It has occurred to me over the last few days that I have been struggling with coming up with things to post here. Over the last six weeks, I have covered the tourist-y things (Lion's Head, the Aquarium), and my projects (Iso'Lezwe, LEAP), and life in South Africa, all in some amount of detail. Some days, it felt as if I needed to post three to four postings a day just to keep you all current on what was happening with me.
Then, over the last week or so, that energy has disappeared. Is it because I am experiencing less "new and different"? Is it because I am spending so much time grant writing, which is a different form of writing, but still writing?
Or could it be that I am finally running of of words?
When I completed my Masters' Thesis, I experienced this same phenomenon. I just plain ran out of words, couldn't for the life of me think which word I was trying to use, and became horribly (in my opinion) inarticulate. They eventually came back, the words did.
I hope this isn't the problem because I still have two weeks, fourteen days, left in South Africa. I have big plans for both this weekend and next, and stories to tell.
But I do realize that at some point, this blog will end and we (me and all of you readers) will put this trip to bed. We may look back and reflect, but the drama and romance of spending a summer in South Africa will come to a close.
In the meantime, I guess I will just keep plugging away.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Straddling two Worlds
I have mentioned how, on the surface, Pinelands could be anywhere in the Bay Area. The large Old Mutual office building that I can see while I sit on my bed here in the Beulah Lodge (over the treetops and razor sharp fence tops) could easily be in Terra Linda or Walnut Creek.
The large building that houses the new Whole Foods in Novato could just as easily be here (the building, not Whole Foods. There is not much in the way of organics here, and almost nothing in produce.)
Over the last few days, I have been straddling these two worlds more and more and I start to wrap things up here and begin to get back into life in Novato.
Jim and I needed to figure out some banking issues and at the same time, I was working on getting a NPO (Non-Profit Organization) number for the Iso'Lezwe Clinic.
I got the proofs of Grant's senior pictures emailed to me and at the same time, I gave Adisani my camera so he could take photos of his new soccer team and all of the gear that you all donated to him. I haven't mentioned Adisani yet. He is one of the LEAPsa's, studying to be a teacher, and working as a student teacher at LEAP.
I found a trainer at the gym here that would play ball with me (it is really doing stomach crunches) so that when I get back to Ramon, my abs aren't quite so sore after our first session.
Kitty the Dog seems to have put on some weight while I have been gone, and the dog that lives at the house near Joyce's in Kalkfontein seems to look ever skinnier.
During the day, I see people here that I am sure are from home. For example, today at lunch I saw my good friend Bob, coming down the stairs in the Old Mutual building. I was instantly excited to see him, but wait. What is he doing here?? In South Africa?? Well, of COURSE it wasn't him, silly me, and the man looked a little perplexed when I gave him a big HI!! :) I am continually seeing people that I think I know.
Most of this is probably because I feel as if I am straddling both worlds right now, and truth be known, I am probably starting to lean towards the US side, as I get ready to return, 14 days from today.
The large building that houses the new Whole Foods in Novato could just as easily be here (the building, not Whole Foods. There is not much in the way of organics here, and almost nothing in produce.)
Over the last few days, I have been straddling these two worlds more and more and I start to wrap things up here and begin to get back into life in Novato.
Jim and I needed to figure out some banking issues and at the same time, I was working on getting a NPO (Non-Profit Organization) number for the Iso'Lezwe Clinic.
I got the proofs of Grant's senior pictures emailed to me and at the same time, I gave Adisani my camera so he could take photos of his new soccer team and all of the gear that you all donated to him. I haven't mentioned Adisani yet. He is one of the LEAPsa's, studying to be a teacher, and working as a student teacher at LEAP.
I found a trainer at the gym here that would play ball with me (it is really doing stomach crunches) so that when I get back to Ramon, my abs aren't quite so sore after our first session.
Kitty the Dog seems to have put on some weight while I have been gone, and the dog that lives at the house near Joyce's in Kalkfontein seems to look ever skinnier.
During the day, I see people here that I am sure are from home. For example, today at lunch I saw my good friend Bob, coming down the stairs in the Old Mutual building. I was instantly excited to see him, but wait. What is he doing here?? In South Africa?? Well, of COURSE it wasn't him, silly me, and the man looked a little perplexed when I gave him a big HI!! :) I am continually seeing people that I think I know.
Most of this is probably because I feel as if I am straddling both worlds right now, and truth be known, I am probably starting to lean towards the US side, as I get ready to return, 14 days from today.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Stomach Flu hits the Beluah Lodge
Or food poisoning. No one is sure. But whatever it is, half of the Fellows are down for the count.
Over the weekend, we all piled into the Quantum and went to an Equestrian Estate. Someone knows someone that got us in for a good rate. The family that owns and operates the Estate also owns and operates a number of bars and clubs, they really know how to put a spread on. The husband runs the show, the wife is the cook. As is common here in South Africa, there are MANY people sweeping.
Can I just digress for a moment? For a country that has as many people sweeping as they do here, trash is EVERYWHERE!! Piles of it in the townships, orange peels everywhere at the LEAP Schools, trash, trash, trash, yet there are also people sweeping everywhere. The two tasks do not compute in my head. If so many people are sweeping .... then how can there be so much trash around?
Anyway, back to the Estate. We ate, we drank, we sat in the sun, we came home.
Mona was the first to be hit with major stomach distress. Jamie, Josh, Jen, Subina, Heather, all fell in pretty quick order, then Steve and finally Sara. All within hours of each other.
Is that food poisoning or just a bad bug? Who knows, but I am giving all of them a wide berth because I don't want it. I am thinking that because I got the H1N1 shot before I came here that I am being protected from whatever violent bug they all picked up.
Until this bug is gone, I am hanging out in the conference room, thinking good healthy thoughts.
Over the weekend, we all piled into the Quantum and went to an Equestrian Estate. Someone knows someone that got us in for a good rate. The family that owns and operates the Estate also owns and operates a number of bars and clubs, they really know how to put a spread on. The husband runs the show, the wife is the cook. As is common here in South Africa, there are MANY people sweeping.
Can I just digress for a moment? For a country that has as many people sweeping as they do here, trash is EVERYWHERE!! Piles of it in the townships, orange peels everywhere at the LEAP Schools, trash, trash, trash, yet there are also people sweeping everywhere. The two tasks do not compute in my head. If so many people are sweeping .... then how can there be so much trash around?
Anyway, back to the Estate. We ate, we drank, we sat in the sun, we came home.
Mona was the first to be hit with major stomach distress. Jamie, Josh, Jen, Subina, Heather, all fell in pretty quick order, then Steve and finally Sara. All within hours of each other.
Is that food poisoning or just a bad bug? Who knows, but I am giving all of them a wide berth because I don't want it. I am thinking that because I got the H1N1 shot before I came here that I am being protected from whatever violent bug they all picked up.
Until this bug is gone, I am hanging out in the conference room, thinking good healthy thoughts.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Things I have learned in South Africa
A not completely comprehensive list, and similiar to "What I did on my Summer Vacation" sort of report.
