One of the many weekly activities that goes on at NCF Church is the Thursday night prayer meeting. After I moved into the house Lucille often would ask me if I would like to come with her. I always would reply no thanks. I usually find that I enjoy the quietness of the house for those 2 hours, and decline the offer. But two weeks ago I decided to go since I needed to speak to someone.
The prayer meetings last about 1 hr, and the first 1/2 hr is spent singing worship songs and the other 1/2 hr is spent praying for prayer requests. What I have found in this church is when they pray, they say their own prayers aloud together at the same time. So the room gets very noise with every bodies prayers. That night the leader for the night was asking for people to come to the front to share an experience of how they have seen or experienced God in their lives. Some people came forward and shared stories about God providing them new transportation after their car was stolen, witnessing children accepting God into their lives and there was a man that came up and share his experience of being diagnosed with diabetes and then becoming cured of it. For some reason I also felt called to share that night, so I stepped onto the stage with the mic in hand and shared one of my experiences of God that I had back in September.
Around the 23 of September, I had decided to walk the 1 hr walk home from work to my reps home. I hadn't yet moved into Destiny House yet. A couple blocks into my walk there is a street(West St) with a very steep hill that I walk down, at the bottom of the hill there is a street that crosses through it named Prince Alfred St. . I had just only half crossed Prince Alfred when all of a sudden a short bed truck came racing down the hill and made a very quick right turn onto Prince Alfred St. right behind me. On the bed of the truck were 2 wrapped bundles of bricks and a third partial bundle of bricks and when he made that quick turn those bricks from the partial bundle went flying. I stood there for in moment of shock, digesting what was happening as these bricks came flying at me. A few bricks landed in front of me, behind me and a large path of bricks to my right trailing behind the truck. Not one brick hit me! And right then and there I knew God was there protecting me. He had wrapped his loving and protecting arms around me and I knew right then and there I am here for a reason, God's plan. Another realization that came to me right away was that he also answers prayers. A couple weeks earlier I had made a prayer request back home, requesting for safe travels as I travel around this country, and again right then and there I knew that my prayer request had been answered.
After sharing this experience I got such wonderful support and encouragement from the many people I had made. They were all so impressed that I shared a testimony.
Well I thought that I would also share this one testimony of how I am experincing God here. There have been a few other's but this one will always stick out.
Last Thursday I attended the Prayer meeting again, not sure if I'll continue every week, but I'll see. The group size that attends is probably between 100 - 200 people, which is a small group compared to that meets Sunday night for services. And here at this church I am finding myself at home, but I do miss my traditional style of church service back home. NCF is very different but good. I have come to know some of these people at the church well that will be live long friends I'm pretty sure.
Signing off...
Monday, December 7, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
A few Photo's
The thought I would add a few photos that go along with my previous blog entry. Enjoy!
The children feeding the animals at Crafty Duck.
The children feeding the animals at Crafty Duck.
Thanksgiving Dinner with other Fellow Canadian's and American's 
Destiny Project House Mates,
L -R Me, Lucille (house mother), Thuli, Nandi, Rebekka and Chloe
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Recapping November
November 30th, 2009
Since it’s been a few weeks since I last blogged I thought I would do a little recap, actually it’s a long recap so now is the time for you to grab your favourite mug and fix yourself a drink.
Since that beautiful hike in Ferncliff with Liesel, I have had some busy weekends. The following weekend (Saturday Nov. 14th) after the hike, Andrew and Felicia came up for the weekend. I couldn’t spend the whole weekend with them but spent as much time as I could. The Pastor (Principal), at Gateway Christian School, invited me to attend Lion Park, with his family. I had been crossing my fingers again that weekend for a nice sunny day, but didn’t quiet get my way. It turned out to be a very damp, drizzly, overcastted day, and didn’t take long for my shoes and socks to get soaked in the wet grass.
Lion Park, is located just outside of Pietermaritzburg, and one side of the park is a zoo with animals in cages from around the world and the other part of the park is like a game drive through a long curvy bumpy dirt road through the park. We really only saw 3 types of animals along the way, which were elephants, guinea fowl, and lions. One of the rules of this part of the park was that we were to remain inside the vehicle at all times.
As we approached the elephants, we discovered there were two empty cars, and the passengers of the cars were out getting their picture taken with the elephants, and the rule of staying inside our car was quickly forgotten. When the people were finished getting their photos with the elephants we drove up and asked the elephant keepers if we too could get out and have our photo’s taken with the elephants, and as soon as they said yes we were out of the car. And so I for the first time, I met my first elephants in Africa. As I was standing beside the elephant with one hand on his side waiting for my picture to be taken, I noticed that they do actually grow hair.
A little further into the drive, there was a very large fence in field with lions, where we were able to drive around in a circle with the lions. This was very fun, neat and scary all at the same time. As we drove around the circle, some of the lions were playing with each other, but one lion liked to hook his paws onto the boot (trunk) of the car. Now I say that’s as close up of a lion I need to get! After the park we drove to Durban, had lunch and drove back to Pietermaritzburg, and I finally was dropped off at James & Joan’s to spend the rest of the weekend with Andrew, Felicia, and James & Joan. It was an awesome weekend!
The next weekend (Nov. 21) was the Alpha course’s, Holy Spirit Day, where I met up with a couple from my table (Noel and Kath), and listened to different speakers speak about The Holy Spirit. At lunch time we sat outside in groups and had a picnic, where I shared with some new friends some photos from home and a few taken here in SA. During the afternoon session the next speaker spoke to us about allowing the Spirit come and visit us. I don’t think I experienced anything, but others in the room were crying or laughing uncontrollably, which is a form how the spirit can visit you.
This past Thursday (Nov. 26th), I was invited along with the Grade R (kindergarten) class to Crafty Duck www.craftyduck.co.za . Crafty Duck is a petting farm where a lot of schools send their students for a fun class outing. The Grade R’s loved the farm, for some of the activities we did was have a short horse ride, feed some sheep, goats, and a pony, have a little train ride, saw some different types birds, snakes, bunnies, an alpaca, and springboks. And we finished up the fun day with a nice cold treat!
One of the things I noticed as we drove through the city on the way to and home from Crafty Duck, and not too far from the city’s busy down town, there is a squatter community of very small houses built of sheet metal. I have seen these houses before, but usually in the townships outside Pietermaritzburg or other towns or cities. I didn’t expect to find them where I did. I cannot imagine living in such poor ways and being able to survive. The other week we had a lot of rain and some of these types of homes, families were flooded out.
This past weekend, the girls have been busy finishing up their Destiny Project program, and also been saying goodbye to Rebekka. Rebekka’s flight leaves on the 1st of December back to Germany. I have found that I could relate the best to Rebekka, since we both were from different countries. I know I will miss these girls, but I am also looking forward to some quiet and cleanliness around the house for a couple months until the next years girls arrive in February. It’s not easy sharing a washroom and getting your shower before work with 4 other girls needing to use it too!
Yesterday, I finally had my Thanksgiving turkey with other fellow Canadians and Americans. There was maybe about 20-30 of us sitting down to a very long table enjoying the awesome meal which included turkey of course with bread stuffing, peas, mashed potatoes, carrots, salad, rolls, and a awesome collection of home made pies which included pumpkin, pecan, and apple. I hope this answers my families questions back home about what food was served! The meal was delish, and thanks to all that prepared it, it was really good! Some of these Americans and Canadians that made up our group were the Radical Journey Participants, through Mennonite Mission’s Network. I finally got to meet you all, and I look forward to our joint Christmas Retreat in January in Port Shepstone.
Anyways I think this about raps this really long November recap up, but I just want to lastly say that this coming weekend, Simon and Anna are traveling down from Lesotho, Andrew and Felicia are coming over from Durban and we are going to be spending time together for an Advent Spiritual Retreat. I am really looking forward to this since it’s been two months since we all have seen each other.
Signing off…..
Since it’s been a few weeks since I last blogged I thought I would do a little recap, actually it’s a long recap so now is the time for you to grab your favourite mug and fix yourself a drink.
Since that beautiful hike in Ferncliff with Liesel, I have had some busy weekends. The following weekend (Saturday Nov. 14th) after the hike, Andrew and Felicia came up for the weekend. I couldn’t spend the whole weekend with them but spent as much time as I could. The Pastor (Principal), at Gateway Christian School, invited me to attend Lion Park, with his family. I had been crossing my fingers again that weekend for a nice sunny day, but didn’t quiet get my way. It turned out to be a very damp, drizzly, overcastted day, and didn’t take long for my shoes and socks to get soaked in the wet grass.
Lion Park, is located just outside of Pietermaritzburg, and one side of the park is a zoo with animals in cages from around the world and the other part of the park is like a game drive through a long curvy bumpy dirt road through the park. We really only saw 3 types of animals along the way, which were elephants, guinea fowl, and lions. One of the rules of this part of the park was that we were to remain inside the vehicle at all times.
