Teaching at my HIV outreach workshop with 65 pastors in Southern Swaziland.
GoGo Gogosha (my friend/SiSwati teacher) and me.
Peace Corps vs. United States Embassy with the US Ambassador.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Velebantfu Primary School Teachers
Hey guys! It’s your old friend Jaci down south of the equator. I've been here a year under the HIV/AIDS health educator sector. Even after all that time, I still feel like I’m figuring out what that job title means! What I do know though, is that it’s opened up a lot of doors to do really cool things in my community. I will be coming home in less than a year now. It’s unbelievable and yet I feel like there is still a lot of work to be done. It’s been great and I’ve learned a lot about the people and circumstances of the area I’m living in. Since you guys know me and are my friends and family at home, I want to share my new life with you the concerns of the Velebantfu community and the challenges we are sharing right now.
Quickly, Swaziland is a small, landlocked country inside of South Africa and also partially bordered by Mozambique. With an estimated 40% unemployment rate, Swaziland is struggling to provide a steady income for the families living within the country. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2006-07 because of drought, and nearly two-fifths of the adult population has been infected by HIV/AIDS. Swaziland is leading the world is HIV/AIDS prevalence.
39.4% of the total population is 14 years old and under. That means a lot of the work is in the primary schools all over Swaziland. Affects of poverty begin at an early age here. The life expectancy of the total population is 31.88 years old. Meaning a little less than half of their life was spent in school. This is a sad reality, but good to acknowledge when trying to be affective. Teachers sometimes need to fulfill the needs of children who don’t have parents or adequate caregivers.
The headmaster at my local primary school, Mr. Mamba, is one of the pastors I taught at a two day HIV/AIDS Outreach Workshop I just hosted in September. We’ve talked and expressed our concerns within the community and school children and have had many great conversations. His primary school has established an EFA program (Education for All) to ensure that orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the area are coming to school without the stresses of finding money for school fees. The government is helping pay for these children. This particular group of children makes up almost half of the schools attendees at my local school. Although minimal school fees are paid by the government for these students, the school depends on the parents, teachers, and community members to provide for their school uniforms, food, hygiene products and other special needs they come with like reading glasses and school materials. It’s not uncommon to find Mr. Mamba and the teachers using their own paycheck to purchase these things for their students after watching their conditions each day. Mr. Mamba has tried his best to cater to the growing needs of the children and teachers under him. They’ve built one teacher’s house to help a few of the teachers financially, constructed a kitchen to provide a meal for the kids (food provided by the World Food Program), and are borrowing an empty church to serve as an extra classroom for the time being. This was all implemented and built by community members, teachers, and parents. With growing attendance of the OVC population, more teachers are needed. The community began to build a four bedroom teacher’s home before the kitchen and classroom projects were presented. Due to the rapidly growing number of primary students, the teacher’s home was put on hold until they could satisfy the other needs of the school first. The teachers now commute back and forth to school every day from all over the area on a very meager salary. Thankfully the kitchen and classroom was completed. Sadly though, the community’s funds have now been exhausted on those projects. The teacher’s home is left incomplete. In order to finish they will need materials for a roof, windows and door frames. As you may know that this is some of the most expensive parts of the structure and since the location is not near a city, these materials are going to be transported into the mountain area where I live. This has been taken into the consideration and we have tried to make the cheapest routes we could without endangering the quality of the structure. The total amount includes all the materials and the transport to get it into southern Swaziland.
I’m really excited because I can see the potential this roofing project could do if funded. I know the people you would be investing in and I would be here for the entire construction period. I also would help them build unless that scares you…I can just watch. :) I can keep you updated on the process and give you pictures of where the money is going if interested. The community members will be doing all the constructing, using their own tools, and also adding what materials they have left.
Once they heard that I was going to try help them and they began clapping their hands with happiness! Up until now, the community and teaching staff have struggled to get what they have with limited outside help. They are excited to think there are people who may care about this project as much as they do. I know they would appreciate any help with this project we’ve developed. With a little less than 70% under the poverty line, you can see where the stress is for the community when trying to make improvements. Its amazing the work they’ve done to the school while their own families are fighting to get by. On the Peace Corps website www.peacecorps.gov/contribute you can find my project. The project number is 645-075. I know it is around Christmas time and it’s a difficult time to find extra cash, but even if you have an idea of how we could fundraise or who may want to partner in this project, we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much! This project will benefit a lot of Swazis. I'm excited to think how much hope we could install in the people here or the great ways we can invest in this project that could will affect hundreds of students, community members, and teachers here in the Velebantfu area.
Quickly, Swaziland is a small, landlocked country inside of South Africa and also partially bordered by Mozambique. With an estimated 40% unemployment rate, Swaziland is struggling to provide a steady income for the families living within the country. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2006-07 because of drought, and nearly two-fifths of the adult population has been infected by HIV/AIDS. Swaziland is leading the world is HIV/AIDS prevalence.
39.4% of the total population is 14 years old and under. That means a lot of the work is in the primary schools all over Swaziland. Affects of poverty begin at an early age here. The life expectancy of the total population is 31.88 years old. Meaning a little less than half of their life was spent in school. This is a sad reality, but good to acknowledge when trying to be affective. Teachers sometimes need to fulfill the needs of children who don’t have parents or adequate caregivers.