I learned, just today, that in the townships, in the food stands that sell sheep's heads (I have mentioned the sheep's heads, haven't I??)(well, ok, they cut off the sheeps or goats heads from the neck up and roast them, so that when you walk past the food stand, there are often 5 - 6 heads looking at you from the top of the BBQ), the heads are called Smileys because when they roast, the corners of the mouths pull up into a smile.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Is anyone still with me? Or did that visual lose you all??
I learned that traffic lights are called robots. So one might be told, turn left at the robot.
I learned to look right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left, BOLT, right, left ....
I learned to ignore how closely our car driver follows the car in front of us. We would call it tailgating, they call it good driving.
I learned to go up and down stairs with my feet turned to the side because my shoes don't fit on the stairs.
I learned that 7.5 mg weights are FAR heavier than 10 pound weights and that there just isn't a good non-metric conversion for weights. I either have to use weights heavier than I am use to or lighter, and neither one really works.
I learned that no one really brews coffee here and that I am quite tired of Nescafe.
I learned (the hard way) that South African wine has a far higher alcohol content that California wines, and while one may not feel it in the moment, one most definately feels it the next day.
I learned that it takes an entire stack of the little tiny gold coins to equal one of the silver smaller coins.
I learned that I don't much care for "Macon" which is the Muslim variation of bacon.
I learned that it costs over $90.00 to phone America for a job interview, for 45 minutes worth of talk.
I learned that no one here wears socks, which baffles me because it is so darned cold. What the heck!! No socks??? Is this how I can make my milions is to come to South Africa and sell socks??
I have learned to be patient, that the meeting will eventually start, that the bus will eventually arrive, that the person will eventually call.
I learned what the odd smell is, which I only smell a few days a week when I am walking between the Bealuh Lodge and the LEAP School. The odd smell is the crematorium creamating human remains and the plastic coffins that they use here. LEAP asked public officials to test whether there were chemicals in the air that were harmful and the tests came out negative as to pollutants outside of the legal range, but my gosh. That is one harsh smell, especially when you learn what it really is.
And finally, I learned that, much like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, there is no place like home.
I learned, just today, that in the townships, in the food stands that sell sheep's heads (I have mentioned the sheep's heads, haven't I??)(well, ok, they cut off the sheeps or goats heads from the neck up and roast them, so that when you walk past the food stand, there are often 5 - 6 heads looking at you from the top of the BBQ), the heads are called Smileys because when they roast, the corners of the mouths pull up into a smile.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Is anyone still with me? Or did that visual lose you all??
I learned that traffic lights are called robots. So one might be told, turn left at the robot.
I learned to look right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left, BOLT, right, left ....
I learned to ignore how closely our car driver follows the car in front of us. We would call it tailgating, they call it good driving.
I learned to go up and down stairs with my feet turned to the side because my shoes don't fit on the stairs.
I learned that 7.5 mg weights are FAR heavier than 10 pound weights and that there just isn't a good non-metric conversion for weights. I either have to use weights heavier than I am use to or lighter, and neither one really works.
I learned that no one really brews coffee here and that I am quite tired of Nescafe.
I learned (the hard way) that South African wine has a far higher alcohol content that California wines, and while one may not feel it in the moment, one most definately feels it the next day.
I learned that it takes an entire stack of the little tiny gold coins to equal one of the silver smaller coins.
I learned that I don't much care for "Macon" which is the Muslim variation of bacon.
I learned that it costs over $90.00 to phone America for a job interview, for 45 minutes worth of talk.
I learned that no one here wears socks, which baffles me because it is so darned cold. What the heck!! No socks??? Is this how I can make my milions is to come to South Africa and sell socks??
I have learned to be patient, that the meeting will eventually start, that the bus will eventually arrive, that the person will eventually call.
I learned what the odd smell is, which I only smell a few days a week when I am walking between the Bealuh Lodge and the LEAP School. The odd smell is the crematorium creamating human remains and the plastic coffins that they use here. LEAP asked public officials to test whether there were chemicals in the air that were harmful and the tests came out negative as to pollutants outside of the legal range, but my gosh. That is one harsh smell, especially when you learn what it really is.
And finally, I learned that, much like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, there is no place like home.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
What I haven't talked about ...
I haven't talked about racism here.
I haven't talked about living with 16 other people, just thrown together on Day 1, and suddenly they are your family.
I have talked about the fact my blow dryer went ka-put on Day 1, and I haven't bought a new one, and now, because my hair is always wet or damp, my barrettes are rusting on the inside.
I haven't talked about apartheid, or what remains of that.
I haven't talked about South African men and their wandering eyes.
I haven't talked about the music, which seems to creep into my ears, then down into my heart, then into my soul.
I haven't talked at all about mushroom cream sauce.
I haven't talked (much) about being a white woman in a black community.
I haven't talked about being in a room or a grocery store or somewhere and looking around and realizing that I am the only white person there.
I haven't talked much about how much I miss my family, most especially Jim.
I haven't talked much about the guard dogs, two doors down from this house, that often bark in the night, and how scared I get because it sounds as if someone is trying to break into this room at night. It is mostly the wind, but how does one know??
I haven't talked about how some of the simple pleasures I take for granted at home, like having my own care at my disposal, I don't have that here. I have to rely on the LEAP School to take us here or there, or pay for a taxi, or go on the train, which is supposed to be dangerous.
I haven't talked about the starving dogs in Kalkfontein.
I have talked little about the incredible amount of trash there is here.
Any I probably won't. I have no idea how to even start a post on racism or apartheid. Each issue is in my face every, single, day. Even though apartheid ended 15 years ago, the legacies are in my face every day. The energy to do that post is, most days, just too much for me.
So for now, I will just continue to not talk about this things.
I haven't talked about living with 16 other people, just thrown together on Day 1, and suddenly they are your family.
I have talked about the fact my blow dryer went ka-put on Day 1, and I haven't bought a new one, and now, because my hair is always wet or damp, my barrettes are rusting on the inside.
I haven't talked about apartheid, or what remains of that.
I haven't talked about South African men and their wandering eyes.
I haven't talked about the music, which seems to creep into my ears, then down into my heart, then into my soul.
I haven't talked at all about mushroom cream sauce.
I haven't talked (much) about being a white woman in a black community.
I haven't talked about being in a room or a grocery store or somewhere and looking around and realizing that I am the only white person there.
I haven't talked much about how much I miss my family, most especially Jim.
I haven't talked much about the guard dogs, two doors down from this house, that often bark in the night, and how scared I get because it sounds as if someone is trying to break into this room at night. It is mostly the wind, but how does one know??
I haven't talked about how some of the simple pleasures I take for granted at home, like having my own care at my disposal, I don't have that here. I have to rely on the LEAP School to take us here or there, or pay for a taxi, or go on the train, which is supposed to be dangerous.
I haven't talked about the starving dogs in Kalkfontein.
I have talked little about the incredible amount of trash there is here.
Any I probably won't. I have no idea how to even start a post on racism or apartheid. Each issue is in my face every, single, day. Even though apartheid ended 15 years ago, the legacies are in my face every day. The energy to do that post is, most days, just too much for me.
