Usually when I dream, I go to a far off place. Because of the way I tend to jump in my sleep, my South African friends tell me that at that very moment (the jumping moment), I'm making that big leap across the Atlantic Ocean to an exotic location such as Atlanta or Chicago (hmm). Well, on the morning of December 19th at around 1:15 am, I'd long since crossed the pond when I was stirred from my sleep by a yelp (or was it a scream?!) in the next room. I asked, "Thuli, are you ok?" In a frantic and unexpected voice, Joyce (instead of Thuli) told me to come over in a double. As I opened the door to Thuli's room, I was met by Joyce kneeling on the floor clasping Thuli's hand as she was experiencing early labor pains. Because I haven't written in a while, and because pregnancy is not necessarily note worthy, I did not tell you that Saziso's Brother's girlfriend, Thuli is 7 months pregnant. FYI, Thuli is the mother of Tshepang (the cute little girl who is pinching Twobob's bum in the previous blog post). Joyce asked me to take over dula duty (i.e. comforting Thuli)while she and Saziso's mom where trying to arrange transport to take her to the clinic. Since I'm an expert on child labor, due to my over indulgence of TLC's The Baby Story and Bringing Home Baby and Big Mama's House, I knew that I was supposed to rub her back, hold her hand, and have plenty of towels. Tshepo (the father and Saziso's older brother) walked into the room and assumed his position of providing comfort as well. Not more than 15 minutes after I came in the room to help, Thuli started screaming in Setswana, a lanugage I'm not fluent in, however, knowing that labor transends language, knew that she was in serious pain. The pains seemed to be getting worse and all of a sudden her water broke... she needed to get somewhere medical soon! Water breaking, screaming, sqeezing hands, pulling down of pants, screaming, fluids spilling, out comes a baby boy, OH MY GOD! Yes, you read right, I was witness to the premature home birth of baby boy Kototsi! SHOCK! The three of us could not believe that this tiny little boy was just born on the floor at 1: thiry something in the morning! Saziso's mom rushed in the room to tell us that the transport had come, just to find that they baby had been delivered. Thuli and the baby (who was still attached) were transported in a neighbor's car to the clinic and then to the hospital. You might be wondering why we just didn't call the ambulance. Well, in Rustenburg and maybe the whole of South Africa, most times it's quicker to find your own transport. Back to the story, Thuli and baby (who is still not officially named, but Saziso and I can't decide to call him Speedy (Saziso) or "Comes early in the morning" (Me)) are doing well. The baby weighs in at 1.5kg. He'll have to stay until he reaches 1.6kg. I've gone to visit both mother and child twice.
Since I've been in Peace Corps, people keep asking me if there is anything "memorable" about my experience that particularly sticks out. I always say no...well, you've guessed it, I will remember this moment for the rest of my life! What a reason to write a blog post!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Patience, Flexibility, Creativity...
It sure has been a while (or it seems like it at least) since I've made a post. Even though I've received no complaints from my mother's friend Michelle, I'd just like to go ahead and apologize to her. I'm sure she's thinking that she can no longer stand looking at pictures of rocks and waterfalls!
My relative silence has been due to being busy at site, Mid-Service Training (MST), and "changes" all around. So let's start by talking about MST. Mid-Service Training (MST)is an event that all Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) go through once they've hit the year mark of service. The purpose of training is to get any updated information about service, talk with fellow volunteers (in a formalized forum instead of sending text messages back and forth) about successes and challenges experienced at site, and in my case, receive updated information about all things related to HIV. In reality, it's a great time to meet up with friends that you may not get a chance to see very often, plan vacations, and again, in my case, include my fellow PCV's in my new secondary project: an extended game of Monopoly (South African version).
When we first arrived, many of us started to talk about the challenges at site: idelness, projects not going well, supervisor woes, mid-year slump, etc. Once we had a chance to do that, our perceptive-thinking Country Director helped us, through a technique called "appreciative enquiry", to realize that the positive experiences during service and personal growth often far outweigh the day-to-day challenges of "development work". Once that exercise was complete, the overall tone of the conference seemed to change for the better. This is not to say that our challenges are not real and very frustrating at times, but we collectively came to the conclusion that the only thing we can change is our attitudes and the way we approach each situation. This type of understanding, in my opinion, is a major factor in Volunteers' decision to stay on the job past a year and continue to slowly and painstakingly push the boulder of change. [Insert the Peace Corps slogan: "The toughest job you'll ever love."]
To change the mood a little, I think the best part of MST was where Peace Corps chose to host us: The Honeymoon Lodge which is located in a township outside of Polokwane. Ah, the Honeymoon Lodge!
After returning from a week of romance (read: none at all) at the Honeymoon Lodge, where there were power outages the entire week and after sunset, we did everything by candle light, I went back into Pretoria for my Mid-Service medical appointment. It turns out that I've lost a couple of pounds (but I figured as much since many of the clothes I brought here don't fit as well) and I'm relatively normal in every other respect (I put the emphasis on "relatively"). My favorite part about medical was that I got my eyes checked. If you know me at all, and many of you don't, you'd know that I love changing my glasses. At home, I have glasses of all shapes, sizes, and colors, some of which boarder the very strange. The new ones are my attempt at being more subtle, yet maintaining the chic!
Since returning to Rustenburg, I've been thinking about all of the things (successes, challenges, etc.) we discussed at MST, and how the only thing I can do is change myself. I've been asking myself, "how can I improve my experience and attitude for the last nine to ten months of service?". Without going into many details, I, along with my APCD (Peace Corps supervisor) came up with a plan so that I can get more work and satisfaction out of my Peace Corps experience. Officially, I will no longer work full time at my organization. Ever since my site mate and I arrived, we were told that we were going to be very busy with a PEPFAR grant that would be coming in any day now and were cautioned not to get too caught up in secondary projects. Let's now fast forward to over a year later and the grant has still not come through. The new plan is that I work with several organizations to begin life skills/peer education groups for students and orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). I plan on spending some time with my friend and fellow PCV, Charlene, who lives a couple of hours away from me, in an attempt to examine the life skills course that she's been running for a while. Additionally, by facilitating HIV courses through my organization, I've had several requests to prepare courses for outside agencies. I do not plan on totally leaving my current organization, however, I will make myself available when there is work to do. I will also remain in Rustenburg, where I've made friends and have adapted to the ins and outs. I believe that this new arrangement can potentially be the best of both worlds. I hope that it works out like I'm planning. Now that I'm leaving, you may be wondering if I'm also leaving my site mate along with my organization. In fact, she will be leaving as well (because of the same to similar issues I've had) and will be going to another organization in another province. I wish her well in all of her new endeavors.
So, now you can see that a lot has been going on! Although I've experienced many challenges at site, I have come out a much stronger person and have learned a great deal about myself. I also know that, when met by these challenges, it is important to have patience, be flexible, and creativity is key!
And in a completely unrelated story:
Saziso's niece pinching Twobob's bottom!
My relative silence has been due to being busy at site, Mid-Service Training (MST), and "changes" all around. So let's start by talking about MST. Mid-Service Training (MST)is an event that all Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) go through once they've hit the year mark of service. The purpose of training is to get any updated information about service, talk with fellow volunteers (in a formalized forum instead of sending text messages back and forth) about successes and challenges experienced at site, and in my case, receive updated information about all things related to HIV. In reality, it's a great time to meet up with friends that you may not get a chance to see very often, plan vacations, and again, in my case, include my fellow PCV's in my new secondary project: an extended game of Monopoly (South African version).
When we first arrived, many of us started to talk about the challenges at site: idelness, projects not going well, supervisor woes, mid-year slump, etc. Once we had a chance to do that, our perceptive-thinking Country Director helped us, through a technique called "appreciative enquiry", to realize that the positive experiences during service and personal growth often far outweigh the day-to-day challenges of "development work". Once that exercise was complete, the overall tone of the conference seemed to change for the better. This is not to say that our challenges are not real and very frustrating at times, but we collectively came to the conclusion that the only thing we can change is our attitudes and the way we approach each situation. This type of understanding, in my opinion, is a major factor in Volunteers' decision to stay on the job past a year and continue to slowly and painstakingly push the boulder of change. [Insert the Peace Corps slogan: "The toughest job you'll ever love."]
To change the mood a little, I think the best part of MST was where Peace Corps chose to host us: The Honeymoon Lodge which is located in a township outside of Polokwane. Ah, the Honeymoon Lodge!
After returning from a week of romance (read: none at all) at the Honeymoon Lodge, where there were power outages the entire week and after sunset, we did everything by candle light, I went back into Pretoria for my Mid-Service medical appointment. It turns out that I've lost a couple of pounds (but I figured as much since many of the clothes I brought here don't fit as well) and I'm relatively normal in every other respect (I put the emphasis on "relatively"). My favorite part about medical was that I got my eyes checked. If you know me at all, and many of you don't, you'd know that I love changing my glasses. At home, I have glasses of all shapes, sizes, and colors, some of which boarder the very strange. The new ones are my attempt at being more subtle, yet maintaining the chic!
Since returning to Rustenburg, I've been thinking about all of the things (successes, challenges, etc.) we discussed at MST, and how the only thing I can do is change myself. I've been asking myself, "how can I improve my experience and attitude for the last nine to ten months of service?". Without going into many details, I, along with my APCD (Peace Corps supervisor) came up with a plan so that I can get more work and satisfaction out of my Peace Corps experience. Officially, I will no longer work full time at my organization. Ever since my site mate and I arrived, we were told that we were going to be very busy with a PEPFAR grant that would be coming in any day now and were cautioned not to get too caught up in secondary projects. Let's now fast forward to over a year later and the grant has still not come through. The new plan is that I work with several organizations to begin life skills/peer education groups for students and orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). I plan on spending some time with my friend and fellow PCV, Charlene, who lives a couple of hours away from me, in an attempt to examine the life skills course that she's been running for a while. Additionally, by facilitating HIV courses through my organization, I've had several requests to prepare courses for outside agencies. I do not plan on totally leaving my current organization, however, I will make myself available when there is work to do. I will also remain in Rustenburg, where I've made friends and have adapted to the ins and outs. I believe that this new arrangement can potentially be the best of both worlds. I hope that it works out like I'm planning. Now that I'm leaving, you may be wondering if I'm also leaving my site mate along with my organization. In fact, she will be leaving as well (because of the same to similar issues I've had) and will be going to another organization in another province. I wish her well in all of her new endeavors.
