FUN FRIDAY

A great ending to the week and month.  Despite pouring rain which started in the middle of the night (along with a couple of mosquitos dive-bombing me all night...no windows screens) I finally managed to find a bus that got me directly to work this morning and one this afternoon as well.  A stroke of luck that I hope will continue!

Happy Birthday 3-year old Tshego

Then, Tshidi and I went to her daughter's crèche (day-care) to do her little birthday party.


Tshidi lighting the candles

Next we went to Sandtonview High School for their Prize-Giving.  The school year here starts in mid-January, after about a 5-week break for Christmastime, and there are other breaks throughout the year.  So this was to recognize the academic achievements for the previous year as well as awards for chess, netball, soccer, young scientist, blood donor, mathematics, and public speaking.  The front of the program had the Vince Lombardi quote, "It is time for us to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever, the one who recognizes the challenge and does something about it."  Interesting that the academic achievements started with those 65%, then went up into increments.  There was one learner who graduated who had a 93% in accounting, and that drew great applause, as that was the highest in any subject in all grades.  I've talked to numerous local people who have concerns about educational expectations here.  But one must remember that the black community/government has only been around for 20 years, with much ground to cover.

Tshidi was a guest speaker, as she has done training there, and gave a short motivational talk.

Learners all sit on the floor during assembly

WORK AT OPERATION HOPE

My two weeks on the job has been primarily job shadowing Tshidi, who is running the BOOF (Banking on our Future) program for Operation Hope in South Africa.  She works with primarily high school teachers and volunteers who use OH's manual to train in financial literacy.  Many volunteers have quit as budgetary issues have eliminated the stipends that they were receiving, which were primarily used to reimburse transportation costs to the schools.  She is working hard to get the teachers to incorporate the program into their classes and to also get funding so she has volunteers again.

I am VERY impressed with the work she has done so far.  We have visited schools in both poor and affluent areas, and the principals and teachers I have met were welcoming and enthusiastic about the program, and it is clear she is well liked.  We have also visited two banks who have volunteer programs that provide instructors for the program as well.  When visiting the volunteer coordinator at Citi Bank, it was easy to imagine the very same conversation in the U. S., except for the accents.

There have also been team meetings that I have listened in on, and a board meeting where I was introduced and offered resources from some of the board members (the Chair of the board is the head of the South African Bankers Association).

A side note here.  It was just announced on the news that the Federal Reserve upped the prime lending rate to 9%.  And, petrol prices are going to be increasing.  Not good news for the economy here.

I will be learning about the content and likely attend a train the trainer session with Tshidi soon, and begin to get ideas about how to adapt the material to adults in rural areas, although that is a huge leap, and I won't know until I do the research when I make field visits next month.  I am most eager to get out into the country!

MY COTTAGE

Time to let you see my digs.  For first time blog-viewers, you can click on the photo to enlarge it.

Front of house

I'm in an upper middle class neighborhood.  Nearly all the houses have walls with security wire on the top, and they also have a security service that patrols the area, but most do not have alarm systems.

View from the front door

The first place they had lined up for me was twice as  big and in a more convenient location, but this is okay, and in a very safe neighborhood.  I'd say the square footage of my living quarters is about 9 x 17 feet, two stories.  Outside of the electrical plug-ins/adapter needs, its worst feature is a spiral staircase to the bedroom.  This building was used as a studio and never as an apartment, so I had to "build" the kitchen around the sink/cupboard, and it's entailed a lot of trips to various stores.  But it will be fine and dandy when I'm all sorted.

staircase to bedroom

View from bedroom

My bed

Guest bed

I learned from Moroccan life (vs American) is that the more "stuff" you have, the more complicated life is.  That's certainly proven true here.  So the volunteers out in the bush who have no electricity or running water don't need to think about computers, TVs, toaster ovens, refrigerators.  Life is simpler, and of course, much slower.  But living in a huge city just doesn't work that way.  And yes, since my landlady has an extra old clunker TV in the cottage, I will use it, as I am somewhat isolated due to transportation issues, and since I am having a lot of difficulty getting wifi to my place, it is welcome.  I get 5 channels, and it seems most often there are awful "soap" type of programs but I can catch the news from time to time and watched "The Good Wife"  the other night. Now if I could just get Downton Abbey! :)

stoven, coffee pot and micro

                    
(A stoven is a toaster oven with
hot plates on the top)

Other side of kitchen area

My front room, still a bit messy

TRIPPING AROUND ON A SUNDAY

Vicky picked me up Sunday morning and we attended the Parktown North Methodist Church which is located near my cottage; I had walked there (without getting lost!) on Saturday morning for a meeting and it took about 25 minutes.