As we approached the elephants, we discovered there were two empty cars, and the passengers of the cars were out getting their picture taken with the elephants, and the rule of staying inside our car was quickly forgotten. When the people were finished getting their photos with the elephants we drove up and asked the elephant keepers if we too could get out and have our photo’s taken with the elephants, and as soon as they said yes we were out of the car. And so I for the first time, I met my first elephants in Africa. As I was standing beside the elephant with one hand on his side waiting for my picture to be taken, I noticed that they do actually grow hair.
A little further into the drive, there was a very large fence in field with lions, where we were able to drive around in a circle with the lions. This was very fun, neat and scary all at the same time. As we drove around the circle, some of the lions were playing with each other, but one lion liked to hook his paws onto the boot (trunk) of the car. Now I say that’s as close up of a lion I need to get! After the park we drove to Durban, had lunch and drove back to Pietermaritzburg, and I finally was dropped off at James & Joan’s to spend the rest of the weekend with Andrew, Felicia, and James & Joan. It was an awesome weekend!
The next weekend (Nov. 21) was the Alpha course’s, Holy Spirit Day, where I met up with a couple from my table (Noel and Kath), and listened to different speakers speak about The Holy Spirit. At lunch time we sat outside in groups and had a picnic, where I shared with some new friends some photos from home and a few taken here in SA. During the afternoon session the next speaker spoke to us about allowing the Spirit come and visit us. I don’t think I experienced anything, but others in the room were crying or laughing uncontrollably, which is a form how the spirit can visit you.
This past Thursday (Nov. 26th), I was invited along with the Grade R (kindergarten) class to Crafty Duck www.craftyduck.co.za . Crafty Duck is a petting farm where a lot of schools send their students for a fun class outing. The Grade R’s loved the farm, for some of the activities we did was have a short horse ride, feed some sheep, goats, and a pony, have a little train ride, saw some different types birds, snakes, bunnies, an alpaca, and springboks. And we finished up the fun day with a nice cold treat!
One of the things I noticed as we drove through the city on the way to and home from Crafty Duck, and not too far from the city’s busy down town, there is a squatter community of very small houses built of sheet metal. I have seen these houses before, but usually in the townships outside Pietermaritzburg or other towns or cities. I didn’t expect to find them where I did. I cannot imagine living in such poor ways and being able to survive. The other week we had a lot of rain and some of these types of homes, families were flooded out.
This past weekend, the girls have been busy finishing up their Destiny Project program, and also been saying goodbye to Rebekka. Rebekka’s flight leaves on the 1st of December back to Germany. I have found that I could relate the best to Rebekka, since we both were from different countries. I know I will miss these girls, but I am also looking forward to some quiet and cleanliness around the house for a couple months until the next years girls arrive in February. It’s not easy sharing a washroom and getting your shower before work with 4 other girls needing to use it too!
Yesterday, I finally had my Thanksgiving turkey with other fellow Canadians and Americans. There was maybe about 20-30 of us sitting down to a very long table enjoying the awesome meal which included turkey of course with bread stuffing, peas, mashed potatoes, carrots, salad, rolls, and a awesome collection of home made pies which included pumpkin, pecan, and apple. I hope this answers my families questions back home about what food was served! The meal was delish, and thanks to all that prepared it, it was really good! Some of these Americans and Canadians that made up our group were the Radical Journey Participants, through Mennonite Mission’s Network. I finally got to meet you all, and I look forward to our joint Christmas Retreat in January in Port Shepstone.
Anyways I think this about raps this really long November recap up, but I just want to lastly say that this coming weekend, Simon and Anna are traveling down from Lesotho, Andrew and Felicia are coming over from Durban and we are going to be spending time together for an Advent Spiritual Retreat. I am really looking forward to this since it’s been two months since we all have seen each other.
Signing off…..
Friday, November 13, 2009
Hiking in Ferncliff
November 12, 2009
I have to admit now that my time is now really flying bye. I left home over 3 months ago, and have about 8 months left. The last couple of weeks I have noticed I have been keeping busy on weekends, which is good.
Last month, actually it was my Canadian Thanksgiving, my friend Becky from work (Becky, is the teams and volunteer person at Project Gateway) took me out with another girl named Kath, to home up in the North end of the city to another friends place, named Liesel. Liesel has a beautiful home which her father built for her, and an awesome view of the city. After meeting Liesel, I have been meeting up with her weekly at an Alpha course I’ve been attending at NCF Church.
One night at Alpha, I was telling her that I would really like to get an awesome picture of our city. Since Pietermaritzburg pretty much sits picturesque in the bottom a bowl of rolling hills, I knew there had to be somewhere that would give me a good view. Liesel knew of a couple places and so our picnic hike adventure began.
I find the weather right now so variable, some days it is misty/rainy cool and damp and other days nice and sunny, and now some days just sizzling hot. I also find that there have been more rainy damp and cool days than the nice sunny days, and so for a few days before our hike they were really nice days, and so I hoped our hike day was going to be a good day and it was a really warm day.
So Liesel picked me up and we went back to her place to finish up our picnic lunch and waited for the other hikers to arrive. Our friend Kath, who I thought was coming couldn’t, but Liesel had other friends and so once they arrived and our grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches were finished we headed off for our hike.
What I didn’t expect or shall I say how ill-equipped I was for this picnic/hike I soon found out. I had decided not to wear my hikers (what was I thinking!!!) and wore a skirt (again what was I thinking!!!!) I some how managed to hike wearing my black sandals, which my feet were constantly sliding in and out of. But I did some how did manage to hike to our picnic spot. This by the way held an awesome view of the city. And we sat ate our lunches and chatted. Liesel and her friend Lisa, who just got back from South America, enjoys hiking in the Drakensburg Mountains. One of my to do things is to go hiking in the Drakensburg; so I’m hopping to go on an over night weekend trip with them to the Burgs. In the end the hike was great, saw a monkey on the way out. After Liesel and I were dropped off at her place she took me over to World’s View, which is another location that gives you another view of the city, but is also the route that the Voor Trekkers used when the traveled and settled into the area through the hills. Beautiful view too!
This coming weekend has turned into another busy one, but that’s okay. Felicia and Andrew are coming from Durban. I haven’t seen them in over a month, and Saturday tomorrow I’ve been invited to go to Lions Park, an animal park just outside of Pietermaritzburg. I hope the weather will co-operate and it will be nice day.
I have to admit now that my time is now really flying bye. I left home over 3 months ago, and have about 8 months left. The last couple of weeks I have noticed I have been keeping busy on weekends, which is good.
Last month, actually it was my Canadian Thanksgiving, my friend Becky from work (Becky, is the teams and volunteer person at Project Gateway) took me out with another girl named Kath, to home up in the North end of the city to another friends place, named Liesel. Liesel has a beautiful home which her father built for her, and an awesome view of the city. After meeting Liesel, I have been meeting up with her weekly at an Alpha course I’ve been attending at NCF Church.
One night at Alpha, I was telling her that I would really like to get an awesome picture of our city. Since Pietermaritzburg pretty much sits picturesque in the bottom a bowl of rolling hills, I knew there had to be somewhere that would give me a good view. Liesel knew of a couple places and so our picnic hike adventure began.
I find the weather right now so variable, some days it is misty/rainy cool and damp and other days nice and sunny, and now some days just sizzling hot. I also find that there have been more rainy damp and cool days than the nice sunny days, and so for a few days before our hike they were really nice days, and so I hoped our hike day was going to be a good day and it was a really warm day.
So Liesel picked me up and we went back to her place to finish up our picnic lunch and waited for the other hikers to arrive. Our friend Kath, who I thought was coming couldn’t, but Liesel had other friends and so once they arrived and our grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches were finished we headed off for our hike.
What I didn’t expect or shall I say how ill-equipped I was for this picnic/hike I soon found out. I had decided not to wear my hikers (what was I thinking!!!) and wore a skirt (again what was I thinking!!!!) I some how managed to hike wearing my black sandals, which my feet were constantly sliding in and out of. But I did some how did manage to hike to our picnic spot. This by the way held an awesome view of the city. And we sat ate our lunches and chatted. Liesel and her friend Lisa, who just got back from South America, enjoys hiking in the Drakensburg Mountains. One of my to do things is to go hiking in the Drakensburg; so I’m hopping to go on an over night weekend trip with them to the Burgs. In the end the hike was great, saw a monkey on the way out. After Liesel and I were dropped off at her place she took me over to World’s View, which is another location that gives you another view of the city, but is also the route that the Voor Trekkers used when the traveled and settled into the area through the hills. Beautiful view too!
This coming weekend has turned into another busy one, but that’s okay. Felicia and Andrew are coming from Durban. I haven’t seen them in over a month, and Saturday tomorrow I’ve been invited to go to Lions Park, an animal park just outside of Pietermaritzburg. I hope the weather will co-operate and it will be nice day.
The city of Pietermaritzburg, SA.
My hiking group, Liesel wearing the read top.
Signing off....
