 XOLO, XOLO, ababantu!!! |
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aka SORRY SORRY SORRY EVERYONE
Well as you can all see I haven't improved on my ability to communicate when I am overseas. I definately apoligize for that. But at least I can use a somewhat limited access to internet as a meager excuse. But as you all know it is mostly my bad....sooooo sorry!
Since I last left you all in London things have changed quite a bit. After meeting some of the other international volunteers in Heathrow (there are 8 of us in total, myself, a guy from the US, four from the UK and two from Australia), we flew into South Africa. The first thing that hit me was the amazing warmth and humidity....and then the smell....I was definately back in Africa. We were met at the airport by our program co-ordinator Artwell...an amazingly funny man from zimbabwe, and our program manager Shupiwe, an awesome girl that is half zambian and half british.
Once we arrived we settled into our acclimatization training, were givenm a brief history of South Africa and a run down on the program. We stayed here in east london for about 5 days and then we went to meet all the local and national South African volunteers (40 in total).
I can tellyou that it was a little intimidating meeting all of these new people. I was terrified that I would NEVER be able to pronounce let alone remember any of their names. They were all very understanding of my inability to speak Xhosa and helped me along the way.
We spent the first 3 weeks in some pretty intensive training, going over the entire year long program in that short period of time was a little draining and to be honest a little boring, but meeting all the new people was definately worth it.
During those three weeks I also had to choose my partner for the year. IT was a big decision, but I DEFINATELY lucked out. I am partnered with a girl named Ongezwa (I'll teach you all have to say it when I get home) and we now reside in a little community outside of East London called TUBA (yes like the instrument). She is amazing and has been helping me make great strides in my Xhosa speaking (mostly because she is sick of translating for me!!). We live in a nice house with our new African Mama Nomisa....she is hilarious and a typical African mama...booty and all!
Since getting into our community we have been running workshops in the schools and in our little 'office' for out of school youth. WE also along with the 10 other volunteers in our 'Cluster' organized an event for 300 people on Human Rights day. We have one big cluster event every month, so planning those takes up a lot of our time. But they are definately high impact and reach alot of the youth so they are definately worth all the stress.
The work has been fun, difficult, frustrating and inspiring all at the same time. I am getting used to 'African time' and the African way so that is helping me not be soo frustrated.
I am sorry to all who thought I would be really in a mud hut (I honestly thought I was), but my house is quite nice. I DON'T have running water and our community taps have run dry....also it hasn't rained in a long time so we are running out of rainwater....so soon I will be walking about 5 km and back to get water.....but I DO have electricity...so that's a bonus!
I have been learning alot....mostly about myself and about the culture in south Africa. This is a true once in a lifetime experiance, and I am doing my best to inspire some of the youth around me.
I PROMISE to update more often then every 4 months....I miss you all and I am more and more thankful everyday for all of you! Keep those messages coming!!
Peace and love to you all,
Jaime
P.S. GO FLAMES!!
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April 4th 2008 - sharon bartley: Backed inYou can't believe how bad the Flames have sucked the last few games -- they beat Edmonton last Saturday night by the hair on your chinny chinny chin chin --- then they went into Vancouver and promptly lost -- THEN they came back and lost to Edmonton here 2 -1 went to Edmonton and stabbed the Oilers chance of getting into the playoffs by beating them but then they lost to Minnesota last night - 3 -1...... they have one more game in Vancouver on Saturday but Vancouver is done, too...... Kipper was fabulous but nobody supported him -- they really use every opportunity to get in his crease. I bet they go out in the first round.... not hopeful I am afraid...\
Weather greata --- outdoor concert for about 15000 last night in Olympic Plaza for a concert for the Junos --- Finger 11 played and a whole bunch of other rockers..... the town is full of Cdn. "star" --
Feist is here, etc.
Glad to hear from you --- it sounds pretty wild and certainly a little different than I had imagined. Certainly a little less primitive than I thought -- altho this water thing could be a problem unless you get rain, hey???
Off to Palm Springs on Wednesday -- it is 89 - 90 and looking forward to spa things and meeting with friends and shoppping and stuff....