The headmaster at my local primary school, Mr. Mamba, is one of the pastors I taught at a two day HIV/AIDS Outreach Workshop I just hosted in September. We’ve talked and expressed our concerns within the community and school children and have had many great conversations. His primary school has established an EFA program (Education for All) to ensure that orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the area are coming to school without the stresses of finding money for school fees. The government is helping pay for these children. This particular group of children makes up almost half of the schools attendees at my local school. Although minimal school fees are paid by the government for these students, the school depends on the parents, teachers, and community members to provide for their school uniforms, food, hygiene products and other special needs they come with like reading glasses and school materials. It’s not uncommon to find Mr. Mamba and the teachers using their own paycheck to purchase these things for their students after watching their conditions each day. Mr. Mamba has tried his best to cater to the growing needs of the children and teachers under him. They’ve built one teacher’s house to help a few of the teachers financially, constructed a kitchen to provide a meal for the kids (food provided by the World Food Program), and are borrowing an empty church to serve as an extra classroom for the time being. This was all implemented and built by community members, teachers, and parents. With growing attendance of the OVC population, more teachers are needed. The community began to build a four bedroom teacher’s home before the kitchen and classroom projects were presented. Due to the rapidly growing number of primary students, the teacher’s home was put on hold until they could satisfy the other needs of the school first. The teachers now commute back and forth to school every day from all over the area on a very meager salary. Thankfully the kitchen and classroom was completed. Sadly though, the community’s funds have now been exhausted on those projects. The teacher’s home is left incomplete. In order to finish they will need materials for a roof, windows and door frames. As you may know that this is some of the most expensive parts of the structure and since the location is not near a city, these materials are going to be transported into the mountain area where I live. This has been taken into the consideration and we have tried to make the cheapest routes we could without endangering the quality of the structure. The total amount includes all the materials and the transport to get it into southern Swaziland.
I’m really excited because I can see the potential this roofing project could do if funded. I know the people you would be investing in and I would be here for the entire construction period. I also would help them build unless that scares you…I can just watch. :) I can keep you updated on the process and give you pictures of where the money is going if interested. The community members will be doing all the constructing, using their own tools, and also adding what materials they have left.
Once they heard that I was going to try help them and they began clapping their hands with happiness! Up until now, the community and teaching staff have struggled to get what they have with limited outside help. They are excited to think there are people who may care about this project as much as they do. I know they would appreciate any help with this project we’ve developed. With a little less than 70% under the poverty line, you can see where the stress is for the community when trying to make improvements. Its amazing the work they’ve done to the school while their own families are fighting to get by. On the Peace Corps website www.peacecorps.gov/contribute you can find my project. The project number is 645-075. I know it is around Christmas time and it’s a difficult time to find extra cash, but even if you have an idea of how we could fundraise or who may want to partner in this project, we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much! This project will benefit a lot of Swazis. I'm excited to think how much hope we could install in the people here or the great ways we can invest in this project that could will affect hundreds of students, community members, and teachers here in the Velebantfu area.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The King of Pop
I did it! I ran it! My first half marathon is over! Woo hoo! I was fast enough to get a medal (part of the registration fee if you finish before a certain time haha) and slow enough that I was trailing an 80 year old man with terrific legs the whole time. It was so great. We ran up the hills towards Table Mountain at the end which almost killed me, but once we climbed to the top we had an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean. The bay we overlooked as we came down to the finish line was full of humpback whales and so my friend and I silently ran watching them float in the water. So cool! The next day we brought our two other friends who weren't running that joined us in Cape Town to the same spot to show them the whales. We saw one and photographed him in the same position for about 25 minutes only to find that it was indeed not a whale...but a boulder. Which explains a lot actually. "I never claimed to be a Marine Biologist." I said to my defense after the laughter died and we realized we had wasted precious vacation time. "So...sue me." (Michael from the Office)
We went to vineyards and wine tasted 5 glasses each. I always wanted to be a wine drinker to feel sophisticated and like a woman, but it was difficult to choke down. I guess my calling in life has never been to be an alcoholic. Such a shame when I had all that wine to my disposal. We still toured the farm and walked through the vineyards. None of us knew anything about wine, so we tried to play cool at first and finally swallowed our pride and asked someone to explain. I felt like a fake. Everyone at this fancy wine tasting room seemed to know the best wines and could taste the different ingredients in each wine glass. I thought they all tasted the same...like someone rubbed deodorant all over my tongue and made me ate a tangy grape. My taste buds are not classy. I desperately wanted a Fanta.
It was great to have a car. We rented one and went EVERYWHERE! We drove up and down the coast, past the waterfront, and through the mountains. Cape Town is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. A lot of people speak Afrikaans there (a variation of Dutch) and they look like people from Orange City, Iowa. They would come up to me in the group I was with to speak Afrikaans/Dutch. It was so strange. I didn't know my Dutch ancestry was so obvious in the way I look. I just thought I looked...white. Haha Dutch, German, Norwegian, South Africa, British...they all look the same to me sadly. I guess to these people though, I look Dutch. The Schaap/Kleinhesselink elders would have been proud.
I am currently getting ready for a camp with Baylor University and the Paul Newman Foundation called Hole in the Wall. Peace Corps was asked to be involved with this year's camp. My friend Lisa (who was one of the volunteers who went to Cape Town with me) is also on the planning board. We've been working hard trying to find donors for food, underwear, and crafts for the kids. 100 kids are attending during the Christmas break. All of them are HIV+ and are taking their Anti-retroviral medication. We want to do a camp where they can be with kids like them so that they don't have to be scared of people knowing they are sick, but have the activities and lessons based on life skills and things for the future. Also we will play lots of games and sports. I want to throw a concert together for them too. I was thinking this cool new up and coming Christian rapper called Sieffstyle would be great, but his European Tour may not be over yet... I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Other than that, life is going well. I've been working in the garden and becoming a true Swazi wife. I tie my aunt’s baby on my back when I walk down to the river and race my little brothers down the red dirt road bare foot. It makes me feel good to beat a small child at games I just taught them. My 13 year old brother, Samkeliso, is doing really well. He stopped seizuring and is back to chopping firewood and chasing cows. As much as I have a special place for the girls on my homestead since I myself have only had sisters my whole life, I have really invested in the boys on my homestead. It’s been really great. My teenage brothers talk to me about girlfriends and high school stuff. My older brothers talk to me about work and life's struggles. My little brothers watch soccer with me on T.V. at night and we play Go Fish and build stilts. Either I was supposed to have a brother...or I am secretly a man. Haha I hope it’s the first...but the second may explain some things. Just kidding. I'm thankful my family feels comfortable with me now and they see me as their big or little sister. A lot of learning opportunities have evolved from these relationships and I think God is using them in a bigger plan than I realize.
Miss you all. Braden Bradfield, props to you for the Michael Jackson t-shirt. A single tear trinkled down as the King of Pop himself was lifted from the care package. I've enjoyed all the letters from you guys over the past year. As Michael would say, "You Rock My World". One might say that it’s been quite a "Thriller" to have each of you in my life. I'm sorry. Haha I know, I gotta stop. It’s hard though because my motto has always been, "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough." I can't help it with the cheesy jokes to express my admiration towards you guys at home. It’s just the "Way You Make Me Feel."
