Over the past couple of weeks, my mind has been racing and it's driving me crazy! Mostly, I've been forcing myself to start thinking about what I want to do after Peace Corps. For as much as I'd like to stay focused on the here and now, which has been drilled into my brain over the past year and some change out of necessity and circumstance, I feel compelled to start thinking about what I want to see myself doing post Peace Corps service. Another impetus has been the fact that, over the next couple of months, some of my closest fellow PCVs will be COSing early...Like in the June, July time frame! Batong, gomodimo!
Through my deep interest in reproductive health, women's health, HIV/AIDS prevention and care, public health, social justice, public health program management, and improving access to care, I'm strongly considering the option of heading off to medical school (not without first attending post-bacc studies). CRAZY, I know! So lately, I've been apply for various pre-med post-bacc programs. The thought of going back to school, and particularly going to medical school, is a daunting task. A task, however, that will hopefully take me to where I want to be professionally. I'll be sure to keep you posted as this train of thought develops. If I go back to school, this means that I may have to COS (Close of Service) early in order to start in the summer/fall. Eish!
In addition to applying for post-bacc programs, I've also started a job search. Two years of volunteer work has made me appreciate the paid life. So if you're reading this blog and want to hire a soon-to-be Returned Peace Corps Volunteer...Let's talk! Eish!
Extending service into another Peace Corps-health-related program is also an option. Peace Corps just reopened the Ethiopia and Rwanda programs. I've always wanted to go to Ethiopia, plus, as a Public Healther, my CV and amount of experience would receive a big boost if I had additional work experience in a post-conflict zone. Not forgetting the fact that I would be able to provide some assistance to a project in need of a Peace Corps Volunteer. Ya-rrrrrrrr (roll the "r")
Making other, more personal life choices have been semi-freaking (ok, TOTALLY) me out. Should I, shouldn't I and the implications of both! Agh!
On a more short term basis, I'm trying to plan what may be my final chance to vacation...a trip to Lesotho to go pony trekking. Ever since I learned of such a thing, I've wanted to go! Ke itumetse thata!!!! But ke batla go plan-a pele! Eish! Eish! Eish! I have to figure out what I'm going to cook tonight...cooking is my vice and daily torment!
Usually, writing things down (not necessarily in such a public forum) helps me to relieve some anxiety, but this, unfortunately has not provided me with the comfort that I hoped...plus I'm tired, hungry (didn't bring my scaf tin to work today), and I'm cold (beginning of winter), so I guess that's not helping either. Eish! Ya-rrrrrrrr, Sis!
Ok, well on a more positive note, I recently bought two pair of jeans (not the stretch ones either), and thanks to preparing (most) my meals and living the volunteer life (walking everywhere, carrying my heavy bags of groceries from one side of town to the other, walking very fast as not to be late for work, and exercising with the kids), I can now fit into a size 4 jeans! It's the small accomplishments, isn't it! I feel better already!
Plus, last night, Saziso and I went to a braai over one of his co-worker's houses. There was so much good food, great company, music, and a cute dog named Rudy! The main purpose of the event (organized by Saziso and Clayton) was to link me and Clayton's wife up, supposedly so that Estelle and I could become friends, but really to give the two guys permission to stay out very late! Indeed, Estelle is a very lovely woman and she has a really sweet family (daughter, two nephews and a sister that I got to meet), so becoming friends with her is a no-brainer! It hasn't even been 24 hours, and we're already sending emails and sms's (text messages)to each other!
So writing things down (for me) does help after all!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Look like Mommy?
Isn't my mom beautiful? My father took this picture...I need him to start taking mine!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Running, walking, skipping, jumping jacks...
One of the first few meetings I attended at SOS was a training for the mothers. During the training, the Village Director and the social workers encouraged mothers to look after their health and weight. It seems that, in other villages, SOS mothers tend to gain weight and have deteriorating health the longer they stay. This could be a result of many factors. In the meeting, I suggested that we could start a walking club with mothers. If you really want to know, I've started this club for selfish reasons! I want to get in shape! I want to be more physically fit! What a great way to keep motivated when you have lots of kids reminding you to get up and get a move on!
