Sometimes your faith starts to waiver. Whether it's just a tough day where nothing seems to go your way or you just start to miss home. You ask yourself what the heck you are doing here? Maybe it's just time to pack up and go home. No one cares about my silly projects anyway...and then someone says it. And it all seems okay again.
I was sitting on the step yesterday at one of our drop-in centers (a drop-in center is really just a youth center but usually only vulnerable or underprivileged kids come to the center) having come from the school. One of the learners at the school is sick and in the hospital so I wanted to see if it was alright to visit him. Anyway, it was hot and sunny outside so I was sitting outside with three little boys at the drop-in center writing words in Sepedi in the sand. They would try to see if they knew the word I had written in English. I would clap and do a little dance when they got one right (you have to keep things interesting). We then switched to practicing addition – 4+2 =? I would write this equation with my little stick in the sand and then they would count on their fingers and look perplexed a bit but usually the answers would come…it was fun. A good way to spend the afternoon.
One of the staff members sat beside me after my little “lesson” and said, “You are doing a good job.” That's all it took.
Next week, we leave for the 2011 Camp GLOW! Thirty young girls will embark upon their first week away at a camp...and they couldn't be more excited. Literally, the girls talk about camp EVERY DAY. I can't wait to share pictures and stories with you. Your generosity to help make this camp a reality is something that I can't thank you for enough! Stay tuned...
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Color.
Every day here I am reminded of the color of my skin. Whether it is the “Lekgowa!” comment that I literally can’t get through one day without hearing (Lekgowa means white person in Sepedi) or a child that cries when I approach or looks at his finger after touching my skin to see if my whiteness will rub off? Yet, it is also the special treatment that I get that reminds me I am different. The extra food my hosts want to provide, the chair I am offered when no one else has one, the offer of a ride when I am walking? I don’t want to seem ungrateful for anyone’s generosity but I struggle with being treated differently (good or bad) when I have done nothing to deserve or warrant it.
Being part of this journey has made me acutely aware of the opportunity we all have to try to see people for who they are – regardless of the color of their skin or what they are wearing or how they look on the outside. To look a little deeper, to ask questions, to get to know a person. I hope that you all will make an effort. For me.
Being part of this journey has made me acutely aware of the opportunity we all have to try to see people for who they are – regardless of the color of their skin or what they are wearing or how they look on the outside. To look a little deeper, to ask questions, to get to know a person. I hope that you all will make an effort. For me.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Strange.
It’s strange how you kind of start getting used to not so normal things. I’ll give you a few examples:
Yep. Today they killed the goat. All of the relatives came and there was a big celebration (honoring the ancestors) for one of my host father’s sisters because she got a job. Luckily, I did not witness the goat killing. But they did feel that it was necessary to show me the poor goat’s head in a bowl later in the day…not a pretty site. I almost lost my cookies.
Sadly for all of you I did not have my camera to take pictures of today’s celebration. Maybe if I’m lucky there will be another goat killing so I can take pictures. And next time it will probably seem normal?
- At the school there are buckets filled with water to wash hands. I realized the other day that they were putting Listerine in the water as some sort of sanitizer. Hey, that’s not that strange? Why not? It’s supposed to get your mouth clean.
- I’ve gotten used to now coming home to sand covering my floor (and most of my stuff) due to the excessive winds sweeping it under my door. I now just shrug my shoulders and crawl into bed. I’m too tired to clean it up again.
- When the power goes out (which it does now regularly due to the rolling blackouts), eating apples for supper and going to bed at like 6:30PM seems normal. Actually, I don't go to bed that much later when the power is on if I have to be honest? Not much night life here...
- Carrying toilet paper with me at all times is terribly normal. In fact, I will pass this advice on to all incoming Peace Corps Volunteers. Strangely, I now sometimes take it from public toilets in the “city” when I am traveling. What if I need it?
Yep. Today they killed the goat. All of the relatives came and there was a big celebration (honoring the ancestors) for one of my host father’s sisters because she got a job. Luckily, I did not witness the goat killing. But they did feel that it was necessary to show me the poor goat’s head in a bowl later in the day…not a pretty site. I almost lost my cookies.
Sadly for all of you I did not have my camera to take pictures of today’s celebration. Maybe if I’m lucky there will be another goat killing so I can take pictures. And next time it will probably seem normal?
Saturday, June 4, 2011
A New Comrade.