We went to vineyards and wine tasted 5 glasses each. I always wanted to be a wine drinker to feel sophisticated and like a woman, but it was difficult to choke down. I guess my calling in life has never been to be an alcoholic. Such a shame when I had all that wine to my disposal. We still toured the farm and walked through the vineyards. None of us knew anything about wine, so we tried to play cool at first and finally swallowed our pride and asked someone to explain. I felt like a fake. Everyone at this fancy wine tasting room seemed to know the best wines and could taste the different ingredients in each wine glass. I thought they all tasted the same...like someone rubbed deodorant all over my tongue and made me ate a tangy grape. My taste buds are not classy. I desperately wanted a Fanta.
It was great to have a car. We rented one and went EVERYWHERE! We drove up and down the coast, past the waterfront, and through the mountains. Cape Town is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. A lot of people speak Afrikaans there (a variation of Dutch) and they look like people from Orange City, Iowa. They would come up to me in the group I was with to speak Afrikaans/Dutch. It was so strange. I didn't know my Dutch ancestry was so obvious in the way I look. I just thought I looked...white. Haha Dutch, German, Norwegian, South Africa, British...they all look the same to me sadly. I guess to these people though, I look Dutch. The Schaap/Kleinhesselink elders would have been proud.
I am currently getting ready for a camp with Baylor University and the Paul Newman Foundation called Hole in the Wall. Peace Corps was asked to be involved with this year's camp. My friend Lisa (who was one of the volunteers who went to Cape Town with me) is also on the planning board. We've been working hard trying to find donors for food, underwear, and crafts for the kids. 100 kids are attending during the Christmas break. All of them are HIV+ and are taking their Anti-retroviral medication. We want to do a camp where they can be with kids like them so that they don't have to be scared of people knowing they are sick, but have the activities and lessons based on life skills and things for the future. Also we will play lots of games and sports. I want to throw a concert together for them too. I was thinking this cool new up and coming Christian rapper called Sieffstyle would be great, but his European Tour may not be over yet... I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Other than that, life is going well. I've been working in the garden and becoming a true Swazi wife. I tie my aunt’s baby on my back when I walk down to the river and race my little brothers down the red dirt road bare foot. It makes me feel good to beat a small child at games I just taught them. My 13 year old brother, Samkeliso, is doing really well. He stopped seizuring and is back to chopping firewood and chasing cows. As much as I have a special place for the girls on my homestead since I myself have only had sisters my whole life, I have really invested in the boys on my homestead. It’s been really great. My teenage brothers talk to me about girlfriends and high school stuff. My older brothers talk to me about work and life's struggles. My little brothers watch soccer with me on T.V. at night and we play Go Fish and build stilts. Either I was supposed to have a brother...or I am secretly a man. Haha I hope it’s the first...but the second may explain some things. Just kidding. I'm thankful my family feels comfortable with me now and they see me as their big or little sister. A lot of learning opportunities have evolved from these relationships and I think God is using them in a bigger plan than I realize.
Miss you all. Braden Bradfield, props to you for the Michael Jackson t-shirt. A single tear trinkled down as the King of Pop himself was lifted from the care package. I've enjoyed all the letters from you guys over the past year. As Michael would say, "You Rock My World". One might say that it’s been quite a "Thriller" to have each of you in my life. I'm sorry. Haha I know, I gotta stop. It’s hard though because my motto has always been, "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough." I can't help it with the cheesy jokes to express my admiration towards you guys at home. It’s just the "Way You Make Me Feel."
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Fresh Fish
Its been such a crazy month! I've been so busy. Which is a term never used by Peace Corps Volunteers. I don't know how it happened, but everyone wants a piece of "The Jackster" all at once. haha I've been working on a lot of projects in my community with different groups of people, so I've been making friends. They haven't replaced you guys at home, but they are a good addition to my social life. Or lack of one. I'll take any friend I can get. I'm suprised actually I am making Swazi friends with the way I've been dressing lately. Yesterday I came to the city dressed in a bold colorful striped robe, skinny brown jeans (haven't been shrunk t fit my body in a dryer for a year, so they looked like hammer pants, and some black muddy chuck taylors. My hair was in braids...it was sad. I left my hut to get to the bus without even second guessing my wardrobe. That is sad. It looked like Bob Marley and Willy Wonka had a baby and that baby was now walking the streets of Northern Swaziland.
I'm going to Cape Town, South Africa this weekend. It supposed to be like the "New York City of Africa". I'm so excited. I'll be running...no, sorry, I'll be limping through the finishing line of a 1/2 marathon on Sunday morning along the ocean coastline. Pray for a miracle that I don't go into cardiac arrest. The rest of the trip we've planned to just enjoy the coast, go to vineyards, look at penguins, and enjoy indoor plumbing. I can't wait.
The United States Peace Corps Swearing In Ceremony happens once a year with the new volunteers. The “fresh fish” as Jantina would call them. Last year, mine was hosted at the house of the US Ambassador, Maurice Parker. This year it was at a Swanky Hotel in the capital. We were expecting budget cuts with the food since the US economy is strained, but the US government had mercy on us. They probably realized it’s the first time a lot of us have worn make up, worn a tie and suit jacket, and showered all in the same day within the past year. We ate lobster and shrimp. I was satisfied just looking at it. As we waited for the director of NERCHA and some other VIP guests to begin the ceremony, people quietly sat in the big white tent and made aquantances with some of the esteemed guests. Me, on the other hand, decided to go with my friends Connor and Jason to take “senior pictures” by the pool to kill some time before it started. As I open the Swaziland Times last week, I didn’t not see one familiar photo…but three familiar photos of me laying next to the pool and holding my friend Connor in my arms like he was “Bernie” from the infamous movie “Weekend at Bernies”. The Peace Corps Office didn’t reprimand me for it either after seeing it in the paper the following week. They actually ended up encouraging it as they laminated the paper and hung it at the main Peace Corps Office in Mbabane. The embarrassing part is, this is not the first time. Last year at the same annual event I was caught by the press and also printed in the Swaziland Times horrific photos of me leaping through the air in traditional attire (wrapped like a toga), barefoot, pretending to “spear” my friend mid-air in the Ambassadors backyard. It was titlted, “Volunteers at Play.” I’m serving our country well.