The diversity in age and race of the congregation was quite broad.  It was a kickoff Sunday for the school kids, and there a lot of them there.  The youth minister gave a little talk and they all exited.  It was Covenant Sunday so that entailed Communion, and a very good sermon by the minister.  There were no hymnals, and they put the words up on a screen.  Not to my liking, as I didn't know the tunes...even some standard hymns were sung to a different melody.  That, plus the service lasted nearly two hours. There is a UCC church about an hour's walk from here, so need to find some transportation there and hope to try to get there this Sunday.

We then went to her apartment in Sandton, a very upscale area...then to Nelson Mandela Square,

Vicky in the Square.  Note the names of the shops in back.

where we got on the Gautrain and went to Hatfield (where the PCV's stay and where I had been) to visit my friend Jonelle who is still recovering from knee surgery.  We took  her lunch and visited, then returned back on the train.  A very nice but somewhat expensive method of transportation that goes north-south to cities around Joburg.  They allow no drinking/eating or chewing of gum, and strictly enforce it.  Guess that's why it's nice!

Then Vicky took me back to my cottage.  This was her first experience in driving outside her own area, so she liked having someone with her.  We'll likely do some more exploring next weekend.

GETTING SORTED

My closet/bureau handiwork

A term that is used often here is "sorted".  It can mean actually
sorting things out, organizing, or fixing, figuring out, and several other meanings.  So I have spent the last couple of days getting sorted.  Figured out which bus to take to the office on Monday.  Up to this point Tshidi has been picking me up and taking me home every day, which is out of her way, but she has been very gracious about it.  Then we went to a mall to the store Game and got numerous household articles...toaster oven with two hot plates on top, a microwave, coffee pot, etc.  Kai (my landlady) bought a small frig so it is loaded with veggies and fruit, chicken and hake.  About have my apartment set up...a few more items and I'll be there.  Today's major accomplishment was constructing the wardrobe that has a rod for hanging plus shelves and drawers.  One of the deals that has a zillion pieces.... but I was patient and worked on it a little at a time...then read on my Kindle, then went back at it, talking myself through it to successful completion.


Last night Julie Hill, a former PCV in Morocco and two of her friends picked me up and we went a few blocs in this neighborhood to a great Thai restaurant to eat.  I had duck stir fry and for the first time ever, ate the entire meal with (metal) chopsticks.  These young people just blow me away.  Julia has worked in Geneva, Ghana, and now with Doctors Without Borders.  They are true adventurers, fearless, smart and service minded.  It was a delight to spend the evening with them.  Sorry to not have a picture to post; we'll get together in a month or so when she returns from seeing her boyfriend in China (he teaches English there) and I'll get a photo then.

Will also take a picture of Kai and her daughter in front of the house.  We had a brownout for over 4 hours the other night and it's thundering now so better sign off.  I'm sitting in the yard under her office so I can get the wifi connection.  I'm going to get a booster so I have it in my house, as I may work from home form time to time.

I'm starting to get a bit lonely so anyone who is reading, please do send me an email from time to time.  It will be greatly appreciated!

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

I am so blessed!  First, I have an organization to work for that is treating me just wonderfully!  Today I learned that Operation Hope is the brainchild of John Hope Bryant, who believed after the Rodney King riots that empowering people through financial literacy would help give them dignity and subsequently live better lives, and that capitalism can help the underserved.   He has served Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama.  Based in L. A., they opened their only international office in South Africa in 2007.

Today my apartment was approved by the safety and security unit of Peace Corps.  It will be a cozy nest in a very nice neighborhood.  The owner is a woman from N. Y. who has lived here for 13 years and runs her own NGO called "Camp I Am".  Google it (show Johannesburg) if interested.  It is inspiring!  She will be a fun landlady, of that I'm sure!

Thursday my co-worker will take me shopping to get the many things I need, especially in the kitchen, to set up housekeeping.  Although the space is very small, it will be adequate, and best of all, I have a shower with hot water and a flush toilet.  Hey!  What more could one ask when you're in the Peace Corps!?

Friday night a former PCV in Morocco who I knew slightly is coming to pick me up for dinner, and Sunday an old friend, Vicky from Columbia who is working here, will be coming to see me.