Initially, it didn't seem like the walking club would get off of the ground (or out of my head), but one courageous mother, Mme Portia, approached me and expressed her interest. It just so happened that soon after we spoke, the kids went on break from school and had ample free time. Our walking club initially started out with Mme Portia (who is a super star) and about seven children. We would go walking several times a week for about 2 hours around the neighborhood. The second time we went out walking, Mme Portia surprised me by having all of the children dressed in the same shirts!
The most children we've had thus far is 14. I've had them do warm up and cool down exercises, jogging, slow walking, fast walking, and relay races. Additionally during walks, I stress the importance of drinking lots of water; a light, healthy meal before exercising; and tips like keeping stomach muscles in while walking. Everyone seems to be enjoying it, but my challenge is to increase the number of mothers participating and even some of the office staff members. I'm working on it! Now that the children are back in school, we (the mothers and myself) are trying to find our own rhythm. The next addition to my plan is to start healthy cooking/eating/snacking sessions for both the mothers and children. Additionally, I've noticed that the majority of the kids do not have proper running outfits or running shoes. If you are out there reading this blog post and can possibly help us out, I'd greatly appreciate it!
Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure! I'll keep you posted!
Initially, it didn't seem like the walking club would get off of the ground (or out of my head), but one courageous mother, Mme Portia, approached me and expressed her interest. It just so happened that soon after we spoke, the kids went on break from school and had ample free time. Our walking club initially started out with Mme Portia (who is a super star) and about seven children. We would go walking several times a week for about 2 hours around the neighborhood. The second time we went out walking, Mme Portia surprised me by having all of the children dressed in the same shirts!
The most children we've had thus far is 14. I've had them do warm up and cool down exercises, jogging, slow walking, fast walking, and relay races. Additionally during walks, I stress the importance of drinking lots of water; a light, healthy meal before exercising; and tips like keeping stomach muscles in while walking. Everyone seems to be enjoying it, but my challenge is to increase the number of mothers participating and even some of the office staff members. I'm working on it! Now that the children are back in school, we (the mothers and myself) are trying to find our own rhythm. The next addition to my plan is to start healthy cooking/eating/snacking sessions for both the mothers and children. Additionally, I've noticed that the majority of the kids do not have proper running outfits or running shoes. If you are out there reading this blog post and can possibly help us out, I'd greatly appreciate it!
Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure! I'll keep you posted!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Mozambique n' more
Recently,I along with a few of my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers took an action-packed trip to Mozambique for a bit of rest and relaxation. We all met up in Pretoria for a 6 hour Translux bus ride to Maputo. Everything was going great until we go to the boarder of Mozambique when I realized that, instead of bringing along my PC passport with my 36 month visa for multiple entries, I brought along my personal passport which hadn't been used to visit or leave South Africa since 2005...silly me! Well, I waited my turn to get my passport stamped in and the boarder official looked at me and said, where's your visa, when did you get here? Basically, without my PC passport, it looked like I had remained in South Africa from 2005, the last time I had used it. I got a taste of what it felt like to be ILLEGAL! She threatened me with a HUGE fine as I was sweating bullets trying to explain to her that I was a poor volunteer working with orphans and vulnerable children in Rustenburg and that, really, I did have another passport with an official visa, and really, I did actually leave the country in 2005 as indicated by the exit stamp from O.R. Tambo Airport in Joburg, while my friends were looking at me like...well this trip is over before it began. To make a long and sweat-filled story short, I got my stamp out of South Africa (not too long after requesting for a boost in my allowance from my VERY LOVING PARENTS). On the Mozambique side of the boarder, the bus opperator, who was very nice, assisted (with a bit of sketch)us in getting our visitor's visa processed...we were