Some lessons I’ve learned in South Africa thus far:

1.       Never leave home without your roll of toilet paper.

2.       No need for an alarm clock when you have roosters and goats outside of your home.

3.       With enough tablespoons of Ricoffy, instant coffee isn’t half bad.

4.       Khombis and cars do not move, so you better.

5.       9 am really means 10 am.

6.       Your best friends will be the gogo’s and the local kids in your village.

7.       It’s so true when they say “When you speak a man’s language, you speak to his heart.”

8.       Always refrigerate your chocolate unless you want chocolate soup.

9.       Prepared to be dusty, all of the time.

10.   Pap completes any meal.

Farewells & Rich Beginnings

     It’s really hard to believe, but I am finally and officially a Peace Corps Volunteer!  As I’m sure my fellow PCV’s would attest, the process to becoming a volunteer is a rather lengthy one, which made our “Swearing In” such a proud and happy day for all of us (I guess it also didn’t hurt that we had the Ambassador and CEO/founder of Operation Hope there).  After over a year of applications, interviews, and the dreaded medical clearance, you are a “trainee” for two months (something we were constantly reminded of).  I loved every minute of training – being with the group, spending time with my host family, learning the language and culture – but I’m thrilled to finally be a volunteer.  It’s like when you’re a kid and your parents finally take off your training wheels, definitely a bit scary, but really exciting.  I’m ready to finally get my hands wet and start working.

                To back track a bit though…following our site visits and prior to our swearing in we had a full week of getting ready to leave our training site.  One of the things we had to do was take our official LPI (language proficiency interview) exam, in which we needed to score an “Intermediate Low.”  Unlike our mid-LPI this LPI was conducted by someone other than our LCF (Language/Cultural Facilitator) and was the one that counted, so it was a bit more nerve-wrecking.  Nevertheless, our entire group performed really well!  I was very pleased to receive a score of “Intermediate High.”  I definitely attribute this to our LCFs, who did a wonderful job teaching us the different South African languages.  They were able to teach us so much information in a mere 8 weeks, something that I am still a bit baffled by.

 In addition to our LPI’s, we had a “Thank You” party for the host families, really the least we could do after all they did for us.  The party was a blast, but I definitely think the best part was preparing for it.  With 56 of us, and all of our host families, we had A LOT of food to prepare.  The night before the party a large group of us came to peel and chop veggies.  We peeled and we chopped squash, potatoes, cucumbers, and carrots until we had blisters (really though).  The next morning, we were fetched at around 6:30am to start cooking.  Since I need as much practice in the cooking area as possible, I signed up for both.  Luckily my 3 cups of Ricoffy helped me to pull through, and it was a lot of fun.  The party itself consisted of thank you speeches (in our respective languages), skits (“Generations” Peace Corps style), singing/dancing, and presenting certificates of thanks to our families.  There was also an awesome traditional dance group who performed for us.  Following everything, we were able to eat the copious amounts of food we cooked – pap, sour pap, pumpkin, cabbage, chakalaka, salad, potato salad, and meat, lots of meat (as is tradition for big celebrations, a cow was slaughtered in our honor).

Saying “so long” to my host family was surprisingly difficult.  It wasn’t fun having to leave them, especially since I just had to say goodbye to all of my loved ones at home not too long ago.  It’s crazy to me how quickly their home became my home, and how quickly I felt like a part of the family.  Their warmth and generosity is something I will never forget, and I hope that I can be as kind to others as they were to me.  Ubuntu truly exists in the South African culture.  I am quite happy though as I will be returning in November for my host brother’s wedding, wearing the gogo dress they had made for me.  I will fit right in, I’m sure!  I am also planning to go back for Easter weekend.  My host father told me that I am always welcome, and I am so grateful.  I also had to say goodbye to my kittens until November.  With all of my luggage I was not able to transport them to Limpopo.  I’m glad to say they’ll be joining me not too long from now!

