Winter Is Coming

It's getting colder here in South Africa. This is because winter is almost upon us. It doesn't hit levels like back in Virginia but it can get pretty chilly. It's comparative to fall temperatures right now.

This past week was pretty slow moving. It was a planning week for the week ahead of me. I find myself doing a lot of motivating and pushing for my coworkers. I feel that if I wasn't constantly encouraging us to set up appts, make manual copies or push on getting a projector, this program wouldn't be going anywhere fast. I kept on pushing and luckily we were able to travel to some high schools this past week. When we go to set up appointments, Sifiso lets me do all the talking. He says the principals and vice principals that we speak to listen to me more. I'd say it's true because they pay attention when they have an American in their small high school speaking to them in English. I always start out by telling them that Sifiso and I have created this program that is two parts. One of these parts deals with 11th and 12th graders and getting them ready to apply for universities. I then briefly touch on the different parts of the program. I end with telling them that students are encouraged to visit our office for questions or to use our computers to apply. The response that we get from these administrators is always positive. They always say that this information needs to be explained to their learners. We then discuss when would be a good time for us to return and speak with their learners. We have heard that the group of 11th and 12th graders can be about 30 learners. We have heard that there will be 200 learners. I always walk out of these schools encouraged and looking forward to speaking with these students.

With all these visits, we have a busy schedule for the next two weeks. We have a public holiday this Friday but every day we have an appointment. What is even more exciting is that on Tuesday a meeting for the other part of our project has been set up. This is talking with youth aged 18-30 about self esteem, assertiveness, etc. After this we speak about how to write a CV, search for a job and how to conduct yourself in an interview. It will be thrilling to begin speaking to these people and educating them. I get excited because this whole project is like my baby. With Sifiso's help, I researched it, I typed it up, I edited it to make it pretty and I made the PowerPoint presentations. It is important to me that we get this project on a roll now so that it can continue after I leave.

On Saturday, there was a Welcome Party for me. A little late seeing as I leave in a month but because of other reasons, we weren't able to have the party. It began at 5 pm and was at the office. The board, staff and other mentors were there. We had a braai (grill) with all kinds of meat. Beef, pork chops, sausage and chicken was all cooked up. It began with Lwazi giving a background on me and then passed it off to the board director. She is the woman whose father had passed away and had the funeral party early on in my trip. She spoke about how impressed she was with me at the party and how involved I got. The chief lady who I have visited and seen many times through this trip (see past blog posts) also spoke about how easily I have fit in. She talked about how at the ANC meeting, I was singing and dancing with everyone else. The third person to speak was a principal from a local school. I haven't met her before but she thanked me for coming and said that she looked forward to working with me. Of course, I was flattered with all these comments and thanked all of them after they spoke. I was then asked to speak. I stood up and thanked everyone for being so welcoming and helpful during my time. I also told them that I hope that I can provide some help while I am here.

After some prayers, the feasting commenced. It was all delicious. Along with the meats we enjoyed a salad and a vegetable dish. By the end, I was STUFFED. I talked with a variety of people, including the principal, and then people started to leave. We cleaned up, chatted some more and then walked over to Lwazi's house. Here is where the after party was to take place. It was just a fun time drinking, talking with friends, dancing and relaxing until 3 am.

Sunday was spent watching tv and hanging out. A lot of people slept over at the house so there were many hands to help clean up. Lwazi was coming and going to drop people off. When the afternoon came it was just the board director and myself. We got into a great conversation about a variety of things. I had never actually had a conversation longer than 5 mins with her so this was nice. We spent the next few hours talking about my past, her past, the program I created, her nursing stories, HIV/AIDS, different customs and much more. I thoroughly enjoyed this time getting to know her.

I have been told by a variety of people that I seem to be doing a lot of drinking while here. The fact is, I have been. If I were a normal South African man, I would be doing even more drinking. Here is a commentary on alcohol in this society: People here love alcohol. Men and women drink it all the time. It is the reason why so many of my friends here don't have money. They spend it all on alcohol. Future plans don't seem to go past drinking the forthcoming weekend. Now do I see anyone that has a serious alcohol addiction? No. They just like to drink alcohol and enjoy it. The other reason people drink so much is our location. We are in a small town where there is nothing else to do. No cinemas, no fun parks, no nothing. If you are an adult here and want to have a good time, you drink. This is common with many small towns in America. To adapt and make friends, I join these guys in their drinking. I would love to do other things like go to the movies, play kickball or go sight seeing. That isn't what the people do here. And that's fine. I go with the flow as any visitor should try and do. I'm just happy that I'm making friends and have people that want to hang out with me. Will most of my memories from my trip include alcohol? Yes. But these memories will also include making friends, great conversations and different experiences.

I have pictures to post but left the camera at home. I will post them in the coming days.