So, now you can see that a lot has been going on! Although I've experienced many challenges at site, I have come out a much stronger person and have learned a great deal about myself. I also know that, when met by these challenges, it is important to have patience, be flexible, and creativity is key!
And in a completely unrelated story:
Saziso's niece pinching Twobob's bottom!
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
The Escarpment Trail- Sabie, Mpumalanga
The Escarpment Trail is part of a larger group of natural sites called the Panoramic View. These pictures are in no particular order so you won't be able to follow them if you just looked at the link. Here are just some of the pictures from the misguided misadventures of three card carrying members of Setswana 2 Setswana...North West Province Power!
Pinnacle Rock
The sun setting over Sabie
One forth of an nice Indian family that we stalked starting at Mac Mac Falls
The Top of Berlin Falls
The Middle
The Bottom
Mac Mac Falls
Mac Mac Pools
Me catching water from a waterfall at The Potholes
Another view of The Potholes
The Three Rondevals and then some
Colorful Lizards we saw mating at the top of the view at the Three Rondevals
Pinnacle Rock
The sun setting over Sabie
One forth of an nice Indian family that we stalked starting at Mac Mac Falls
The Top of Berlin Falls
The Middle
The Bottom
Mac Mac Falls
Mac Mac Pools
Me catching water from a waterfall at The Potholes
Another view of The Potholes
The Three Rondevals and then some
Colorful Lizards we saw mating at the top of the view at the Three Rondevals
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Congrats to SA-16 on their recent Swearing-In
Last Thursday, Peace Corps South Africa celebrated it's 10th year in South Africa. Prior to the event, rumors were flying around about the big name guests that were supposed to attend...Nelson Mandela was one of them. Big dissapointment! He was a no show! At the actual event, however, there were a bunch of supervisors who came to pick up their new volunteers, visitors, the Ambassador to South Africa and the Regional Director for Peace Corps South Africa. One of the things I spoke about with the Regional Director was my plan for post Peace Corps. Among many ideas, I'm considering extending service for a year...to cool places like Ethiopia or Ghana! I'll keep you posted on what I really do.
I'd say that one of the highlights of the event was the gift from SA-16's training village to the new volunteers, a traditional dance from a group of the village's young girls. I tried to upload the video, but the file is too big, so here's the no-so-good picture instead:
Other highlights include seeing friends,
pigging out at the buffet line (I perhaps had the best, most tender steak ever), and meeting up with my friend Rich who was a PCV in SA-8. During the summer between my freshman and sophmore year of college, I went to Tanzania for a couple of months with Operation Crossroads Africa (wonderful program by the way...I put the link up for it in the last post). While participating in the program (during orientation I met my soon to be best friend/soul mate Jeb), I made friends with Rich who went to Howard University. Rich joined Peace Corps as a member of SA-8 and still lives and works in South Africa. It's a shame that it's taken us a year (since I've been in country) to meet up, particularly since we live an hour away from each other. It was fun none the less!
After Swearing In, new volunteers were shuttled off to their sites, and the rest of us lived it up in Pretoria, etc. for the rest of the long weekend. I'll make another post to explain what I did.
Once again, congrats to SA-16, you've now joined the ranks!
I'd say that one of the highlights of the event was the gift from SA-16's training village to the new volunteers, a traditional dance from a group of the village's young girls. I tried to upload the video, but the file is too big, so here's the no-so-good picture instead:
Other highlights include seeing friends,
pigging out at the buffet line (I perhaps had the best, most tender steak ever), and meeting up with my friend Rich who was a PCV in SA-8. During the summer between my freshman and sophmore year of college, I went to Tanzania for a couple of months with Operation Crossroads Africa (wonderful program by the way...I put the link up for it in the last post). While participating in the program (during orientation I met my soon to be best friend/soul mate Jeb), I made friends with Rich who went to Howard University. Rich joined Peace Corps as a member of SA-8 and still lives and works in South Africa. It's a shame that it's taken us a year (since I've been in country) to meet up, particularly since we live an hour away from each other. It was fun none the less!
After Swearing In, new volunteers were shuttled off to their sites, and the rest of us lived it up in Pretoria, etc. for the rest of the long weekend. I'll make another post to explain what I did.
Once again, congrats to SA-16, you've now joined the ranks!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
My People, My People
Over the past couple of months, I've received several hits on my blog from African Americans currently serving or interested in joining the Peace Corps. It has been rather insightful to hear about their experiences all throughout the world. It's interesting to see that, although we're spread out around the world, we share a common experience back home and abroad.
In some way, we are positioned within a unique opportunity to expose people in our respective Peace Corps sites to African Americans in addition to demonstrating that we're dynamic people and not just limited to what they might have seen on t.v., heard about through the grape vine, or listened to in rap songs. Within our American communities, we are exposing people (whether we're trying to or not) to African Americans who are doing positive things on a global scale, and potentially serving as an example to someone so that one day they could say..."Hey if he/she can do it, so can I!" I say the later with emphasis, particularly because, unfortunately and for many confounding reasons, many Americans don't have the opportunity to travel abroad or are not exposed to the joys of doing so. This is particularly the case as it relates to African Americans. We continue to be an under-represented bunch in the realm of international travel or just travel in general. I know people who haven't been out of their own town. Now I'm not saying this in judgment, but as a reality.
I hope that, through my experience, I can encourage other African Americans to explore their/our world. One doesn't just have to join the Peace Corps to do so. There are many domestic programs like City Year, AmeriCorps and Teach for America. Study abroad programs are also an option with Operations Crossroads Africa and Bardoli Global. I hope to serve as a resource to people of color who are interested in joining the Peace Corps and traveling abroad. In addition, I look forward to meeting and networking with other African Americans who are or were in the Peace Corps so that we can learn from each other's experiences.
In some way, we are positioned within a unique opportunity to expose people in our respective Peace Corps sites to African Americans in addition to demonstrating that we're dynamic people and not just limited to what they might have seen on t.v., heard about through the grape vine, or listened to in rap songs. Within our American communities, we are exposing people (whether we're trying to or not) to African Americans who are doing positive things on a global scale, and potentially serving as an example to someone so that one day they could say..."Hey if he/she can do it, so can I!" I say the later with emphasis, particularly because, unfortunately and for many confounding reasons, many Americans don't have the opportunity to travel abroad or are not exposed to the joys of doing so. This is particularly the case as it relates to African Americans. We continue to be an under-represented bunch in the realm of international travel or just travel in general. I know people who haven't been out of their own town. Now I'm not saying this in judgment, but as a reality.
I hope that, through my experience, I can encourage other African Americans to explore their/our world. One doesn't just have to join the Peace Corps to do so. There are many domestic programs like City Year, AmeriCorps and Teach for America. Study abroad programs are also an option with Operations Crossroads Africa and Bardoli Global. I hope to serve as a resource to people of color who are interested in joining the Peace Corps and traveling abroad. In addition, I look forward to meeting and networking with other African Americans who are or were in the Peace Corps so that we can learn from each other's experiences.
Friday, September 07, 2007
It's Official...I'm coming home.....
For a vacation. In November. Just in time for Thanksgiving. YEAH! For the past couple of months, I've been toying with the idea of coming home for a visit. At first I felt that there was some merit to saying that I haven't been back to the U.S. for two years. I wondered if coming home would break my focus, because I've adjusted to life in Rustenburg, but (maybe I'm rationalising here) it's not so different from home in many ways (which I've discussed at length in previous posts). Additionally, I've spoken to several PCVs in my group who have gone home and, instead of making it difficult to come back to site, it's left them refreshed. I think that's what I'm looking for: renewal and refreshment. It will be nice to see my family, friends, soul mate Gerald, Jestein, and Medin. It will be nice to eat all of the foods I've been craving...I've already made a list (who knows if it will all happen, but wishful thinking is allowed, right?):
Gosh, that list makes me so hungry! This also means that November (when I'm in town) is a good time to: have a baby, get married, buy a new car/home/condo, and feel generous enough to take me out to one of the above mentioned restaurants. November is, however, a couple of months away (but just enough time to book your tickets to come visit me), so I've got to buckle down until then...I've got work to do! Until the next time!
Gosh, that list makes me so hungry! This also means that November (when I'm in town) is a good time to: have a baby, get married, buy a new car/home/condo, and feel generous enough to take me out to one of the above mentioned restaurants. November is, however, a couple of months away (but just enough time to book your tickets to come visit me), so I've got to buckle down until then...I've got work to do! Until the next time!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Amagluglug v.s. Nigeria
One of the things that I most appreciate about being in Rustenburg, is that every once in a while, Olympia Park Stadium hosts soccer matches...for FREE! Free is definitely in my Peace Corps entertainment budget. So, after work on Wednesday, I headed to the stadium and got there before it completely filled to capacity, because the first few thousand attendees were promised a free vuzella (horn, sp?). Instead, the crowd received South African flags, but not as exciting as the vuzella (a soccer match requisite). Actually, this was nice for me as I've yet to get one (which will end up being one luck person's "gift" when I return home).
Since I'm not a soccer fan, I can't really say much for the game, with the exception that the score was tied when I left. One of the funniest aspects of my experience was during the pre-game entertainment, when a group of about 10 cheerleaders came out in their yellow crop tops and green spandex shorts. Prior to them coming out, everyone in the mostly male audience was jumping around, waving their flags in support of their team. Once the girls came out on the field with their hot pants on and started dancing to "The Thong Song" by Sisco, it was as if I'd suddenly gone from a crazy sports event to church. I couldn't believe (well, actually I could) how different the atmosphere was. Not a person was standing. All eyes were bobbing up and down, from side to side in tune with exposed hips and thighs. I couldn't help from laughing and discussing my observation with Saziso. He said that if anyone were to stand up and start waving their flag, blocking someone's view, they would get yelled at. Fans were just as serious about watching this spectacle as they were about their team winning.