Friday, October 30, 2009
Finding my Groove
Well though I better blog what I wanna blog before it becomes to far in the past. hehe I am finally feeling very settled and comfortable in my new home stay, and am still gradually getting to know the girls, and before I know it they will be gone the end of November. : (
So last week was a really good week. I accompanied one of the Grade 2 classes to Butterflies for Africa. It was great fun! One thing I notice while travelling in the Kombie's with classes, is that they love to sing. I was grouped with the girls, and we went into the Butterfly House first. The butterflies weren't too active, since it was rainy, cool and over casted out. But there were some fluttering around. Inside there were tropical plants and flowers, some birds, butterflies of course, iguana, a tropical bird, monkeys and huge gold fish. The children were a little nervous with some of the butterflies, but loved feeding the fish. There was a really nice cafe where myself and the school Kombie driver Uncle Phillip, there we were treated to some food, and the cafe looked down onto the gift store. I saw lots of pretty gifts but didn't have really enough money to buy myself anything anyways. When I got home that afternoon, Rebekka, had a really nice surprise for me. Rebekka, and a couple of the other girls in the house like to make their own jewelery. But Rebekka, had bought me a pair of beautiful pink butterfly earrings. How perfect a day, and a day I'll won't forget!
Some of the things I have found to do with the girls in the house is watching movies on my computer. Felicia, my fellow SALTer allowed me some of her movies to play on my computer, and I have been sharing them with them. So far, Nandi, Rebekka, and I have watched 3 movies together.
Saturday the 24th, I tagged along with Lucille and others from NCF church on an outreach in a small town of Richmond, which is about 30 mins away. We went to the poorer edge of town, going house to house telling the people that there is a near by church, and encouraged them to attend. Here, in this poor community, I again have witnessed how family survive with so little, but with such closeness of friends and family they survive. They do have some electricity, where we heard music blaring from a home, and a TV playing in another. But the home that had the TV, I saw no eclectic fridge or stove, but a cooking surface over bricks and a piece of sheet metal. The homes were separated by wire fences and hanging on the fences were here clothes drying, and in some yards you would find a wash basin and dishes. The home where the TV was playing, there was 3 small boys sitting in one big tub taking a bath with one licking a cold treat. Most of their prayer requests were for employment.
Later that night, Lucille, Chole, and Thuli went to a concert in Durban, and Rebekka and Nandi came home from a day hiking around the Berg. Nandi and I made supper while Rebekka decided we were going to sit outside in the thunder and lighting to enjoy our supper. She really wanted to light candles but couldn't find any. And besides why do we need candles when we have lighting. To be honest, I really do not feel 100% comfortable being outside in thunder and lighting so this was a little out of my comfort zone, but Rebekka wanted to do this. We did manage to eat outside before it rained, and the thunder and light got closer. After dishes were cleaned up, Rebekka, Nandi, and I watched Elizabeth Town. It was a great way to end a great day.
Well, I better finish up here. Project Gateway is having an Aniversary Dinner in 4o mins. Our dinner menu consists of salmon entree, bunny chow (minced beef on a bun), and dessert I think strawberries and cream. Yum to everything but the salmon part, oh well! The hall is decked out pretty nice so cheers!
Signing off....
So last week was a really good week. I accompanied one of the Grade 2 classes to Butterflies for Africa. It was great fun! One thing I notice while travelling in the Kombie's with classes, is that they love to sing. I was grouped with the girls, and we went into the Butterfly House first. The butterflies weren't too active, since it was rainy, cool and over casted out. But there were some fluttering around. Inside there were tropical plants and flowers, some birds, butterflies of course, iguana, a tropical bird, monkeys and huge gold fish. The children were a little nervous with some of the butterflies, but loved feeding the fish. There was a really nice cafe where myself and the school Kombie driver Uncle Phillip, there we were treated to some food, and the cafe looked down onto the gift store. I saw lots of pretty gifts but didn't have really enough money to buy myself anything anyways. When I got home that afternoon, Rebekka, had a really nice surprise for me. Rebekka, and a couple of the other girls in the house like to make their own jewelery. But Rebekka, had bought me a pair of beautiful pink butterfly earrings. How perfect a day, and a day I'll won't forget!
Some of the things I have found to do with the girls in the house is watching movies on my computer. Felicia, my fellow SALTer allowed me some of her movies to play on my computer, and I have been sharing them with them. So far, Nandi, Rebekka, and I have watched 3 movies together.
Saturday the 24th, I tagged along with Lucille and others from NCF church on an outreach in a small town of Richmond, which is about 30 mins away. We went to the poorer edge of town, going house to house telling the people that there is a near by church, and encouraged them to attend. Here, in this poor community, I again have witnessed how family survive with so little, but with such closeness of friends and family they survive. They do have some electricity, where we heard music blaring from a home, and a TV playing in another. But the home that had the TV, I saw no eclectic fridge or stove, but a cooking surface over bricks and a piece of sheet metal. The homes were separated by wire fences and hanging on the fences were here clothes drying, and in some yards you would find a wash basin and dishes. The home where the TV was playing, there was 3 small boys sitting in one big tub taking a bath with one licking a cold treat. Most of their prayer requests were for employment.
Later that night, Lucille, Chole, and Thuli went to a concert in Durban, and Rebekka and Nandi came home from a day hiking around the Berg. Nandi and I made supper while Rebekka decided we were going to sit outside in the thunder and lighting to enjoy our supper. She really wanted to light candles but couldn't find any. And besides why do we need candles when we have lighting. To be honest, I really do not feel 100% comfortable being outside in thunder and lighting so this was a little out of my comfort zone, but Rebekka wanted to do this. We did manage to eat outside before it rained, and the thunder and light got closer. After dishes were cleaned up, Rebekka, Nandi, and I watched Elizabeth Town. It was a great way to end a great day.
Well, I better finish up here. Project Gateway is having an Aniversary Dinner in 4o mins. Our dinner menu consists of salmon entree, bunny chow (minced beef on a bun), and dessert I think strawberries and cream. Yum to everything but the salmon part, oh well! The hall is decked out pretty nice so cheers!
Signing off....
Monday, October 26, 2009
Destiny House
Oct 22, 2009
Well on October 6th I moved into my new home stay Destiny House, for the year. So I’m living with 4 young girls who are in their gap year between high school, and university, who are part of church Christian group called Destiny Project. There are 11 in this group, and they are from SA, but one a girl from Germany. The girls I’m living with are Nandi, Chloe, and Thuli from SA, and Rebekka from Germany. Living with us is our house mother Lucille from SA too! We make our selves a very mixed bunch consisting of 2 whites, 2 coloured, and 2 blacks! Destiny House is owned by a church called New Covenant Fellowship (NCF), which is a Pentecostal Charismatic Evangelical church, and the home is located right outside the church building. NCF has three locations within the city area, and the one I’m living beside is the South one. This church has three services on Sundays, one at 8am 10am, and 6pm, and at the maximum it can hold 2000 worshipers. I have attended one of the other church locations, the West, which is a new church plant in the township of Imbali, and is one of the poorest parts of the outer city area.
Some of the houses down the streets are built of sheet metal, or concrete cement bricks; which aren’t very big, with a long drop out behind the house building. Wondering down the streets, or the ditches you wouldn’t be surprised to see pigs, goats, cattle, or chickens. There is always lots of garbage scattered in the streets as well. The next street over you may find nicer houses, that look more normal and better.
When I first moved in here it was the hardest two weeks of my journey thus far. I hit a low, and it was really hard, I missed home so very much. I hadn’t spoken to my family in weeks and I all I wanted to do was pack everything up and go back home. But I couldn’t, I am here until July next year and there is still so much I want to do. What I have found about with working at Project Gateway is the amazing community of family, and support, and the strength that they give me. If it wasn’t for my family of friends at Project Gateway, my MCC Reps, and family back home, I may still be at my low.
Two weeks later now, I am doing great, I am making friends with these roommates of mine, and I know that when their program is finished the 30th of November I will miss them when they leave. But there will be new girls moving in next February for next years Destiny Project group. I have also now started attending church activities and making friends with young adult at NCF. I am looking forward to the many activities and functions at NCF (Alpha, and home cell group).
Signing out...
Well on October 6th I moved into my new home stay Destiny House, for the year. So I’m living with 4 young girls who are in their gap year between high school, and university, who are part of church Christian group called Destiny Project. There are 11 in this group, and they are from SA, but one a girl from Germany. The girls I’m living with are Nandi, Chloe, and Thuli from SA, and Rebekka from Germany. Living with us is our house mother Lucille from SA too! We make our selves a very mixed bunch consisting of 2 whites, 2 coloured, and 2 blacks! Destiny House is owned by a church called New Covenant Fellowship (NCF), which is a Pentecostal Charismatic Evangelical church, and the home is located right outside the church building. NCF has three locations within the city area, and the one I’m living beside is the South one. This church has three services on Sundays, one at 8am 10am, and 6pm, and at the maximum it can hold 2000 worshipers. I have attended one of the other church locations, the West, which is a new church plant in the township of Imbali, and is one of the poorest parts of the outer city area.