Will write again soon... Take care
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Well as you can all see I haven't improved on my ability to communicate when I am overseas. I definately apoligize for that. But at least I can use a somewhat limited access to internet as a meager excuse. But as you all know it is mostly my bad....sooooo sorry!
Since I last left you all in London things have changed quite a bit. After meeting some of the other international volunteers in Heathrow (there are 8 of us in total, myself, a guy from the US, four from the UK and two from Australia), we flew into South Africa. The first thing that hit me was the amazing warmth and humidity....and then the smell....I was definately back in Africa. We were met at the airport by our program co-ordinator Artwell...an amazingly funny man from zimbabwe, and our program manager Shupiwe, an awesome girl that is half zambian and half british.
Once we arrived we settled into our acclimatization training, were givenm a brief history of South Africa and a run down on the program. We stayed here in east london for about 5 days and then we went to meet all the local and national South African volunteers (40 in total).
I can tellyou that it was a little intimidating meeting all of these new people. I was terrified that I would NEVER be able to pronounce let alone remember any of their names. They were all very understanding of my inability to speak Xhosa and helped me along the way.
We spent the first 3 weeks in some pretty intensive training, going over the entire year long program in that short period of time was a little draining and to be honest a little boring, but meeting all the new people was definately worth it.
During those three weeks I also had to choose my partner for the year. IT was a big decision, but I DEFINATELY lucked out. I am partnered with a girl named Ongezwa (I'll teach you all have to say it when I get home) and we now reside in a little community outside of East London called TUBA (yes like the instrument). She is amazing and has been helping me make great strides in my Xhosa speaking (mostly because she is sick of translating for me!!). We live in a nice house with our new African Mama Nomisa....she is hilarious and a typical African mama...booty and all!
Since getting into our community we have been running workshops in the schools and in our little 'office' for out of school youth. WE also along with the 10 other volunteers in our 'Cluster' organized an event for 300 people on Human Rights day. We have one big cluster event every month, so planning those takes up a lot of our time. But they are definately high impact and reach alot of the youth so they are definately worth all the stress.
The work has been fun, difficult, frustrating and inspiring all at the same time. I am getting used to 'African time' and the African way so that is helping me not be soo frustrated.
I am sorry to all who thought I would be really in a mud hut (I honestly thought I was), but my house is quite nice. I DON'T have running water and our community taps have run dry....also it hasn't rained in a long time so we are running out of rainwater....so soon I will be walking about 5 km and back to get water.....but I DO have electricity...so that's a bonus!
I have been learning alot....mostly about myself and about the culture in south Africa. This is a true once in a lifetime experiance, and I am doing my best to inspire some of the youth around me.
I PROMISE to update more often then every 4 months....I miss you all and I am more and more thankful everyday for all of you! Keep those messages coming!!
Peace and love to you all,
Jaime
P.S. GO FLAMES!!
1 Comment - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
April 4th 2008 - sharon bartley: Backed in
You can't believe how bad the Flames have sucked the last few games -- they beat Edmonton last Saturday night by the hair on your chinny chinny chin chin --- then they went into Vancouver and promptly lost -- THEN they came back and lost to Edmonton here 2 -1 went to Edmonton and stabbed the Oilers chance of getting into the playoffs by beating them but then they lost to Minnesota last night - 3 -1...... they have one more game in Vancouver on Saturday but Vancouver is done, too...... Kipper was fabulous but nobody supported him -- they really use every opportunity to get in his crease. I bet they go out in the first round.... not hopeful I am afraid...\
Weather greata --- outdoor concert for about 15000 last night in Olympic Plaza for a concert for the Junos --- Finger 11 played and a whole bunch of other rockers..... the town is full of Cdn. "star" --
Feist is here, etc.
Glad to hear from you --- it sounds pretty wild and certainly a little different than I had imagined. Certainly a little less primitive than I thought -- altho this water thing could be a problem unless you get rain, hey???
Off to Palm Springs on Wednesday -- it is 89 - 90 and looking forward to spa things and meeting with friends and shoppping and stuff....
Will write again soon... Take care
All Comments
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