It’s been an insane week. One that I probably won’t forget.
Last Sunday, May 29, 2011, I completed the Comrades Marathon (www.comrades.com). This is a huge race here in South Africa that brings almost 20,000 runners from almost 60 countries together to complete an insane course – 56 miles from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. Yes, that’s two back-to-back marathons in one day. I don’t really know why I thought I needed to train and participate in this year’s race – it seemed a bit like I was telling myself if I could get through this run, I could get through anything? Well, I am happy to report that I made it! And not only did I make it but I actually finished with a reasonably decent time – 9 ½ hours. This is about 3 hours slower than the fastest female (those ladies are crazy fast!) and three hours faster than the slowest finishers (and several thousand don’t even finish the race)? And, I ran the entire race (of course not my fastest pace but I just kept putting one foot in front of the other). Kind of like my Peace Corps service? :)
Unfortunately, about 30 minutes after I finished the race I learned that all of my things had been stolen at the start of the race. My backpack and all of its contents – my passport, money, credit cards, clothes, camera...and the list goes on. So, after learning this sad, sad news, in my barely coherent state (my body was at its limit), my fellow Peace Corps friends helped me (literally) walk to the car where they let me borrow clothes (remember all I had was the running clothes I had just finished running many miles in), bought me a meal and a bus ticket to Pretoria for the next day where I proceeded to try to get all of my life back in order. As I said, it's been an insane week.
Now, week later I keep telling myself it could have been worse – I am fine. It’s just stuff. But my faith has taken a bit of a beating. But it will slowly come back. And what helps is my wonderful friends and family. Thank you everyone for helping me out and reminding me what is important. I love you all.
Oh and to see a picture of your newest Comrade (me)! you can check out my facebook page where my friend posted some pictures.
Last Sunday, May 29, 2011, I completed the Comrades Marathon (www.comrades.com). This is a huge race here in South Africa that brings almost 20,000 runners from almost 60 countries together to complete an insane course – 56 miles from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. Yes, that’s two back-to-back marathons in one day. I don’t really know why I thought I needed to train and participate in this year’s race – it seemed a bit like I was telling myself if I could get through this run, I could get through anything? Well, I am happy to report that I made it! And not only did I make it but I actually finished with a reasonably decent time – 9 ½ hours. This is about 3 hours slower than the fastest female (those ladies are crazy fast!) and three hours faster than the slowest finishers (and several thousand don’t even finish the race)? And, I ran the entire race (of course not my fastest pace but I just kept putting one foot in front of the other). Kind of like my Peace Corps service? :)
Unfortunately, about 30 minutes after I finished the race I learned that all of my things had been stolen at the start of the race. My backpack and all of its contents – my passport, money, credit cards, clothes, camera...and the list goes on. So, after learning this sad, sad news, in my barely coherent state (my body was at its limit), my fellow Peace Corps friends helped me (literally) walk to the car where they let me borrow clothes (remember all I had was the running clothes I had just finished running many miles in), bought me a meal and a bus ticket to Pretoria for the next day where I proceeded to try to get all of my life back in order. As I said, it's been an insane week.
Now, week later I keep telling myself it could have been worse – I am fine. It’s just stuff. But my faith has taken a bit of a beating. But it will slowly come back. And what helps is my wonderful friends and family. Thank you everyone for helping me out and reminding me what is important. I love you all.
Oh and to see a picture of your newest Comrade (me)! you can check out my facebook page where my friend posted some pictures.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Five Much.
I am in a frenzy. I have so many projects I can’t keep them straight. I think it’s a coping mechanism for me at this moment (I won’t go into details). Anyway, along with planning and fundraising for the camp (Camp GLOW!!) that I am extremely excited about (keep those donations coming...please!?! - see previous post if you would like to assist with this awesome camp), helping one of our centers build a new building, working with the school on various projects, day to day work at the centers like renewing NPO certificates, writing policies and procedures, annual reports and job descriptions...today I started an internship program at our centers called, “Achieve Your Goals (AYG) Internship Program.” After applying for and receiving a small grant last year which will provide the funding for this project, I have been writing manuals, buying supplies, accepting applications from possible candidates, and doing interviews. Well, today we proudly had our first meeting with 12 young interns from the community. The kids who are participating in the internship are in grades 10, 11 or 12 and they will be helping at our drop-in centers while learning basic job skills. All in a day of the life of a Peace Corps volunteer.