Another thing that I noticed was a relatively attractive man with a beard. For some reason, I kept staring at this man, because something about him seemed to stand out from every other guy I see on a daily basis, and it wasn't because he was cute. After a few seconds, I realized that it was, in fact, the beard that made him stand out. I have not really noticed men around these parts, or in other parts of South Africa with beards, other than older Afrikaner men. I asked Saziso (South Africa according to Saziso) about how Black people might perceive the man, because he had chosen to do something that made him stand out from the crowd. (I phrase it that way, because, to a certain extent, it seems to not be viewed upon highly if you do anything to make yourself too different than the norm or makes you stand out in any way). I was told that people might/would judge him, because he would be perceived as "wanting too much attention".
Well, I can't think of anything else particularly exciting about the event, but I did have lots of fun hanging out with my friends and it was a nice way to celebrate Hump Day!
If you're actually curious about the game, click on this link: Amagluglug show Bafana how it's done
Since I'm not a soccer fan, I can't really say much for the game, with the exception that the score was tied when I left. One of the funniest aspects of my experience was during the pre-game entertainment, when a group of about 10 cheerleaders came out in their yellow crop tops and green spandex shorts. Prior to them coming out, everyone in the mostly male audience was jumping around, waving their flags in support of their team. Once the girls came out on the field with their hot pants on and started dancing to "The Thong Song" by Sisco, it was as if I'd suddenly gone from a crazy sports event to church. I couldn't believe (well, actually I could) how different the atmosphere was. Not a person was standing. All eyes were bobbing up and down, from side to side in tune with exposed hips and thighs. I couldn't help from laughing and discussing my observation with Saziso. He said that if anyone were to stand up and start waving their flag, blocking someone's view, they would get yelled at. Fans were just as serious about watching this spectacle as they were about their team winning.
Another thing that I noticed was a relatively attractive man with a beard. For some reason, I kept staring at this man, because something about him seemed to stand out from every other guy I see on a daily basis, and it wasn't because he was cute. After a few seconds, I realized that it was, in fact, the beard that made him stand out. I have not really noticed men around these parts, or in other parts of South Africa with beards, other than older Afrikaner men. I asked Saziso (South Africa according to Saziso) about how Black people might perceive the man, because he had chosen to do something that made him stand out from the crowd. (I phrase it that way, because, to a certain extent, it seems to not be viewed upon highly if you do anything to make yourself too different than the norm or makes you stand out in any way). I was told that people might/would judge him, because he would be perceived as "wanting too much attention".
Well, I can't think of anything else particularly exciting about the event, but I did have lots of fun hanging out with my friends and it was a nice way to celebrate Hump Day!
If you're actually curious about the game, click on this link: Amagluglug show Bafana how it's done
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
I'm ready Captain, put me in....
For the past year, with the exception for a couple of weeks at a time, my site mate and I have been relatively stuck with little to do. Of course, a great deal of the job description of a Peace Corps Volunteer is to rely heavily on your own level of motivation and creativity to get the job done regardless of: limited resources, lack of management, lack of direction (from your org/school or boss), lack of this, and lack of that. One of the ways I've kept from going crazy, because of the lack of direction from my supervisor, is to have an active social life and find other ways to put my degrees/education/experience to work. (For those of you considering joining the Peace Corps with an advance degree and expect that it will be used to the fullest extent, you need to rethink your expectations for service and be ok with the situation if it is not) Be creative.
Well, after several meetings over the past year, in preparation to receive a $500,000.00 grant from PEPFAR, and an extensive planning meeting today, it looks like my restlessness will be no more, or at least not for the next couple of months, because our extended mobile VCT services should be up and running by October. (that was a loooong sentence. My English teacher would not be proud.) I will be responsible for developing the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) system for the project. That means I would kind of be like Santa Clause when he makes his list and checks it twice to keep tabs on the kids (through out the year) who are naughty and nice. But unlike Santa, I'd have to write a monthly report to our funder, and make changes when things are going well. With Santa, if he thought you needed to change your behavior, you just wouldn't get that red wagon with the wings on the sides. I will also be involved with budget management, as well as developing an HIV prevention strategy and identify curricula that address HIV and behavior change on the community level. Additionally, I'll be involved with HIV training and writing up a policies and procedures booklet for the project as it relates to how things and people should run.
Because I'll be so heavily involved in M&E, I'm planning to take a brush-up online course in program evaluation. If you're interested in M&E and want to do the same or learn, follow the link to my mother's organization: Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium
The course is distance (computer) based, so you can participate from anywhere in the world, like me! (Shameful family plug, but I don't care, it's by blog!)
I really hope that things turn out well, although they usually do (knock on wood). I'm ready to jump in and get my mind running at top speed again. Since I've been relatively inactive at work, I feel like that little girl in my head has been running around up there, tossing around papers and files that have been kept so neatly organized. It's time to do a Spring cleaning or sorts (which is fitting because the weather is warming up again...it was 26 degrees C today) and prepare for the major tasks ahead! Wish me luck!!!!!!!!
Well, after several meetings over the past year, in preparation to receive a $500,000.00 grant from PEPFAR, and an extensive planning meeting today, it looks like my restlessness will be no more, or at least not for the next couple of months, because our extended mobile VCT services should be up and running by October. (that was a loooong sentence. My English teacher would not be proud.) I will be responsible for developing the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) system for the project. That means I would kind of be like Santa Clause when he makes his list and checks it twice to keep tabs on the kids (through out the year) who are naughty and nice. But unlike Santa, I'd have to write a monthly report to our funder, and make changes when things are going well. With Santa, if he thought you needed to change your behavior, you just wouldn't get that red wagon with the wings on the sides. I will also be involved with budget management, as well as developing an HIV prevention strategy and identify curricula that address HIV and behavior change on the community level. Additionally, I'll be involved with HIV training and writing up a policies and procedures booklet for the project as it relates to how things and people should run.
Because I'll be so heavily involved in M&E, I'm planning to take a brush-up online course in program evaluation. If you're interested in M&E and want to do the same or learn, follow the link to my mother's organization: Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium
The course is distance (computer) based, so you can participate from anywhere in the world, like me! (Shameful family plug, but I don't care, it's by blog!)
I really hope that things turn out well, although they usually do (knock on wood). I'm ready to jump in and get my mind running at top speed again. Since I've been relatively inactive at work, I feel like that little girl in my head has been running around up there, tossing around papers and files that have been kept so neatly organized. It's time to do a Spring cleaning or sorts (which is fitting because the weather is warming up again...it was 26 degrees C today) and prepare for the major tasks ahead! Wish me luck!!!!!!!!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Dildo update
Just as I expected, thus far, the dildos that my friend sent me have been a hit, particularly with the female counselors! On Friday, I met up with four of the counselors who regularly go out on the mobile testing unit, in order to introduce the new educational tool and to have them refresh their condom demonstration skills. As soon as I walked into the meeting room with the brown box and a packet of condoms, everyone became giddy and could hardly sit still. Before introducing the dildos, however, I had to talk to them about the "Dildo Sign-In/Sign-Out Sheet". I told them, as they already seemed to know, about how expensive the dildos are and how our organization will not be able to afford to replace them if they happen to "disappear". Each dildo is numbered, so when a counselor wants to use one (for educational purposes only), they must write down the corresponding dildo number, etc., etc., etc. Somehow, I don't think that anyone hear what I had to say. To them, I must have sounded like the teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoon. Shame! After giving my little speech about taking responsibility for them if they're "lost", damaged, or stolen, we got to the part they were all waiting for: each one of them was handed a "life like" dildo of varying "skin" tones. It took a good twenty minutes for the ladies to calm down after noticing the texture, colors, veins, etc. Once we got that covered, one lady demonstrated how to correctly guide someone on how to use a condom. Each person gave tips on how to improve on the demonstration, although everyone in the group knows how to do it properly (teach someone how to use a condom that is). After the meeting, it took serious restraint for them not to run around the office with dildos, showing them off to other counselors!
Fast foward to today, one of the counselors on the mobile came into my office before heading out for the day, and told me that she told her husband about the dildos and said "to hell" with him! I told her not to have her husband coming to me complaining!
Fast foward to today, one of the counselors on the mobile came into my office before heading out for the day, and told me that she told her husband about the dildos and said "to hell" with him! I told her not to have her husband coming to me complaining!
Friday, August 17, 2007
Sankofa (knowing where you've been so that you can move forward)
A couple of months ago, my resident Peace Corps Safety & Security guy invited me to speak with the new trainees about unwanted attention. Although I don't really think that I've experienced much unwanted attention, other than having a few old and young men grabbing my arm, which really freaked me out, I thought it would be cool to meet and greet the people who are now where I was a year ago. When we first pulled up (on Sunday) to the orientation hall where trainees meet up for technical sessions, we ran into a two guys, who from the moment we saw them, looked like the prototypical trainee (other than being two white guys in middle of a town only composed of Black people). Their white tennis shoes looked like they were fresh out of the box. Their clothes were not yet worn down and tattered from Omo and hand washings. They had sunshiny faces, not yet weighed down by the emotional roller coaster that is Peace Corps service. They weren't yet jaded by bureaucracy (PC and South African), frustrations over teachers who are too lazy to teach, NGO directors with a serious case of founders syndrome, corruption, HIV related death and illness, etc. They haven't yet been inspired by people who seem to make a way out of no way. The questions they posed were full of anxiety and excitement about fitting into their respective communities. If some how Peace Corps or myself as a volunteer could give them a detailed outline of what things were going to be like for them over the next two years, they might have taken it, read it, reread it, highlighted special points, and would have written a list of additional questions they want to have answered.
