pennsylvania.
Here's the group that I'm in orientation with.
Front Row:
Pam (6 weeks visiting son Jed); Dan & Jenn (two years), sons: Marley & Sonny; Pragsidence (from Zambia here to be with her fiance); then ME
Back row:
Jed Heubner (two years with Peace Corp, hoping for 3 years, he is the volunteer coordinator); David (3 months from Canada); Mkelego (from Swaziland, one month); Jackie (from Kenya, long-term)
Dan and Jenn have a great website and blog: www.thewaspes.com
Jed & Brooke Heubner have an interesting blog and have been here almost two years so there is lots of interesting things in their blog: http://www.heubner.blogspot.com/
Here's the group that I'm in orientation with.
Front Row:
Pam (6 weeks visiting son Jed); Dan & Jenn (two years), sons: Marley & Sonny; Pragsidence (from Zambia here to be with her fiance); then ME
Back row:
Jed Heubner (two years with Peace Corp, hoping for 3 years, he is the volunteer coordinator); David (3 months from Canada); Mkelego (from Swaziland, one month); Jackie (from Kenya, long-term)
Dan and Jenn have a great website and blog: www.thewaspes.com
Jed & Brooke Heubner have an interesting blog and have been here almost two years so there is lots of interesting things in their blog: http://www.heubner.blogspot.com/
Heat
Hot today, which is a surprise since it's autumn. I think I'm going to like winters better here than Cape Town or Pennsylvania.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Orientation Starts
Orientation started today. Not taking things too fast, just overwhelmed by the new names with the new faces. Shopping tonite to get some food.
A few of us lived up here at the 'hands village' but most of the 'Hands' staff live across the road at the 'African School of Missions' ASM campus, where the 'Hands' offices are as well. Both properties have high gates surrounding them for security reasons, and the only way to open the gate is to have your phone number programmed into the security system, then I have a phone number to call from my cell phone, and then at the gate I call the number and it will open. Seems like a great idea. Just can't forget my phone when I go out.
A few of us lived up here at the 'hands village' but most of the 'Hands' staff live across the road at the 'African School of Missions' ASM campus, where the 'Hands' offices are as well. Both properties have high gates surrounding them for security reasons, and the only way to open the gate is to have your phone number programmed into the security system, then I have a phone number to call from my cell phone, and then at the gate I call the number and it will open. Seems like a great idea. Just can't forget my phone when I go out.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Same Me
Arrived at 'Hands at Work' today. Orientation starts tomorrow. I have my own room in a line of 12 rooms which are temporary housing for volunteers or trainings. In the middle of the 12 rooms is a large room called 'The village' which has a large kitchen where I have space in one of four fridges and two shelves in a small cupboard for my food. The rest of the room is a large meeting area with tables and chairs.
Beautiful view from my room. New names, new weather, new living arrangements, new language spoken around me, new organization, new part of South Africa.
Same car, same phone number, same belongings, same books, same me.
Beautiful view from my room. New names, new weather, new living arrangements, new language spoken around me, new organization, new part of South Africa.
Same car, same phone number, same belongings, same books, same me.
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