Then I relaxed in my bucket bath.
 |
| Interns completing the self-assessment |
I am in a frenzy. I have so many projects I can’t keep them straight. I think it’s a coping mechanism for me at this moment (I won’t go into details). Anyway, along with planning and fundraising for the camp (Camp GLOW!!) that I am extremely excited about (keep those donations coming...please!?! - see previous post if you would like to assist with this awesome camp), helping one of our centers build a new building, working with the school on various projects, day to day work at the centers like renewing NPO certificates, writing policies and procedures, annual reports and job descriptions...today I started an internship program at our centers called, “Achieve Your Goals (AYG) Internship Program.” After applying for and receiving a small grant last year which will provide the funding for this project, I have been writing manuals, buying supplies, accepting applications from possible candidates, and doing interviews. Well, today we proudly had our first meeting with 12 young interns from the community. The kids who are participating in the internship are in grades 10, 11 or 12 and they will be helping at our drop-in centers while learning basic job skills. All in a day of the life of a Peace Corps volunteer.
Then I relaxed in my bucket bath.
 |
| 2011 Phedisang AYG Interns (and my co-facilitator) |
Sunday, May 8, 2011
One More Time!
Dear Friends and Family:
I am writing to ask for your support (again!) for an upcoming project. The project that I am seeking your support for corresponds with my girls club and is aimed at bringing a group of girls from my rural community together with a group of girls from a similar community in another volunteer’s village where we will then host a leadership camp (Camp GLOW – Girls Leading Our World) for the week. This camp is a unique opportunity for young girls to learn leadership development skills, while also focusing on issues of women’s empowerment, health, and environmental awareness. We (I am working in partnership with another Peace Corps Volunteer) truly believe it will be a life-changing week for these girls.
My request from you is in the form of any financial assistance/donations to help with the overall operational cost of the camp – including lodging, transportation, food provisions, and materials/supplies. Through many of your generous donations (thank you, thank you!) I have raised a portion of the funds but am still in need of some additional funding. The camp is being planned for the July school holiday so we are in need of funding as soon as possible. No opportunities like this currently exist for the girls in our rural communities, and our goal is to create a camp that provides them with access to much needed information surrounding their physical and emotional health as well as providing them with a chance to gain much needed confidence...as well as just having a lot of fun!
I can be reached via email (wendydelta@yahoo.com) if you have any questions and I appreciate your consideration.
The easiest way to donate is to send a check (or cash if you are so inclined!) to my parents address and they will deposit in my account:
Betty Kingston
18535 E. Lawndale Place
Queen Creek, Arizona 85142
Best in health,
Wendy Kingston
Peace Corps Volunteer, 2010-2012
Community HIV/Aids Outreach Program
Limpopo, South Africa
I am writing to ask for your support (again!) for an upcoming project. The project that I am seeking your support for corresponds with my girls club and is aimed at bringing a group of girls from my rural community together with a group of girls from a similar community in another volunteer’s village where we will then host a leadership camp (Camp GLOW – Girls Leading Our World) for the week. This camp is a unique opportunity for young girls to learn leadership development skills, while also focusing on issues of women’s empowerment, health, and environmental awareness. We (I am working in partnership with another Peace Corps Volunteer) truly believe it will be a life-changing week for these girls.
My request from you is in the form of any financial assistance/donations to help with the overall operational cost of the camp – including lodging, transportation, food provisions, and materials/supplies. Through many of your generous donations (thank you, thank you!) I have raised a portion of the funds but am still in need of some additional funding. The camp is being planned for the July school holiday so we are in need of funding as soon as possible. No opportunities like this currently exist for the girls in our rural communities, and our goal is to create a camp that provides them with access to much needed information surrounding their physical and emotional health as well as providing them with a chance to gain much needed confidence...as well as just having a lot of fun!
I can be reached via email (wendydelta@yahoo.com) if you have any questions and I appreciate your consideration.
The easiest way to donate is to send a check (or cash if you are so inclined!) to my parents address and they will deposit in my account:
Betty Kingston
18535 E. Lawndale Place
Queen Creek, Arizona 85142
Best in health,
Wendy Kingston
Peace Corps Volunteer, 2010-2012
Community HIV/Aids Outreach Program
Limpopo, South Africa
Monday, May 2, 2011
Happy Easter.
