You Are My Porridge

     A couple of weeks ago, someone yelled across the street, “You are my porridge!”  At first, I was rather confused by this.  What was this man trying to tell me?  Did he want me to make him porridge?  Did he want to make me porridge?  Then, after a while, I realized that in South Africa, they eat porridge for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Evidently, this was quite the compliment…

            I hope that everything is going well state-side.  Thanks to my brother, Dave, my sports connection to the US, I’m up-to-date on some things so, I’m sorry about the Phillies; that is a bummer!  Hopefully they’ll come through next year.  The past couple of weeks here were really great, so let me update you on my life in Limpopo (which is apparently known as the Eden of South Africa)…

            First of all, I celebrated my first South African birthday last Saturday.  I felt like it was a 36-hour birthday due to the time difference – let me tell you, I could get used to having a longer birthday!  It was definitely weird not being with my family and friends back home (I was feeling a bit nostalgic for Lady Antebellum and birthday cake shots), but I had a wonderful day nonetheless thanks to some of my best Peace Corps friends.  At first I feared that I might be spending my entire birthday in the back of a khombi – the taxi drivers don’t leave until every seat, and I mean EVERY seat plus some, is filled.  Eventually we were off to Polokwane, my head hanging out of the window (I am not quite sure why dogs enjoy doing this) so I made sure not to sweat to death.  When Mardy, Jill, and I arrived in Polokwane, we met up with Abby, Nick, Colin, and Casey at the Mall of the North.  They gave me the nicest birthday card (props to Casey for being a great artist)!  Thanks to my my parents, Erny, and Aunt Barb, I was able to purchase a new pair of shoes (Crocs has some really adorable & comfortable shoes for teaching) and a foam roller (which my host family LOVES!).  After a bit of shopping, we enjoyed a meal at Mugg & Bean, and then headed off to the Game Reserve.  One of the PCV’s from SA23 was the nicest host ever, making us feel quite at home.  The evening was spent eating a delicious cake (Betty Crocker Nick made a peanut butter and chocolate cake – the appearance didn't do it justice!), drinking Top Deck Martini’s (thanks Abby!), and playing a multitude of card games.  The next morning we were able to walk around the Game Reserve, and even see some animals; I’ve never been so close to an ostrich before.  It was definitely an unforgettable birthday.  Thanks to everyone at home for all of the warm wishes; they meant a lot!

            As much fun as I had, it was nice to come home.  Unfortunately the trip back was a little too eventful for my liking – let’s just say that I kind of stick out and get some unwanted attention.  I don’t know how many times or in how many languages I have to say “no, I don’t want your number” and “no, you can’t have my number” and “no, I will not marry you” to get the point across.  Luckily, my host family was home when I returned, arms wide open, to welcome me back which made the khombi ride back a little less upsetting. 

            As for my site – it continues to make me smile, and I continue to be amazed as to how lucky I was to be placed where I am.  I feel like a member of the community now, which is a really terrific feeling.  At one of the schools I am working with, we just began the Reading Intervention program.  I assisted the English teachers and the HOD with different strategies on how to successfully implement the program.  It was so great working with the teachers on this, and seeing how receptive they were to my advice.  I know that while they will learn from me, I will learn so much more from them.  This week was my first time teaching the 7^th grade learners English for the ANA (Annual National Assessment) Reading Intervention.  The lesson – which took about 2 hours – went really well!  I had the learners make their own Personal Dictionaries, and we started doing Personal Journals.  One of the PCV’s who was at our group’s training had suggested the idea of Journals, and I’m so glad that she did; I think it is going to be a successful tool for improving writing.  In addition, I played hangman with the class.  It’s a really great way to get the learners spelling, and learning new vocab.  Since they beat me, I brought all 57 of them cookies on Tuesday, which they were very happy about.  The teachers didn’t mind eating the extras, either!  I have also started the journaling program at the other school I am working with.  Last week, I discussed the reading program – D.E.A.R. – with the teachers.  Some of them have made the corners in their classrooms, which I was glad to see.  I have realized that I will definitely need to be patient on implementing it.

            In addition to working at the schools, I have started teaching the ABET class on Mondays and Tuesdays after school; this is the village’s adult education program.  The secretary at the school in my village goes there, so it really fell into my lap as luck would have it.  Although there are only 6-7 students on a given day, I am really enjoying working with these men and women.  We have had some really wonderful discussions so far.  I never thought that I would be teaching things like Life Skills, HIV/AIDS, how to develop positive relationships, etc. but I find myself doing so and loving it.  I am also teaching them English; last week I taught how to write Diary Entries, and this week I taught a lesson on poetry. 

