Learning as we go...

Thursday, September 9th 2010

As I awoke in the morning, I gave thanks for the day and was reminded through the peaceful silence of the many influencing events that have lead me to be blessed with this opportunity of service. It is such a humbling experience to work along side like minded people and be immersed in a paradigm that is sometimes hard to comprehend. It is also awe inspiring to know that there are people willing and eager to act as agents of change-prepared to think outside the square and look to other means and assistance of developing a life style that sometimes seems intangible for them.

Team 12s day started in the usual manner with a breakfast of oatmeal, fruit, toast and French toast. Oatmeal, which was the popular choice, was a good way to start the day as it seemed a bit cooler than usual. When breakfast was done we quickly cleared up and headed back to the meeting room for the morning meeting as Dot and Teresa were supposed to be picked up before 8.00am – Mr Momoza the principal of the Upper Mtumbe school was running a bit late and collected them at 8.30. Tetas ride was there just after 8.00 and she was whisked off to her work site. I felt like a parent again seeing the children off on their first day at school. I could sense their apprehensiveness but was buoyed by their quiet excitement.

For me it was a paper work day and after having a meeting with Olga and Koena, went for a walk to visit the Bakery. The bakery was one of the capacity building projects that isn’t operating any longer. I could feel Olgas sadness as she showed me the Bakery which is fully equipped including new equipment sponsored and installed in 2004. There are a couple of finishing touches needed for the bakery but another frustrating thing for her is that she wishes that there was a willing workforce who are prepared to give some time to help and move this Cooperative venture forward.

The team had varying days in their schools. Dot was happy that she wasn’t kept in the resource room for a long stretch and actually managed to teach one of the lessons she had prepared. She was a bit bemused though when she was asked if she was going to teach another planned lesson that was supposed to be taught on Friday. Teresa also started at Upper Mtumbe in Mr Momozas class. She was happy with her day which was high-lighted by students singing a song of encouragement meant to cheer a peer on when they struggled with a response in class. She felt positive about the discussions she had with her students and only needed to use her ‘mum’ look once when a student was going to use a cell phone in class! Teta’s day was also positive as she wasn’t left in sole charge except for the teacher having to go and use the copier. She was even able to take individual photos of her students with their name tags and was also happy that she had gotten to do a Wordfind puzzle in the Xhosa language-sadly for her though, an opportunity didn’t present itself for her to dance to Michael Jackson.

After school Olga organized a taxi for the team to head into Mthatha to do some shopping and also to use the internet. Dot was able to get some resources for her Science lesson on ‘dissolving things’ and Teresa and Teta had a ball @ the mall shopping and getting supplies. Olga and I did a food supply shop for Koena who had left us with a list for our final week. As we traveled back to Malungeni I pondered the stark contrast between the mall and the village from which we had come. The mall with affluence and busy employment seemed a world away from our humble home of Malungeni. I contemplate – What is the answer?

Dinner tonight was another hit with mash potato ‘made with butter, milk and aromat’, a lean type of sausage, a lettuce, cucumber and granny smith salad and a tomato, sugar and onion dish that could be used as a paste, a relish or a soup.

Our visitor for the evening was a cultural talk from Bonke. This young man shared a bit about his life and is one of the success stories of Malungeni - living proof of someone who has followed their dream and overcome adversity to live it. He talked about the roles of Xhosa men and woman, some cultural practices such as weddings and circumcision. Particularly interesting for me is the dowry that he needs to get together so his wife can be released to go and live with him (this ranged from money to alcohol and finally cows. A reported total of R50,000 paid off in 3 instalments!!!Thank goodness too that there is no interest on that!). Bonke was also a previous global volunteers host coordinator and is committed to coming and sharing whenever there is a team - May it long continue…….

Ulale kakuhle…Good night!

Thought of the day – Teresa Donovan
‘If I’d never have picked up the first person, I’d never have picked up the other 42,000 in Calcutta’ -Mother Teresa