on our way! After what seemed like forever and two days on the road, we landed in Maputo...new language, new currency to figure out, pushy taxi drivers, the works! All 5 of us, including buldging luggage, were stuffed into a late model Toyota Corolla and driven literally around the corner to our backpackers...The Base. As we stumbled, travel worn and weary, we were greeted at the door by an over zealous front desk attendant who seemed to know exactly who we were, because, without saying hello, he proceeded to tell us that there was not room at the inn. Apparently, the reservation policy at the Base is that you must confirm your reservation 24 hours in advance, which he said that he did, but no one ever received a call. Tired and irritated, two of us broke away from the group and searched frantically for an other place to stay that wouldn't break the PC bank. Eventually, we found a really cool spot...Fatima's...Once we were settled in (read: threw our stuff on the bunk beds), we headed out for food...we landed at a hip pizza spot, although my early Alzhiemers is making me forget the name. Four of us sat on the patio, enjoying the weather, the new language (Portugese), and pleasant atmosphere. Periodically, young guys would walk around the perimeter of the restaurant selling their arts and crafts. Tip: If you look at or entertain the vendors, they won't go away. The result of the evening is that you will be harassed for the rest of the evening. Two members of our party were officially banned from looking anyone in the eye for the rest of the trip. To end the evening, we hopped back into a taxi and, upon arrival at Fatima's, we (read: I) gave the taxi driver a tip he will never forget...an extra 350 Metacal ($15) because I gave him a 500 instead of a 50...We expected the driver to be waiting at the backpackers all day and evening trying to get us to ride with him!
Next day, we got up earlier than the roosters to catch mini bus to Tofo Beach, which was supposedly an 8 hour ride away (read: 10+ hours). While waiting for the bus, however, one of us was violently ill and we watched as one of the other lodgers arranged for an early morning romp with a comercial sex worker...something that we made note of during our entire trip...older, forigen men, usually of European decent purchasing young, black women for their time and other things.
Side Note: As a PROUD, BLACK WOMAN, traveling with a group of other PROUD, BLACK WOMEN, I (we)were confronted with the unfortunate realization that as a whole, Black women are often placed in situations where we can be bought and sold to the highest bidder for a few dollars and encouraged to forget with the addition of drugs and alcohol. Our bodies are for sale to bored and desperate Western tourists or people on the other side of town who want to take advantage of women and young girls who are clearly in a desperate mental/financial/emotional state. Unfortunately, many of us who were traveling together do not have to leave our own communities to see this situation, which is repeated for hours every night on a side street, once the sun goes down. I encourage other PROUD, BLACK WOMEN to fight for yours and other's right to no longer serve as a commodity. Get involved in a young sista's life, encourage her, support her, help her to see her bright future! If you don't, consider yourself as an addition to the problem. Instead, be a solution!
Back to the story: After many hours of riding in a mini-bus that retained a strong smell of day-old fish, head-bobbing-mouth-wide-open-drooling-sleep, stopping at every major and minor town to shop outside of your bus window for bread, fruit, socks, razors, etc., we arrived in the ruggedly, beautiful Tofo Beach! First stop: Food! The amazing part of vacationing in a sea-side town is that you can literally watch as fishermen bring in their catch to local restaurants, and for you seafood lovers, I'm talking about SQUID, SHRIMP (PRAWNS), ANY FISH YOU CAN THINK OF, EEL, CRAB, LOBSTER, you name it! The first evening at our backpackers, we ate an "all you can eat" seafood buffet! I went to sleep dreaming of fish (not a pregnancy dream for all of you down south folk), fish that I would be eating for the rest of my trip.
Ok, to cut this already long story short, we had a wonderful time sitting, reading,etc. by the ocean. Oh, the last night in Maputo, four of us went down to the local fish market. In this market, fisherman (maybe their wives is more like it) sell fresh catches of the day: Any type of fish you want, prawns, crab, lobster, mussels, etc. for CHEAP prices. On the other side of the market, you take your fresh fish to any number of restaurants that cook it for you. Even though it took a long time to get the food, we were all entertained by the festive mood and live music! This, is a MUST when in Mozambique!