            For some random notes… I love that when I have a bad hair day, I can simply wear a duku and I manage to get multiple compliments.  I’ve started practicing carrying items on top of my head (pots, buckets, bowls), which I love!  The women here make it look wicked easy, but it takes major skill!  I still need to keep my hands close to whatever I’m carrying to make sure that it doesn’t fall off of my head.  Hopefully I’ll be an expert soon!  I’ve also started to bake with my host mother.  This week we made banana bread which for some reason or another I manage to burn every time.  Luckily, it was salvageable!  Next week, we are going to try carrot cake.  I’ll be sure to let you know how it turns out!  I just finished reading Randy Pausch’s “The Last Lecture” and I am currently reading Mitch Albom’s “Tuesdays with Morrie.”  Both are great reads and are very inspirational.  If you have the time, be sure to pick them up. 

            This morning two other PCVs and I ran a 9k in Giyani!  It was my first race in SA and it went really well!  We were able to talk to the local running club, who we plan on running with a few times a month.

Sala Gabotse!

Love and Miss you All Very Much!

Meg J

Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore…

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  

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 :)

Vutomi bya eAfrika Dzonga - My Life in South Africa

Aubuxeni tichomi!  (Hello friends!)  Howzit?  

            Since my last blog, I've learned to cook a few things (surprising, I know…jury is still out on how well I'm cooking), I've acquired another kitten (Lerato is my new kitten's name - "love" in Setswana), I've eaten mopani worms (quite yummy actually), I've continued to be amazed by how beautiful a South African starry night is, I've learned where I will be going come September and I've realized how difficult it will be to say goodbye to my host family come September when we go to site.

            Our group took our LPI's (Language Proficiency Interviews) on the 8th of August.  The interview consisted of pretty basic things - introductions, where we are staying, who is in our family, what we are doing in South Africa, asking for directions, etc.  To my pleasant surprise, I received a score of "Intermediate Low."  By the time of swearing in, we are expected to reach this level, so I need to maintain my current language ability.  However, I would love to score "Intermediate Mid" by the time of our next LPI, which seems to be coming up rather quickly.  I am very proud of our entire group; we have all come so far in our perspective languages in the short time we have been learning them.  It is definitely one of my goals to become fluent in Xitsonga during my Peace Corps service.  I am hopeful that the people in my village and school will speak to me in Xitsonga, and not English.  It seems that the kids will be very helpful when it comes to learning more of the language.  I'd also love to pick up some introductions/sayings from the other languages in SA (there are 11 total languages in SA).  Some things I have already picked up include "yebo," "sharp, sharp," and "oho! hi swona!"  Apparently, "sammie" is "sandwich" in Africaans!!  

            One phrase I have mastered in Xitsonga is "ni kombeli," or "I'm sorry!"  I believe, with my somewhat clumsy nature, that this will continue to be an important phrase.  A couple of weeks back, actually on the day of the LPI, I went to a friend's house to watch a movie.  When it was time for me to say my farewells and head back to my house, her family's dog thought it would be a good idea to walk me back.  It was really very cute.  Well, despite how adorable I found the dog and the dog's insistence on seeing me to my door, my host family had some trouble agreeing with me.  As I was reading, my host Mom came and informed me that "the dog was doing bad things."  Apparently the dog found our chickens as well as their eggs.  Well…the dog won.  Since that day, when I am leaving the house, my host Mom asks that I don't come back with any dogs.  Understandable.  My host sisters find it quite humorous, always asking, "Mpho, how is your dog doing?"  No worries though, the dog's owner picked him up later that evening.  

            My host family finds my love of animals quite amusing.  They were curious as to why I wanted a kitten as a pet in the first place.  After seeing me play with the two kittens when I get home each day, my host Dad told me that I could have both.  Lerato and Bontle are adorable; they're a pair, so I'm relieved that I do not have to choose one over the other.  They have started playing outside and climbing on the tables.  Always a dog person by nature, I am surprised as to how attached I have grown to them.  I am very grateful to my host family for my kittens, and I know I will enjoy having pets when I am at site.  I will be especially grateful if they take care of any mice and/or bugs that find their way to my house.  If anyone has any advice on taking care of cats, be sure to send in my way.  First time cat owner here.

            My host family also finds my love of running/yoga interesting.  They are very accepting of it, which is great.  The other day, a group of us was doing yoga in front of my house.  Later that evening, after helping my host sister with the dishes, she began doing some of the yoga on the kitchen floor.  She had seen us doing yoga, and seemed to remember it pretty well.  