So for now, I will just continue to not talk about this things.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Stats
Often, it takes some stark statistics in order for me to put things into perspective. I have been here five weeks now, sorting life in South Africa out in my brain. I have spent time in the Yuppie side of town (the beaches), and spent considerable time in the black townships (Kalkfontein.) I have seen the wealth and the poverty.
Yesterday, the Fellows and I met with John Gilmour, Executive Director and Founder of the LEAP Science and Maths Schools. We didn't meet for long, John is a busy man, but he wanted to put a focus around our stay here, and in doing so, listed out a number of statistics. I was writing fast and furious, I hope I got them all correct.
2/3 of all South African children drop out of school before they graduate from Grade 12
5% of South African babies die before their first birthday
1 in 4 men here is a rapist.
75% of South African households have Domestic Violence as a "regular feature" of daily life
In 2004, there were 80,000 total students in the greater Cape Town area. Of those graduating Grade 12 (which I would estimate to be 20,000), 242 blacks passed the exit exam in science and maths.
Of those 242 blacks, 19 of those came from the LEAP Schools. This was the first year that LEAP students took the test.
In the last five years since then, 188 LEAP students have sat for the math and sciences exams, of which 172 passed (91%), and of these, 84 passed with a University exemption (which means you enter at the University level, no remedial classes needed.)
It isn't much, John would be the first to tell you that, but it is progress.
2/3 of all South African children drop out of school before they graduate from Grade 12
5% of South African babies die before their first birthday
1 in 4 men here is a rapist.
75% of South African households have Domestic Violence as a "regular feature" of daily life
In 2004, there were 80,000 total students in the greater Cape Town area. Of those graduating Grade 12 (which I would estimate to be 20,000), 242 blacks passed the exit exam in science and maths.
Of those 242 blacks, 19 of those came from the LEAP Schools. This was the first year that LEAP students took the test.
In the last five years since then, 188 LEAP students have sat for the math and sciences exams, of which 172 passed (91%), and of these, 84 passed with a University exemption (which means you enter at the University level, no remedial classes needed.)
It isn't much, John would be the first to tell you that, but it is progress.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Tick, tick, tick .....
The clock is ticking on my time here.
My good friend Betsy, in reading over the task list of things I am trying to accomplish while I am here, was right in pointing out that with only three weeks left, that I need to be careful about picking out which projects I can actually complete while I am here, that I need to go home with some successes under my belt.
This was good advice and I spent quite a bit of time yesterday thinking about just that.
And I came to the decision that I probably am not going to get to grant writing for Realistic, as much as I would like to. I probably won't get to the "elevator pitch" paper for LEAP. I probably am not going to get to the tutoring of LEAPsa students, and I am not going to get to other things on that list.
What I AM going to get to, though, is the NPO paperwork for Iso'Lezwe. That stack of papers is going out on Monday. I AM going to write two more grants for them, both of those are going out next week. I also am going to help Subina and Sarah with the Entrepreneurial/Leadership workshops - there are three or four of those scheduled now. I also feel good that yesterday, Subina and I sat with Joyce and a couple of the caregivers, and two of the volunteer medical doctors, and we formed a sort of Five Year plan. It was complicated and slow and (from my American point of view), tedious, (I hope that word doesn't offend anyone, it was my perspective in the moment), but we were able to put a form around the three stages of the clinic. Phase 1 is getting basic supplies for the caregivers and running the clinic out of Joyce's house. Phase 2 is having the shipping container in Kalkfontein, open and ready for patients. Phase 3 (which in reality may never occur, but we planned for it), is a medical clinic is built by the government.
One other thing I am going to do is to document more thoroughly our work here. There is tremendous redundancy here from year to year with new MBA's coming in, and only a bit written down for the new people to learn from. When I arrived here, it literally took four weeks for me to figure out Iso'Lezwe, and that was about three weeks of wasted time. There HAS to be a better way to transfer the information from year to year. Maybe this blog will help those that follow after me on this journey, maybe not. I don't know if anyone reading this can really envision, from my words and my photos, what it is like to sit on a plastic milk crate, in the sand and dirt in the front yard of a house in an informal settlement, and form a business plan, while half the group is speaking Xhosa, half the group speaks the language of Congo, some are speaking Afrikaans, and half the group speaks a heavily accented English. (yes, I know there are too many halves, there. Welcome to Africa :) )
And with that, it is off to work I go.
My good friend Betsy, in reading over the task list of things I am trying to accomplish while I am here, was right in pointing out that with only three weeks left, that I need to be careful about picking out which projects I can actually complete while I am here, that I need to go home with some successes under my belt.
This was good advice and I spent quite a bit of time yesterday thinking about just that.
And I came to the decision that I probably am not going to get to grant writing for Realistic, as much as I would like to. I probably won't get to the "elevator pitch" paper for LEAP. I probably am not going to get to the tutoring of LEAPsa students, and I am not going to get to other things on that list.
What I AM going to get to, though, is the NPO paperwork for Iso'Lezwe. That stack of papers is going out on Monday. I AM going to write two more grants for them, both of those are going out next week. I also am going to help Subina and Sarah with the Entrepreneurial/Leadership workshops - there are three or four of those scheduled now. I also feel good that yesterday, Subina and I sat with Joyce and a couple of the caregivers, and two of the volunteer medical doctors, and we formed a sort of Five Year plan. It was complicated and slow and (from my American point of view), tedious, (I hope that word doesn't offend anyone, it was my perspective in the moment), but we were able to put a form around the three stages of the clinic. Phase 1 is getting basic supplies for the caregivers and running the clinic out of Joyce's house. Phase 2 is having the shipping container in Kalkfontein, open and ready for patients. Phase 3 (which in reality may never occur, but we planned for it), is a medical clinic is built by the government.
One other thing I am going to do is to document more thoroughly our work here. There is tremendous redundancy here from year to year with new MBA's coming in, and only a bit written down for the new people to learn from. When I arrived here, it literally took four weeks for me to figure out Iso'Lezwe, and that was about three weeks of wasted time. There HAS to be a better way to transfer the information from year to year. Maybe this blog will help those that follow after me on this journey, maybe not. I don't know if anyone reading this can really envision, from my words and my photos, what it is like to sit on a plastic milk crate, in the sand and dirt in the front yard of a house in an informal settlement, and form a business plan, while half the group is speaking Xhosa, half the group speaks the language of Congo, some are speaking Afrikaans, and half the group speaks a heavily accented English. (yes, I know there are too many halves, there. Welcome to Africa :) )
And with that, it is off to work I go.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Talfalah Institute
Early yesterday morning, Steve called my cell phone. Of course, I didn't know it was Steve because my phone doesn't save names and contacts too well, nor could I answer my cell phone because when I do, I can't hear the other person, but I have memorized Steve's number so knew he was trying to get ahold of me. We had a meeting scheduled at 11:00 to go see a new library that was being built - much like the one at Lavendar Hill, except this one was at a primary school.