At one point, I, along with LaQuita, another African American volunteer, had the opportunity to meet up with several of the African American female trainees, to talk about some of the issues that were specific to the "African American experience" in Peace Corps. They expressed some of the same feelings and concerns about the needs and experiences of African American people that are not addressed by Peace Corps during training (and during service I might argue) that LaQuita and I did when we were in their place. They were frustrated that, while some trainees were treated like rock stars in a village (because it is rare and almost unheard of for a White person or someone who is perceived by them as White, to take an intimate interest in their lives), people in the village judged them because they were Black and couldn't speak the language. Some people they encountered called them coconuts (black on the outside, white on the inside) because it was thought that the Black volunteers were really just South Africans who studied abroad and forgot their culture. They were concerned that Peace Corps prepared trainees with an assumption of "whiteness", that everyone's experience would be similar based on the fact that the majority of volunteers are white and because PC has limited experience with the understanding of and dealing with the complexities that a darker skin tone can play in shaping one's Peace Corps experience. Peace Corps doesn't tell you and maybe can't prepare you for the mountain of emotions a Black volunteer may experience after hearing an older, Black woman being called "girl." How can you be prepared to see a Black man riding in the back of a pickup truck in the cold and rain while there is only one person (a White man or woman) riding in the cab? Can Peace Corps tell you that the only way some South Africans, Black or otherwise, know how to greet you is by calling you a "nigger." America has a similar ugly experience with race, discrimination, and inequity. In America, however, we like to pretend that those things don't exist. You're told that "we" weren't responsible for what happened to you; time has passed, you should just "get over it"; etc. While serving in PC South Africa, volunteers are place in situations that mirror what some people with a darker hue (not just African Americans) in America went through in the past and are still going through today, yet have the inability or unwillingness to realize the same or similar reality on their own home soil. These particular trainees found that they lacked being able to commiserate with trainees of other ethnic backgrounds, because they simply "could not understand". They were frustrated at how their fellow trainees looked at them in judgment for making this experience a "black v.s. white", when that's not the point at all, but rather wanting to be recognized rather than being lumped in with the majority. After speaking with our kindred, LaQuita and I recognized the need to serve as a support system for them like we were a support for each other. Additionally, we realized how far we had come, but how we have a long road ahead.
At one point, I, along with LaQuita, another African American volunteer, had the opportunity to meet up with several of the African American female trainees, to talk about some of the issues that were specific to the "African American experience" in Peace Corps. They expressed some of the same feelings and concerns about the needs and experiences of African American people that are not addressed by Peace Corps during training (and during service I might argue) that LaQuita and I did when we were in their place. They were frustrated that, while some trainees were treated like rock stars in a village (because it is rare and almost unheard of for a White person or someone who is perceived by them as White, to take an intimate interest in their lives), people in the village judged them because they were Black and couldn't speak the language. Some people they encountered called them coconuts (black on the outside, white on the inside) because it was thought that the Black volunteers were really just South Africans who studied abroad and forgot their culture. They were concerned that Peace Corps prepared trainees with an assumption of "whiteness", that everyone's experience would be similar based on the fact that the majority of volunteers are white and because PC has limited experience with the understanding of and dealing with the complexities that a darker skin tone can play in shaping one's Peace Corps experience. Peace Corps doesn't tell you and maybe can't prepare you for the mountain of emotions a Black volunteer may experience after hearing an older, Black woman being called "girl." How can you be prepared to see a Black man riding in the back of a pickup truck in the cold and rain while there is only one person (a White man or woman) riding in the cab? Can Peace Corps tell you that the only way some South Africans, Black or otherwise, know how to greet you is by calling you a "nigger." America has a similar ugly experience with race, discrimination, and inequity. In America, however, we like to pretend that those things don't exist. You're told that "we" weren't responsible for what happened to you; time has passed, you should just "get over it"; etc. While serving in PC South Africa, volunteers are place in situations that mirror what some people with a darker hue (not just African Americans) in America went through in the past and are still going through today, yet have the inability or unwillingness to realize the same or similar reality on their own home soil. These particular trainees found that they lacked being able to commiserate with trainees of other ethnic backgrounds, because they simply "could not understand". They were frustrated at how their fellow trainees looked at them in judgment for making this experience a "black v.s. white", when that's not the point at all, but rather wanting to be recognized rather than being lumped in with the majority. After speaking with our kindred, LaQuita and I recognized the need to serve as a support system for them like we were a support for each other. Additionally, we realized how far we had come, but how we have a long road ahead.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Wathint' Abafazi Wathint' imbokodo!
The English translation: "Now that you have touched the women, you have struck a rock!"
Tomorrow, I, along with South Africans, will commemorate the day, August 9, 1956, when thousands of women marched through the streets of Pretoria to the Union Building, carrying a petition with hundreds of thousands of signatures. The petition was against the proposed amendment to the 1950 Group Areas Act, commonly known as the pass laws, which, amongst other things, restricted the movement of Black men in "white only" areas. The amendment aimed to force Black women to carry pass books as well. Up until that point, only Black men above the age of 15 were required to carry around a "dompas" (dumb pass) with information including ID number, "homeland" (areas designated for specific ethnic groups, i.e. amaZulu, amaXhosa, Batswana), age, race, etc. These passes were to be carried around at all times and the carrier was required to presented it upon request. Passes also detailed whether or not the individual was allowed to move through and work in "with only" areas.
While so much as changed within South Africa to improve the lives of women, there is still so much to be done to increase women's political, social, and economic standing. Events to celebrate this day will be going on all throughout the country.
Although you may not be in South Africa tomorrow to take part in this wonderful day, you can still take the time to reflect on the impact that women have made in your life. If you are a woman, be proud that you have the power to create and just be. Each one of us can do our own part by ensuring that when we witness or are even aware of injustice directed at women (i.e. rape, domestic abuse, stalking, harassment of all forms, degradation, belittlement, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, manipulation, economic and social abuse, poverty, legal disempowerment, etc.) and do nothing, you become part of the problem instead of the solution.
Amandla!
Friday, August 03, 2007
Post backlog blues!
One of my mother's friends, Michelle, is one of my primary blog followers. When I don't post enough (or my recent overindulgence of posting too much about Twobob), I get a complaint from Michelle via my mother. So Michelle, I just wanted to apologize about not posting enough and for not posting enough interesting stuff. I guess that I've grown so accustomed to the things going around me (cause this is my regular life after all), I forget that, what may be interesting to you seems humdrum to me. In order to make up for where I've slacked off, I'd like to tell you about a few of the highlights of my life that I haven't written about on my blog...they're not necessarily in order. Please sista girl, forgive me!
June 16th: Youth Day
On June 16, 1976, primarily Black South African students planned a peaceful protest to raise awareness of their issues with the Bantu education system, which was enacted under the apartheid regime. Similar to the poor quality of education provided by the government to African Americans in the US at that time (and arguably a similar poor quality of education that still exists today for these same cohorts...in both South Africa and America), Black South African students endured poorly trained teachers, over worked teachers, poor/out of date/not enough resources, etc. Again, similarly, the government tried to rationalize the idea that separate is indeed equal. WRONG. (Side Note: I recognize that it is not completely fair to compare the struggle of one group to another. We have each fought our own battles. I just can't help but to see my face in the mirror, so to speak.) Another blow to South African students was the forcing, by the government, to require that all students learn Afrikaans, the language spoken by the ruling party. Many of the teachers didn't understand Afrikaans, yet were expected to teach the subject to their students. Destined to fail. Doesn't it make sense to make it easy for you, if you are in charge, to make your subservients speak your language...so you can tell them how you want your kitchen floors cleaned?
Well, instead of being the peaceful protest that it was intended to be, the police fired guns, dogs were released, and tear gas was sprayed into the crowd of unarmed students. Many people were injured, several died. The face of the June 16th massacre is Hector Peterson, a 12 year old student who was apparently the first person killed.
Because the events are so thoroughly written about, I'll leave the rest of the story telling to the experts.
"How does this relate to you? This is completely random!" is what you're probably thinking, so I won't keep you waiting. On June 16th, in honor of the lives lost and the continuation of the struggle, it is customary (at least in Rustenburg) to wear your school uniform. My friend Saziso clued me in on the event after he started digging through his closet to find his old school outfit. His searching had a domino effect on the rest of his family, so everyone started looking for theirs too. Soon enough, his siblings and his mother were all dressed up. His younger brother Tapelo (16 years old) really got into it and put on his younger brother's school shorts...talk about cutters... Saziso's mom brushed her hair in the style of the day: the "fly-away". Interesting. Can't say that I'd wear it.
The whole event was so funny and so much fun to witness, particularly Tapelo and his short shorts which he wore the whole day. As I hoped on the taxi home, I sat looking out of the window as people in the location (new word for township) walked around in their school uniforms. Although watching an entire family dress up in too tight, too short school uniforms, the purpose of the day was not lost on me or any one else. Respecting the strength of those whose shoulders you stand on is the only way to move forward.
The Day I Saw A Man Get Hit By A Car!!!!!
When some people think about South Africa, visiting South Africa, or let their loved one join Peace Corps South Africa, after asking themselves: "So what country in South Africa will you be going to", they think of violence. Yes, South Africa can be dangerous, but living in Chicago can be crazy dangerous too! I've personally never been harmed (knock on a big piece of wood), but I do know of volunteers who have been mugged and such. For me, however, the time I feel most unsafe is every day...serving as a pedestrian in this great land. To me, walking across the street (or side walk or any other place a car can fit) is the most dangerous and unsafe aspect of my life here. Drivers speed, don't respect traffic signals (robots as they're called here), stop signs, cross walks, side walks, don't drink and drive campaigns, speed limits, hazardous driving conditions, they don't take care of their cars, over load cars, etc.) Some drivers take pleasure at speeding up when they see you crossing the street, just to see you run. I really could go on and on and on and on...and if you catch me on one of those days, trust me, I will!
I can't remember the exact date (which is the problem with not keeping up with the blog), but I was walking down the major street in Rustenburg (Nelson Mandela) returning from lunch, when all of a sudden, I hear a loud screeching noise. I was annoyed, which I generally am by cars here. All of a sudden, as though it were out of a movie, an SUV type vehicle came up near my right side and I saw a rather heavy set man flip over the hood of the car as though he was a rag doll. I could not believe my eyes! The man was lying on the ground in the most awkward position I'd ever seen a person in. What I expected: Someone to quickly pull out their cell phone and call 911; an ambulance rushing to the scene no more than 5 to 10 minutes later; people crying/screaming; people rushing to the man to help, yet not attempting to move him. What I actually saw: hundreds of people rushing over to the man...to stare at him and his injuries; a young man slipping the injured man's cell phone in his pocket; no ambulance in sight; people attempting to move the strangely situated man. I don't know what upset me more: 1) witnessing a man get hit by a car; or 2) the spectacle that was created by the situation. This is not the first time I've seen a violent situation (after the fact) while people go out of their way to stop and stare for the gore factor. When passing an accident, both pedestrians and drivers will stop what they're doing (including driving), just to go over and look at what happened. Even South African news papers will, on the front page, show a person with a knife sticking out of their head. Title reads: "She caught him sleeping with her sister." They don't spare the details. In the US, I often complained about the censorship that seems to blanket American media, but in times like these, I'm happy that I don't have to see it/know about it. Additionally, not to say that American roads are totally safe, but at least public health messaging seems to be taken to heart a little more than it is here.