Some of the houses down the streets are built of sheet metal, or concrete cement bricks; which aren’t very big, with a long drop out behind the house building. Wondering down the streets, or the ditches you wouldn’t be surprised to see pigs, goats, cattle, or chickens. There is always lots of garbage scattered in the streets as well. The next street over you may find nicer houses, that look more normal and better.
When I first moved in here it was the hardest two weeks of my journey thus far. I hit a low, and it was really hard, I missed home so very much. I hadn’t spoken to my family in weeks and I all I wanted to do was pack everything up and go back home. But I couldn’t, I am here until July next year and there is still so much I want to do. What I have found about with working at Project Gateway is the amazing community of family, and support, and the strength that they give me. If it wasn’t for my family of friends at Project Gateway, my MCC Reps, and family back home, I may still be at my low.
Two weeks later now, I am doing great, I am making friends with these roommates of mine, and I know that when their program is finished the 30th of November I will miss them when they leave. But there will be new girls moving in next February for next years Destiny Project group. I have also now started attending church activities and making friends with young adult at NCF. I am looking forward to the many activities and functions at NCF (Alpha, and home cell group).
Signing out...
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Culture
I started writing this entry on October 8th, so bare with me. To start, I thought I would start with the definition of what is culture:
On the 25th of September, Project Gateway, planned a Prison History Night, to help celebrate Heritage Day. The program consisted of 2 gentlemen sharing their time spent living here as prisoners, and another guest speaker talked about King Dinizulu, who was also in prisoned here at Gateway, and then sent onto St. Helen Island. There was also some lovely singing and dancing performed by Zulu staff members, who also dressed in Zulu attire. The singing is so awesome here at Project Gateway, and know I am certainly going to miss it when I come home.
Me in the Drakensburgs
Looking down onto the Capital of Maseru
One of the schools dance during the competition.
"The sum of attitudes, customs, and beliefs that distinguishes one group of people from another. Culture is transmitted, through language, material objects, ritual, institutions, and art, from one generation to the next."
October 8th:
Two weeks ago, South Africa celebrated Heritage Day, on the 24th of September. I had mentioned in a previous entry that the school was planning a Fun Walk Fundraiser, to raise funds for the school building fund. Gateway Christian School is planning on adding 2 more classes and a new toilet block. They currently have 270 students and with adding these 2 classes will be adding about 60 more students. I was asked by a teacher organizing and planning this advent to help make tickets, and design and print posters for the various food booth stands and activities after the walk on the school grounds. A few of the teachers even dressed in traditional Zulu outfits and to top it off, it was wonderful warm day for the event.
Here two of the teachers are giving out prizes to the Lucky Draw Winners
Here two of the teachers are giving out prizes to the Lucky Draw Winners On the 25th of September, Project Gateway, planned a Prison History Night, to help celebrate Heritage Day. The program consisted of 2 gentlemen sharing their time spent living here as prisoners, and another guest speaker talked about King Dinizulu, who was also in prisoned here at Gateway, and then sent onto St. Helen Island. There was also some lovely singing and dancing performed by Zulu staff members, who also dressed in Zulu attire. The singing is so awesome here at Project Gateway, and know I am certainly going to miss it when I come home.
I have found working here in South Africa, that when a young person reaches the age of 21, it is a very big thing. Some families will throw their children very extravagant birthday parties celebrating the milestone.
Some of the staff dressed in their Zulu outfits.
September 30th, I traveled to Morija, Lesotho, with James & Joan, Andrew and Felicia where we met up with Simon and Anna. We also met up with more MCCer's, Burno & Lois, who are the Southern Africa Associate Directors, who live in Johannesburg, but are from Saskatchewan, and Brad Reimer, from MCC Winnipeg. Brad, was on his way to Mozambique, but came a little earlier and came to South Africa and met us in Lesotho, to take in Morija's Art and Cultural Festival with us.
Some of the staff dressed in their Zulu outfits.September 30th, I traveled to Morija, Lesotho, with James & Joan, Andrew and Felicia where we met up with Simon and Anna. We also met up with more MCCer's, Burno & Lois, who are the Southern Africa Associate Directors, who live in Johannesburg, but are from Saskatchewan, and Brad Reimer, from MCC Winnipeg. Brad, was on his way to Mozambique, but came a little earlier and came to South Africa and met us in Lesotho, to take in Morija's Art and Cultural Festival with us.
It was a beautiful drive, surrounded by God’s beauty, especially driving through the Drakensburg Mountains. Such awesome splendour of nature and beauty! We even drove past a small group of zebras that were resting near the road , but I was unfortunately busy at the moment and didn’t snap a picture of them.
Me in the DrakensburgsDuring our stay in Morija, we traveled into Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, and visited with a lady who is a Commisioner for Independent Electoral Commission, visited the Transformation Resource Centre, whom MCC has connections with, and met a family friend of Joan's, who is a co-founder of Seliba Sa Boithuto (Centre for Self Study), and Paballong HIV/AIDS Care Centre. We were given a tour of both places and the scenery was just beautiful.
Looking down onto the Capital of MaseruThe rest of the weekend we spent wondering around the festival. Where we watched school dance competitions. Ate a traditional African meal, took in a couple concerts, where local people came up to us and we formed a little dance group. Even the local people took our picture because we were visitors from another country. The didn't even ask if they could take our picture but just pointed their camera and snapped. Sunday the last day of the festival, was a cool damp day which we spent just relaxing and playing games in our guest house. We were going to watch some Gospel singing but they changed the time and we just stayed back at the guest house and heard alittle of the music from their. Monday, us five travled back back to South Africa.
One of the schools dance during the competition.Wednesday, September 23, 2009
A few Photos
Hi Everyone, I just thought I would add a few photos to my blog. Some of you may have seen some that I added to my Facebook account, but those of you who do not use Facebook, here are a few for you. This picture above here was taken when us 5 SALTer's traveled the 6 hr drive from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg with our Country Reps, James & Joan Alty. It was a beautiful drive with lots of huge hills. There were also lots of fields with cattle along the way. It was almost as though we were traveling through some Southern States and parts of Ontario with all the huge hills/mountains, and fields of round bails of hay!
This picture was taken at Tala Animal Park, which is in between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. Left to right are Me, Felicia, Anna, Simon, Andrew, James and Joan. Some of the animals we saw are the giraffe, hippo, rhino, wildebeest, zebra, different antelopes including the Kudo and Impala and the ostrich.
Well I hope you enjoyed these ones, not sure how often I'll post them.
Signing off from Gateway.....
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Kunjani?, Ngiyaphila!
"Kunjani?"My new good friend Siphokazi, asked me a couple days ago at work in Project Gateway, when I came into see her. My first thought was oh dear, what does that mean again? But she quickly reminded me. Kunjani means, how are you? and she helped me again with my response of "ngiyaphila", meaning I am fine, in Zulu. All of you wanting to know how do you say the response, don't remember as I am typing the word and not actually verbally saying the response. So, all of you followers of my blog, "Kunjani?"
This week has been an week of feeling a little down and up. Tuesday, I went to work not feeling like working, and I seemed to be feeling tired still and I had forgotten a binder of research material at the Alty's where I'm still currently staying. I was first in the computer room but a few minutes later Becky, the volunteer/teams person at Gateway, came in and turned on the wireless Internet connection, and then Siphokazi, came into work. We chatted for about 15mins and all of a sudden the power went. We soon learned that all of Gateway was out of power! But at 10am that morning we proceeded to our scheduled HR meeting for us volunteers with or without power. This HR meeting was pretty much just a recap of my HR college course years and years ago! After the meeting was done, some of us sat outside and hung out and waited for the power to come back on. The few of us chatted, and the thought occured to me, wait a sec, I should try and use some of this time to learn a few words in Zulu, so I turned and ask Siphokazi, "Can you teach me a little Zulu?" I haven't found any Zulu classes yet, and I had asked some of the girls at Gateway if they could teach me a little, which they replied the could sometime. So no better a moment than this was going to be like the present! So I got out my little black notebook Mrs. Bennet gave me at the school, and flipped to the back page and handed over to Siphokazi, to start writing down a few words. So she started writing down a word and then say it and have me repeat it. Yebo - Yes, Cha-No, Sawubona-Hello, and so on. Vuyo, the gate entrance guard was sitting with us, and he thought I should also learn some Zulu slang, and he proceeded on teaching me one, which I can't remember, hehe! Siphokazi, was called away, so I was left with Vuyo, to teach me a little! Which he thought that I needed to know the word Imoto-Car in Zulu, and then I asked him a couple words. Vuyo, also thought it would be great fun to play a joke and try and convince me there is a ghost that lives in the one cell block that the volunteer teams stay in while they are there. Notty Vuyo, but I still am enjoying to getting to know you!