I got to the LEAP School a little early, to have a chance to chat with Papa Chris and tell him about our trip to Lavendar Hill. Instead, I found the parking lot filled (three cars) with people filling their cars with boxes and stacks of books. Steve said he had called me because he was sure that I would have wanted to watch the action - a new shipment of books had arrived, and teachers, principals, and librarians had arrived to stake claim. Steve compared the sight to a flock of vultures swooping in.
As is happens pretty much daily, there was some form of communication between Papa Chris and the lady in the red Prius, and Papa said that was our ride, have fun. We piled into the car, admidst the books.
Today or destination was Sherwood Park, and to get there we would need to drive through Menenberg. Menenberg is a higly volitale area, a black township, with one of the highest crime rates in the area. Gangs are active, even in the broad daylight, and the driver of our car refused to drive down the main road of the township because she didn't want to be dead. Instead, we took the long way around eventually arriving at the Talfalah Institute.
Talfalah Institute first opened their doors in 1912, at a location not too far from this one. They have been here for 35 years. This is a view of the main quad of the school - there are three more just like this. The school has an enrollment of 1,036 students and 26 teachers (you can do the math.) While the school is housed in a government building, the school is a private Muslim school. There is not one child to be seen while classes are in session.
We met Eb Shridian. Eb is studying at the University of Cape Town to get her librarian certificate as she has been designated to be the new librarian. She attended University years ago to get her Teaching Certificate. She told us that it is a lot of work to go to school two nights per week from 6 - 9, and that her husband needs to be compassionate about it because she is tired at the end of the day.
We asked how Eb had become aware of Papa Chris and The Bookery, and there was a complicated tale about Randall and the programs he offers in schools, and his connection with Chris. Before they knew it, Eb and the other teachers were sorting through books in the containers, well on their way to filling their library.
Unlike the Lavander Hill library, there is no real system to how the books are put on the shelves. A John Grisham novel was placed right next to the Max Mayer book "There is a Nightmare in the Attic" (a family favorite to be sure.) But there is good intent. As i have already mentioned, the South Africa Department of Education will not provide one dime towards libraries. As was the case in Lavandar Hill, this will be the only library in the township.
As honored American guests, we were served snacks and tea. That is milk-based tea, served steaming hot. The snacks on the left, I didn't get the name of them, but Subina called them "Laying Sisters." On the right are Dolchi, or Pakooras, made in the school kitchen.
Of course, that meant that we needed to go and look at the school kitchen, expecting a regular, full-sized kitchen to serve 1,036 students. Instead, we found ..... a couple of hot plates and some really LARGE pots.
Soup or Sump Beans are made every day, along with the snacks you see above.
You know, School Lunch Ladies look pretty much the same the world over. The Head Cook is in the orange.
We visited many of the classrooms. Note the differences between this school and Crossroads, where Steve and I went to visit back a couple of weeks ago.
And of course, the ever-present concertina wire ....
I am not entirely sure what our function in viewing the school was, except for curiousity about the full circle of The Bookery. I have a new appreciation for Rotary International who is at the base of the entire book/library project here in South Africa. And as someone that grew up almost living in the Martinez Public Library, I can certainly understand what the principal and Eb are trying to do in getting the library open. But as for me and my tasks through Teach with Africa, I don't know what they were expecting of us.
I also worry that with three weeks left, that time is short on the projects that I do need to complete, or at least make progress on. I have reconciled myself to the fact that work here will NEVER be done, and I need to be selective in my top priorities.
Three weeks and counting.
I got to the LEAP School a little early, to have a chance to chat with Papa Chris and tell him about our trip to Lavendar Hill. Instead, I found the parking lot filled (three cars) with people filling their cars with boxes and stacks of books. Steve said he had called me because he was sure that I would have wanted to watch the action - a new shipment of books had arrived, and teachers, principals, and librarians had arrived to stake claim. Steve compared the sight to a flock of vultures swooping in.
As is happens pretty much daily, there was some form of communication between Papa Chris and the lady in the red Prius, and Papa said that was our ride, have fun. We piled into the car, admidst the books.
We asked how Eb had become aware of Papa Chris and The Bookery, and there was a complicated tale about Randall and the programs he offers in schools, and his connection with Chris. Before they knew it, Eb and the other teachers were sorting through books in the containers, well on their way to filling their library.
Unlike the Lavander Hill library, there is no real system to how the books are put on the shelves. A John Grisham novel was placed right next to the Max Mayer book "There is a Nightmare in the Attic" (a family favorite to be sure.) But there is good intent. As i have already mentioned, the South Africa Department of Education will not provide one dime towards libraries. As was the case in Lavandar Hill, this will be the only library in the township.
Of course, that meant that we needed to go and look at the school kitchen, expecting a regular, full-sized kitchen to serve 1,036 students. Instead, we found ..... a couple of hot plates and some really LARGE pots.
Soup or Sump Beans are made every day, along with the snacks you see above.
You know, School Lunch Ladies look pretty much the same the world over. The Head Cook is in the orange.
We visited many of the classrooms. Note the differences between this school and Crossroads, where Steve and I went to visit back a couple of weeks ago.
And of course, the ever-present concertina wire ....
I am not entirely sure what our function in viewing the school was, except for curiousity about the full circle of The Bookery. I have a new appreciation for Rotary International who is at the base of the entire book/library project here in South Africa. And as someone that grew up almost living in the Martinez Public Library, I can certainly understand what the principal and Eb are trying to do in getting the library open. But as for me and my tasks through Teach with Africa, I don't know what they were expecting of us.
I also worry that with three weeks left, that time is short on the projects that I do need to complete, or at least make progress on. I have reconciled myself to the fact that work here will NEVER be done, and I need to be selective in my top priorities.
Three weeks and counting.
Lavender Hill - the follow up
As you may recall, when we all went out to the Lavender Hill High School last week, we were unable to stay to see the opening of the new library. Yesterday, Randall volunteered to drive Subina and I out there again. It seems as if I have mentioned how difficult getting around in Cape Town is. Teach with Africa does not rent vehicles for us to use, plus they do not allow us to take the trains, nor use the mini-van taxis for transport. It puts us in the ackward position of having to find rides from the LEAP bus drivers, or from nice people like Randall. I suppose that we could rent our own car, but there is the money side of that and I just don't want to spend my available funds that way.
But I digress. :)
For some reason, palm trees are common here.
That is Randall, Subina, and Librarian Jane in the new Lavendar Hill library. All of the books came from Papa Chris' shipping container The Bookery. The bookshelves were donated by Rotary International.
While we were standing there, the plastic chairs were taken out of the room and brand new conference-type padded chairs were brought in.
It is such a warm and inviting space, I just wanted to sit down and spend the day reading.
As I was looking at the book titles (because I could hardly resist), this one jumped out at me ....
-------------------------------------------------->>>>>>>>>
Did you see the mid-temperature today???
Of course not, all of you were asleep!!
----------------------------------------------------------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In case you missed it, it said the Cape Town temperature was .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
81 degrees!
As in warm!
As in I have shorts on!