Ok, ok, I know I've only written about two things...but I'm tired of typing, plus I have some work to get done. So as I think of things to day...I'll do another back post. Enjoy, while looking left, right, and left again (the opposite for me).
June 16th: Youth Day
On June 16, 1976, primarily Black South African students planned a peaceful protest to raise awareness of their issues with the Bantu education system, which was enacted under the apartheid regime. Similar to the poor quality of education provided by the government to African Americans in the US at that time (and arguably a similar poor quality of education that still exists today for these same cohorts...in both South Africa and America), Black South African students endured poorly trained teachers, over worked teachers, poor/out of date/not enough resources, etc. Again, similarly, the government tried to rationalize the idea that separate is indeed equal. WRONG. (Side Note: I recognize that it is not completely fair to compare the struggle of one group to another. We have each fought our own battles. I just can't help but to see my face in the mirror, so to speak.) Another blow to South African students was the forcing, by the government, to require that all students learn Afrikaans, the language spoken by the ruling party. Many of the teachers didn't understand Afrikaans, yet were expected to teach the subject to their students. Destined to fail. Doesn't it make sense to make it easy for you, if you are in charge, to make your subservients speak your language...so you can tell them how you want your kitchen floors cleaned?
Well, instead of being the peaceful protest that it was intended to be, the police fired guns, dogs were released, and tear gas was sprayed into the crowd of unarmed students. Many people were injured, several died. The face of the June 16th massacre is Hector Peterson, a 12 year old student who was apparently the first person killed.
Because the events are so thoroughly written about, I'll leave the rest of the story telling to the experts.
"How does this relate to you? This is completely random!" is what you're probably thinking, so I won't keep you waiting. On June 16th, in honor of the lives lost and the continuation of the struggle, it is customary (at least in Rustenburg) to wear your school uniform. My friend Saziso clued me in on the event after he started digging through his closet to find his old school outfit. His searching had a domino effect on the rest of his family, so everyone started looking for theirs too. Soon enough, his siblings and his mother were all dressed up. His younger brother Tapelo (16 years old) really got into it and put on his younger brother's school shorts...talk about cutters... Saziso's mom brushed her hair in the style of the day: the "fly-away". Interesting. Can't say that I'd wear it.
The whole event was so funny and so much fun to witness, particularly Tapelo and his short shorts which he wore the whole day. As I hoped on the taxi home, I sat looking out of the window as people in the location (new word for township) walked around in their school uniforms. Although watching an entire family dress up in too tight, too short school uniforms, the purpose of the day was not lost on me or any one else. Respecting the strength of those whose shoulders you stand on is the only way to move forward.
The Day I Saw A Man Get Hit By A Car!!!!!
When some people think about South Africa, visiting South Africa, or let their loved one join Peace Corps South Africa, after asking themselves: "So what country in South Africa will you be going to", they think of violence. Yes, South Africa can be dangerous, but living in Chicago can be crazy dangerous too! I've personally never been harmed (knock on a big piece of wood), but I do know of volunteers who have been mugged and such. For me, however, the time I feel most unsafe is every day...serving as a pedestrian in this great land. To me, walking across the street (or side walk or any other place a car can fit) is the most dangerous and unsafe aspect of my life here. Drivers speed, don't respect traffic signals (robots as they're called here), stop signs, cross walks, side walks, don't drink and drive campaigns, speed limits, hazardous driving conditions, they don't take care of their cars, over load cars, etc.) Some drivers take pleasure at speeding up when they see you crossing the street, just to see you run. I really could go on and on and on and on...and if you catch me on one of those days, trust me, I will!
I can't remember the exact date (which is the problem with not keeping up with the blog), but I was walking down the major street in Rustenburg (Nelson Mandela) returning from lunch, when all of a sudden, I hear a loud screeching noise. I was annoyed, which I generally am by cars here. All of a sudden, as though it were out of a movie, an SUV type vehicle came up near my right side and I saw a rather heavy set man flip over the hood of the car as though he was a rag doll. I could not believe my eyes! The man was lying on the ground in the most awkward position I'd ever seen a person in. What I expected: Someone to quickly pull out their cell phone and call 911; an ambulance rushing to the scene no more than 5 to 10 minutes later; people crying/screaming; people rushing to the man to help, yet not attempting to move him. What I actually saw: hundreds of people rushing over to the man...to stare at him and his injuries; a young man slipping the injured man's cell phone in his pocket; no ambulance in sight; people attempting to move the strangely situated man. I don't know what upset me more: 1) witnessing a man get hit by a car; or 2) the spectacle that was created by the situation. This is not the first time I've seen a violent situation (after the fact) while people go out of their way to stop and stare for the gore factor. When passing an accident, both pedestrians and drivers will stop what they're doing (including driving), just to go over and look at what happened. Even South African news papers will, on the front page, show a person with a knife sticking out of their head. Title reads: "She caught him sleeping with her sister." They don't spare the details. In the US, I often complained about the censorship that seems to blanket American media, but in times like these, I'm happy that I don't have to see it/know about it. Additionally, not to say that American roads are totally safe, but at least public health messaging seems to be taken to heart a little more than it is here.
Ok, ok, I know I've only written about two things...but I'm tired of typing, plus I have some work to get done. So as I think of things to day...I'll do another back post. Enjoy, while looking left, right, and left again (the opposite for me).
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Are you homesick yet?
Over the course of this month, several people in my office and friends from home have asked me if I'm homesick yet, seeing as how I've been here for a year (year since Swearing In on Sept. 28. 2007). My answer: Depending on the day! My mood falls under three catagories:
I can't believe I'm in the Peace Corps! I can't believe I live in a different country!
There are days when I can't imagine myself being anywhere else. I've wanted the chance to live in South Africa for a while now and have wanted to be in Peace Corps for even longer. I can hop on a taxi be in a different country in less than 3 hours. Life in South Africa and Rustenburg seem strange and foreign and I love it!
Life is normal.
There are days when I almost forget that I'm not in the U.S. (because the infrastructure of Rustenburg can be compared to any smallish city back home). Nothing particularly exciting happens. I'm just going from home to work and doing a little hanging out with friends in between. It feels like any ole regular day back in the U.S. I'm just living my life. Rustenburg has become my home, just like Chicago became my home after moving from Atlanta. Life is fine as wine!
Don't even go there...literally!
Then there are the days....those beautiful, 98 degree, sunshiny days (because it rarely rains, is rarely cloudy, and "winter" lasts a few short months) when I just want to go home and am ready to blow my savings on a plane ticket. During those days, I miss the "things" about home that are not here, but not "home" itself (and they are mostly food-related things...more so now because I'm hungry and I like to eat in general): Chick-fil-a; Wendy's; Mr. Everythings in the AUC; Taco Mac's; Carol Street Cafe; Casa Grande; Atkins Park; Adobo Grill, Willy's; up-to-date movies and music; flying to meet up with friends; a post office that will deliver my packages on time (sorry guys, it's starting to sound like I have a hang-up with the SA Postal Service).
Those I-wanna-come-home-right now-days, luckily, are far and few in between and only tend to last a day or so and then life gets back to normal. Once I'm over them though, the perspective that I had pre-funk comes back and I realize how lucky I am to be in my situation. I have made great (lifelong) friends, an adopted family that loves me, a job that is allowing me to experience new things and challenges me every day, support at the tip of my fingers, health care coverage that only our dear President must get, amazing sights/sounds/smells/smiles (I had to continue with the whole "s" thing...I was on a roll!), no bills (all of my living expenses are paid for), and an opportunity (for two short years) to see the world through different glasses.
My experience and having people constantly asking me about "homesickness", has made me evaluate my definition of "home". Home, to me, is not associated with a particular place. Sure I miss the people and things in different places, but home is where I am. I'm at home in South Africa. Rustenburg. Chicago. Atlanta. Durban. Bukoba. Cape Town. Potch. Savannah. When my two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer are over (one more year in fact), I'll leave Rustenburg for the next location...I'll miss my friends, Nando's, taxis, the irritating post office, the freedom, music, Generations, men's white leather loafers with pointed tips, the loss of personal space, budding democracy, and the many things I've yet to discover....home.
I can't believe I'm in the Peace Corps! I can't believe I live in a different country!
There are days when I can't imagine myself being anywhere else. I've wanted the chance to live in South Africa for a while now and have wanted to be in Peace Corps for even longer. I can hop on a taxi be in a different country in less than 3 hours. Life in South Africa and Rustenburg seem strange and foreign and I love it!
Life is normal.
There are days when I almost forget that I'm not in the U.S. (because the infrastructure of Rustenburg can be compared to any smallish city back home). Nothing particularly exciting happens. I'm just going from home to work and doing a little hanging out with friends in between. It feels like any ole regular day back in the U.S. I'm just living my life. Rustenburg has become my home, just like Chicago became my home after moving from Atlanta. Life is fine as wine!
Don't even go there...literally!
Then there are the days....those beautiful, 98 degree, sunshiny days (because it rarely rains, is rarely cloudy, and "winter" lasts a few short months) when I just want to go home and am ready to blow my savings on a plane ticket. During those days, I miss the "things" about home that are not here, but not "home" itself (and they are mostly food-related things...more so now because I'm hungry and I like to eat in general): Chick-fil-a; Wendy's; Mr. Everythings in the AUC; Taco Mac's; Carol Street Cafe; Casa Grande; Atkins Park; Adobo Grill, Willy's; up-to-date movies and music; flying to meet up with friends; a post office that will deliver my packages on time (sorry guys, it's starting to sound like I have a hang-up with the SA Postal Service).
Those I-wanna-come-home-right now-days, luckily, are far and few in between and only tend to last a day or so and then life gets back to normal. Once I'm over them though, the perspective that I had pre-funk comes back and I realize how lucky I am to be in my situation. I have made great (lifelong) friends, an adopted family that loves me, a job that is allowing me to experience new things and challenges me every day, support at the tip of my fingers, health care coverage that only our dear President must get, amazing sights/sounds/smells/smiles (I had to continue with the whole "s" thing...I was on a roll!), no bills (all of my living expenses are paid for), and an opportunity (for two short years) to see the world through different glasses.