Before Vuyo, could teach me too many more words, Sipohazi called out to me to come into the tourism office where a bunch of staff people were gathered practicing some songs for Friday night. September 24, this Thursday, is Heritage Day in SA. And on Friday evening Project Gateway, is planning a Prison History night at the Gateway Chapel. So, again here at Gateway, I was able to enjoying their singing. I love listening and singing along with the people here on Friday, morning chaple services. While they were practicing I asked them about, their Zulu dancing, which they had no problem taking turns dancing for me. Sipohazi, Pretty, Pinky and the other's there all did a short individual dance, all a little different than each others. So much fun was had, while we waited for the power to return. After they were done planning and practicing their songs, we left and met up with some of the other staff sitting outside the Gateway Cafe, called O.P.C. (Old Prison Cafe). By about 12:30 pm, we were told by Mthoko (one of the in charge people), we could go home since we still had no power, Yeah!!
After I got home from work, I realized that God had planned Tuesday, for me to take time to get to know the people I work with better. He knew that desperatly needed the company of new friends and to feel more at home there. Later that nigh, I ended up going out to a student group gathering at the near by Cornerstone Church, I had met a girl their last Sunday and she invited me to this student group gathering on Tuesday. I was hessitant at first, and Joan, had incouraged me to go and after the day at work, I knew and I felt I must go. I need to get myself out there into groups.
Up coming activities for me this week: 1.Thrusday the 24, Gateway Christain School's Fun Walk Fundraiser, 2. Friday the 25, Prison History Night at Gateway 3. Flower show, 4. Move sometime!
Salakahle (Goodbye or Stay well)
Signing off from PMB
This week has been an week of feeling a little down and up. Tuesday, I went to work not feeling like working, and I seemed to be feeling tired still and I had forgotten a binder of research material at the Alty's where I'm still currently staying. I was first in the computer room but a few minutes later Becky, the volunteer/teams person at Gateway, came in and turned on the wireless Internet connection, and then Siphokazi, came into work. We chatted for about 15mins and all of a sudden the power went. We soon learned that all of Gateway was out of power! But at 10am that morning we proceeded to our scheduled HR meeting for us volunteers with or without power. This HR meeting was pretty much just a recap of my HR college course years and years ago! After the meeting was done, some of us sat outside and hung out and waited for the power to come back on. The few of us chatted, and the thought occured to me, wait a sec, I should try and use some of this time to learn a few words in Zulu, so I turned and ask Siphokazi, "Can you teach me a little Zulu?" I haven't found any Zulu classes yet, and I had asked some of the girls at Gateway if they could teach me a little, which they replied the could sometime. So no better a moment than this was going to be like the present! So I got out my little black notebook Mrs. Bennet gave me at the school, and flipped to the back page and handed over to Siphokazi, to start writing down a few words. So she started writing down a word and then say it and have me repeat it. Yebo - Yes, Cha-No, Sawubona-Hello, and so on. Vuyo, the gate entrance guard was sitting with us, and he thought I should also learn some Zulu slang, and he proceeded on teaching me one, which I can't remember, hehe! Siphokazi, was called away, so I was left with Vuyo, to teach me a little! Which he thought that I needed to know the word Imoto-Car in Zulu, and then I asked him a couple words. Vuyo, also thought it would be great fun to play a joke and try and convince me there is a ghost that lives in the one cell block that the volunteer teams stay in while they are there. Notty Vuyo, but I still am enjoying to getting to know you!
Before Vuyo, could teach me too many more words, Sipohazi called out to me to come into the tourism office where a bunch of staff people were gathered practicing some songs for Friday night. September 24, this Thursday, is Heritage Day in SA. And on Friday evening Project Gateway, is planning a Prison History night at the Gateway Chapel. So, again here at Gateway, I was able to enjoying their singing. I love listening and singing along with the people here on Friday, morning chaple services. While they were practicing I asked them about, their Zulu dancing, which they had no problem taking turns dancing for me. Sipohazi, Pretty, Pinky and the other's there all did a short individual dance, all a little different than each others. So much fun was had, while we waited for the power to return. After they were done planning and practicing their songs, we left and met up with some of the other staff sitting outside the Gateway Cafe, called O.P.C. (Old Prison Cafe). By about 12:30 pm, we were told by Mthoko (one of the in charge people), we could go home since we still had no power, Yeah!!
After I got home from work, I realized that God had planned Tuesday, for me to take time to get to know the people I work with better. He knew that desperatly needed the company of new friends and to feel more at home there. Later that nigh, I ended up going out to a student group gathering at the near by Cornerstone Church, I had met a girl their last Sunday and she invited me to this student group gathering on Tuesday. I was hessitant at first, and Joan, had incouraged me to go and after the day at work, I knew and I felt I must go. I need to get myself out there into groups.
Up coming activities for me this week: 1.Thrusday the 24, Gateway Christain School's Fun Walk Fundraiser, 2. Friday the 25, Prison History Night at Gateway 3. Flower show, 4. Move sometime!
Salakahle (Goodbye or Stay well)
Signing off from PMB
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Kombi's (Taxi's) in SA
I'm sure you all know that I'm still living with the Alty's, so this how I've been getting myself to and from work from their home; catching a ride on the Kombi (16-18 passenger taxi). The first kombi I have to flag down on the streets near their home and work is sticking my finger pointing up. Pointing my finger up means I want to go downtown to the Rank; Market Square in my case. Inside the Kombi there is the driver and another person who is hanging out the middle back window trying to drum up customers who might want a lift. That is the person who you would hand over your money to. The rank that the kombi goes to is like going to a bus station or airport where you find the next kombi you need to travel on. Hanging from the ceilings are the street locations where the kombi's travel down. I have pretty much have figure out which kombi I need to switch to now both ways (work/home). But I pretty much stick out at the rank, since I am finding myself the only white person there. And some of the kombi people are also getting to know me and where I need to be dropped off. So everytime I pick up a Kombi off the street, either after leaving home or work, I go directly to the rank and hop on another one. My first kombi cost me R 4, second kombi R 6.60, after work, usually the first kombi is R 6.60 and the next one is R 7. So a days worth of kombi's fares would cost me R 24.20 per day, which right now with the Canadian dollar would be around $3.43.
Sometimes I do get a lift to work on Fridays with the Alty's, sometimes a lift home by someone either from the school (Mrs. Bennet) or someone else from Gateway, or I have taken the adventure of walking home. Walking home is about a hours walk. But, I have to be very alert of my sourndings doing this by myself, since it is not uncommon for muggings here eek!
Signing off from PMB
Sometimes I do get a lift to work on Fridays with the Alty's, sometimes a lift home by someone either from the school (Mrs. Bennet) or someone else from Gateway, or I have taken the adventure of walking home. Walking home is about a hours walk. But, I have to be very alert of my sourndings doing this by myself, since it is not uncommon for muggings here eek!
Signing off from PMB
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Special Highlights
Well I was going to write this in my previous blog, but it was getting far too long, so I decided to just dedicate it to one entry by itself.
So today marked a few special highlights, one I already mentioned in the previous blog, about getting to work all by myself! The second highlight would have to be my favourite one. Interacting with the school children. Yesterday, the school was given a large lot of yogurt from a near by dairy. So, today and tomorrow the children are being treated to a cup of yogurt. I was asked to help distribute the yogurt and was able to deliver the treat to the R (kindergarten) class. Oh, how the children were so thankful for the special treat. After giving the teacher the yogurt cups the children just swarmed up to me to give me their hugs. Such a presious moment that I hope I'll never forget! The children are all so sweet. I am to be called Auntie Kendra by the students. Auntie, is used to show respect.
Another highlight was to sit in with a group of children practicing a Zulu dance, oh how such a treat that was too! The children in the group were the younger children. They were very happy for me to be with them. September 24th Heritage Day here in SA, and so the school is planning a fun day, where the parents are asked to come and join in with a fun walk, but this class of young Zulu dancers were told that they might be able to present to their parents their dance. I am looking forward to see their performance!
And lastly, my last highlight was that successfully walked home from work all by myself. I am very proud at that accomplishment! Of course I had a map with the route all highlighted for me, and I did manage to get off route, but made it home safe and sound. It took me 1hr and 15 mins, but with stopping a couple times to check the map, stopping and double checking with passer byers that I was on the right track, and not sticking to the highlighted route, I could probably shave off those 15 mins. But I just had to walk, it was such a beautiful day, but if I were to change one thing it would have to be to wear my hikers next time. But I did after all do it!
Signing off from Maritzburg for the last time today, till next time!
So today marked a few special highlights, one I already mentioned in the previous blog, about getting to work all by myself! The second highlight would have to be my favourite one. Interacting with the school children. Yesterday, the school was given a large lot of yogurt from a near by dairy. So, today and tomorrow the children are being treated to a cup of yogurt. I was asked to help distribute the yogurt and was able to deliver the treat to the R (kindergarten) class. Oh, how the children were so thankful for the special treat. After giving the teacher the yogurt cups the children just swarmed up to me to give me their hugs. Such a presious moment that I hope I'll never forget! The children are all so sweet. I am to be called Auntie Kendra by the students. Auntie, is used to show respect.