As in when I walked to the gym I didn't have to wear my sweatshirt.
As in aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.......................................
(just to keep things in perspective, rain is coming in this weekend and we will be back to the cold, damp, weather, but for today )
:)
:)
:)
Of course not, all of you were asleep!!
----------------------------------------------------------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In case you missed it, it said the Cape Town temperature was .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
81 degrees!
As in warm!
As in I have shorts on!
As in when I walked to the gym I didn't have to wear my sweatshirt.
As in aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.......................................
(just to keep things in perspective, rain is coming in this weekend and we will be back to the cold, damp, weather, but for today )
:)
:)
:)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Akukho Nzwana Ingenasiphako
No one is perfect.
He told me his story - growing up in Guguletu, being given a scholarship to Pinelands High School (the white school), working in the banking industry, then landing a government job with the Department of Corrections, working as a prison guard. Watching how services for inmates don't work, seeing men return time and time again to prison, and knowing there must be a better way to keep people out of, and from returning to prison, Solomon founded Realistic.
They call themselves "Realists". Look at how they are looking at me. I was probably the only white woman within blocks of this room. They weren't about to give me the time of day, until Patrick Thulo (Master Facilitator) introduced me. (I took three photos of Patrick, this is the one he choose for me to use, lol.) Patrick also told me his story. A number of years ago, he was attending UCT (University, Cape Town) majoring in Sociology. he was unable to pay his tuition, and decided to open up someone's safe in their house and take out the contents and that person didn't like it and he ended up in a maximum security prison. HA!! Of course, there is a bit more to the story than that, but during his period of incarcaration, he was identified as a person with good facilitator skills. He moved from Robbins Island (sort of like Alcatraz), to Porterville (an honor farm), and is now out on parole, with one year left to serve. He is doing that time working at Realistic.
Solomon later told us about the programs. Realistic has four "intakes" per year. Each "intake" is four months in length and has 25 people. This intake just started four weeks ago. The first three weeks the group is sent to a substance abuse de-tox center. In this photo, almost everyone had been addicted to cocaine, weed, or meth. This is their first week back in the real world.
During our time there yesterday, the group was planning a weekend excursion to go hiking. Using the Boy Scout model of patrols, they broke into groups and figured out how much food they need, what sort of transport, and what clothes everyone should bring. No one in this group has ever been hiking before.
I grilled Solomon on his statistics, and he confirmed his facts. Since Realistic opened, he has served 500 clients. Of those, 5 have returned to prison.
5.
So a 1% recidivism rate.
Solomon is quick to say that his small numbers allow him this success rate. The Peer Educator model keeps in contact with people and the clients are able to have continuing support.
Yesterday, he got word that the Open Society Foundation renewed his grant for another year. If that funding had not come through, he would have had to close his doors. Now, with R300,000 ($70,000US), he will be able to stay open another year, to serve another 100 clients.
My job here in South Africa is to look for further funding for Realistic. Now that I have have sat in the group and sang (and danced) with them, it gives me the passion to do just that.
http://realisticcbo.org/
Weaver Birds
This is what the next looks like - a true "weaved" thing.
Here is the actual bird - aren't they beautiful?
Black, white, and colored
People, that is.
The other evening, we were watching a South African comedian on TV. He made the comment that South Africa is the only country in the world where you can call someone "colored" and have it be ok. I know that it is even making me uneasy to write the word.
I have been having a difficult time sorting out who is who here. Black townships? White areas? Colored areas? What the heck?
Today, during a long drive, Randall (who was kind enough to drive Subina and I) gave me a pretty clear description.
Blacks are that - black. Pure black down through the generations.
White are that - white. Same thing - pure.
Coloreds are mixed race people, or people of Hispanic, Asian, Indian descent. Randall is a Colored Person (oh, I am sorry, sorry, it just pains me to write this).
Maybe it was a clear explanation, or maybe my brain just choose to accept these terms today, or maybe we have driven around Cape Town enough times that I am getting a sense of the different parts of town. Langa, Guguletu, Kalkfontein, Kialetche, Muzinberg - those are all Black Townships. White people live in Pinelands, Bishops. Colored people live in the Observatory area. ****
(*** I know it is more complicated than that, but this is something my brain can grasp)
I don't think I will feel any more comfortable using the term, and I actually haven't said it outloud yet, but at least I understand what people are talking about.
The other evening, we were watching a South African comedian on TV. He made the comment that South Africa is the only country in the world where you can call someone "colored" and have it be ok. I know that it is even making me uneasy to write the word.
I have been having a difficult time sorting out who is who here. Black townships? White areas? Colored areas? What the heck?
Today, during a long drive, Randall (who was kind enough to drive Subina and I) gave me a pretty clear description.
Blacks are that - black. Pure black down through the generations.
White are that - white. Same thing - pure.
Coloreds are mixed race people, or people of Hispanic, Asian, Indian descent. Randall is a Colored Person (oh, I am sorry, sorry, it just pains me to write this).
Maybe it was a clear explanation, or maybe my brain just choose to accept these terms today, or maybe we have driven around Cape Town enough times that I am getting a sense of the different parts of town. Langa, Guguletu, Kalkfontein, Kialetche, Muzinberg - those are all Black Townships. White people live in Pinelands, Bishops. Colored people live in the Observatory area. ****
(*** I know it is more complicated than that, but this is something my brain can grasp)
I don't think I will feel any more comfortable using the term, and I actually haven't said it outloud yet, but at least I understand what people are talking about.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Monday morning
Just like in the States, Monday mornings roll around and we start yet another work week. I feel as if I have been playing quite a bit (dancing until all hours of the night, going to Botanical Gardens, sitting in the warm sun) and it is time to knuckle down and get some work done.
I have many points of focus on this trip. Because there are only two of us MBA's, the list of things that need to be done, things that need to get done, and things that would be nice to be done is long. Most of these projects stem from the LEAP Science and Maths Schools Headmaster, John Gillmor. The school has an increasingly large Social Development Programme (with an e, please note) and Community Support programme. Most of the MBA projects come from the CBO's (community based organizations) that are attached to the LEAP School.
For example, the Iso'Lezwe project is connected to LEAP through Joyce. The Realistic program (program that serves people formerly incarcerated) is attached through Solomon. The Soup Kitchen, and Mama Soup is connected because the Soup Kitchen (do you remember when we went there? The first day I was in Langa, way, WAY back during the first week of this trip, seems like an eternity ago) is housed in the same shipping container as the Langa/LEAP after-school study center. And so on.
My projects are as follows:
> Help Kirstin, External Relations Manager at LEAP, research and find new grant opportunities.
> Help Kirstin develop an "elevator speech" of the fundraising needs of LEAP
> Do the same thing in a 2 - 3 page Letter of Interest sort of report for possible funders
> Research and write proposals for Community Partners that are of interest. In my case, this is:
> Iso'Lezwe (Joyce)
> Realistic (Solomon)
> The Book Store (Papa Chris and Randall)
> The Langa Soccer Club (did any of you donate soccer gear? Adisani took all of the gear and he started the Club. About 15 pairs of cleats, a set of cones, a rule book, some shorts, jerseys, shin guards, and a bright green sports bag that says NYSA (Novato Youth Soccer Association) on it. You can see it from across the field, lol.)
