Monday there wasn't much going on at work. Neville and I did get permission to go into town for some shopping. I now have most of the gifts for people back home. If you haven't already asked me for something from South Africa, it's too late! You ain't getting jack. It was a gorgeous day for walking around town, shopping. Chilling with Neville was also pretty cool. I'll miss our constant making fun of each other.
Tuesday was a miserable weather day. It was cold and wet. It was birthday time at the office as over the weekend and on Monday there were birthdays. I decided to bring some L-3 MPRI cheer along so I went out and picked up a cake early in the morning. I surprised my co-workers with it and we enjoyed it early. Otherwise, work was also slow as transportation issues kept us from going out anywhere. I actually went home 30 mins early for a nice long 1 hour and 30 min nap. Wednesday was more productive. Sifiso and I went to a high school for one of our workshops. The room was filled with a massive group of students. There was well over 120 11th and 12th graders that were standing waiting for us. Luckily we've mastered the use of the Power Point presentation so we set up quickly and get our point across. I always pull the line, "We want you to be the next lawyers, doctors, business owners. Hell you can become the President Zuma and have 5 wives like him!" They all get a good laugh out of that.
Thursday was another visit to a high school. This time I told Sifiso that he was leading this one. I needed to see how he did on his own with Neville and myself in a supporting role. He was obviously nervous at first and rushed through the presentation. What I did notice, though, is that the students were less nervous and more willing to ask questions. It definitely has to be because he is speaking Zulu and they feel more comfortable asking him in their own tongue. I did get the question by one boy how he can come to America? I use this as a great opportunity to stress the importance of attending a university. If they go to one that offers an exchange program to America, that is one way to go. I also tell them to attend a university or college, work hard, make money and then come visit me. I finish by saying that I wouldn't have come to South Africa if I hadn't gotten my degree and had something to offer Child Care. I'm trying to inspire these young minds.
Friday was similar to the two days before. Only this time we had two high schools to visit. After the session at the first high school, Sifiso and I watched Neville run his program. Neville runs an 8 week program at these schools that chooses a few students from each grade. They then gather and talk about topics that effect their lives. This can cover sex, teenage pregnancy, AIDS, gender based violence, etc. The goal is to establish these learners as educated mentors in their schools so that they may provide guidance to other students. It was fun watching on as they talked about relationships. I even was called upon to provide some advice on love.
After work on Friday, I had set it up so that I would spend the night at Sifiso's home in a nearby village. We picked up some after work beverages and drove out to Ntumeni in a friend's truck. A big reason for going to stay with Sifiso is to see his aunt one more time. She had asked me to come back again the last time I saw her and I wanted to keep my word. After a brief stop in at the tavern, the group of us went to the house for dinner. Sifiso's aunt had made a great feast for us boys with chicken, mutton, corn and sweet potatoes. Exactly what was needed. Following the meal, we headed back to the tavern. I met a wide range of people at this small one room tavern. Had a great conversation with a murderer, a cop, Sifiso's brother and others. A grand ol' time. Around 10 pm, Sifiso said that he was tired so we headed back to the house. Sifiso has his own 1 room home and I was going to stay in his aunt's house. Due to social customs, I couldn't be alone with her in her house. Therefore, Sifiso's brother and I shared a bed.
Saturday I woke up to another chilly morning. Not having packed a bag, all I had were the clothes on my back to keep me warm. Sifiso's aunt made us breakfast and we headed out to see the friend who gave us a ride the day before, Junior. He was heading into Eshowe so I hopped a ride with him. Once in Eshowe, we picked up Neville and headed an hour to Empangeni to visit Junior's uncle. He is the one who got into a car accident and had moved to a new hospital. He appeared to be higher spirits, having his own room, tv and bathroom. I could tell he enjoyed the visit and our company. We stayed for an hour and then headed back. As soccer seasons around the world are coming to an end, so is South Africa's soccer league. Saturday's games would decide who won the premiership. The Orlando Pirates were hoping for a repeat win of last year. If they won Saturday's match, they won the premiership. If they lost, another team would win on points. It was a very intense show case. We hopped between two bars and there were Pirates fans everywhere on the edge of their seats. The game came down to the last minutes with the Pirates sealing their victory with a 4-2 win! We were cheering, clapping and shaking hands with the people around us. This was a truly neat experience.
Singing Happy Birthday
Cutting of the cake
A student speaking during Neville's program
Neville leading
Neville again leading
are you planning to elaborate on the fact that you were conversing with a murderer or are we just supposed to assume that it was no big deal?
ReplyDeleteAh being a murderer is over- rated. No red to worry unless his name is Jeffrey Dahlmer! Can't wait for you to get back and join Kerri, family and friends. Glad you had a influential trip.
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