            Following our LPI was "National Women's Day" in South Africa.  Since we had the day off, most of our group traveled to a nearby game reserve.  We were a bit worried since we had been told that seeing any animals can be a hit and miss type of situation.  However, apparently the animals were out and about, ready to strut their stuff; we saw many of the "Big 5" during our day at the game reserve.  Our group saw giraffes (not too difficult since they really have no way of hiding), hippos, ostrich, rhinos, zebras, crocodile, wart hogs, springbok, and an elephant in the distance.  It was a bit surreal to see all of these animals at such a close distance.

            Last weekend our group traveled to Johannesburg ("Joni") to visit the Apartheid Museum.  You could truly spend an entire day in that museum.  In the two short hours we were there, I managed to learn a few more things about South Africa.  I also managed not to get lost, which was a plus since the physical layout of the museum is a bit confusing to navigate.  Visiting the museum helped to shed more light on current racial relations.  It's incredible to think that the Apartheid ended so recently, and how far South Africa has come as a country in such a short time.  In addition to speaking to the Apartheid itself, the museum also featured much of Nelson Mandela's life and contributions to South Africa.  He is such an interesting and accomplished individual.  I plan on reading his book soon, so I'll be sure to let you know when I do.  

            This past Sunday, rather than coming home with any animals, I came home with a loaf of banana bread for my family.  Nick, another PCT and the Betty Crocker of our group, taught Hubble and me how to bake banana bread, from scratch!  In order to make it even more delicious, we chopped up a chocolate walnut bar and added it to the batter.  Quick lesson to anyone who is learning to cook like me - chocolate and peanut butter make everything better.  Trust me.  After Nick and Hubble had some laughs at my feeble attempts to bake, and about a dozen strangers asking if they could have a taste during my walk home, I made it back, banana bread in hand.  The loaf lasted oh about 45 minutes.  Needless to say, my family LOVED the banana bread.  

            This week we have continued with our routine training - language lessons, safety sessions, IT/computers in the classroom, and more culture education.  It was a great week, but we were all really excited about Friday: Site Announcements.  With Site Announcements, we learned the exact location of where we will be posted for the next 2 years, what schools we will be working in, and our distance from other PCVs in our group and from other PC training classes.  I learned that I will be in Limpopo Province which I am really excited about; I will be pretty close to Kruger.  While one of the schools I will be working in speaks Xitsonga, my host family speaks Sepedi, so I will have to begin learning this language as well.  I guess I'll try to learn this just as well as Xitsonga!  Speaking of the schools, I will be working at two higher primary schools (grades 5-7?).  The schools want help with learning different teaching methods - working with teachers, working with students on English, helping with sports, and working with computers/libraries.  I am really pleased with this description and cannot wait to get started.  I will be living in a thatched roof rondavel, something I had really hoped for (this is the round home with the grass roof)!  My family includes a host mother, a host father, and three host brothers.  I will be about 40km from my nearest shopping town, and about 30km away from my nearest PCV.  We plan on getting together in our shopping town every couple of weeks.  

            In addition to learning our site visits, a bunch of us signed up for a race in March.  For now I signed up for the half, but there is also an ultra …not sure how I feel about that.  I've done the marathon and I know how I feel after 26.2…not sure how I'd feel about going another 6 miles.  We will see how my training is progressing come that time.  I'm really excited to have something to train for!  Additionally, this sounds like a great event.  Following the race, all of the PCVs get together and brie (barbecue).

            Next week we are doing our site visits, which I am really looking forward to. We will be spending a few days at our actual site, meeting our host families as well as our supervisor (the principal).  We will  get to see our house and learn what we need to buy for ourselves.  I cannot believe how quickly training is going.  Like I said at the beginning of this blog post, I will be very sad when it comes time to say goodbye to my host family.  Although it has only been about 6 weeks, I feel like I am a part of the family.  They have shown me so much warmth and love, and it will be difficult to leave.  I definitely plan on visiting them over the next 2 years.   

            Well, I will be sure to update soon!  I'll let you know how the site visit goes. 

Sala kahle,

Meg :) 

Mpho...A Gift

Aubuxeni!  Mi njhani?  (Hello!  How are you?) ~ Xitsonga

 

          Well, it’s been about a month’s time since I arrived in South Africa and so far I love it.  I certainly miss home and a few things back in the states: my family, my great friends, Emma Lou & Sly, Starbies, the trail (&the esplanade with puggy!!), Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, baseball, the beach, Words with Friends and Philly cheese steaks.  On the flip side, there are quite a few things I have grown to love in SA: my fellow Peace Corps Trainees, my host family, our kittens (Bontle – “beautiful” in Setswana – will be coming with me to post in September :) ), magwinya, learning Xitsonga, working with the schools, “Rhythm City,” and my weekly dose of chocolate.  I have even grown accustomed to my daily wake up call from the roosters and my bucket baths.  