In my opinion, however, the trip was much too short considering how long it takes to get there! A great trip none-the-less and much needed at that! I was getting very restless in Rustenburg and everyone, except those at my job, were getting on my nerves and I was amazed at how that short break refreshed me and helped me to see that I can stick it out for a few more months until my service is up! And just in case you're wondering, I made it back into South Africa with no problems, only thing is that I have to leave in the next 3 months (the length of time Americans can enter South Africa without a visa)to get stamped back out! But just in case I happen to go back to Mozambique, I made a few friends at the border who might be able to help me out if I ever run into any problems!
My self portrait
Man & Meat
That little brown dot is me!
Just a small sampling of the seafood that we got for cheap!
Next day, we got up earlier than the roosters to catch mini bus to Tofo Beach, which was supposedly an 8 hour ride away (read: 10+ hours). While waiting for the bus, however, one of us was violently ill and we watched as one of the other lodgers arranged for an early morning romp with a comercial sex worker...something that we made note of during our entire trip...older, forigen men, usually of European decent purchasing young, black women for their time and other things.
Side Note: As a PROUD, BLACK WOMAN, traveling with a group of other PROUD, BLACK WOMEN, I (we)were confronted with the unfortunate realization that as a whole, Black women are often placed in situations where we can be bought and sold to the highest bidder for a few dollars and encouraged to forget with the addition of drugs and alcohol. Our bodies are for sale to bored and desperate Western tourists or people on the other side of town who want to take advantage of women and young girls who are clearly in a desperate mental/financial/emotional state. Unfortunately, many of us who were traveling together do not have to leave our own communities to see this situation, which is repeated for hours every night on a side street, once the sun goes down. I encourage other PROUD, BLACK WOMEN to fight for yours and other's right to no longer serve as a commodity. Get involved in a young sista's life, encourage her, support her, help her to see her bright future! If you don't, consider yourself as an addition to the problem. Instead, be a solution!
Back to the story: After many hours of riding in a mini-bus that retained a strong smell of day-old fish, head-bobbing-mouth-wide-open-drooling-sleep, stopping at every major and minor town to shop outside of your bus window for bread, fruit, socks, razors, etc., we arrived in the ruggedly, beautiful Tofo Beach! First stop: Food! The amazing part of vacationing in a sea-side town is that you can literally watch as fishermen bring in their catch to local restaurants, and for you seafood lovers, I'm talking about SQUID, SHRIMP (PRAWNS), ANY FISH YOU CAN THINK OF, EEL, CRAB, LOBSTER, you name it! The first evening at our backpackers, we ate an "all you can eat" seafood buffet! I went to sleep dreaming of fish (not a pregnancy dream for all of you down south folk), fish that I would be eating for the rest of my trip.
Ok, to cut this already long story short, we had a wonderful time sitting, reading,etc. by the ocean. Oh, the last night in Maputo, four of us went down to the local fish market. In this market, fisherman (maybe their wives is more like it) sell fresh catches of the day: Any type of fish you want, prawns, crab, lobster, mussels, etc. for CHEAP prices. On the other side of the market, you take your fresh fish to any number of restaurants that cook it for you. Even though it took a long time to get the food, we were all entertained by the festive mood and live music! This, is a MUST when in Mozambique!
In my opinion, however, the trip was much too short considering how long it takes to get there! A great trip none-the-less and much needed at that! I was getting very restless in Rustenburg and everyone, except those at my job, were getting on my nerves and I was amazed at how that short break refreshed me and helped me to see that I can stick it out for a few more months until my service is up! And just in case you're wondering, I made it back into South Africa with no problems, only thing is that I have to leave in the next 3 months (the length of time Americans can enter South Africa without a visa)to get stamped back out! But just in case I happen to go back to Mozambique, I made a few friends at the border who might be able to help me out if I ever run into any problems!
My self portrait
Man & Meat
That little brown dot is me!