Then .......
> Help Iso'Lezwe get their Non-Profit Organization paperwork filed
> Work on getting the shipping container moved from Pinelands to Kalkfontein
> Help Ross (a teacher at LEAP 2) get the earthworm farm purchased, installed, and operating
> Help Subina research and organize a series of Entrepreneurial/Leadership workshops
WHEW!!! It makes me tired just listing it all out. There are some other things, but I can't recall what they are right now.
All of that to say that is time to get off of my duff and get to work.
I have many points of focus on this trip. Because there are only two of us MBA's, the list of things that need to be done, things that need to get done, and things that would be nice to be done is long. Most of these projects stem from the LEAP Science and Maths Schools Headmaster, John Gillmor. The school has an increasingly large Social Development Programme (with an e, please note) and Community Support programme. Most of the MBA projects come from the CBO's (community based organizations) that are attached to the LEAP School.
For example, the Iso'Lezwe project is connected to LEAP through Joyce. The Realistic program (program that serves people formerly incarcerated) is attached through Solomon. The Soup Kitchen, and Mama Soup is connected because the Soup Kitchen (do you remember when we went there? The first day I was in Langa, way, WAY back during the first week of this trip, seems like an eternity ago) is housed in the same shipping container as the Langa/LEAP after-school study center. And so on.
My projects are as follows:
> Help Kirstin, External Relations Manager at LEAP, research and find new grant opportunities.
> Help Kirstin develop an "elevator speech" of the fundraising needs of LEAP
> Do the same thing in a 2 - 3 page Letter of Interest sort of report for possible funders
> Research and write proposals for Community Partners that are of interest. In my case, this is:
> Iso'Lezwe (Joyce)
> Realistic (Solomon)
> The Book Store (Papa Chris and Randall)
> The Langa Soccer Club (did any of you donate soccer gear? Adisani took all of the gear and he started the Club. About 15 pairs of cleats, a set of cones, a rule book, some shorts, jerseys, shin guards, and a bright green sports bag that says NYSA (Novato Youth Soccer Association) on it. You can see it from across the field, lol.)
Then .......
> Help Iso'Lezwe get their Non-Profit Organization paperwork filed
> Work on getting the shipping container moved from Pinelands to Kalkfontein
> Help Ross (a teacher at LEAP 2) get the earthworm farm purchased, installed, and operating
> Help Subina research and organize a series of Entrepreneurial/Leadership workshops
WHEW!!! It makes me tired just listing it all out. There are some other things, but I can't recall what they are right now.
All of that to say that is time to get off of my duff and get to work.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
A night on the Town
What does one do after a lazy day sitting around the house and pool?
One goes out on the town, of course :)
Saturday was one of our Fellows' birthday (Jen.) It was a bit complicated, but the rest of us were all able to get dressed up (as dressed up as one can get after having lived out of your suitcase for a month), pile into a cab, go across town, sit in the restaurant, and shout "Surprise" when she walked in the door.
The restaurant is called The Wild Fig.
http://www.thewildfig.co.za/
There are no photos, but I had the Slow Roasted lamb in Phyllo pastry. It was tasty, but lacking in salt/pepper/spices of any sort. Lots of dough and not a lot of lamb. But it filled my tummy and that is something that has been lacking lately.
After dinner, we all piled into cars and cabs and went in search of a fun club. Now, anyone that really knows me is probably ROTFL at this point, because the idea of me!! going out clubbing, well, I can't tell you the last time I was out late like that. But before I left home, I had promised Jim that if the younger people went out in the evenings, that I would go with them.
We stopped at a couple of places, they were either closed (as in no longer in business) because the World Cup was gone, or they weren't open on a Saturday night, or something. We ended up at a club on the beach in Camps Bay, which is where we have been a couple of times before.
I have to say - I had forgotten how much I enjoy dancing. I wish I had had a dress or skirt on, instead of blue jeans, and the place was awfully warm (now, THAT was a nice change from being cold all the time), but all in all, I had a GREAT time. We got back to the lodge around 2:30 am. I was thinking that I would sleep in this morning, but no, my eyes popped open at 7:30 am. Thankfully, Steve already had coffee made.
Today is the big day when most of the Fellows move into their Home Stay situations. It is a bright and sunny day, so I should try and gather people to go and do something. Don't know what, but I venture to say there is a nap planned later today.
Yawn!!
One goes out on the town, of course :)
Saturday was one of our Fellows' birthday (Jen.) It was a bit complicated, but the rest of us were all able to get dressed up (as dressed up as one can get after having lived out of your suitcase for a month), pile into a cab, go across town, sit in the restaurant, and shout "Surprise" when she walked in the door.
The restaurant is called The Wild Fig.
http://www.thewildfig.co.za/
There are no photos, but I had the Slow Roasted lamb in Phyllo pastry. It was tasty, but lacking in salt/pepper/spices of any sort. Lots of dough and not a lot of lamb. But it filled my tummy and that is something that has been lacking lately.
After dinner, we all piled into cars and cabs and went in search of a fun club. Now, anyone that really knows me is probably ROTFL at this point, because the idea of me!! going out clubbing, well, I can't tell you the last time I was out late like that. But before I left home, I had promised Jim that if the younger people went out in the evenings, that I would go with them.
We stopped at a couple of places, they were either closed (as in no longer in business) because the World Cup was gone, or they weren't open on a Saturday night, or something. We ended up at a club on the beach in Camps Bay, which is where we have been a couple of times before.
I have to say - I had forgotten how much I enjoy dancing. I wish I had had a dress or skirt on, instead of blue jeans, and the place was awfully warm (now, THAT was a nice change from being cold all the time), but all in all, I had a GREAT time. We got back to the lodge around 2:30 am. I was thinking that I would sleep in this morning, but no, my eyes popped open at 7:30 am. Thankfully, Steve already had coffee made.
Today is the big day when most of the Fellows move into their Home Stay situations. It is a bright and sunny day, so I should try and gather people to go and do something. Don't know what, but I venture to say there is a nap planned later today.
Yawn!!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Kickin' back
It had to come, we have all been SO busy. Today has been a pretty laid back day.
As usual, the alarm on my Blackberry went off at 7:00, which really irritated me because I had no where to go this morning, and I was having a wonderful dream about something or other, and I was warm. Warm. I was warm :) But ring the alarm did say, and up I did get. Stumbled across the patio, missing stepping into the pool (one of my worries is that I will forget the pool is there and stumble into the cold water), into the backdoor of the house, found a coffee mug, and poured a cup. Each evening before I go to bed I make a pot of coffee and the first person up in the morning (which is usually me or Steve) turns it on. Today, Steve was up first, so coffee was already made when I got there.
Now, if I could only teach someone to bring me my coffee in bed like Jim does ..... ahhhh .... probably won't happen.
