Team Journal, November 10

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 (Lily)

We left the Guest House exactly at 8:45 AM and our first stop was the Mandela Museum at Mthatha. It took us an hour to reach the place. There were only 7 of us who visited the place. That included Tai, Olga, Mark, Susan, Laura, Betty, and yours truly. This is what I learned after the museum. Let me quote what Mandela said about his country. “My country is rich in the minerals that lie beneath its soil, but I have also known that the greatest wealth is its people, finer than the purest diamonds”. He added, he can only rest for a moment for with freedom comes responsibilities and he dare not linger for his long walk is not yet ended. I was really impressed by Mandela. Then, the group separated and went in different places. Mark, Tai and Laura went to the bakery and then to buy materials in order to fix a leaking faucet. Tai and Olga must have gone to a grocery too and the three of us (Susan, Betty, and I) went to a department store to look for school supplies, battery for my flashlight. It took us a long time to find the right battery. Our guide thought it had to be Duracell, but quite the contrary. With Susan’s help, she suggested Ever Ready battery could replace Duracell. So, one problem was solved. Then Betty went to a fabric store together with me. From there we separated and I joined Susan who was buying some school supplies and some soda and cookies. It was lunch break and our guide brought us to a coffee shop. We brought our lunch so we did not have to order. Then, the waitress approached us that we cannot sit in that place without ordering something. Luckily, Betty arrived and ordered a can of soda and that saved the embarrassment. Later, Mark came and Sue offered him soda which she bought from the supermarket. I’ve observed they are a loving couple. Then, we went to the bead shop with Betty and Laura. Betty bought a lot of stuff for her class in beading and sewing. Laura also bought something for herself. I did not realize Laura is a “Jack of all trades” and so is Betty. After the long day, we decided to leave for home. The rain stopped - for a while – and drizzled again. It was a day to remember because we were able to accomplish a lot of things despite the inclement weather. No time wasted. Most of all, each one in this Team 13 has something special to offer to the people of Malungeni and that includes our team leader too, Tai. Olga bought a lot of food on behalf of the youth and joined us in the van. Tai had our groceries and we all helped in bringing the stuff to our Guest House. Instead of relaxing upon arrival, we still wanted to do some dancing. Sue and I danced to Chatanooga Choo Choo to the music of Mark’s radio. Betty and Koena (our cook) joined us too. So, the day ended with everybody happy.

Message of the day: (Laura)
Development is about planting trees – even if you never sit under their shade (Rev. Spiwo Xapile)

A garden is one of the things in prison that one can control. To plant a seed, watch it grow, to tend it, and then harvest it, gave me a feeling of simple happiness (Nelson Mandela)