Just a small sampling of the seafood that we got for cheap!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Maybe it's just me....
but I really enjoy waking up in the mornings to go to work! I wake up at 6:00 am to walk a few miles in the rain, heat, and snow (I wish), in rush hour traffic to get to work every morning and sometimes on Saturdays because I love what I'm doing and I really enjoy the people with whom I work. I know, I know, I've only been working/volunteering with SOS Children's Village for a short time, but just being here makes me feel fulfilled...like I'm actually contributing to something...like I am a part of something big and worthwhile. I'm even planning to start waking up even earlier (5:30am) on Saturdays to start a walking club with the village mothers.
One of the best parts of my day is talking with my coworkers about things that are going on in the village, and in their lives. In such a short period of time, I have developed a really nice relationship with everyone in my office and look forward to seeing them first thing in the morning. The highlight of my day, however, takes place soon after the children arrive home from school, like just now when some of the kids (I call them my "regulars") stop into my office to check up on me. I get to probe them about homework and their social lives, and best of all, get to see their smiling faces.
I know, I know (again), you might be thinking that I'm making this all up, but I'm really not. It has taken me over a year of my Peace Corps service to reach a point where I am so happy with the things I'm doing (in my work life). The Peace Corps always says that this is the "toughest job you'll ever love", and I finally agree. I had to go through the "tough" part to finally find the part that I love.
One of the best parts of my day is talking with my coworkers about things that are going on in the village, and in their lives. In such a short period of time, I have developed a really nice relationship with everyone in my office and look forward to seeing them first thing in the morning. The highlight of my day, however, takes place soon after the children arrive home from school, like just now when some of the kids (I call them my "regulars") stop into my office to check up on me. I get to probe them about homework and their social lives, and best of all, get to see their smiling faces.
I know, I know (again), you might be thinking that I'm making this all up, but I'm really not. It has taken me over a year of my Peace Corps service to reach a point where I am so happy with the things I'm doing (in my work life). The Peace Corps always says that this is the "toughest job you'll ever love", and I finally agree. I had to go through the "tough" part to finally find the part that I love.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Can you hear the bells?!
Ba alright?!
Wow, it certainly has been a verrrrrrrry long time since I've been able to update my blog. You remember, about two posts ago, I told you that I was changing organizations? In changing organizations, I also lost a reliable connection to the net. Additionally, it took me a while to find and get settled into a/my new organization (I'll tell you about that later)! So now I'm working with SOS Children's Village in Rustenburg. At my org, there are two programs that are up and running. The first (of which I've yet to become familiar) is the Family Strengthening Project (FSP). Outreach workers and social workers identify families, either child headed households or families where there are orphans and vulnerable children, to provide assistance to: food parcels, skills-based training, clothing, etc. I hope that, as time goes on, I'll be able to learn more about it. The second component of the program is the actual orphanage, although being here has reshaped my idea of what an orphanage is/looks like. When I think of an orphanage, I think of: old, rundown buildings, nuns, old women, corporal punishment, a hall full of bunk beds, a dining room with long tables, ashy children wearing potato sack dresses, little girls with bobbed cuts. So right now you're probably thinking that I have more issues that you initially thought, or my perceptions are somewhat in line with yours. SOS Children's Village in Rustenburg makes me think of a family or rather families. The main office, which is located in a house deep in the heart of a recently developed neighborhood is a place that kids come and hang out. Where work stops because a child wants to say hello. The organization actually has ten houses that are integrated into the same community. Women from the community were hired on to take care of children, acting as surrogate mothers. The children, up to ten per household, are encouraged to call each other brother and sister. Children are taken on outings, nurtured spiritually, emotionally and physically. When you walk into a house, there is laughter and smiling faces, where as in their biological homes, these characteristics were virtually non-existent.