The main challenge for me now is to get the transportation thing figured out.  I found a Methodist church that is only a 25 minute walk from my apartment, and meetings are also held there a couple times a week.  I'll be getting a bus card (50 % discount for "pensioners") and can ride the train to areas a little further away.  Plus there's always the tuck-tuck (small cabs).

Yes, things are going very well thus far.

FIRST DAY OF WORK IN JOBURG

Office building where Operation Hope is located

I've just finished my first day of work with
Operation HOPE in their office in Johannesburg.
Here is a photo of the office, with my associate
Tshidi (pronounced seedee).  The Peace Corps driver picked me up from the guest house in Pretoria and brought me to the hotel I am staying in for a few days until I can get into an apartment.   The hotel is very modern and western...quite upscale from where I've been the first week, with all the usual amenities of hairdryer, coffee maker, gym, pool (outdoor and solar heated).  Nice!      

Coffee cup, cactus, card to welcome me

 I was warmly welcomed by Tshidi and the country director, Delores.  They presented me with this gift.

We have a team meeting every Monday with the program person in Capetown, and I will likely spend at least a week there a bit later to learn of their culture and situations which are quite different from this area.  Lots to learn, and I look forward to it!

Pretoria "backpackers" guesthouse

Joburg hotel room

SWEARING IN

Swearing-in ceremony with Acting Director Brigette

PRETORIA TOUR

After several days of orientation, one of the staffers took us out for a little tour of the capitol city of South Africa so am posting photos of a significant monument we visited.

Voortrekker's Monument

View from lower level.  Voortrekker's wagons show on wall; downtown Pretoria in background

the Vow

Statue at base of monument

Info on the statue

View from upper level

OLDIES BUT GOODIES

Three oldies but goodies

Here I am with Vivian (80) who will be leaving service in a couple of months, and Jonelle (69) not until later this year.  Fine women, and very helpful.  Jonelle was in Senegal in the 60's then came back 5 years ago again as a volunteer and has extended three times for a year each time, so she will be going home for good.

Several volunteers are at the guesthouse and/or the Peace Corps office for various reasons, so it's been great to chat and learn about their life/challenges/etc.  Lots of young volunteers, of course, who continue texting as always with their Blackberries.  I'm sticking with a dumb phone since I will likely have regular access to the internet and will Skype to talk to family.  Impressed with the Medical Staff here. Finishing up tomorrow with orientation.  My internal clock has been extremely slow to adjust so am looking to a weekend of sleep and walking (not at the same time, I hope!)

DAY ONE - AT THE PC OFFICE IN PRETORIA

RPCV Richard, PC Staffer Margaret, myself

Here we are on the first day of orientation at

Peace Corps offices in Pretoria.  I met Rich at the Atlanta airport.  He is from Philly, just retired, served Peru in the 60's, and will be doing IT work in the bush.  We are staying at a guesthouse that has a backpackers side and a nice guest room side. We are in the cheap side but it is adequate
and the breakfast was quite nice.

Met the Drs. today, got another shot, and some other things.  More of the same Weds. and  Thurs. and then Friday we are taken to our sites.  Mine is yet to be determined, as they are extremely cautious about safety in Joburg and want to make sure I live in an area close to the offices of Operation Hope so the bus ride is short and easy.  The place they had first lined up for me last September is no longer available and they're searching for a good Plan B.  

When approaching the line for customs at the airport after arrival, I heard my name being called, and here is my friend Vicky, whom I knew would arriving about the same time for her next project with Fluor (contractor to oil companies) but what a surprise to run into her!  We'll connect quite soon, I'm sure.  And, she'll be provided a car so it will be nice to be able to get out and about on our own. She worked at the Conoco plant in Billings for a year and I met her through my hiking club.

Oh, also today I met the 80-year old volunteer who will be done with her two-year service in March.  She's a black woman from Austin, TX  who is ready to start taking it easy and spend more time with her grandkids...she walks at least 5 miles a day, but has a glass of wine at night.  She had a horrible time with the language, sounds like worse than I experienced trying to learn Arabic.  At any rate, nice to meet someone who makes me seem young!

 I am liking the warm weather and no icy streets!  

PRETTY SOON NOW!

10 DAYS!  and I'll be on my way to South Africa!  Finally received medical clearance after a three-month delay and am good to go, am happy that the same project is waiting for me.  Just need to wrap up my old job (which I was fortunate to keep all this time!) next week, re-pack and getting ready for summer weather...Joburg has a very moderate climate so looking at about 75-85 degree day-time weather.  I can live with that, and being off these icy streets.  Will post more when I arrive and have some photos and more info to share.