My experience and having people constantly asking me about "homesickness", has made me evaluate my definition of "home". Home, to me, is not associated with a particular place. Sure I miss the people and things in different places, but home is where I am. I'm at home in South Africa. Rustenburg. Chicago. Atlanta. Durban. Bukoba. Cape Town. Potch. Savannah. When my two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer are over (one more year in fact), I'll leave Rustenburg for the next location...I'll miss my friends, Nando's, taxis, the irritating post office, the freedom, music, Generations, men's white leather loafers with pointed tips, the loss of personal space, budding democracy, and the many things I've yet to discover....home.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
I just couldn't help it......
Look like mommy!
Sleepingbob
2Bob enjoying the new toy that his grandmother sent him
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Kego Gopotse
While I was in Pretoria for a doctor's appointment last Friday, I received a phone call from the office that made my heart sink: my dear friend and colleague Faith passed away just the day before. Her death was completely unexpected by everyone...shock is the the spirit of the wind within my office. Faith was a beautiful person with a spirit that changed cobalt blue to sun yellow every day. She was dedicated to her family, friends, colleagues and her heart's pursuits. I know that she is missed by many, but I can't help but to be selfish and say that she is particularly missed by me! Have a restful sleep my angel!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
My attempt at saving trees in the Amazon Rain Forest- from wooden to silicone dildos
One of the activities of my organization, amongst many other things, is to demonstrate the proper application of condoms during educational talks and VCT (Voluntary (HIV) Counselling & Testing) sessions. Unfortunately, because of the enormous expense of anatomically "more" correct dildos, my org has been unable to afford anything more than wooden dildos....you know the kind you saw in high school sex ed classes (pre Bush& before sex ed classes were stripped out of the classroom because of those people who feel that abstinence is the ONLY way to prevent everything from STIs to ADHD).
In an effort to address the need, I recalled how, many months ago, one of my dear friends from Chicago asked me what I wanted/needed. At the time, she was a board member of amazing organization that supports the social, health, and all around well-being of African American women loving women, Affinity. In her on rite, she's an activist, educator, student, friend and divine diva! I knew that Gaylon would be the perfect person to ask, and sure enough, she jumped at the request. I wasn't exactly sure, however, if a big box full of dildos would be allowed through customs (and since I've had a bad history with the South African Postal Service not delivering my packages), I was particularly concerned...but hoped that it would shock them enough to actually deliver it. I had her write "used educational materials" on the outside of the box, but really wanted her to write "for needy sexy people". I'm not sure which one sounds worse, but I figured that I'd go for the former instead. Needless to say, the package arrive yesterday! I just can't tell you how excited people were at my office. I think this is probably the first time many of them have ever seen a "life like" dildo. Actually, this is probably the first opportunity that many of the female counsellors will be able to freely explore the male sexual anatomy. I say this because, as a part of some of the cultures present in South Africa, it is taboo for a woman to talk to her male sexual partner about how and when to engage in sex. In some cultures it is taboo for a woman to touch her male partner's penis. Some women have never seen their partner's penis. One thought is that it is not proper for a wife to touch or see her husband's penis. That job is reserved for girlfriends only (and having a wife and a girlfriend is culturally accepted, but that's a whole other story).
I think that these dildos will not only help educate people coming in for VCT, but will help in the empowerment of women (both counselee and counsellor).
I would really like to thank Gaylon for her overwhelming support of me, my organization, and the movement to combat the spread of HIV and empower people everywhere to take control of their sexuality! Ke a leboga thata gape!
Saving one tree and one person at a time!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Can you believe it....
You can talk for free on weekends! (Ok, so you'd only get that reference if you watched South African t.v. commercials...it's really funny...check it out)
But really, can you believe it, I've almost been in South Africa for a year now?! I left Chicago on the 24th for a two day "Staging" in Philadelphia. We left on a South African Air flight to South Africa on the 26th! In preparation for coming to the Peace Corps, I talked to as many current and past PCVs, attempting to get a glimpse into what my live as a Peace Corps Volunteer would be. Well, let's just say that it's nothing like what I expected.
What I expected: Living in a mud hut. Fetching water. Loads of children following me around. Living with a host family. Eating strange foods. Walking every where I went. Boredom. Excitement. Hand washing clothes. Pit latrines. Little communication with the "outside world". Power outages (if electricity at all). Wearing skirts and flip flops 24/7. Fluency in a different language. I could go on and on...so I won't.
My reality: Living in a middle class community in a brand new flat with an electronic gate remote control. Super Spar/Pick n' Pay/Shoprite/Boxer (grocery stores) within a few blocks. Living down the street from my well established organization. Internet access. Waterfall Mall. Movie theatres. Sun City. Jeans and dress shoes. Community swimming pool down the street. Broken language proficiency. Muggings. Pretoria (a major city) less than an hour away. Cell phone. Etc.
My Peace Corps reality has not only changed my expectations of service, but have helped to shift other people's as well, including some of my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers who actually live in rural settings.
Overall, I can say that I'm enjoying my experience. I've made many friends. I've learned a great deal about the the multiple complexities that make South Africa the way it is (both good and bad). There surely have been challenges to adapting to life here (the dangerous way that people drive, differences in how time is perceived, differences in how "personal space" is perceived, racism, multiple concurrent partnerships, the impact of HIV, etc.) Some days I wanted to pack up and go home, but then something exciting happens which makes me rethink calling PC and telling them that I quit! Prior to joining the Peace Corps, I didn't take the program's motto to heart: The toughest job you'll ever love. Now I understand...
But really, can you believe it, I've almost been in South Africa for a year now?! I left Chicago on the 24th for a two day "Staging" in Philadelphia. We left on a South African Air flight to South Africa on the 26th! In preparation for coming to the Peace Corps, I talked to as many current and past PCVs, attempting to get a glimpse into what my live as a Peace Corps Volunteer would be. Well, let's just say that it's nothing like what I expected.
What I expected: Living in a mud hut. Fetching water. Loads of children following me around. Living with a host family. Eating strange foods. Walking every where I went. Boredom. Excitement. Hand washing clothes. Pit latrines. Little communication with the "outside world". Power outages (if electricity at all). Wearing skirts and flip flops 24/7. Fluency in a different language. I could go on and on...so I won't.
My reality: Living in a middle class community in a brand new flat with an electronic gate remote control. Super Spar/Pick n' Pay/Shoprite/Boxer (grocery stores) within a few blocks. Living down the street from my well established organization. Internet access. Waterfall Mall. Movie theatres. Sun City. Jeans and dress shoes. Community swimming pool down the street. Broken language proficiency. Muggings. Pretoria (a major city) less than an hour away. Cell phone. Etc.
My Peace Corps reality has not only changed my expectations of service, but have helped to shift other people's as well, including some of my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers who actually live in rural settings.
Overall, I can say that I'm enjoying my experience. I've made many friends. I've learned a great deal about the the multiple complexities that make South Africa the way it is (both good and bad). There surely have been challenges to adapting to life here (the dangerous way that people drive, differences in how time is perceived, differences in how "personal space" is perceived, racism, multiple concurrent partnerships, the impact of HIV, etc.) Some days I wanted to pack up and go home, but then something exciting happens which makes me rethink calling PC and telling them that I quit! Prior to joining the Peace Corps, I didn't take the program's motto to heart: The toughest job you'll ever love. Now I understand...
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Living to die. Dying to live.
Ever since we arrived at site, my fellow PCV Elayna and I have been coordinating the logistics of a PEPFAR funded mobile HIV testing unit that is set to begin operating in September 2007. In order to make the project a success, we've relied heavily (which any good community-based project should) on the input of both new and established stakeholders. One of our stakeholders, a major mining cooperation, liked the idea of a mobile HIV testing unit so much, they decided to provide funding for my organization to set up a mobile testing unit specifically to attend to the needs of people living in the informal settlements popping up around their areas of operation. "Hotspots" (the most under served areas) were identified and a running schedule was constructed. Due to the lack of time between being asked to start the project and the project's start date, there wasn't much time devoted to advertising (Shame)! So, what do you do when something doesn't work out just the way your want/need it to? You improvise! During the first few weeks of operation, VCT counsellors assigned to work on the van walked around the various informal settlements announcing the van's presence in the multiple languages spoken in the area (isiXhosa, Setswana, isiZulu, Venda, Shangan, etc.) Additionally, the van was driven around while counsellors announced the VCT schedule for the respective locations using loudspeakers.
Well, thus far, the project has been a success! The mobile unit is testing more people in one day than any other testing site (i.e. The Department of Health clinics and hospitals, private clinics, NGO-based clinics, etc.). The mobile is even out-pacing my organization's office-based testing service! Clearly, in this case at least, providing alternative testing options is useful when encouraging people to test, particularly when attempting to reach out to people living in economically resource poor communities, who may be unable to afford the cost of transportation to an office-based VCT site. This sounds cliche, but I'm going to say it any way: If people can't come to the service, bring the service to them. (There, I said it!)
So, you're probably thinking to yourself: So where does the title to your post fit into the story? Well, one of the most interesting bits of feedback provided by counsellors is the issue of clients and community members wanting to know more about the "HIV grant (Disability grant)". The South African government has provided a grant for people who are unable to work because of a mental/physical disability. In the case of HIV infection, if one is unable to work because of an HIV-related issue and the CD4 count is below 200, one is eligible for the grant. From my understanding, when the CD4 count rises over 200, the grant is stopped, because theoretically, you will be in a better state to work. So here's the missing link to the story: counsellors have noted that many people stop them to ask about how to get the grant money. People have come in for testing, and when testing negative, become upset because they don't qualify to get the grant money. When testing positive, some people are actually happy, because this means they have an extra income. I'm going to give you time to think about that one .........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
Sad and scary, huh?! I'm sure that many of these people have some level of understanding in terms of the possible implications of what one faces after testing positive: stigma, discrimination, failed health, isolation, being so weak that you can't stand up...and the list goes on. I say this, because the majority of people within South Africa, I would argue, know someone who is or was HIV positive. They've probably seen first hand that HIV in South Africa is not a pretty picture.I guess that it's difficult for me to understand on a deeper level, because I've never been in a situation where I felt the only way I could bring money into the house (to pay the bills, eat, seek medical treatment, put clothes on the backs of me or my family members, etc.) was to contract a disease. It is a level of desperation that I would never want for myself or anyone...but unfortunately, it is someone's...
