March 27, 2009

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” (Nelson Mandela)

Our last day to be with friends we have made in the past two weeks. There were a lot thoughts, ideas, plans, wishes we wanted to express on this day. Our minds racing, our hearts beating faster, and waiting for the tears to come.

We seemed to walk at a slower pace to school this morning. Maybe it was our fear of goodbye. As we arrived at school hugs were shared, thoughts expressed, feeling flowed.

The children wanted one last glimpse of us, to be in a picture, just to hold our hands.

We hoped that we left a special gift in this community from each of us in a special way.

“Hope” – we can only hope we made an impact on their lives. We came with love, friendship, knowledge and peace – and that we have accomplished.

There are too many feelings to express the joy we have received during our farewell. I hate the word farewell. There cannot be a goodbye in this community. The need is great for us here.

This community has given me “hope” that there is peace and love.

Although it is hard to return home there will others to follow in our footsteps. I end our journal with love that is left, peace in my heart and tears in my eyes.

- Jason Mullen

March 26, 2009

“There is only one way in which one can endure man’s inhumanity to man, and that is to try, in one’s own life, to exemplify man’s humanity to man.” (Alan Paton)

Today Amy and Tiffany continued to work with Cromwell on English and correcting students work. Jason was rounding up globes, maps, etc., anything he could get his hands on to corral the little ones – teaching them geography. Our life skills class went okay – we were hoping to get a bit more out of the students to create an ‘open discussion’ but cultural norms got in the way. If nothing else we opened the door for them to ask us any questions for the last few days we are here. We then left for Mthatha where we had a field trip to the Nelson Mandela Hospital. It was a great experience - it was a very large facility – we stopped by the women’s mental health wards were we greeted by smiling faces – then onto HIV/AIDS clinic. They are in the process of building a larger facility but for now they are in the “trailers”. We spoke with the doctor in charge of the clinic and he was very insightful about HIV/AIDS in South Africa – the meds work – we saw the t-cell numbers. They struggle with disclosure, transportation, side effects and finances. The doctor that took us around was very nice – Dr. Madikizela – who is from Malungeni originally. Tiffany asked if he would be willing to come back to Malungeni with the July team and speak to the students about HIV/AIDS and his success. A good last full day and we look forward to the celebrations tomorrow.

- Amy Keegan

March 24, 2009

"Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - Nelson Mandela

We did our little bit of good today and we are hoping to overwhelm Malungeni if not the world. Today was a great day. I think today was a turning point for all of us in this journey. Week one was all about planting seeds and today it was about watching the tree grow, tomorrow will be about see it blossom. This afternoon we met with the women's group again. It was fitting that we were discussing how to give birth to a new Malungeni community in the front lawn of our guest house, sitting in a circle around a tree spud ling that is determined to grow. Sitting there while Amy inspired the women by introducing the barter system to them as a means to grow their veg patch, I thought, these women are just that the growing tree. They needed the tools or the means to grow their business just as this tree needs water and sun to survive. Something so simple and basic has never occurred to them. They seemed to embrace the idea and I believe they were excited to 1. have their land plowed and 2. That they were going to collaborate with someone in the community they previously didn't think would help them. We went to survey the field as well today and plowing began! To me this was victorious. What a great example of community unity and as the local preacher would say "loving thy neighbor". We are excited and hopeful that the women's group now only plants seeds for growing corn, squash, spinach and cabbage on their fields, but will also continue to plant seeds of change throughout Malungeni.

- Tiffany Strietelmeier

March 18, 2009

“It is thy own resolution to succeed that matters the most” (Abraham Lincoln).

Today was our third day of school. We woke to a morning of cool weather around too. We met for breakfast and to say the thought for the day. I chose a quote from an extraordinary woman with instant inspiration, love and dedication – Mother Teresa.

“Keep the joy of loving the poor and share the joy with all you meet. Remember works of love are works of peace”.

As we finished breakfast and started our walk to class we briefly discussed our lesson plans. Amy, Tiffany and Dorota are going to try to tackle their classes in a different fashion today. As for myself I would continue teaching/tutoring the first, second and third grades with Ms. Beauty.

We returned to the guest house to meet Olga. She wanted to show us her great accomplishment of the near finished bakery. The space has much potential and we believe it will be successful when up and running.

We continued on our day cleaning the community center for the upcoming events. As we finished with cleaning I spoke with Rebecca who I believe will be a leader in her community, a role model to others. She plans on continuing her education and to probably become a flight attendant. She has great passion for meeting people and learning.

I ended the day with the sun setting, the cool air to return, and with a heart warming song of ‘Amazing Grace’ sung by am amazing young lady named Peels.

This is when I decided that my gift to the community would be my faith, my love and dedication for the reminder of my stay.

-Jason Mullen

March 15, 2009 - Welcome to Malungeni!

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart". (Nelson Mandela).

Molweni or welcome in xhosa. (Xhosa is pronounced with a tongue click and then kosa). This is the native language of the people of Malugeni. Many of whom we met today. We were so pleased to be greeted in the mid afternoon by some of the community members that came to our guest house. We sat in a half circle and were led by Nkulie who translated the event. We were greeted by members of the Dept of Ed, and Social Services, as well as high tribal leaders of the community. All of which expressed thanks for our commitment to the community and hope for continued success with Global Volunteers. They expressed how important working together has been, is and will be great benefit to the community. From their talks, they are just as interested in learning from us and we are from them. As Bonke so eloquently stated earlier in the day, "It is always good to check your angles on all things". What he meant by this was the importance of a different perspective. Yesterday the minister of the town said " knowledge is power" and power is so important for this community to help "fight the enemy which is poverty" , as passionately stated by the leader of the DOE. We were asked to give an introduction and then we sang " You are my sunshine" as best as we could on the fly. The ceremonies ended with traditional dance from the women and kids. Their faces painted and with woven skirts on they danced in step to the drum. With arms stretched out, head tilted back looking up at the sky with so much pride, confidence, joy and strength. They were so open to the world and what awaits them. Full of tireless energy and an abundance of spirit. It was an amazing day for all of us.

- Tiffany Strietelmeier