Dumelang! (Hello in Sepedi) Yes, I am learning Sepedi now; maybe in 2 year’s time I will come back to the states with a few different languages under my belt (not betting on all 11, which is the number of official languages in SA). Not that I’ll be able to use these languages in the states, but it’ll still be neat to know them. Sepedi is my host family’s and my village’s spoken language. My host brothers are constantly teaching me new words and phrases, which is great. It also serves as entertainment for them since they get a kick out of my American accent. Sepedi is also one of the school’s where I’m working primary languages. I am still able to practice speaking Xitsonga as the other school I am working at speaks it as its primary language. I constantly have to remind myself which language/greetings I should be using when I go between the two villages. Knowing how to speak these different languages is great; I love going into town and using the greetings, whether it be Sepedi, Xitsonga, or Setswana. You wouldn’t believe the looks on people’s faces once they realize that this “legkoa” can speak something other than English/Afrikaans (and no, I do not know Afrikaans…it’s wicked hard! It reminds me of a mix between Dutch and German.)
I have been at site for about 3 weeks now, and I am starting to feel settled as well as very happy at my new home. My village is great, and the people are so welcoming. Ubuntu exists just as much here as it did in the North West Province. The kids in my village finally have my name down pat, which is nice. Whether I’m riding home from school (side note – never buy an unassembled bike…dish out the extra R100 for the already assembled bike, you’ll be happy you did) or going to the tuck shop, I am bound to hear “Nyeleti” or “Meghan” at least 20 times. Very rarely, aside from the kids who are under 2, do I hear “legkoa” in my village which I’m really happy about. I’m still working on getting everyone’s names, but I’m sure it will come with time.
I feel very lucky to have been placed at the two schools where I am working. Both schools have a wonderful principal, a very kind staff, and terrific learners. Since I am working at two different schools (in different villages), the principals and I have created a schedule (a time table) in order to divide my time equally. I go to the one school Mondays and Tuesdays, and the other school Wednesdays and Thursdays. I switch on and off at the two schools every other Friday. The past weeks and up until December Peace Corps has given us a packet of assignments to complete to help us integrate into both the schools and the community, and to find what the greatest needs are/where we can be of greatest help over the next two years (Peace Corps terms this “Phase 2 Assignments”). This time includes, but is not limited to, interviewing the teachers, interviewing the principal, talking with the SGB (School Governing Body), talking to the students in the village, finding out different projects that exist in the community, etc.
In addition to the Phase 2 assignments, I have started working on “Reading Corners” for one of my schools. I am working on putting a “Reading Corner” into each of the grade’s classrooms (Grade R-Grade 7). Once this has been done, I am going to work with the teachers and the principal to implement D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) into the school day. I always loved this reading program and looked forward to the 30 minutes of reading in the school day (yes, I’m a nerd). I am hopeful that this will help with the students’ reading/writing. At the other school, I am working on organizing the library; eventually, I would love to make “Reading Corners” and implement D.E.A.R. at this school as well. I have decided that I would very much like to help the students with English at the conclusion of the school day. Thanks to a Miss Lindsay Jarrett, I’ve been playing “Scrabble Slam” with the kids. They love it, and the best part about it is that it’s educational without them realizing it! (I think I might enjoy playing “Scrabble Slam” with them more than “Words With Friends!” Hard to believe, I know.)
It’s currently turning to summer here, which means it constantly feels like I’m in an oven. I have stopped boiling water for my bucket baths and I have decided to go running in the morning since in the afternoon it’s about 37 degrees Celsius (apparently it gets up to 40 degrees Celsius, about 104 degrees Fahrenheit – shoo!). As much as I’m one for hitting the snooze button, I’d much prefer a “cooler” run than having to go when it’s crazy hot outside. Also, it’s a nice way to start the day. I have also mastered making my own iced coffee, which my host family finds quite interesting. It’s no Starbucks, but it does the trick.
Since arriving at site, I’ve discovered some additional differences between American culture and South African culture, thanks to the teachers I’ll be working with. First of all, my fellow teachers were quite disappointed to learn that no one would be paying lebola for me. Lebola is what a man has to give to a woman’s family before taking her as his wife; this can be paid either in cattle or Rand. Apparently the lebola fluctuates due to the woman (i.e. whether or not she is educated). I am told that the current lebola can go up to R40,000!! Additionally, South Africa has multiple cultural dances; there are different dances for whether you are a Venda, a Sotho, or a Tsonga. My host family has taught me how the Xitsonga people dance which surprisingly I am able to do. In return, when they asked me to show them how Americans dance (hold your laughter please) I taught them some of my favorite dance moves – the “Q-tip,” “making the pizza,” “the shopping cart” and “reeling in the fish.” To my friends who actually know how to dance (Katie!) don’t worry, I told them I can’t dance very well. I didn’t want them to think that all Americans dance like me haha.
I am super excited because I have just finalized my Christmas plans. Nine of us will be traveling together (some of my favorites from our groupJ). We will be traveling close to Mpumalanga, going to places like Drakensburg, and hiking for the majority of the trip. On Christmas Day, we will be doing a 9-hour hike! It will be very hot then, so it should be interesting! I can already tell that I will miss the snow! For New Year’s we will be going to Durban, which is known as South Africa’s playground. I am very much looking forward to this trip, and I think it will be a great time. I’m hoping that it will help with any homesickness I’m sure I’ll experience.
So no, there aren’t any flying monkeys in my village nor do I have shiny red slippers like Dorothy (that would be quite the fashion statement), but I can certainly realize the difference between being a Peace Corps Trainee and a Peace Corps Volunteer. It’s quite a new experience going from being surrounded by 50+ Americans on a daily basis to being the only American in a 50km radius. I can see why previous PCV’s call the first three months at site the most challenging, what with adjusting to your site, feeling like a fish fresh out of water, etc. Despite this, I must say I feel very lucky and am doing really well so far. I adore my host family and I love the schools, so I am excited for what the future holds.
P.S. Khombi/Taxi rides are wicked entertaining here! On my way here, I was in a khombi with 20+ people, 2 babies, and gogo's sitting on top of people's laps. In addition, we drove most of the way to town with our door opened!
Until next time, sala gabotse! (Stay Well in Sepedi)
Lots of Love,
Meg J
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