UNIQUE AFTERNOON

One of the teachers here has been doing the Operation HOPE financial literacy program for a number of years, and we were invited out to do a "Financial Walk for Freedom" which was done elsewhere on Mandela Day, but since they were on holiday at that time, we did a delayed talk/walk on Monday afternon.

This is the lobby entrance to the facility. The school is located way out in the middle of nowhere, intentionally, to deter tourists, I think.  After all, it is simply a boarding school and not a museum or tourist attraction, but with Oprah's name on it, it is bound to attract the curious.

Ubuntu means "I am because we are."  This is a verse of their school song.  The school's motto is all about Education Is Our Tomorrow.

Two of the learners were the emcees, and wore the uniforms of green and gold.  The other students wore their casual clothes, as there has been a water shortage in the community lately.

Tshidi doing her presentation.

The audience.  The enrollment is about 270; this presentation was just for certain grades; probably about 150 in attendance.

I got a few minutes to talk about the Peace Corps.

Finished up with a walk around the circumference of the property.

ONE PILOT DONE!

Here's the two great women that were the class for the pilot program of the new adult curriculum in financial education I just completed.  Tshidi (my counterpart) and I co-taught the class and we got lots of good feedback from them, realized where to make corrections/adjustments...just like a pilot is supposed to work.  Emily is a church member and a special ed teacher, and Romy works in H. R. for a bank.

Now I'll make those changes and get it out to the many Peace Corps Volunteers who attended my recent presentation so they can take it out to their communities.  Progress!

SMALL BUT MIGHTY

After distributing about 100 flyers here and there as well as talking to a lot of people, we ended up with only two people attending the first session of the "Managing My Money" class held at my church last Saturday. The primary purpose was to pilot the program...to go through all the modules and revise as needed, and it was very beneficial for that reason.  The two women attending were very engaged and interacted well.  The second (and last session) will be this next Saturday.  Approval of my draft from the U. S. office of my NGO has been extremely slow in coming.  There are PCVs who are eager to start using it in their communities, so we likely will provide the materials to them as reviewed/revised from these two sessions.

Next is to get a pilot set up for the NGO management basics course I wrote.  Hopefully that will occur in September.  Not sure what work I'll be doing after that.

It was getting quite nice and warm, even in my house,, but then came much needed rain and it cooled off quite a bit, but spring is here!  With it, my first cold/illness since I've been here. I will make use of the cold meds I brought with me (not knowing I would be living in  place where they have most nearly everything!) At least I don't need to worry about having a lot of things to do if this cold gets me down!

ROTARY, KZN, FUN SOCIAL

 On Friday the 8th I caught a ride with people from a Rotary club in Boksburg (a Joburg suburb)  to go with them to Laura's village for their project to help furnish the creche (day care center) Laura's host father helped start in an old church.  I had a long discussion with him during my previous visit there, which was mutually beneficial, as it gave him many factors to consider and helped me understand NGOs (non-governmental organizations) here and to write my NGO Management Basics class, which I've just completed.   One of the member's sister works in a nearby clinic, and staff from there did numerous classes.

Connie, Arthur (the community leader) and PCV Laura

Flossing demonstration.  The woman on the right is the creche director and the Indian women work at the clinic.  

Mothers listening on health care for small children.  Arthur served as translator.  He is a retired professional and his English skills are very good.  A wonderful man.  His wife is a delight as well.

Kids at Laura's host family house.  No smiles for the camera...

Always, the motivating factor...come, and you get food!  Vast amounts of "pap" (a corn-meal staple in the village diet) along with chicken pieces (no heads or feet) and gravy. Not bad!  We ate with our fingers along with everyone else.

The Rotary and Rotaracts (a club for younger members) in front of Laura's house, joined by some local children.  There was one other older couple not in the picture. 

The covered porch at the Nxasa guest lodge where I stayed with 9 Rotaracts.  It was a lovely place...Each couple had their own bathroom, there was a fully equipped kitchen.  We had a braii (BBQ) using coals from the wood fireplace, with tons of wonderful steaks, music, dancing, etc.  (aka drinking).   I did the "sokkie"  which is like our jitterbug, and think I surprised them that this old American woman could dance like that!  My roomie was Jessica, an accountant and perfect match for me...she went to bed early as well and didn't drink much.  :)   It was so rejuvenating to have this socialization!

Sunrise as viewed from the porch of the lodge.  Most of the guests who stay here come to do the Battlefields tours...The infamous historical fights between the Zulus and the Anglos (Brits).

VACATION PLANNING

Big beautiful tree near a stream on one of my walks

I've been spending more than a little time planning a two-week vacation in October with nine friends who are coming here from the U. S.  Due to numerous circumstances beyond my control, it has been challenging, to say the least, but is finally coming together and should be all sorted out (as we say here in S. A.) this week. I'm lucky to get a roommate; a friend of a friend that I've met casually but like most all else, has an adventurous spirit, and she seems up for most anything.  We're going to Kruger Park, Victoria Falls, and Cape Town, among other things.  Really looking forward to it!

It's starting to warm up a bit here, and wouldn't be surprised to see it get up to 60 in my house fairly soon, which will be heartily welcomed. Am making good use of my two pairs of long underwear (worn simultaneously) that I brought, as well as fleece!