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 9th 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
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