Poverty, desperation, low self esteem, low self efficacy, oppression, misinformation, gender inequities, and a whole bunch of other issues compound on each other, creating a distorted reality whereby contracting HIV becomes an income generating disease........
Well, thus far, the project has been a success! The mobile unit is testing more people in one day than any other testing site (i.e. The Department of Health clinics and hospitals, private clinics, NGO-based clinics, etc.). The mobile is even out-pacing my organization's office-based testing service! Clearly, in this case at least, providing alternative testing options is useful when encouraging people to test, particularly when attempting to reach out to people living in economically resource poor communities, who may be unable to afford the cost of transportation to an office-based VCT site. This sounds cliche, but I'm going to say it any way: If people can't come to the service, bring the service to them. (There, I said it!)
So, you're probably thinking to yourself: So where does the title to your post fit into the story? Well, one of the most interesting bits of feedback provided by counsellors is the issue of clients and community members wanting to know more about the "HIV grant (Disability grant)". The South African government has provided a grant for people who are unable to work because of a mental/physical disability. In the case of HIV infection, if one is unable to work because of an HIV-related issue and the CD4 count is below 200, one is eligible for the grant. From my understanding, when the CD4 count rises over 200, the grant is stopped, because theoretically, you will be in a better state to work. So here's the missing link to the story: counsellors have noted that many people stop them to ask about how to get the grant money. People have come in for testing, and when testing negative, become upset because they don't qualify to get the grant money. When testing positive, some people are actually happy, because this means they have an extra income. I'm going to give you time to think about that one .........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
Sad and scary, huh?! I'm sure that many of these people have some level of understanding in terms of the possible implications of what one faces after testing positive: stigma, discrimination, failed health, isolation, being so weak that you can't stand up...and the list goes on. I say this, because the majority of people within South Africa, I would argue, know someone who is or was HIV positive. They've probably seen first hand that HIV in South Africa is not a pretty picture.I guess that it's difficult for me to understand on a deeper level, because I've never been in a situation where I felt the only way I could bring money into the house (to pay the bills, eat, seek medical treatment, put clothes on the backs of me or my family members, etc.) was to contract a disease. It is a level of desperation that I would never want for myself or anyone...but unfortunately, it is someone's...
Poverty, desperation, low self esteem, low self efficacy, oppression, misinformation, gender inequities, and a whole bunch of other issues compound on each other, creating a distorted reality whereby contracting HIV becomes an income generating disease........
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
8bob-6bob= Twobob
Just a friendly little reminder: The time to start you Twobob countdown has come...10 days and counting, until my Twobob comes home with me! The family that is temporarily taking care of him has been so kind to me. They've sent email updates and pictures of how my little Bob Bob is growing up to be such a hansome big boy. I am, however, slightly concerned by the latest picture. I think my little Double Bob might be leaning towards the ugly side. Now don't get me wrong, I've been expecting a smush face and extended girth, but he's still a puppy. I thought that it was manditory that all puppies are unconditionally cute. My best friend Gerald insists that he's going to grow out of his current ugly phase. My parents tell me that, at the time the picture was taken, he was a bit caught off guard or maybe he hasn't yet learned how to pose on his good side. Whatever the case...I'm keeping my fingers crossed and am beginning to prepare myself on how to build up his self confidence. Wish me luck!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Patience and Persistence Make You Stronger!
The view of John Legend from where I was standing
A few weeks ago, I found out that my favorite contemporary artist (aside from Anita Baker and Stevie Wonder), John Legend was set to perform at the famed Sun City on the 16th and 17th of this month! Needless to say, I had to get a ticket! You won't believe the scraping I had to do, in order to make sure that I could survive (i.e. eat, get from one place to the next, etc.) for the rest of the quarter on my Peace Corps living allowance. Now don't gt me wrong (this is a note to all of the Trainees coming in July and for all those interested in joining the Peace Corps and for all family, friends and concerned citizens), I get well above what "the average" South African makes, so I'm not hurting or anything. Since we got that out of the way, back to the story: After saving enough money (read: missing out on my daily candy bar fix and eating at Chicken Lickin' for lunch), I marched right up to my friendly Shoprite to the Computicket, so that I could purchase my well deserved ticket! To my shock and horror, their computers were down, so I was instructed to go up to the second Shoprite in town. When I got there, I was told that their ticket printer was down. I was instructed to call the main office. Before calling the main office, I went online in an attempt to buy the tickets. No such luck...my American bank card and my Peace Corps issued bank card have the wrong formatting for buying anything through Computicket. The same issue occurred when I phoned the main branch! Time was closing in on me...there was only a week remaining before the concert and the Saturday show was already sold out! Oh My! Finally, after many nights of crying myself to sleep and dreaming of John Legend singing "Save Room" to me as I teach community members about reducing their risk of HIV infection by condomizing, testing, and the need to address the issue of multiple concurrent partnerships, I GOT A TICKET! J. Leg...here I come...
Well, not exactly, but kind of.... So, public transportation in South Africa is remarkable. You can get just about anywhere...particularly to Sun City, as many of the employees live in my local community. Going off of the input from my colleagues, I was encouraged not to use it for this event, because I might not be able to get back (transport into town apparently wouldn't be available from Sun City after the concert let out). In an effort to find transport, I had to bribe everyone I knew with a car or with access to a car. I had to put on my best smiley face, give warm hugs, speak in a gentle voice, convince people that helping me would get them into heaven quicker because of my close relationship with GOD. (Disclaimer: The strategies used are not condoned, supported or encouraged by Peace Corps. The views expressed are mine and mine alone.) You know, things like that. Well, it worked! The father of a certain person agreed to take me!!!!
Picture it: June 17, 2007. Dressed to the nines in a dress not worn down and horribly disfigured from multiple hand washings. Hair newly cropped (read: peer pressure from a certain person, his aunt, colleagues, and friends complaining that I was starting to closely resemble Cousin It). Lipstick and make-up substituting for the usual: Cherry flavored Chapstick and soap and water. Standing less than 10 feet away from J. Leg belting out all of my favorite hits (P.D.A. and Another Again). Swaying along with the ebb and flow of the crowd of fans surrounding me! I was in heaven!
Seeing J. Leg in a live performance: A perfect end to a stressful month!
Lessons Learned:
- Bribery works
- J. Leg prefers boxer briefs (That's the kind of info you learn standing so close to the stage)
- Peace Corps issued bank cards are a no-go when purchasing things online
- Patience and Persistence make you stronger!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Happy Mother's Day To Me!!!!
For the past couple of months, I've been contemplating, questioning, and calculating exactly how to fill the void in that part of my heart only reserved for "(wo)man's best friend". If you know anything about me, you know that I love animals of all types, but particularly with dogs! You would also know that I have a child of the four-legged kind at home that I've had since the 9th grade, Medin! He is indeed the sunlight of my life, but due to the fact that I'm living my Peace Corps Dreams, his grandparents decided that it would be best that he lives with them. In fact, he's been on an extended visit with his grandparents ever since I went away to college. Although we haven't lived together for a while, he is still my heart and no one can ever take his place.Ever since I arrived at my permanent site, however, I've noticed that something's been missing... I said to myself, and just about everyone who would listen, "I think it's about that time to get a pet". My fellow Peace Corps Volunteer, Elayna patiently listened to me as I hummed and haaa'd about wanting to fill that void...and just how I was planning to do it. First, I thought about getting a bird...a parakeet. Birds are great, I've had one in fact, but still, something was missing. I thought about a parrot that enjoyed physical interaction...but depending on the breed, it might expect to live longer than I will...and I don't want my kids putting me in a home because I stuck them with a loud and moody bird. I finally had to do a little sit down with myself, realizing that all of the characteristics I was looking forward to in other types of pets were all wrapped up in a doggy package. So, to make a long story short, I've decided to get a dog...and English Bulldog to be specific! I've even found someone who raises them. I received a phone call on Monday morning, telling me that the puppies were born on Mother's Day! That's a good sign, right?! The puppy is the one in the middle (in the group shot). I think that he'll be coming home with me at the end of June! I'm excited! Overjoyed! I'll finally have a warm, snuggly button to keep me company! Yeah!!!!!
Just because I know you're in your respective locations, shifting in your seats to ask a few questions, I've decided to answer them for you:
Yes- I'm going to have time for a dog...all I've got is time! In fact, my supervisor said that I can even bring him into work with me. I'm taking an evening course to become a HIV pre and post-test (VCT) counselor with my organization...so in addition to growing up, he'll really fit in with my organization, because he'll be a trained counsellor as well! He'll be my best buddy, child, VCT counsellor, and co-worker all mixed into one!
Yes- I've already chosen a name: Twobob (slang for boyfriend) Karabo (Setswana for "The answer). The name "Twobob" is also slang for 20 cents, no relation to 50 cent (the rapper). I might even glue a 20 cent coin onto his dog tag. There was a really popular song that came out a couple of years ago by a group called Malika. The woman in the song is singing about a guy she really likes. I like the group, I like the song, and I think the meaning is funny. My co-workers helped me pick out the middle name.
Yes- I will be bringing him home (to the USA) with me, so if you know me personally, you'll have the chance to meet him! He might not understand your accents though, as he will not be used to other American accents (an mine is slowly shifting to be proudly South African) and I'm going to teach him Setswana: No Twobob! Go potty Twobob! Sit Twobob! Are you crazy Twobob?!
Kind of- I'm a bit nervous about having a dog in South Africa. I know that having Twobob will be a cross cultural exchange in and of itself, just based on the different ways Americans treat pets versus South Africans. In America, it's common place to see someone walking their dog down the street with a collar and leash. Dogs are on commercials. You probably wouldn't gasp when you saw a dog inside of the house, sitting on furniture, or riding down the street in a car. In my community, dogs are treated like, well, dogs... Dogs are for protection. Dogs are for little kids, but as soon as they (the kid or the dog) grow up, the dog is left to fend for itself. People in my community don't walk dogs on leashes down the street, or at least not that I've seen. One of the volunteers, Steph, often brings her dog Diesel to trainings, so it's not too strange to see around my organization. In fact, if you walk down the halls of my office, you'll see comic strips of a cat that used to hang around and became the unofficial mascot...but I think everyone in my office is a bit off kilter in the first place and should not be taken as the norm (with respect to animals).