I feel lucky. I have just returned from a wonderful Easter holiday visiting the beautiful country of Zambia. Home of Victoria Falls. I have to admit that as we were headed to the airport last week we all were a bit confused as to whether or not Victoria Falls was or was not one of the 7 Wonders of the World? Unfortunately, I still don’t know for sure. There are now apparently several lists of said Wonders of the World…according to some lists Victoria Falls is indeed one of the Wonders. But it’s not on all lists. I had no idea there was such a controversy over this list?
Anyway, we had a great vacation. I traveled with a group of four other volunteers – Emily (who is another community health volunteer from my group) and then two education volunteers, Shilpa and Megan. The first exciting part of the vacation was getting to fly (we didn't use a public taxi on this vacation)! It’s been a while since I have been in an airport and I was excited to be in such civilization…we had hoped to get to the airport early and enjoy the shops but ended up being a bit hurried (exchanging money and going through long lines) but were treated to drinks and food on the plane. We stayed at a great backpacker in Livingstone (in Zambia). The country definitely had a different feel to it than South Africa and it was fun to meet other Peace Corps volunteers staying at the backpacker – some from Zambia and also from Nambia. We swapped stories and enjoyed hearing about some differences (and also many similarities) of our experiences.
Seeing Victoria Falls was amazing – one unfortunate part is that we were there during the “high season” which means that there is just so much water it’s difficult to see much of the actual waterfall. You just see white puffs of mist/water. It’s still pretty spectacular but doing things like white water rafting or some of the other water stuff is just out of the question. You can walk through the water “mist” and get totally soaked which was fun and then we walked to the bottom of a trail to see the view from the bottom (and watch people bungee jump from the bridge - which I did not do. Sorry).
We enjoyed a sunset cruise down the Zambezi River, crashing a couple of the very nice hotels during the day to enjoy their pools, views of the falls, and food, as well as a game drive in Botswana where we visited Chobe National Park…and also ran into Chuck and Michelle (the couple that I have vacationed with during my last two vacations)! Surprisingly we stumbled upon them while we were having breakfast before our game drive in Botswana (totally unplanned) and then got to enjoy spending a couple of days with them before we left (I am just meant to vacation with them it seems)?!
I really do feel lucky that I have been able to travel in such an amazing place. I don’t know how one could see all there is to see in a lifetime here in Africa. But I will certainly do what I can and enjoy every minute.
Enjoy my pictures (I still have to get some from Emily but this is a start)!
Anyway, we had a great vacation. I traveled with a group of four other volunteers – Emily (who is another community health volunteer from my group) and then two education volunteers, Shilpa and Megan. The first exciting part of the vacation was getting to fly (we didn't use a public taxi on this vacation)! It’s been a while since I have been in an airport and I was excited to be in such civilization…we had hoped to get to the airport early and enjoy the shops but ended up being a bit hurried (exchanging money and going through long lines) but were treated to drinks and food on the plane. We stayed at a great backpacker in Livingstone (in Zambia). The country definitely had a different feel to it than South Africa and it was fun to meet other Peace Corps volunteers staying at the backpacker – some from Zambia and also from Nambia. We swapped stories and enjoyed hearing about some differences (and also many similarities) of our experiences.
Seeing Victoria Falls was amazing – one unfortunate part is that we were there during the “high season” which means that there is just so much water it’s difficult to see much of the actual waterfall. You just see white puffs of mist/water. It’s still pretty spectacular but doing things like white water rafting or some of the other water stuff is just out of the question. You can walk through the water “mist” and get totally soaked which was fun and then we walked to the bottom of a trail to see the view from the bottom (and watch people bungee jump from the bridge - which I did not do. Sorry).
We enjoyed a sunset cruise down the Zambezi River, crashing a couple of the very nice hotels during the day to enjoy their pools, views of the falls, and food, as well as a game drive in Botswana where we visited Chobe National Park…and also ran into Chuck and Michelle (the couple that I have vacationed with during my last two vacations)! Surprisingly we stumbled upon them while we were having breakfast before our game drive in Botswana (totally unplanned) and then got to enjoy spending a couple of days with them before we left (I am just meant to vacation with them it seems)?!
I really do feel lucky that I have been able to travel in such an amazing place. I don’t know how one could see all there is to see in a lifetime here in Africa. But I will certainly do what I can and enjoy every minute.
Enjoy my pictures (I still have to get some from Emily but this is a start)!
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