Another highlight was to sit in with a group of children practicing a Zulu dance, oh how such a treat that was too! The children in the group were the younger children. They were very happy for me to be with them. September 24th Heritage Day here in SA, and so the school is planning a fun day, where the parents are asked to come and join in with a fun walk, but this class of young Zulu dancers were told that they might be able to present to their parents their dance. I am looking forward to see their performance!
And lastly, my last highlight was that successfully walked home from work all by myself. I am very proud at that accomplishment! Of course I had a map with the route all highlighted for me, and I did manage to get off route, but made it home safe and sound. It took me 1hr and 15 mins, but with stopping a couple times to check the map, stopping and double checking with passer byers that I was on the right track, and not sticking to the highlighted route, I could probably shave off those 15 mins. But I just had to walk, it was such a beautiful day, but if I were to change one thing it would have to be to wear my hikers next time. But I did after all do it!
Signing off from Maritzburg for the last time today, till next time!
Welcome Warm Spring Days
Well I didn't think I would blog this soon again, but today I feel I must. My last blog entry, I commented about the other's leaving two by one by one from our country reps home. It was sad but a happy moment. We finally split up and went our separate ways. So a couple days later, was told I could move into the adjoining flat house, located behind the main house. The flat house contain a bedroom with two single beds, off a lounge room and a little kitchenette (no appliances, eg. no fridge or stove), and washroom. I really don't need the appliances, since the flat is just outside the kitchen in the main house. But moving into the flat house, just reminded me again that the boys are gone and my adventure is continuing!
Okay, so you are probably wondering when I'm moving out. Well I don't have an exact date yet, but it's looking like sometime around the 26th or 27th of September. The house I'm moving into doesn't have room for me yet, until another girl leaves, which might be either the 25th or 26th of September. So I have temporally moved into the flat house. I have to add in here that I now have met my house mother Lucille, and one of the house girls, Nandi, they are especially friendly, and I look forward to moving in! Actually Lucille, called me at work today which was a good and unexpected surprise! But I better stick in the time frame and not jump around from day to day!
So, to start my first four days of work, I'll start on Monday. Monday, I spend here James & Joan's home at the MCC office. James gave me a manual to refresh myself on accounting principles, and after reading it through a couple times, he got me going on some journaling, and some little filing tasks. My day finished off with working on something in Excel. A good first day with the MCC office, and I look forward to many more days of work with them :).
Tuesdays and Fridays, you will find me in at Gateway's Administrative building doing whatever administrative duties they need or want me to do. I will probably be asked to help in other areas too!
I officially, got a tour of Gateway's grounds, including touring in the prison cells, including the alleged cell that Mahatma Gandhi, stayed in. The Administrative building used to be the building where the Political prisoners from the Apartheid era, where kept in cells, but also contained a gallow. If you go to the seminar room, in the building and look up to the ceiling, you will see a rectangular spot where the men were hung and dropped through, and in the floor directly below, you can see a smaller rectangular indentation where the bodies were dropped after they died. Scary eh? Gateway, uses all the buildings either for all their different projects, offices, shops, storage, housing for volunteer groups, and for their museum tour with period artifacts left from the days of the prison. So, if you come with a group to volunteer, you will be housed and paird up to sleep in a cell. But don't worry, the cells aren't what the used to be like. For some historical dates, the prison was built with the first cell house in 1862 and six years later another cell house was built in 1868, and over the years they kept on building more and more cell houses. The prison closed in 1989, and in 1992 Project Gateway moved in, renovated some and has continued to grow with their many project needs.
So, Wednesday and Thrusdays I'm in the Gateway Christian School. Where I'm assisting the Public Relations Manager, Mrs. Marge Bennet. She is a very lovely woman, and I am especially looking forward to spending the year with her! I do need to say that I am looking forward to working all with the lovely people in both Gateway Admin building and the School, and especially the children :) Everyone has given me a very warm welcome. My work with Mrs. Bennet will consist of administrative work, but also accompaning her around the school, where she interacts with the students. The school has about 270 disadvantaged students who would not be able to attend a good school without the help of overseas sponsers who pay for their tuition. The school classes start at level R (kindergarten) through to grade 7.
Well tomorrow I'm in Gateway, but will start the day off in chaple first. Signing off from Maritzburg (aka Pietermaritzburg), SA
Okay, so you are probably wondering when I'm moving out. Well I don't have an exact date yet, but it's looking like sometime around the 26th or 27th of September. The house I'm moving into doesn't have room for me yet, until another girl leaves, which might be either the 25th or 26th of September. So I have temporally moved into the flat house. I have to add in here that I now have met my house mother Lucille, and one of the house girls, Nandi, they are especially friendly, and I look forward to moving in! Actually Lucille, called me at work today which was a good and unexpected surprise! But I better stick in the time frame and not jump around from day to day!
So, to start my first four days of work, I'll start on Monday. Monday, I spend here James & Joan's home at the MCC office. James gave me a manual to refresh myself on accounting principles, and after reading it through a couple times, he got me going on some journaling, and some little filing tasks. My day finished off with working on something in Excel. A good first day with the MCC office, and I look forward to many more days of work with them :).
Tuesdays and Fridays, you will find me in at Gateway's Administrative building doing whatever administrative duties they need or want me to do. I will probably be asked to help in other areas too!
I officially, got a tour of Gateway's grounds, including touring in the prison cells, including the alleged cell that Mahatma Gandhi, stayed in. The Administrative building used to be the building where the Political prisoners from the Apartheid era, where kept in cells, but also contained a gallow. If you go to the seminar room, in the building and look up to the ceiling, you will see a rectangular spot where the men were hung and dropped through, and in the floor directly below, you can see a smaller rectangular indentation where the bodies were dropped after they died. Scary eh? Gateway, uses all the buildings either for all their different projects, offices, shops, storage, housing for volunteer groups, and for their museum tour with period artifacts left from the days of the prison. So, if you come with a group to volunteer, you will be housed and paird up to sleep in a cell. But don't worry, the cells aren't what the used to be like. For some historical dates, the prison was built with the first cell house in 1862 and six years later another cell house was built in 1868, and over the years they kept on building more and more cell houses. The prison closed in 1989, and in 1992 Project Gateway moved in, renovated some and has continued to grow with their many project needs.
So, Wednesday and Thrusdays I'm in the Gateway Christian School. Where I'm assisting the Public Relations Manager, Mrs. Marge Bennet. She is a very lovely woman, and I am especially looking forward to spending the year with her! I do need to say that I am looking forward to working all with the lovely people in both Gateway Admin building and the School, and especially the children :) Everyone has given me a very warm welcome. My work with Mrs. Bennet will consist of administrative work, but also accompaning her around the school, where she interacts with the students. The school has about 270 disadvantaged students who would not be able to attend a good school without the help of overseas sponsers who pay for their tuition. The school classes start at level R (kindergarten) through to grade 7.
Well tomorrow I'm in Gateway, but will start the day off in chaple first. Signing off from Maritzburg (aka Pietermaritzburg), SA
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Moving On
Well today has been a day of lasts for the group of us five SALTer's with our Country Reps spending time together, until we meet all together the end of September for the Cultural Festival in Lesotho. Tomorrow morning James is driving Simon and Anna to Lesotho, Saturday Andrew and Felicia leave for Durban and I stay here in Pietermaritzburg . We have grown together to form a little family, and it's now time for the next step in our journeys, venturing out on our own. Are we ready? I think so, I hope so, I know so!
Well since the last I blogged, we have gone to a local market, oh how the produce is cheap! Visited an animal park, how fun! Attended a Mennonite Brothers Church Service in Durban, message spoken in French but translated in English and dance with the church people! Relaxed on the Durban beach, and enjoyed a Frisbee game with a stray dog joining in! Attended another church service, my future home church. Met my home stay mom, and even saw my future home, but don't move in for another few more weeks! I'm staying with my country reps, James & Joan a little longer.
Monday through to Thursday we spent time at a Spiritual Retreat where we said goodbye to what's familiar, walked through the dessert, and said hello to the future! Learned to meditate, prayed, enjoyed the fruits of our labour, and got intuned with our selves. But also enjoyed the Garden of Eden. In this Garden of Eden I was introduce to a Poinsettia tree, so pretty and so neat! We were spoiled with many baked goodies, and awesome home cooked meals, even one dish that was almost identical to one of my mothers dishes (Sweet and Sour Chicken, minus the pineapple). Cuddled up with a cat next to a fire, played catch with a dog, and climbed in a tree and read. So, relaxing!
So, tonight we are have a Menno Night Braai with local Mennonite missionaries and their families. This should be fun! I'm sure many laughs will be heard amongst us all. Well I think this concludes this excerpt in my African Adventure blog.
Signing off from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Well since the last I blogged, we have gone to a local market, oh how the produce is cheap! Visited an animal park, how fun! Attended a Mennonite Brothers Church Service in Durban, message spoken in French but translated in English and dance with the church people! Relaxed on the Durban beach, and enjoyed a Frisbee game with a stray dog joining in! Attended another church service, my future home church. Met my home stay mom, and even saw my future home, but don't move in for another few more weeks! I'm staying with my country reps, James & Joan a little longer.