All of the Educators (which is everyone except Subina and me) had Saturday school, where they tutor LEAP students, so the house got quite quickly. I headed over to the conference room for a couple of hours of good, solid, quiet, grant research work. I was pleased to find a couple of places that I can send in proposals for the Iso'Lezwe Med Clinic, plus the Realistic organization, whom I met with on Friday. A couple of other good hits as well.
Spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in the sun, alternating between being warm and having goosebumps.
Tonight is the last evening here at the lodge before most of the Fellows go off on their respective homestays. Monica and I are staying here at the lodge, some people are staying in Langa, and a couple are staying at the Safe House for Leapsa students. Since it is our last evening together, I think we are planning on going out for dinner. I am sure the younger group will stay out most of the night (they generally roll in around 4:00 am, FAR to late for me), so I will head home early with a couple of the others who don't do all-nighters.
It's been nice just sitting around today and not doing much.
As usual, the alarm on my Blackberry went off at 7:00, which really irritated me because I had no where to go this morning, and I was having a wonderful dream about something or other, and I was warm. Warm. I was warm :) But ring the alarm did say, and up I did get. Stumbled across the patio, missing stepping into the pool (one of my worries is that I will forget the pool is there and stumble into the cold water), into the backdoor of the house, found a coffee mug, and poured a cup. Each evening before I go to bed I make a pot of coffee and the first person up in the morning (which is usually me or Steve) turns it on. Today, Steve was up first, so coffee was already made when I got there.
Now, if I could only teach someone to bring me my coffee in bed like Jim does ..... ahhhh .... probably won't happen.
All of the Educators (which is everyone except Subina and me) had Saturday school, where they tutor LEAP students, so the house got quite quickly. I headed over to the conference room for a couple of hours of good, solid, quiet, grant research work. I was pleased to find a couple of places that I can send in proposals for the Iso'Lezwe Med Clinic, plus the Realistic organization, whom I met with on Friday. A couple of other good hits as well.
Spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in the sun, alternating between being warm and having goosebumps.
Tonight is the last evening here at the lodge before most of the Fellows go off on their respective homestays. Monica and I are staying here at the lodge, some people are staying in Langa, and a couple are staying at the Safe House for Leapsa students. Since it is our last evening together, I think we are planning on going out for dinner. I am sure the younger group will stay out most of the night (they generally roll in around 4:00 am, FAR to late for me), so I will head home early with a couple of the others who don't do all-nighters.
It's been nice just sitting around today and not doing much.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Finally, I got through all of those other posts and can now post the really GOOD stuff :)
Last Sunday, Vernon, Katie, Sara, and I hopped into Leon's car and went a couple of places. First, was the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. This is me, Katie, Sara (my new roommate), and Vernon.
Nena, this fern grotto is for you ~
Something in the conservatory ...
Avenue of the Camphors ...
A spectacular view of Table Mountain in the morning sun.
Different view ..
Bird of Paradise
A different kind of bird - Guinea Fowl (that is what Dickie the LEAP School van driver told me)
This tree was in the section called "The Enchanted Forest"
Look at those seed pods. They made a clicking sound if you were to shake them.
More flowers ..
Me, with the resident Ape.
(As a complete aside, that is a sweater I bought a couple of weeks ago when shopping with Monica, and is the single warmest thing I own. Under that sweater is a thermal shirt, plus a long-sleeved shirt, two pairs of socks, and my new Eastland (from Maine) winter shoes. I was still cold.)
Last Sunday, Vernon, Katie, Sara, and I hopped into Leon's car and went a couple of places. First, was the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. This is me, Katie, Sara (my new roommate), and Vernon.
Nena, this fern grotto is for you ~
Something in the conservatory ...
Avenue of the Camphors ...
Different view ..
Bird of Paradise
A different kind of bird - Guinea Fowl (that is what Dickie the LEAP School van driver told me)
This tree was in the section called "The Enchanted Forest"
Look at those seed pods. They made a clicking sound if you were to shake them.
More flowers ..
Me, with the resident Ape.
(As a complete aside, that is a sweater I bought a couple of weeks ago when shopping with Monica, and is the single warmest thing I own. Under that sweater is a thermal shirt, plus a long-sleeved shirt, two pairs of socks, and my new Eastland (from Maine) winter shoes. I was still cold.)
Iso'Lezwe
Some of you must be wondering why we are going to all of these places, such as Kalkfontein? I haven't spoken much about my projects here in South Africa, and I suddenly seem to have many, but mostly, I am here to offer my skills as a Non-Profit CFO/Controller and sort of a grantwriter. Mostly, I am working on grants, both researching possibilities and actually writing grants. Yesterday was my first ever grant submission.
(Judy - are you reading this?? I hit send!))(and MY how stressful that was!)
Last week, Subina discovered a funding source that would work for the tiny little Iso'Lezwe Medical Clinic. This clinic used to be located in Kalkfontein, in a donated building. Since the Fellows were here last year, the building was lost and there is now no medical facility or services of any kind in the community. Keep in mind the high rate of HIV/Aids patients, along with an increasing number of cancer victims, the small children, and no medical clinic, no doctor, nothing.
What the community does have, though, are a few Caregivers, and it was this group of young women that I was writing the grant for.
These are the three cargivers that are currently working here in Kalkfontein. They provide in-home care services to five HIV/Aids patients. They do this with no supplies at all. No thermometer. No BP kit. No latex gloves, no tongue depressors, nothing.
That is what I wrote the grant for.
In a perfect world, the grant I wrote would have been stronger, I would have been more persuasive. The fact that I had not been out to Kalkfontein and heard the stories of these young women before I wrote the grant - that was a shame. When I came back to Beluah last evening, I only had an hour before the grant had to be submitted, not enough time to completely revamp the writing. But I was able to put more of a face on it, I was able too add in supplies and equipment.
The hope is that a large shipping container (which have become, here in South Africa, a regular means of housing or place for your retail store) which has already been donated to the LEAP School, and in turn to the Iso'Lezwe Clinic - that we can raise enough money to move it from Pineland to that empty land space in the farm photo of Kalkfontein.
In a perfect world (well, in a perfect world we wouldn't even be talking about having these sorts of issues), the grant will be funded and this container will be moved (coming in under budget, of course :) ), and the retrofitting will take place (windows and electric added), and in a flash, this shipping container will be come the new Iso'Lezwe Medical Clinic, giving the community of Kalkfontein a place to meet, hold support group meetings, and have educational seminars on health-related issues.
In the meantime, the caregivers will continue to work with no supplies, and the owner of this shack house will continue to host the HIV/Aids support group meetings in her home. I wasn't sure, but I think the owner is wearing the pink hat.
As a side note, before we Fellows left, the pink hatted lady said that she wanted to say something. She gathered her thoughts and said this ~
"I am hungry. We are hungry. We have no food. My doctor won't sign the form that says I can't work, so I can't get the budget. (disability checks) My childs are hungry. The doctor says I can work, but I can't. I have HIV. That is all I have to say."
That might be all I have to say as well.
(Judy - are you reading this?? I hit send!))(and MY how stressful that was!)