I held a workshop a few weeks ago. I found funding to teach support group living with HIV/AIDS in my area how to make shoes. A percentage of the money they will keep for themselves as an income generating project, but a portion of each profit made by the pairs of shoes sold are going towards buying seedlings for gardens we are starting. The gardens are for the orphans and vulnerable children in the area, so they have a garenteed food supply and also promotes healthy eating for the ones who are taking medication for TB and HIV/AIDS. The workshop went well and we have already sold many pairs of shoes to local members in my village.
Lastly, my host family brother was very sick last weekend. He had a bad fever and was going into convulsions every couple of hours. It was scary because my family associated it to demons, which sadly so many illnesses here are (HIV/AIDS) or to being”witched” by someone. For days I watched my brother get sicker and sicker and I tried helping him with my med kit and doing what I could, but he needed a doctor. Finally, after an emotional weekend, I had a meeting with the elders to get permission to take him to a doctor and I would pay for the hospital bill and hire a car to get him to the hospital. Reluctantly they let me Sunday night. He had seizures in the back of the pick up as we drove carefully but quickly to the hospital. My missionary friends from South Africa live down the mountain and they offered their pick up. He stayed for tests at the hospital for 4 days. He’s 13 years old and this was his first time there. The beds next to him were filled with patients suffering with TB and drugged up on morphine. Poor kid. I sat with him everyday because he doesn’t have immediate family. He is an orphan that lives on my homestead. Me and the kids I live with would make cards for him and I would take them everyday when I went to sit at the hospital so he had something to read. I think although it was a terrible and scary thing he went through, I pray God showed him that there are people who care about him even if he feels alone. He’s been discharged and comes to my room every morning to get his medication. He almost has all his strength back and now we’re even closer than before. He’s a little bit more protective of me with the other kids. Its funny and so cute.
I miss getting letters, so if you ever get time please send one. My family used to send letters bulks at a time, but now phone cards ruined that idea. Haha Who am I kidding, I enjoy an communication from you guys at home so if its not by letter, I do accept phone calls, email, Facebook messages, smoke signals…I just miss being able to talk to you at my disposal. Take Care! Love you guys.
I'm going to Cape Town, South Africa this weekend. It supposed to be like the "New York City of Africa". I'm so excited. I'll be running...no, sorry, I'll be limping through the finishing line of a 1/2 marathon on Sunday morning along the ocean coastline. Pray for a miracle that I don't go into cardiac arrest. The rest of the trip we've planned to just enjoy the coast, go to vineyards, look at penguins, and enjoy indoor plumbing. I can't wait.
The United States Peace Corps Swearing In Ceremony happens once a year with the new volunteers. The “fresh fish” as Jantina would call them. Last year, mine was hosted at the house of the US Ambassador, Maurice Parker. This year it was at a Swanky Hotel in the capital. We were expecting budget cuts with the food since the US economy is strained, but the US government had mercy on us. They probably realized it’s the first time a lot of us have worn make up, worn a tie and suit jacket, and showered all in the same day within the past year. We ate lobster and shrimp. I was satisfied just looking at it. As we waited for the director of NERCHA and some other VIP guests to begin the ceremony, people quietly sat in the big white tent and made aquantances with some of the esteemed guests. Me, on the other hand, decided to go with my friends Connor and Jason to take “senior pictures” by the pool to kill some time before it started. As I open the Swaziland Times last week, I didn’t not see one familiar photo…but three familiar photos of me laying next to the pool and holding my friend Connor in my arms like he was “Bernie” from the infamous movie “Weekend at Bernies”. The Peace Corps Office didn’t reprimand me for it either after seeing it in the paper the following week. They actually ended up encouraging it as they laminated the paper and hung it at the main Peace Corps Office in Mbabane. The embarrassing part is, this is not the first time. Last year at the same annual event I was caught by the press and also printed in the Swaziland Times horrific photos of me leaping through the air in traditional attire (wrapped like a toga), barefoot, pretending to “spear” my friend mid-air in the Ambassadors backyard. It was titlted, “Volunteers at Play.” I’m serving our country well.
I held a workshop a few weeks ago. I found funding to teach support group living with HIV/AIDS in my area how to make shoes. A percentage of the money they will keep for themselves as an income generating project, but a portion of each profit made by the pairs of shoes sold are going towards buying seedlings for gardens we are starting. The gardens are for the orphans and vulnerable children in the area, so they have a garenteed food supply and also promotes healthy eating for the ones who are taking medication for TB and HIV/AIDS. The workshop went well and we have already sold many pairs of shoes to local members in my village.
Lastly, my host family brother was very sick last weekend. He had a bad fever and was going into convulsions every couple of hours. It was scary because my family associated it to demons, which sadly so many illnesses here are (HIV/AIDS) or to being”witched” by someone. For days I watched my brother get sicker and sicker and I tried helping him with my med kit and doing what I could, but he needed a doctor. Finally, after an emotional weekend, I had a meeting with the elders to get permission to take him to a doctor and I would pay for the hospital bill and hire a car to get him to the hospital. Reluctantly they let me Sunday night. He had seizures in the back of the pick up as we drove carefully but quickly to the hospital. My missionary friends from South Africa live down the mountain and they offered their pick up. He stayed for tests at the hospital for 4 days. He’s 13 years old and this was his first time there. The beds next to him were filled with patients suffering with TB and drugged up on morphine. Poor kid. I sat with him everyday because he doesn’t have immediate family. He is an orphan that lives on my homestead. Me and the kids I live with would make cards for him and I would take them everyday when I went to sit at the hospital so he had something to read. I think although it was a terrible and scary thing he went through, I pray God showed him that there are people who care about him even if he feels alone. He’s been discharged and comes to my room every morning to get his medication. He almost has all his strength back and now we’re even closer than before. He’s a little bit more protective of me with the other kids. Its funny and so cute.