On a more positive note, I arrived to my site on Friday, the 9^th of September.  My two Principals and my host family have made my transition to Limpopo a very smooth one thus far.  One of my principals met me in Giyani, and drove me to my new home (as Pammycakes calls it, “my home away from home”).  The driver taking us, after lifting my suitcase, asked if I had bricks and planned to build my own rondavel.  Whoops!  Heavy, yes, but it is for two years.  Mom and Dad, I’m sorry but I’m pretty sure I broke the zipper of the bigger suitcase – I’ll be sure to replace it!  J  Upon arriving to my new home, my host brother and his friend helped with the heavy lifting, and I began unpacking.  The next day, before a day of shopping for the essentials, I went for a great run with my new running partner/body guard, who attends the local high school.  My Principal took me to Tzaneen – one of the closest shopping towns – where I was able to get a fridge (essential if you don’t want your chocolate to melt in under 5 minutes), a 2-plate/mini-oven, a bike, a comforter, and my very own bucket bath.  Following shopping, I met my principal’s family and had dinner with them.  He has three kids, and when I did my fishy-face impression for the youngest daughter, she loved it!  Sunday morning I was off to attend the SGB (School Governing Body) meeting and parent meeting at one of the primary schools.  It was really great to see the turnout at the parent meeting, and to hear some of the ideas the teachers/principal had.  I really think that, if implemented, the learners could improve their marks drastically.  To make the meeting even better though, there were dancing gogo’s and we bried at the end!  Definitely the most exciting/interesting parent meeting I’ve ever been to, even though I understood about ¼ of what was being said.  To end the day on a quite different note, my neighbor handed me his pet pig to hold!  I never realized how noisy pigs are!

Tomorrow we are off to our Supervisor’s workshop, where we will work with our Principals and discuss our responsibilities/projects for the next two years.  I am eager to discuss their ideas in conjunction with my own, and to begin working with the teachers, learners, and schools.  I am also wicked excited to have access to a shower for two days.  As much as I have learned to enjoy bucket bathing, nothing beats a shower!

Until next time,

Salani kahle!

Meg J

A Glimpse of the Future

      I must say that only in the past few days has it really hit me that I won’t be going back to BU.  No more GSU, no more on-calls, no more late night trips to UBurger.  I can’t speak for my fellow recent graduates, but it’s definitely a bit sad.  Believe me, I’m super excited to be where I am and to be doing what I’m doing, but I can’t help but to feel a bit nostalgic.  This time last year I was in RA training, swamped with RCR’s and making door tags, but loving every minute of it.  For those of you who are still in college (cough cough Erny) be sure to enjoy and soak up every second of your time.  I never realized it until graduation, but college can be the best four years of your life, and can go by so, so quickly.  You need to have fun.  Sure, crack open your books and study (every once in a while), but remember to spend time with those around you.  You’ll meet some of the best friends of your life in college, and you’ll swap some crazy stories with your best friends back home.

 

            As for the present and looking into the future…I got back from my site visit on Monday!  Like I had mentioned previously, I will be in a small village outside of Giyani in Limpopo Province.  My site visit was really wonderful, with a few moments where I had absolutely no idea as to what was going on.  I’ve really learned to roll with the punches since arriving.  On Wednesday we traveled to Limpopo from the North West Province; it was a very cozy ride, about ten of us packed in the PC khombi with all of our luggage.  Before arriving to our site, a few of us had the extreme luxury of staying in a hotel Wednesday evening…I don’t think I have ever enjoyed a shower more; it’s really the simple things in life that can make you so happy.   On Thursday we continued our journey to Giyani, where we were introduced to our Principals.  I have two Principals as I will be working with two primary schools.  They are very wonderful people, and I am looking forward to working with the both of them.  They seem really excited to work with me, which I am grateful about.  I am the third (and final) volunteer for this site, so I can see both pros and cons.  On the upside, it is nice that they are familiar with PC and what our role as a volunteer is.  The only downside could be constantly being compared to the previous PCVs.  I hope to exceed any expectations they may have, and I hope they understand that I am my own person.  I am curious as to how my time will be split between the two schools once I get to site.  

After a brief introduction (we had to introduce ourselves/what we are doing in Xitsonga!), we were off to my village.  My principals showed me where my bank/post office is located, introduced me to the local police, took me to meet the Induna (a man who works for the Chief), and finally brought me to my host family.  Upon arriving to my host family’s compound, I received one of the warmest welcomes EVER!  One of the women came dancing up to the car, singing.  I couldn’t believe that there was so much excitement just for me.  While at first I thought this was my host mother, it turned out to be my head of department at one of the schools.  She has also claimed me as her daughter, so I’ll have plenty of people looking out for me.  She is amazing, and is very protective which is great.  I then met my host mother, who turns out to be extremely involved in the community which I’m really excited about.  Later that day I met my three host brothers, my host Aunt, my host cousin, and a host of other people from the village.  While everyone remembered my name (Nyeleti is my name in my new village, meaning “star”) I had some difficulty remembering everyone else’s name.  It’s difficult enough to remember the names of my family members, let alone everyone in the village.  Eventually I will get it (fingers crossed).