As you can see, I'm two bob short of a Rand right now thinking of my new little friend! I'll make sure to keep you posted on how he's doing! Charlene and I have already set up play dates for Aisha and Twobob! Ish!
Friday, May 04, 2007
I never thought I would have to.....
Give THE TALK, you know, the sex talk to a dog, but I did! It seems like it's come a little too late though. But before I go any longer, I need to jog your memory a bit, so you know who I'm talking about. Do you remember that cute little face I welcomed into the family a few months ago, Aisha, My Setswana 2 Setswana Sister's dog? Yeah, her! The 9 month old little girl that was so sweet, cute, and full of energy. I guess all of those characteristics that made her so much fun to be around, also made her fun to be around other dogs as well. It turns out that, while at a mandatory Peace Corps meeting, Charlene's co-workers didn't always keep such a close eye on little Miss Aisha. Seems that she (Aisha) didn't know how to handle herself like a lady during her first time in heat. Seems like little Miss Aisha has fallen in the family way...or like they say in Setwana: Aisha o mo mmeleng!
Well, during a recent visit, I had to give her...THE TALK...more like an on-going conversation. I told Aisha that, in America, being un-wed mother doesn't necessarily present her in the best light...socially (the unfair and unfortunate burden of being female). I know that she is proudly South African, so she doesn't exactly work on the American system even though her mother is proud to be an American. I asked her if she had considered the high incidence of HIV in her community and country. Of course, she didn't. I told her to condomize or consider getting herself fixed. I told her that she might find that her friends will distance themselves from her, because the things they had in common may not be there any more...they will have different foci. She will undoubtedly have to get a job to support her litter. I asked her if she had informed the father...she was a bit tight lipped and had a confused look on her face when I asked for his name.
Aisha new of my background with Planned Parenthood and public health. She knew that if she needed to ask questions, she could always come to me. I try to maintain an open door policy with all of my two and four-legged friends. I know that sometimes it is difficult for the younger generation to come and talk about sex with older people, but I'd like think that I'm a cool aunt...open, accessible, non-judgemental.
Now that the deed is done, and all we can do at this point is wait, her mother and I, and the entire Setswana 2 Setswana crew will provide a strong support system for her to utilize in her time of need...ish! Aisha!
Well, during a recent visit, I had to give her...THE TALK...more like an on-going conversation. I told Aisha that, in America, being un-wed mother doesn't necessarily present her in the best light...socially (the unfair and unfortunate burden of being female). I know that she is proudly South African, so she doesn't exactly work on the American system even though her mother is proud to be an American. I asked her if she had considered the high incidence of HIV in her community and country. Of course, she didn't. I told her to condomize or consider getting herself fixed. I told her that she might find that her friends will distance themselves from her, because the things they had in common may not be there any more...they will have different foci. She will undoubtedly have to get a job to support her litter. I asked her if she had informed the father...she was a bit tight lipped and had a confused look on her face when I asked for his name.
Aisha new of my background with Planned Parenthood and public health. She knew that if she needed to ask questions, she could always come to me. I try to maintain an open door policy with all of my two and four-legged friends. I know that sometimes it is difficult for the younger generation to come and talk about sex with older people, but I'd like think that I'm a cool aunt...open, accessible, non-judgemental.
Now that the deed is done, and all we can do at this point is wait, her mother and I, and the entire Setswana 2 Setswana crew will provide a strong support system for her to utilize in her time of need...ish! Aisha!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Top 10 things to do over a 5-day weekend....
- Complete my 1st and 2nd Quarterly Reports for Peace Corps (already late...shame).
- Catch up on sleep.
- Visit friends
- (Hand) wash that pile of clothes that keeps staring at me.
- Go to the mall
- Have a braai (BBQ)
- File and buff my nails
- Watch all of those DVDs my loving family and friends have sent
- Get over this cold I have just developed
- Make all of those overly involved recipes that I keep ticking off while looking through the Betty Crocker cookbook during my free time.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
What's the deal with boy bands?
I really don't understand this boy band thing! Now I have been guilty
of bopping my head to the latest popular tune that happens to be
playing on my car radio as I'm driving to or from work/school (ahhh...the
good ole days when I had a car!). I've never actively sought out that
type of music. Never bought it. Never researched online for news about
the band. Never attempted to go to a concert or hang up a poster on my
wall. I'm sure that we all (secretly) have our favorite song or group,
whatever the case may be...but I think some South Africans are taking
it a little too far.
For some reason or another, I thought that I would escape the pre-fab
song/hair/boy/wall poster/etc. that I had to suffer through since the
days of New Kids on the Block by joining up with Peace Corps South
Africa. I thought I'd be learning about a new culture through new
sights and sounds...things I've never heard before. Why is it then
that, earlier this week, as I was riding on a late-night taxi, did I
have to suffer from one taxi driver's attempt to be (what he thought
was) cool...one of those car-sized flattv monitors playing nothing but
back-to-back music videos of the Backstreet Boys. Additionally, if I
stay out in one of the various locations (townships) surrounding my
local community, why can I hear boy band songs being blasted throughout
the neighborhood at all hours of the day, particularly between the
hours of 8pm and 7am. Little did I know that finding something in
common with my local counterparts would be as simple as reciting the
lyrics to the song "I want it that way. Tell me why, ain'tnothin' but a heart ache...."
As is often said in South Africa, "Agh, Shame man!"
of bopping my head to the latest popular tune that happens to be
playing on my car radio as I'm driving to or from work/school (ahhh...the
good ole days when I had a car!). I've never actively sought out that
type of music. Never bought it. Never researched online for news about
the band. Never attempted to go to a concert or hang up a poster on my
wall. I'm sure that we all (secretly) have our favorite song or group,
whatever the case may be...but I think some South Africans are taking
it a little too far.
For some reason or another, I thought that I would escape the pre-fab
song/hair/boy/wall poster/etc. that I had to suffer through since the
days of New Kids on the Block by joining up with Peace Corps South
Africa. I thought I'd be learning about a new culture through new
sights and sounds...things I've never heard before. Why is it then
that, earlier this week, as I was riding on a late-night taxi, did I
have to suffer from one taxi driver's attempt to be (what he thought
was) cool...one of those car-sized flattv monitors playing nothing but
back-to-back music videos of the Backstreet Boys. Additionally, if I
stay out in one of the various locations (townships) surrounding my
local community, why can I hear boy band songs being blasted throughout
the neighborhood at all hours of the day, particularly between the
hours of 8pm and 7am. Little did I know that finding something in
common with my local counterparts would be as simple as reciting the
lyrics to the song "I want it that way. Tell me why, ain'tnothin' but a heart ache...."
As is often said in South Africa, "Agh, Shame man!"
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
So is this what a proud mom feels like?
As you may recall, a few months ago (how time flies), I conducted a 5-day "Advanced" HIV training course for a varied audience (in terms of home organization; ethnicity; language; etc.). In preparing for the program, I:
Ok, I totally gave you way more background information than I thought I would. So, anyway, my organization is currently hosting a 13-week counseling course. Unfortunately, I've been unable to participate very much in the course because I'm working on several other projects (not to mention...but I will...the trip with my mother). At first, I was feeling kind of bad for the counselors-in-training, because the same out of date teaching methods were going to be used. I guess I'm not a big fan of it, because that's not how I learn best (always thinking of myself...shame!), and that clearly, counselors are lacking a real understanding of HIV and AIDS. (They know what the words are and can spit them out with the best of them, but they don't truly understand the subject and rarely have the opportunity to engage it.) Well (I use "well" a lot, I've noticed), last week I was finally able to sit in a few classes, and boy was I in for a surprise. Some of the facilitators of the course (who also attended my training) were actually using more interactive teaching methods...many of which I used in the program I facilitated. The whole time I was sitting there, I just smiled at how something I did really made an impression on people enough for them to re-think their training methods. Of course I cannot take much credit for the techniques that I used (I had to get them from somewhere), but it felt good to pass the information along...or to help in the capacity building process...that's a Peace Corps term. I guess this is the first time since I've been here that I really feel like I'm accomplishing something.
As a treat to myself, I'm going to bask in the glow of small accomplishments...but not for too long, because so much more work needs to be done!
- Took a mini- needs assessment of some of the VCT (HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing) counselors in my organization. I was surprised to find out that many people, regardless of the fact that they were VCT counselors, did not have a strong grasp on HIV and related issues. I guess that's why I put the "advanced" part in quotations. It really was basic information.
- Took into consideration what my boss wanted participants to know: ARVs; Opportunistic Infections; STIs (STDs for the old school); reproductive health issues; HIV and AIDS statistics; and discrimination and stigma issues.
- Took into account my learning style and how my experiences as a student have either helped me to understand (or not) the information presented to me. Doing a little research on best practices for adult learning didn't hurt either.
- Considered the type of training South Africans typically deal with...particularly the type of learning style used and encouraged at my organization...lecture/memorization...I wanted to make the program as interactive as possible...without eliciting the response, "not another group activity!"
Ok, I totally gave you way more background information than I thought I would. So, anyway, my organization is currently hosting a 13-week counseling course. Unfortunately, I've been unable to participate very much in the course because I'm working on several other projects (not to mention...but I will...the trip with my mother). At first, I was feeling kind of bad for the counselors-in-training, because the same out of date teaching methods were going to be used. I guess I'm not a big fan of it, because that's not how I learn best (always thinking of myself...shame!), and that clearly, counselors are lacking a real understanding of HIV and AIDS. (They know what the words are and can spit them out with the best of them, but they don't truly understand the subject and rarely have the opportunity to engage it.) Well (I use "well" a lot, I've noticed), last week I was finally able to sit in a few classes, and boy was I in for a surprise. Some of the facilitators of the course (who also attended my training) were actually using more interactive teaching methods...many of which I used in the program I facilitated. The whole time I was sitting there, I just smiled at how something I did really made an impression on people enough for them to re-think their training methods. Of course I cannot take much credit for the techniques that I used (I had to get them from somewhere), but it felt good to pass the information along...or to help in the capacity building process...that's a Peace Corps term. I guess this is the first time since I've been here that I really feel like I'm accomplishing something.
As a treat to myself, I'm going to bask in the glow of small accomplishments...but not for too long, because so much more work needs to be done!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