I miss getting letters, so if you ever get time please send one. My family used to send letters bulks at a time, but now phone cards ruined that idea. Haha Who am I kidding, I enjoy an communication from you guys at home so if its not by letter, I do accept phone calls, email, Facebook messages, smoke signals…I just miss being able to talk to you at my disposal. Take Care! Love you guys.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Gold Toothed Thief
Hi everyone ! Its September now which means I’ve made it 14 months away from home. Can you believe it? At times it went sloooow, but then some months went so fast that I barely remember what happened.
(If you are Connor’s mom and reading this, he hasn’t bathed in a week. He’s really let himself go and we’re all concerned. He ate fried chicken and pancakes this morning if that tells you anything. )
This weekend I attended the Umhlanga Ceremony. I was able to see the King and his family. He picks his wives at this ceremony and announces it at her family’s surprise. I tried to be lucky #14 this year, but didn’t get the chance to introduce myself to him. Plus, his animal skin skirt can be intimidating. The ceremony was so fun and rich with culture and tradition. Over 80,000 girls danced in their traditional clothes and I got a lot of good pictures. The princesses were there and the new Miss Swaziland. My friends and I were shoved by a security lady while trying to get a picture…it was awesome. I got a good pic. I think they thought I was with the press so they let me stay down there with the news reporters. That was the great part of this week…
Bad news also occurred this weekend. I took a khombi (a white Scooby Doo looking public transport van commonly used by Swazis and with an array of names on the windshield like “the cutter” and “the solution”) back to the city to sleep that night. We entered the bus rank at night singing to the Beyonce remixes that the khombi driver was playing and we got out in the empty gravel parking lot. I could barely see since it was night and the stars gave us the only light while removing our things from the van. As I looked for my purse in the midst of the pile of stuff we had in the middle of the abandoned parking lot, I noticed it was missing. The khombi was turning around and preparing to leave, so as it began to accelerate I ran after it in a dress and flip flop. Sadly, I ate dust and the red glow of my face from the brake lights were not enough for them to see me behind them. I chased them down a hill and into the night while a group of Swazi teenagers laughed at my misfortune while I inhaled the exhaust of the van of which was taking my identity 30 miles north. Without a car to follow them, any idea what the driver looked like, a registration number, or even the name of the conductor, I walked with my friends with my head held low to our friends’ apartment. I called Peace Corps security, but they didn’t offer money and to get home. I was so mad that I didn’t double check the van before getting out. The contents of my purse included: E800 ($90), Peace Corps badge to get in to PC Headquarters, credit cards (Swazi and American), pin numbers of both (…I have reasoning for it), and finally…my passport. As far as that moment was concerned, I didn’t exist. I was Bourne Identity. I was Jason Bourne.
The next morning my friend came with me to the bus rank to see if we could remember anything about the conductor or driver or what the khombi even looked like to see if by any miracle (more than a hundred buses and khombis are in the bus rank) we could find them. We asked everyone who could speak English if they knew of a khombi that drove through around 7pm the night before and had a conductor with a gold tooth. They would look at me and say, “…Sisi, everyone has a gold tooth here.” I realized how ridiculous I probably sounded asking for a guy with a gold tooth all morning. I looked around and made eye contact with an old man who winked at me with a smug grin. A big enough grin to see his gold tooth glisten. The man was right. There was no hope. My eyes began to water as I stood in the middle of a busy bus rank, people yelling and carrying chickens, and enough gold teeth to satisfy King Tut in the southern edges of South Africa. I felt helpless. Just as began to give up a lady came and said, “Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer?” Confused I answered, “Yes?” My friend and I looked at each other wondering what was going on. She said, “I found some things last night here by the South African khombis.” I jumped for joy, but I was scared for what she found. She said, “I have two plastic cards and a passport.” I knew it. It would be too much to ask for everything. I’m know private eye detective, but I’ve concluded that they drove back later threw my cards and passport out the window into the parking lot and kept the cash and purse to go through KFC or something. Well, went through KFC a lot of times. Well, probably will be able to go through KFC for the rest of the month. It’s so sad, but I learned my lesson. I’m just thankful I was able to get the cards back and my passport and PC Government badge to get back into the headquarters. It was a bizarre weekend and I was ready to go home by the time Sunday rolled in.
I
I have a month left of training for a half marathon. Some of you may not believe it and at times I’m with you on that, but I am registering this week and buying the plane ticket to run in Cape Town, South Africa so whether or not I believe it or not…its going to happen. I’ve barely ran more than 6k my whole life…altogether…and I’m expected to run 21.5k in a month. I’m nervous, but so excited. I’m going with my two Texan friends, Hong and Lisa. We are going to try see a lot of stuff like Robin Island (Nelson Mandela’s prison), the penguins, vineyards and wine tasting, and go to the beach where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic intersect. It gives me motivation to run because I know if I go there to run I will get to do a lot more than that.
I’m staying busy this month. I am helping the support groups in my area start an income generating project. We are doing shoe making skills with HIV+ members to earn money and start businesses. It’s this coming Monday and really hope it’s a success. I got funding from the US government to pay for the transport, food, and a teacher. The interested members (around 35 people, 2 from each surrounding support group) are going to buy their own materials and learn with them so that they can use it to teach the others in their support groups and sell it for profit. The can then use the money earned to buy more materials and will have a little left over for saving. It should be fun and a good way to meet more members of my community I’m living in.
Lastly, I’m preparing for a very large workshop at the end of this month. It’s to teach outreach to pastors (80 people) for two days to people who are HIV+. Mostly how to outreach to people in general whether physically (offering support groups), emotionally (through counseling), or spiritually (prayer meetings). I’m excited but I have a lot of work to do to prepare. They are sleeping over too so a lot of food and accommodation preparation need to take place still. Funding is still in the works and meanwhile I’m trying to get ready for my half marathon and make reservations in Cape Town. Miss you guys! I would love to talk with you if you ever have time to write or call. I will need someone to talk to this month to keep me sane. Enjoy the new school year!