          To summarize the past few weeks…

Staging occurred in D.C. on the 6th and from there we began our journey, our very long journey to South Africa.  After a 16-hour flight full of sleep, stories, movies (please see “Just Go With It” if you haven’t!) and laughs we arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday night, July 8^th around 9pm.  Have you ever noticed that on really long flights they treat you like infants?  Think about it – they feed you, dim the lights so you go to sleep, wake you, feed you, and so the cycle continues.  From the airport our group was transported to Rustenburg, SA.  We were greeted by our LCF’s (Language & Cultural Facilitators) singing and welcoming us in true SA style.  We spent four days in Rustenburg at a college campus.  This time served as our orientation to Peace Corps and to SA.  During our time at Rustenburg we were introduced to four languages: Setswana, Sepedi, Tsivenda, and Xitsonga (I am studying Xitsonga which I love – it’s a beautiful and a very poetic language); we learned more about SA culture/history; and we were educated on Peace Corps policies and health/safety policies.  We even learned some SA songs, "Shosholoza" being our group's favorite!  Rustenburg was a great transition period, and also a great time for our group to bond.  Telephone Pictionary, Phase Ten, and Catch Phrase were among the games we played during our time here.  We also formed our own SA24 running group (yes Mom & Dad, I’m running with other people so you don’t have to worry :) ).  On our first run, three of the girls from the neighboring village joined us.  It was really very neat, and it was the first time I realized that I was actually in SA!  I can’t forget to mention our tea time in Rustenburg; I now understand why people love tea.  I think all schools/jobs should incorporate mandatory tea times into the work day.  Everybody would be much happier, not to mention more effective.

          On Wednesday, July 13^th we traveled to our host families’ houses; we will be staying with them until swearing in (September 8^th).  I was very nervous to meet my family, but also very excited.  My host family is absolutely wonderful!  I live with my host mother, my host father, my younger host sister, and my Gogo (grandmother).  They have welcomed me into their home with open arms, and I feel like a part of the family; they truly embody the idea of “ubuntu” that is so ingrained into the SA culture.  On a few occasions they have told me to stay with them for 2 years and at site for 2 months (rather than the reverse).  I have even been invited to my host brother’s wedding in November.  They have given me the name “Mpho,” meaning “a gift” in Setswana.  They have started teaching me how to cook which is great since I will be cooking for myself come September.  I am especially hopeful to learn how to make magwinya before leaving; these are “fat cakes” and are like doughnuts/funnel cake – delicious!!  The other night I made cookies for my host family.  Although they were “no bake cookies,” they were cookies nonetheless and turned out to be quite tasty if I do say so myself.  In addition to teaching me how to cook, my host family has taught me to do my laundry, by hand!  Although the first time was a bit of a struggle, I have caught on.

          In addition to spending time with my host family, we are continuing with our training.  The days are definitely long, but helpful and fun.  I love my cluster/language group and I have a great language teacher.  Although we usually go on wild tangents (we talk about timbuti - goats - for the most part), we are definitely making progress and picking up Xitsonga. We took a written exam this morning, and will be having our LPI (Language Proficiency Interview) on Monday.  This will definitely tell us how we are progressing!  During our training days we usually have two sessions of language, a few sessions of cultural learning, and some sessions led by current SA PCV’s.  The PCV's are especially helpful, sharing their experiences, teaching ideas and practices with us.  We have also been working at some of the local schools, shadowing teachers and learning how the SA school system works in comparison to the US school system.  This week we were lucky enough to teach our own lessons.  On Monday we taught a 5th grade math class, covering 2D shapes & 3D objects.  On Thursday we taught a 6th grade English class on adverbs.  It was so great teaching, and I was reminded of how much I love teaching and being in front of the classroom.  The students are very excited to have us there; they are trying to teach us their dances and they love giving high fives.  

          Last weekend we went to Pretoria as a group.  It was wonderful to see everyone!  Since Peace Corps divided us into 3 clusters, we don’t get to see each other every day; on the days we do get together as a group, we are very excited.  We went to Pretoria to see the Voortrekker Monument.  It was very enlightening to learn more about SA history.  Following our tour at the monument, we went to a huge mall in Pretoria.  While there I purchased a cheap phone and indulged in a cheeseburger – it was delicious!!

 Tomorrow our group has been invited to a wedding in the village.  We are all really looking forward to it!  I'll be sure to post details later.

Sala Kahle! (Stay well)

Love and miss you all,

Meg :)