So, I guess you're asking yourself, "Well what does she do at this SOS Village-something or other?" Thus far, I'm helping to set up a monitoring and evaluation system for children who have been recently placed with the organization, to evaluate if they are adjusting to their "new" life. I've been helping with budgets (household and organizational), developing a life skills course for both the mothers and children, and I'm in the process of developing a mentorship program for the children. The mentor program is going to be a combination of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, professional/personal grooming, and "Take your daughter to work day." I hope to build up the children's life skills, etc. in such a way that they will be able to be healthy, happy individuals who follow their passions and realize that their past doesn't always have to predict their future in a negative way. I'll keep you updated. I have a lot of work to do between now and when my Peace Corps Service is up! But with all of that said, I feel fulfilled and in a place that provides a great learning opportunity and fosters out of the box thinking.
Yep, I said it, Peace Corps service is almost up! Can you believe that I technically have six more months to go? It has been a long journey, but one that I don't regret and will keep learning from for years to come. Since it's not over just yet in combination with having so much work to do until then, I'll leave those thoughts for later.
Well, since I'll be able to update you more often, I'll resist the urge to tell you my whole life story (between Oct and March)in one post! Thanks for hangin' in there with me guys through that pregnant pause! I'll chat with you soon!
Salang Sentle!
Wow, it certainly has been a verrrrrrrry long time since I've been able to update my blog. You remember, about two posts ago, I told you that I was changing organizations? In changing organizations, I also lost a reliable connection to the net. Additionally, it took me a while to find and get settled into a/my new organization (I'll tell you about that later)! So now I'm working with SOS Children's Village in Rustenburg. At my org, there are two programs that are up and running. The first (of which I've yet to become familiar) is the Family Strengthening Project (FSP). Outreach workers and social workers identify families, either child headed households or families where there are orphans and vulnerable children, to provide assistance to: food parcels, skills-based training, clothing, etc. I hope that, as time goes on, I'll be able to learn more about it. The second component of the program is the actual orphanage, although being here has reshaped my idea of what an orphanage is/looks like. When I think of an orphanage, I think of: old, rundown buildings, nuns, old women, corporal punishment, a hall full of bunk beds, a dining room with long tables, ashy children wearing potato sack dresses, little girls with bobbed cuts. So right now you're probably thinking that I have more issues that you initially thought, or my perceptions are somewhat in line with yours. SOS Children's Village in Rustenburg makes me think of a family or rather families. The main office, which is located in a house deep in the heart of a recently developed neighborhood is a place that kids come and hang out. Where work stops because a child wants to say hello. The organization actually has ten houses that are integrated into the same community. Women from the community were hired on to take care of children, acting as surrogate mothers. The children, up to ten per household, are encouraged to call each other brother and sister. Children are taken on outings, nurtured spiritually, emotionally and physically. When you walk into a house, there is laughter and smiling faces, where as in their biological homes, these characteristics were virtually non-existent.
So, I guess you're asking yourself, "Well what does she do at this SOS Village-something or other?" Thus far, I'm helping to set up a monitoring and evaluation system for children who have been recently placed with the organization, to evaluate if they are adjusting to their "new" life. I've been helping with budgets (household and organizational), developing a life skills course for both the mothers and children, and I'm in the process of developing a mentorship program for the children. The mentor program is going to be a combination of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, professional/personal grooming, and "Take your daughter to work day." I hope to build up the children's life skills, etc. in such a way that they will be able to be healthy, happy individuals who follow their passions and realize that their past doesn't always have to predict their future in a negative way. I'll keep you updated. I have a lot of work to do between now and when my Peace Corps Service is up! But with all of that said, I feel fulfilled and in a place that provides a great learning opportunity and fosters out of the box thinking.
Yep, I said it, Peace Corps service is almost up! Can you believe that I technically have six more months to go? It has been a long journey, but one that I don't regret and will keep learning from for years to come. Since it's not over just yet in combination with having so much work to do until then, I'll leave those thoughts for later.
Well, since I'll be able to update you more often, I'll resist the urge to tell you my whole life story (between Oct and March)in one post! Thanks for hangin' in there with me guys through that pregnant pause! I'll chat with you soon!
Salang Sentle!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Joy comes in the morning...
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!
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!
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.
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