(If you are Connor’s mom and reading this, he hasn’t bathed in a week. He’s really let himself go and we’re all concerned. He ate fried chicken and pancakes this morning if that tells you anything. )
This weekend I attended the Umhlanga Ceremony. I was able to see the King and his family. He picks his wives at this ceremony and announces it at her family’s surprise. I tried to be lucky #14 this year, but didn’t get the chance to introduce myself to him. Plus, his animal skin skirt can be intimidating. The ceremony was so fun and rich with culture and tradition. Over 80,000 girls danced in their traditional clothes and I got a lot of good pictures. The princesses were there and the new Miss Swaziland. My friends and I were shoved by a security lady while trying to get a picture…it was awesome. I got a good pic. I think they thought I was with the press so they let me stay down there with the news reporters. That was the great part of this week…
Bad news also occurred this weekend. I took a khombi (a white Scooby Doo looking public transport van commonly used by Swazis and with an array of names on the windshield like “the cutter” and “the solution”) back to the city to sleep that night. We entered the bus rank at night singing to the Beyonce remixes that the khombi driver was playing and we got out in the empty gravel parking lot. I could barely see since it was night and the stars gave us the only light while removing our things from the van. As I looked for my purse in the midst of the pile of stuff we had in the middle of the abandoned parking lot, I noticed it was missing. The khombi was turning around and preparing to leave, so as it began to accelerate I ran after it in a dress and flip flop. Sadly, I ate dust and the red glow of my face from the brake lights were not enough for them to see me behind them. I chased them down a hill and into the night while a group of Swazi teenagers laughed at my misfortune while I inhaled the exhaust of the van of which was taking my identity 30 miles north. Without a car to follow them, any idea what the driver looked like, a registration number, or even the name of the conductor, I walked with my friends with my head held low to our friends’ apartment. I called Peace Corps security, but they didn’t offer money and to get home. I was so mad that I didn’t double check the van before getting out. The contents of my purse included: E800 ($90), Peace Corps badge to get in to PC Headquarters, credit cards (Swazi and American), pin numbers of both (…I have reasoning for it), and finally…my passport. As far as that moment was concerned, I didn’t exist. I was Bourne Identity. I was Jason Bourne.
The next morning my friend came with me to the bus rank to see if we could remember anything about the conductor or driver or what the khombi even looked like to see if by any miracle (more than a hundred buses and khombis are in the bus rank) we could find them. We asked everyone who could speak English if they knew of a khombi that drove through around 7pm the night before and had a conductor with a gold tooth. They would look at me and say, “…Sisi, everyone has a gold tooth here.” I realized how ridiculous I probably sounded asking for a guy with a gold tooth all morning. I looked around and made eye contact with an old man who winked at me with a smug grin. A big enough grin to see his gold tooth glisten. The man was right. There was no hope. My eyes began to water as I stood in the middle of a busy bus rank, people yelling and carrying chickens, and enough gold teeth to satisfy King Tut in the southern edges of South Africa. I felt helpless. Just as began to give up a lady came and said, “Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer?” Confused I answered, “Yes?” My friend and I looked at each other wondering what was going on. She said, “I found some things last night here by the South African khombis.” I jumped for joy, but I was scared for what she found. She said, “I have two plastic cards and a passport.” I knew it. It would be too much to ask for everything. I’m know private eye detective, but I’ve concluded that they drove back later threw my cards and passport out the window into the parking lot and kept the cash and purse to go through KFC or something. Well, went through KFC a lot of times. Well, probably will be able to go through KFC for the rest of the month. It’s so sad, but I learned my lesson. I’m just thankful I was able to get the cards back and my passport and PC Government badge to get back into the headquarters. It was a bizarre weekend and I was ready to go home by the time Sunday rolled in.
I
I have a month left of training for a half marathon. Some of you may not believe it and at times I’m with you on that, but I am registering this week and buying the plane ticket to run in Cape Town, South Africa so whether or not I believe it or not…its going to happen. I’ve barely ran more than 6k my whole life…altogether…and I’m expected to run 21.5k in a month. I’m nervous, but so excited. I’m going with my two Texan friends, Hong and Lisa. We are going to try see a lot of stuff like Robin Island (Nelson Mandela’s prison), the penguins, vineyards and wine tasting, and go to the beach where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic intersect. It gives me motivation to run because I know if I go there to run I will get to do a lot more than that.
I’m staying busy this month. I am helping the support groups in my area start an income generating project. We are doing shoe making skills with HIV+ members to earn money and start businesses. It’s this coming Monday and really hope it’s a success. I got funding from the US government to pay for the transport, food, and a teacher. The interested members (around 35 people, 2 from each surrounding support group) are going to buy their own materials and learn with them so that they can use it to teach the others in their support groups and sell it for profit. The can then use the money earned to buy more materials and will have a little left over for saving. It should be fun and a good way to meet more members of my community I’m living in.
Lastly, I’m preparing for a very large workshop at the end of this month. It’s to teach outreach to pastors (80 people) for two days to people who are HIV+. Mostly how to outreach to people in general whether physically (offering support groups), emotionally (through counseling), or spiritually (prayer meetings). I’m excited but I have a lot of work to do to prepare. They are sleeping over too so a lot of food and accommodation preparation need to take place still. Funding is still in the works and meanwhile I’m trying to get ready for my half marathon and make reservations in Cape Town. Miss you guys! I would love to talk with you if you ever have time to write or call. I will need someone to talk to this month to keep me sane. Enjoy the new school year!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Jabu Bags
I gave a HIV/AIDS lesson two weeks ago at a missionary church for the congregation. My friend back in the States preached for his first time the same day and we were both referring to similar scripture. We didn't know it until we talked later, but it was cool how that worked out. It was fun and good for me to get in front of a group. Now other churches have shown interest on having me speak in their churches too. Currently we (me and Pastor Buthelezi) are trying to put a worshop together for all the pastors to learn ways to help support HIV+ people within their churches at the of September. This might be easier than going to each one. I'm focusing on the churches a lot lately because over 90% of Swazis claim Christianity as their religion and so what a great outlet to use when trying to talk about HIV protection in a large capacity. It's fun, but a lot of work. Sometimes they seem to know more about life and HIV than I do. Its always really humbling and they always have lots of questions, but I pray God is intervening in those lessons. All the volunteers agree that this whole 2 year experience really teaches you how much you know, but mostly how much you don't. :)
I've been staying busy with the Bible college in my area. Their enrollment is down and so we are trying to make the school more competitive since it is in the rural area. We are trying to get internet at the school and with that I agreed to help them develop a website. Little do they know, the computer class I took at the university was the worst grade I've ever recieved! haha Sad, but so true. Ask Professor Yarbrough. I beleive the website assignment I recieved in that class was to talk about "our families". We boasted on our sites how Tina's grandma was in the 1964 summer Olympics while my grandpa "papi" raced in the Alaskan Iditorads, but our celebrity status ancestors we fabricated did not help my grade any. Who knew I'd dust off those computer skills now (or lack there of) and put them to work again. But mostly, who would have thought I would be the most qualified to make a website?