Last week, Subina discovered a funding source that would work for the tiny little Iso'Lezwe Medical Clinic. This clinic used to be located in Kalkfontein, in a donated building. Since the Fellows were here last year, the building was lost and there is now no medical facility or services of any kind in the community. Keep in mind the high rate of HIV/Aids patients, along with an increasing number of cancer victims, the small children, and no medical clinic, no doctor, nothing.
These are the three cargivers that are currently working here in Kalkfontein. They provide in-home care services to five HIV/Aids patients. They do this with no supplies at all. No thermometer. No BP kit. No latex gloves, no tongue depressors, nothing.
That is what I wrote the grant for.
In a perfect world, the grant I wrote would have been stronger, I would have been more persuasive. The fact that I had not been out to Kalkfontein and heard the stories of these young women before I wrote the grant - that was a shame. When I came back to Beluah last evening, I only had an hour before the grant had to be submitted, not enough time to completely revamp the writing. But I was able to put more of a face on it, I was able too add in supplies and equipment.
In a perfect world (well, in a perfect world we wouldn't even be talking about having these sorts of issues), the grant will be funded and this container will be moved (coming in under budget, of course :) ), and the retrofitting will take place (windows and electric added), and in a flash, this shipping container will be come the new Iso'Lezwe Medical Clinic, giving the community of Kalkfontein a place to meet, hold support group meetings, and have educational seminars on health-related issues.
As a side note, before we Fellows left, the pink hatted lady said that she wanted to say something. She gathered her thoughts and said this ~
"I am hungry. We are hungry. We have no food. My doctor won't sign the form that says I can't work, so I can't get the budget. (disability checks) My childs are hungry. The doctor says I can work, but I can't. I have HIV. That is all I have to say."
That might be all I have to say as well.
Good Hope Farms
On our drive to Kalkfontein last week, I asked Dickie (our driver of the LEAP van - he takes us here and there), what "fontein" means, as I keep seeing it in parts of town and street names. It took some discussion between he and the other driver, but they finally decided it means "farms" in Africanese. The literal translation of Kalkfontein is Good Hope Farms.
Let that sit in the front of your thoughts as you view these photos -
What is left of the original farm ..
The exterior of Joyce's house. Have I talked about Joyce yet? Joyce is a community activist, choosing to live in this "informal settlement" which is what the shack houses are called. More on her later ... This is the street where she lives, and the open doorway is the entrance to her home.
The front window of her home. When I first saw this window, I had to throw out all of my preconceived notions about shack housing. Real glass, windows that open and close, and check out the curtains she has. Dolphins.
A close up is below ..
Of course, I instantly made a connection with Joyce about her love of oceans and water (after all, I AM Wavesmom) ....
This is Jamie (our tall White Fellow), and Joyce inside of her house. Joyce is a breast cancer survivor. She is still undergoing chemotherapy treatments (thus the hat because she has no hair).
This is the main room of the house. As you can see, there is electricity (which I had said at one point that there was not in these sorts of houses, my error.) The wiring is pretty sketchy, but there is enough power to run the TV (which you see behind Jamie), and a couple of lamps. The house is heated with a propane?? keroscene?? heater. It is small, could fit in the circle that your legs make when you sit on the ground, but warms the room nicely. Funny, that I had to go to a shack house in an informal settlement in order to become warm. There is tremendous irony there ....
The street corner ....
The light may be wrong to show how white these white shirts are.
Every house has an address. Most houses have at least one dog.
The side yard of a house near where Joyce stays..
While the houses do have electricity, they do not have running water. The water spigot that serves the street Joyce lives on, plus maybe six other streets is to the left of the porta-potties (the blue buildings that we all recognize.) The government maintains these bathrooms, they are the only ones here. None of the shacks has a bathroom.
From Joyce's house, this is a 3 - 4 minute walk. Bring your own supplies.
Let that sit in the front of your thoughts as you view these photos -
What is left of the original farm ..
The front window of her home. When I first saw this window, I had to throw out all of my preconceived notions about shack housing. Real glass, windows that open and close, and check out the curtains she has. Dolphins.
A close up is below ..
Of course, I instantly made a connection with Joyce about her love of oceans and water (after all, I AM Wavesmom) ....
This is Jamie (our tall White Fellow), and Joyce inside of her house. Joyce is a breast cancer survivor. She is still undergoing chemotherapy treatments (thus the hat because she has no hair).
This is the main room of the house. As you can see, there is electricity (which I had said at one point that there was not in these sorts of houses, my error.) The wiring is pretty sketchy, but there is enough power to run the TV (which you see behind Jamie), and a couple of lamps. The house is heated with a propane?? keroscene?? heater. It is small, could fit in the circle that your legs make when you sit on the ground, but warms the room nicely. Funny, that I had to go to a shack house in an informal settlement in order to become warm. There is tremendous irony there ....
The street corner ....
The light may be wrong to show how white these white shirts are.
Every house has an address. Most houses have at least one dog.
The side yard of a house near where Joyce stays..
While the houses do have electricity, they do not have running water. The water spigot that serves the street Joyce lives on, plus maybe six other streets is to the left of the porta-potties (the blue buildings that we all recognize.) The government maintains these bathrooms, they are the only ones here. None of the shacks has a bathroom.
From Joyce's house, this is a 3 - 4 minute walk. Bring your own supplies.
Our Staff here
The Beluah Lodge has the most wonderful staff that takes care of all of us Fellows:
Leni'ze - Lodge Manager. Leni'ze runs the place, and does it quite well. Plus, she has a car that she lets people borrow, so we aren't quite so stuck.
Ayola - one of the housekeepers. Here she is outside of my room. Her name is pronounced I-ola.
Hazel - the other housekeeper, and Ayola's mother. Hazel wanted to wait until a different day to take her picture, but I convinced her otherwise :) Lol. I had to take 3 - 4 photos, then she choose the one I could share with all of you.
And finally, here is Princess. Those sheets get ironed and folded everyday. Whew!! What a job!
Princess is standing in the conference room/ironing room where I spend most of my time here at Beluah.
Princess is the head housekeeper, I think, it is hard to understand some of the politics.
But anyway, she is wonderful. On the day that I took these photos, she thought she didn't look very good, so I told her that this was going to be the photo that was going on the internet. It was pretty funny at the time, but in the telling of it, it seems less so.
Leni'ze - Lodge Manager. Leni'ze runs the place, and does it quite well. Plus, she has a car that she lets people borrow, so we aren't quite so stuck.
Hazel - the other housekeeper, and Ayola's mother. Hazel wanted to wait until a different day to take her picture, but I convinced her otherwise :) Lol. I had to take 3 - 4 photos, then she choose the one I could share with all of you.
Princess is standing in the conference room/ironing room where I spend most of my time here at Beluah.
Princess is the head housekeeper, I think, it is hard to understand some of the politics.
But anyway, she is wonderful. On the day that I took these photos, she thought she didn't look very good, so I told her that this was going to be the photo that was going on the internet. It was pretty funny at the time, but in the telling of it, it seems less so.
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