Monday through to Thursday we spent time at a Spiritual Retreat where we said goodbye to what's familiar, walked through the dessert, and said hello to the future! Learned to meditate, prayed, enjoyed the fruits of our labour, and got intuned with our selves. But also enjoyed the Garden of Eden. In this Garden of Eden I was introduce to a Poinsettia tree, so pretty and so neat! We were spoiled with many baked goodies, and awesome home cooked meals, even one dish that was almost identical to one of my mothers dishes (Sweet and Sour Chicken, minus the pineapple). Cuddled up with a cat next to a fire, played catch with a dog, and climbed in a tree and read. So, relaxing!
So, tonight we are have a Menno Night Braai with local Mennonite missionaries and their families. This should be fun! I'm sure many laughs will be heard amongst us all. Well I think this concludes this excerpt in my African Adventure blog.
Signing off from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Greetings from South Africa
Well I know everybody is anxious to know how I'm doing, what I'm doing and wondering where are the pictures? Well give me some time on the pictures please, it cost money to upload things on the web, until I can learn a way to make my photos smaller to upload, I'll upload some.
Well I survive my 20 + hours of travel to South Africa. Unfortunately I didn't get much sleep the last night in Akron, after waking up just after 3am to drive to the Harrisburg, Airport, for the start of three flights that day. My first two flights were really short, but my last flight was 15 hrs long. And unfortunately again I got little sleep during the 15 hr flight. We arrived at in Jo'burg 9:15 Sunday Morning. I think I got somewhere between 1 1/2 to 2 hrs of sleep. Once arriving at our B&B for the day, we refreshed our selves, including doing a little head dive into the wall after tripping over Felicia's bags, we joined our country reps James and Joan Alty for a light lunch.
The rest of the day we toured around Soweto and Kliptown, including going to Nelson Mandela's first owned house. The next couple of days we toured and visited different museums, such as Freedom Park and The VoorTrekker Monument in Pretoria, and The Apartheid Museums in Jo'burg. It is so great to be able to visit these places, especially after reading books about the history.
If you are still wondering what my first impression of South Africa is, it is very brown and dry. Spring doesn't start until Sept 1st. Security is very important and homes are gated and locked at all times with barb wire attached to the tops of the fences surrounding homes. The people are very friendly, and even like to be included in photo's. The mornings and evening are really cool and it warms up in the afternoon. I'm am thankful for bringing my yellow jacket! The scenery is very beautiful especially the 6 hr drive from Jo'burg to Pietermartizburg! I wish I could attach photo's of the drive on here, but I need to work on making the photo file size smaller.
Anyways signing off in Zulu,
Sala Khle
Well I survive my 20 + hours of travel to South Africa. Unfortunately I didn't get much sleep the last night in Akron, after waking up just after 3am to drive to the Harrisburg, Airport, for the start of three flights that day. My first two flights were really short, but my last flight was 15 hrs long. And unfortunately again I got little sleep during the 15 hr flight. We arrived at in Jo'burg 9:15 Sunday Morning. I think I got somewhere between 1 1/2 to 2 hrs of sleep. Once arriving at our B&B for the day, we refreshed our selves, including doing a little head dive into the wall after tripping over Felicia's bags, we joined our country reps James and Joan Alty for a light lunch.
The rest of the day we toured around Soweto and Kliptown, including going to Nelson Mandela's first owned house. The next couple of days we toured and visited different museums, such as Freedom Park and The VoorTrekker Monument in Pretoria, and The Apartheid Museums in Jo'burg. It is so great to be able to visit these places, especially after reading books about the history.
If you are still wondering what my first impression of South Africa is, it is very brown and dry. Spring doesn't start until Sept 1st. Security is very important and homes are gated and locked at all times with barb wire attached to the tops of the fences surrounding homes. The people are very friendly, and even like to be included in photo's. The mornings and evening are really cool and it warms up in the afternoon. I'm am thankful for bringing my yellow jacket! The scenery is very beautiful especially the 6 hr drive from Jo'burg to Pietermartizburg! I wish I could attach photo's of the drive on here, but I need to work on making the photo file size smaller.
Anyways signing off in Zulu,
Sala Khle
Monday, August 10, 2009
Orientation, Akron, Pa
Well I know a lot of you are probably wondering how I'm doing? Well I'm doing great! Meeting lots of new people from around the World, Canada and the US.
But let me start at getting here to Akron, Pa. My flight left Toronto, about 10 mins behind, but that didn't make any difference to me and my other 2 SALTer's I was traveling with. We sat separated and on different sides of the plane. I sat beside a really friendly guy who was coming home to the States, from Peru. We chatted pretty much the whole flight. He has traveled a lot, and had been to SA before, but years ago. So I asked him question about SA, and he tried to answer them the best he could. Once we landed and got our luggage, we were left instructions to meet another flight coming in after ours. The flight number of this flight we soon learned didn't exist! So, we quickly made some phone calls here to Akron, and received the correct number which was wrong by 2 digits. We also learned that we had to walk from our F terminal, to terminal A, and that was a 10-15 min walk around the outside of the airport, and it was really hot and humid! Once we got to Terminal A, we started asking people about this flight that was to be arriving at that terminal. We got two completely different stories, one was that the airline that we were to meet, flies together with another airline and their terminal is terminal E. We had just came from F, and we didn't want to walk all the way back from where we came from. The second story, which we found to be accurate, was that the flight was delayed. And we finally met up with everybody and drove to Akron. My flight arrived around 1:25 pm ish and we finally headed out of the airport around 4 pm ish.
Housing here at Akron is really neat. We are all broken up into 5 different houses. The Africa house, Americas house, Middle East/Europe house, Asia house and the Manor. We are then paired up with a room mate. My room mate is Yvonne Hlatshwayo, she is an IVEPer and is from Zimbabwe. Her placement is in New Hamburg, ON!
I am slowly trying to meet everybody, learning their names, where their from and where they're going. It's hard to remember every body's faces and names, but we do wear name tags so that helps some.
We do get some free time, so I have been able to check e-mails. We are learning lots and I can't wait to fly to South Africa. I've been learning a lot more about MCC than I knew before I left home. Also, I've been going to sessions that are helping us to adjust to living in other cultures which have been fun, especially interactive ones.
Well I'm not sure what more to write, it's only been a couple days so far. So, signing off from Akron, 
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Four more Sleeps
Well I thought I would write one more blog before I leave on Saturday the 8th for Akron, Pa for my one week orientation. I have officially four more comfy sleeps left in my big bed :( :). Today, the mail lady delivered my passport with my travel visa. It has been a very stressful process this last month. And I'm very glad I finally have it in my hands. Phew!
If, you all are wondering as to what my SALT placement details are, like what my job description is, or maybe I haven't completely shared all the details with you. Well my job title with Project Gateway and MCC is an Administrative Aassistant. I think I've already shared that I'm working with Project Gateway four out of five days, where one of the four days I'm working with one of their many projects. The fifth weekday I'm in the MCC office, which is now located in the Project Gateway building.
I have no idea as to whom I'll be living with in South Africa for the year. One of my fellow SALTer's, who is going to be in Chad, Africa, has received photos of her home for the next 11 months, but me notta. I guess it will be part of my unknown adventure.
One, thing that I'm going to ask of all you family and friends is to pray for safe travel for me and everyone else as we travel to our placements. I have about a total of 20 travel hours ahead of me on the 15th, so please pray for safe flights.
Just want to also say a really huge thank you to all my family and friends for all your support, either if it is financial or moral, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!! Well I gotta run and finish up the rest of my last minute items and start to figure out how to pack everything within my packing limits.
Signing off, next time will be maybe either Akron, PA, or South Africa.
If, you all are wondering as to what my SALT placement details are, like what my job description is, or maybe I haven't completely shared all the details with you. Well my job title with Project Gateway and MCC is an Administrative Aassistant. I think I've already shared that I'm working with Project Gateway four out of five days, where one of the four days I'm working with one of their many projects. The fifth weekday I'm in the MCC office, which is now located in the Project Gateway building.
I have no idea as to whom I'll be living with in South Africa for the year. One of my fellow SALTer's, who is going to be in Chad, Africa, has received photos of her home for the next 11 months, but me notta. I guess it will be part of my unknown adventure.
One, thing that I'm going to ask of all you family and friends is to pray for safe travel for me and everyone else as we travel to our placements. I have about a total of 20 travel hours ahead of me on the 15th, so please pray for safe flights.
Just want to also say a really huge thank you to all my family and friends for all your support, either if it is financial or moral, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!! Well I gotta run and finish up the rest of my last minute items and start to figure out how to pack everything within my packing limits.