Lately, I've been able to help with Doctors Without Borders a little. They come to the clinic in my village twice a week to test and counsel HIV+ patients. The doors are lined with people waiting for their CD4 count and needing ARVs. Sometimes I come and help count pills, talk to the Zimbawean pharmacists, and talk to my friends that work there. Its cool because you hear a lot of stories and meet different people. They want to team up with Peace Corps volunteers in the south to see how we can work together. I'm currently trying to get all the volunteers together to meet with Doctors Without Borders in town. Maybe they will get involved with our children's support group we have? We love this support group and a lot of volunteers are invested in it. Last time I showed the kids how to make paper airplanes. We showed them talents to prepare them for a talent show we will do next month. We try teach them life skills and hope to promote self confidence. They loved it. I also shared my dance moves as a talent with the group. I was challenged by a 9 year old girl and she beat me. Not my proudest moment.
There was a music festival called Bushfire this past weekend. A lot of tourists fill the place from South Africa, Mozambique, and even Portugal, but its too expensive sadly for most local Swazis. One 10 year old kid and his friends asked me if I would pretend to be their mom to get in. It was funny. I hung out with them at the front gate for a while before meeting with my friends and they taught me Swazi slang. I helped sell Jabu Bags inside this weekend which is an income generating project for some of the mothers in Swaziland. The vendor across the way was a 40 yr. old Indian woman wearing a Bruce Lee T Shirt. She sold jewerly and festive handmade decorations. The T Shirt was truly a diamond in the rough. I was distracted the whole day. She left early though and finally when I had the guts to ask to trade shirts, she was gone. The good news about that day is we sold over E5,000 in Jabu Bags. All of the profit goes bag to the women. If you are interested, there is a website made for them. I can also take orders back with me if you want! They are really cool.
I miss you guys at home. Hope your summers are filled with baseball games, hotdogs, and good tanlines. Write me if you have time! Love you!
I've been staying busy with the Bible college in my area. Their enrollment is down and so we are trying to make the school more competitive since it is in the rural area. We are trying to get internet at the school and with that I agreed to help them develop a website. Little do they know, the computer class I took at the university was the worst grade I've ever recieved! haha Sad, but so true. Ask Professor Yarbrough. I beleive the website assignment I recieved in that class was to talk about "our families". We boasted on our sites how Tina's grandma was in the 1964 summer Olympics while my grandpa "papi" raced in the Alaskan Iditorads, but our celebrity status ancestors we fabricated did not help my grade any. Who knew I'd dust off those computer skills now (or lack there of) and put them to work again. But mostly, who would have thought I would be the most qualified to make a website?
Lately, I've been able to help with Doctors Without Borders a little. They come to the clinic in my village twice a week to test and counsel HIV+ patients. The doors are lined with people waiting for their CD4 count and needing ARVs. Sometimes I come and help count pills, talk to the Zimbawean pharmacists, and talk to my friends that work there. Its cool because you hear a lot of stories and meet different people. They want to team up with Peace Corps volunteers in the south to see how we can work together. I'm currently trying to get all the volunteers together to meet with Doctors Without Borders in town. Maybe they will get involved with our children's support group we have? We love this support group and a lot of volunteers are invested in it. Last time I showed the kids how to make paper airplanes. We showed them talents to prepare them for a talent show we will do next month. We try teach them life skills and hope to promote self confidence. They loved it. I also shared my dance moves as a talent with the group. I was challenged by a 9 year old girl and she beat me. Not my proudest moment.
There was a music festival called Bushfire this past weekend. A lot of tourists fill the place from South Africa, Mozambique, and even Portugal, but its too expensive sadly for most local Swazis. One 10 year old kid and his friends asked me if I would pretend to be their mom to get in. It was funny. I hung out with them at the front gate for a while before meeting with my friends and they taught me Swazi slang. I helped sell Jabu Bags inside this weekend which is an income generating project for some of the mothers in Swaziland. The vendor across the way was a 40 yr. old Indian woman wearing a Bruce Lee T Shirt. She sold jewerly and festive handmade decorations. The T Shirt was truly a diamond in the rough. I was distracted the whole day. She left early though and finally when I had the guts to ask to trade shirts, she was gone. The good news about that day is we sold over E5,000 in Jabu Bags. All of the profit goes bag to the women. If you are interested, there is a website made for them. I can also take orders back with me if you want! They are really cool.