            On Friday, I was able to see both of the schools.  The grounds for the schools are really beautiful; there is a support staff at each school that is responsible for taking care of the gardens.  They have their own gardens to grow vegetables for the learners and the OVC (orphans and vulnerable children).  I was introduced to the learners at one of the primary schools during assembly.  They were so adorable and I was really excited to meet them.  Following my introduction, my head of department took me all around the village in order to meet everyone and see everything.  During my tour, I received my first marriage proposal (apparently the first of many according to what current PCVs have told us).  Luckily, my head of department came to my rescue, telling the man that she did not find him appropriate…she is definitely not a lady to be messed with.  We went to the pre-school, where the kids sung a bunch of songs for me.  I was also introduced to a group of older women who make beaded jewelry for a community initiative.  After being introduced, they took me to the place where they make the jewelry and before I knew it, I was covered from head to toe in this jewelry (necklaces, belts, bracelets, headbands), having my picture being taken.  Needless to say, I was a bit confused as to what was going on.  Who knows, maybe I’ll end up on a billboard someday.  I would have to say my highlight of the day and the visit was going to the Drop-In Centre for OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children).  The OVC for my village serves I believe 91 children; they provide a feeding schedule/food for the children, education, laundry services, etc.  My host mother works here and is on the board for the Drop-In Centre, and I would really like to become involved in this NGO.  They remain opened even when the schools have break/holiday, so I’d really like to teach while the schools are closed.  I would love to work with the kids on English and literacy.  Lastly, I went to the secondary school (high school).  I met all of the teachers and the principals there, and they were kind enough to serve my HOD and me lunch.  I’d love to set up a Big Brothers/Big Sisters type of organization between the secondary school and primary school, so I was glad to have met everyone there.

            The rest of the weekend was really nice and pretty laid-back.  I spent a lot of time at home, with my host family.  During this time, I was able to go running, which my village finds VERY amusing.  I guess running/exercising, for pleasure, is just not something very common here.  Luckily the handbook that PC gave to our families covers this aspect of Americans.  The first day I went running in the village one of the high school boys accompanied me, and the next day, I had about 30 of the kids join me.  Definitely a bit overwhelming…I was concerned I’d trip over one of them!  Also over the weekend, I helped to cook.  I made spinach and I helped to make chakalaka (sp?).  It’s a mix of peppers, carrots, onions, and beans.  Quite delicious.  While I was cooking, my host brother asked me if I’d like to watch him kill the chicken, to which I politely (I hope) declined (is there even a polite way to say no to observing a chicken being killed?).  I was worried I might lose my appetite…

            As to my living accommodations, my rondavel is very spacious, and I really like it.  So far I have a bed…I’m hoping that I’ll have a few more pieces of furniture when I arrive next week.  In order to get water we use wheel barrels and go to the tap down the street.  My arms are a bit sore, and I’m thinking my upper body strength will improve immensely while I am here.  I live very close to my host family’s house, which I am really pleased about so I can spend time with them at night and watch my fave SA soap – “Generations.”

            I can’t forget to mention the fruit where I’ll be living– lots and lots of fruit.  Limpopo is known for its fruit, and for very good reason.  Oranges, avocados, pawpaw, mangoes, and bananas are plentiful here which I’m wicked excited about!  My host family even has a pawpaw tree in their backyard!  There is also a man who rides by our compound on a daily basis and hands us the biggest oranges you’ve ever seen.  

            Our trip back to the training site was rather uneventful, thankfully.  We were responsible for using the public transport to get back, kind of a test I guess.  Our bus driver took good care of us, making sure we knew where to get off.  In conclusion, I’m really happy with my site placement, and I’m looking forward to working with the schools and with the community.  I already have a list of things I’d like to do, but I need to be sure to take it one step at a time and not to over commit.  I really want to do things well, and to make sure they are sustainable.

Until next time, salani kahle!

Love,

Meg :)