I miss you guys at home. Hope your summers are filled with baseball games, hotdogs, and good tanlines. Write me if you have time! Love you!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Meeting the Queen
I got to go to the palace for tea with the queen this past June! I admit, I thought I was going to meet the queen at a hotel conference room or some government building with a long table and her at the head of it with a gavel. That would have been good enough for me. I thought bodyguards would lead us in wearing sunglasses and too-tight t-shirts, but it didn’t exactly happen that way. Peace Corps picked me up and told me we were actually invited to the palace! Would we drink from goblets? Would she ride in on a unicorn? My mind raced with important questions. To my disappointment though there wasn’t a mote, no knights jousting in the courtyard, or dragons protecting the entrance, although there was a buffalo soldier who was sitting in a lawn chair at the front gate. The meeting was to talk with the Queen and discuss a few things regarding their support with the Peace Corps. It was a simple agenda, but a flexible time to build on our relationship with the Swaziland government, Nkhosikati (Queen) specifically, and clarify Peace Corps Volunteer roles within the country. We waited for her arrival in a room with a giant chandelier dangling from the center which complimented with very clean white and gold furniture. As I waited for the court jester, her assistants supplied muffins, tea, biscuits, and cranberry juice. We all stood up to show respect and waited for her to sit before joining. She was wearing traditional attire including a fur around her waist. After greeting us, she began by telling us how tired she was from studying. She was really personable. It was so great. Sometimes we forget celebrities, political figures, and people of high positions are normal too. They aren’t plastic. They enjoy Fruity Pebbles as much as the next guy. They sleep through their alarm clocks. They have gas. She was a perfect example of being in a high influential position, but still having the personality of a next door neighbour. Eventually Jen and I explained what we have been doing in our communities and plans for the future. It’s like having lunch with the Swazi “Michelle Obama” in a way. The meeting was a success. We had plenty of time to talk with her and ask questions, Eileen was able to build on her relationship with the Inkhosikati, and we are now able to name drop when we are with our friends in the US. “That’s cool. You had a cheese sandwich for lunch? …Oh that reminds me of the time I had tea in the Palace with the Queen of Swaziland…” That should make me cool for at least 5 minutes.
Last week I came into my room at night and plopped a plastic bag on my bed. The plastic bag rustled. How did that happen? I ignored it and sat typing a report when I heard in the noise in the corner of the room. I grabbed the broom stick, stood on top of my bed, reached over, and smacked the blankets in the corner. Nothing. Hit it again. One last poke into the corner though to make sure, but not expecting anything. SQUEEK. SQUEEK. SCREAMING (me). A huge mouse sprinted towards my bed and hid underneath. I ran to the house and knocked forever until my brother (19 yrs old/senior in high school) came. He lifted my bed and there it was. Sfundo jumped and he said, “I thought you said it was small?!” Finally after going through everything of mine…including a bag of enemas…embarrassing…he found it and chased it into the room I was in smacking it with a broom stick.
The past two weeks have been interesting. There are 33 news ones representing all areas of the United States. I will be helping with their training a few times the next few months. Also, my village has been going through noticeable changes. My village was influenced by a missionary couple from Norway years ago. This is why it is known as New Haven. Every village around us and all over Swaziland has a SiSwati name (ours is Mbabane), but it is known for its English name now due to the English speaking Norwegians. They helped build a primary and high school as well as a clinic and a mission school later. The unfortunate thing is, the missionaries have left years ago and now you can see the effects of it within my community. The mission school used to provide a sports equipment and play volleyball with the kids. The seminary students sadly no longer have the resources or the leadership to continue that project. The mission school’s enrolment has been decreasing in number due to lack of interest to study in a rural area also. There is an interest to become pastors in Swaziland, but this seminary can’t compete as well as the ones constructed within more favourable areas. I decided to help and get connected with the pastors, especially because I am close to one of them. The principal at the school is great and is trying to begin installing the internet with the few computers they have available. We are trying to get a professor from America to help teach distance learning and ways to provide online courses. This may make their school more competitive. Secondly, they want me to start being involved with the students by teaching outreach courses and using my social work knowledge to teach counselling courses (possibly). I may start lecturing at the school, but if not I will do workshops with them. Starting next month I am doing a 2-3 day workshop with the pastors/student pastors/youth pastors in all of Southern Swaziland. I want to work with them on ways to teach HIV/AIDS to people in their sermons and how to begin support groups within their churches when people are infected. I’m nervous to lecture older educated people, but also excited to see what happens. Its great to train people who have high respect in the community and can affect large groups of people. The church is a great source.
I hope everyone is okay at home. I miss you all a lot. Please let me know what is going on with you and your families. If you ever want to call or write, please do! Happy 4th of July!
Last week I came into my room at night and plopped a plastic bag on my bed. The plastic bag rustled. How did that happen? I ignored it and sat typing a report when I heard in the noise in the corner of the room. I grabbed the broom stick, stood on top of my bed, reached over, and smacked the blankets in the corner. Nothing. Hit it again. One last poke into the corner though to make sure, but not expecting anything. SQUEEK. SQUEEK. SCREAMING (me). A huge mouse sprinted towards my bed and hid underneath. I ran to the house and knocked forever until my brother (19 yrs old/senior in high school) came. He lifted my bed and there it was. Sfundo jumped and he said, “I thought you said it was small?!” Finally after going through everything of mine…including a bag of enemas…embarrassing…he found it and chased it into the room I was in smacking it with a broom stick.
The past two weeks have been interesting. There are 33 news ones representing all areas of the United States. I will be helping with their training a few times the next few months. Also, my village has been going through noticeable changes. My village was influenced by a missionary couple from Norway years ago. This is why it is known as New Haven. Every village around us and all over Swaziland has a SiSwati name (ours is Mbabane), but it is known for its English name now due to the English speaking Norwegians. They helped build a primary and high school as well as a clinic and a mission school later. The unfortunate thing is, the missionaries have left years ago and now you can see the effects of it within my community. The mission school used to provide a sports equipment and play volleyball with the kids. The seminary students sadly no longer have the resources or the leadership to continue that project. The mission school’s enrolment has been decreasing in number due to lack of interest to study in a rural area also. There is an interest to become pastors in Swaziland, but this seminary can’t compete as well as the ones constructed within more favourable areas. I decided to help and get connected with the pastors, especially because I am close to one of them. The principal at the school is great and is trying to begin installing the internet with the few computers they have available. We are trying to get a professor from America to help teach distance learning and ways to provide online courses. This may make their school more competitive. Secondly, they want me to start being involved with the students by teaching outreach courses and using my social work knowledge to teach counselling courses (possibly). I may start lecturing at the school, but if not I will do workshops with them. Starting next month I am doing a 2-3 day workshop with the pastors/student pastors/youth pastors in all of Southern Swaziland. I want to work with them on ways to teach HIV/AIDS to people in their sermons and how to begin support groups within their churches when people are infected. I’m nervous to lecture older educated people, but also excited to see what happens. Its great to train people who have high respect in the community and can affect large groups of people. The church is a great source.
I hope everyone is okay at home. I miss you all a lot. Please let me know what is going on with you and your families. If you ever want to call or write, please do! Happy 4th of July!
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