Signing off, next time will be maybe either Akron, PA, or South Africa.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Lasting Moments with Family and Friends
Wow, I can't believe that I only have 10 more sleeps left in Canada, in my big comfy bed, and then I'm gone!!!!!!! I'll really miss my bed right next to my family and friends. This last week and a half, since I finished work has been very busy. Since I finished work on July 17th, I had a good visit with my grandmother along with my good friend Tanya, with whom I browsed the streets in St. Jacobs. I stayed a couple days in London, at my sister Katherine's place and spent the day with my good friend Amanda. We've been friends since grade two!
While in London, I spent some time doing more shopping and got some good sales. I finished that week by spending time with my other good friend Chantale. July 26th, was my commissioning service at my church and afterwards I had a bbq lunch at my parents home with my bible study group, some of my support group members, friends and family.
Most of my family and most of my support group.
Tanya and Me
My sisters Kimberly and Kristine
Chantale and Andrew
Later that night, I left with my sister and nephew to spend a few days with them at their home in Niagara Falls, where I took in Liam's ball game and took a walk down to the falls.
Liam's team played a good game, but unfortunately lost. His team is currently ranked in first place during their regular season games. Go Niagara Athletics's!!!
The Canadian Falls or know as The Horseshoe Falls
Kristine, Liam and me at the Falls
It has been a great time spending some lasting moments with my family and friends. Soon I'll be gone, I can't hardly wait for this adventure to take it's next step.
Signing off....
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Less than Four Weeks
Well I was going to blog the four week count yesterday, but being that you have already read and looked at my previous blog entry about the storm, you can see why it didn't happen. That storm was pretty nasty!!
So, less than four weeks is now my current time frame. I can't believe it. Five weeks I'll be in South Africa with my fellow SALTer's. I suppose you might be wondering as to who my fellow SALTer's are. Well, like I said in previous posts I'm traveling with two Canadians to South Africa, they are Felicia and Andrew. I've slowly have gotten to know them a little bit from facebook and can't wait to meet them in person at orientation in Akron, PA. Felicia and Andrew are going to be in the city called Durban. Durban is a major port city, along the Indian Ocean coastline, in South Africa but also a holiday hot spot for tourist with their beautiful beaches. For some silly reason I can't seem to load pictures into this blog so you going to have to use the links to see pictures from off the web. Along with Felicia, Andrew, and myself are two other SALTer's traveling with us. Their SALT placement is in the country/kingdom called Lesotho, which is pretty much smack dab in the middle of SA. Their names are Simon and Anna. Simon, I actually already met the end of June at the Ontario SALTer's gathering in Kitchener, but Anna is from Chicago and I haven't met her yet. And I am in Pietermaritzburg, SA, which is the capital of the Kwazulu Natal Province, and will be in between the other's geographically.
I have gradually gotten my numerous forms filled out and set them off to their respective destinations. My work/travel visa application I mailed off to the South African Consulate General, in Toronto on the the 2nd of July and I'm am hoping to get back really soon. I can't wait to be able to hold it in my hands. I just have a few more important papers to look after yet. I'm getting there. I haven't begun to pack yet, but have started to already get some little things and have started building a list of clothing in the back of my head, I suppose I should start writing that on paper. lol
I am almost done reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography Long Walk to Freedom. It has actually turned out to be a pretty good book, minus of course all the political jumble. But what would his book be about if it didn't have political part's to it! He was after all the first black South African President, you would have to expect some politics to the story! I'm just not really into political stuff. But it been good learning about his struggle to bring South Africa to an nonracial democratic government where all people of races and colours are treated as equal. Even if it meant to sacrifice time away from your family and the years spent in prison to fight for your cause. Nelson, was president from 1994-1999. I think I have read somewhere that if there was one thing Nelson felt he should have done differently was to pay more attention to the AID's/HIV epidemic in South Africa. I am amazed as to all the bloodshed that has happened in the process for South Africa to have gotten to that state of equal status. Anyways, It's been a good book.
Tomorrow I'm expecting my next update on my donations for this SALT placement. I know I'm getting really close to my goal, $4600, but just don't know where exactly!
Anyways, signing off to go finish Nelson's book.
So, less than four weeks is now my current time frame. I can't believe it. Five weeks I'll be in South Africa with my fellow SALTer's. I suppose you might be wondering as to who my fellow SALTer's are. Well, like I said in previous posts I'm traveling with two Canadians to South Africa, they are Felicia and Andrew. I've slowly have gotten to know them a little bit from facebook and can't wait to meet them in person at orientation in Akron, PA. Felicia and Andrew are going to be in the city called Durban. Durban is a major port city, along the Indian Ocean coastline, in South Africa but also a holiday hot spot for tourist with their beautiful beaches. For some silly reason I can't seem to load pictures into this blog so you going to have to use the links to see pictures from off the web. Along with Felicia, Andrew, and myself are two other SALTer's traveling with us. Their SALT placement is in the country/kingdom called Lesotho, which is pretty much smack dab in the middle of SA. Their names are Simon and Anna. Simon, I actually already met the end of June at the Ontario SALTer's gathering in Kitchener, but Anna is from Chicago and I haven't met her yet. And I am in Pietermaritzburg, SA, which is the capital of the Kwazulu Natal Province, and will be in between the other's geographically.
I have gradually gotten my numerous forms filled out and set them off to their respective destinations. My work/travel visa application I mailed off to the South African Consulate General, in Toronto on the the 2nd of July and I'm am hoping to get back really soon. I can't wait to be able to hold it in my hands. I just have a few more important papers to look after yet. I'm getting there. I haven't begun to pack yet, but have started to already get some little things and have started building a list of clothing in the back of my head, I suppose I should start writing that on paper. lol
I am almost done reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography Long Walk to Freedom. It has actually turned out to be a pretty good book, minus of course all the political jumble. But what would his book be about if it didn't have political part's to it! He was after all the first black South African President, you would have to expect some politics to the story! I'm just not really into political stuff. But it been good learning about his struggle to bring South Africa to an nonracial democratic government where all people of races and colours are treated as equal. Even if it meant to sacrifice time away from your family and the years spent in prison to fight for your cause. Nelson, was president from 1994-1999. I think I have read somewhere that if there was one thing Nelson felt he should have done differently was to pay more attention to the AID's/HIV epidemic in South Africa. I am amazed as to all the bloodshed that has happened in the process for South Africa to have gotten to that state of equal status. Anyways, It's been a good book.
Tomorrow I'm expecting my next update on my donations for this SALT placement. I know I'm getting really close to my goal, $4600, but just don't know where exactly!
Anyways, signing off to go finish Nelson's book.
July Storm
Well I would have posted this yesterday, but I just didn't get to it. Yesterday morning I woke up to a horrible massive thunderstorm around 8am. The winds were unbelievable, the rain just poured and the thunder and lighting were just as powerful. This has been the second huge storm in the last few months. My town got really hit, and we had tons of damage in some parts of town, especially my neighbourhood. In my backyard we have three large maple trees, the middle tree lost a huge branch which is actually hanging on by a inch is resting on an telephone wire. We are still unable to get help getting it down.My good really good friends across the street got a lot more damage done. They had just managed to just get to the basement when all of a sudden they heard a big bang and then lots of rumbling on 
their roof. A large branch from their 
backyard maple tree hit the peek of their roof and rolled down the roof and swiped off the top of their chimney and knocked over the fence below, right in front of their back door.
their roof. A large branch from their backyard maple tree hit the peek of their roof and rolled down the roof and swiped off the top of their chimney and knocked over the fence below, right in front of their back door.
There was also two other large tree branches that were knock down on just my street alone. One was just two houses down where the tip of the tree just graced the front windows. The second tree branch was on the end corner of my block where the branch got stock on a hydro wire which ended up causing the power on my block to be out for over 10 hrs.
The next streets around my street had large branches down too. But some parts of town just really didn't get hit like my area, and didn't get any power outages. A small community just about 10 mins from town, had roof tops lifted off. They are out of power until Thursday, due to the massive damage done to the community.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Interesting Facts about South Africa
Quick and Interesting Facts About South Africa
Did You Know?
1. South Africa has 11 official languages from A - Z: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu.
2. The Population is approximately 45 million
3. South Africa is five times the size of Japan and three times the size of Texas or the size of Spain and France together.
4. South Africa has deserts, mountains, escarpments, plateaus, grasslands, bush, wetlands and subtropical forests
5. South Africa enjoys one of the world's highest average daily hours of sunshine 8.5 compared with 3.8 in London, 6.4 in Rome and 6.9 in New York. The weather is famously excellent, mostly warm dry and sunny.
6. South Africa is rated in the top five in the world in supplying safe, drinkable tap water.
7. South Africa is the second largest exporter of fruit in the world.
8. South Africa has the longest wine route in the world.
9. South Africa is ranked first in the world for its floral kingdom.
10. South Africa's blue sky is the second brightest in the world.
11. South Africa has the third highest level of biodiversity in the world.
12. The Lost City Resort Hotel in Sun City is the largest theme resort in the world.
13. South Africa is the only country in the world to voluntarily abandon its nuclear weapons program.
14. South Africa is among the first countries to gain Blue Flag status for some of its coastal beaches.
15. South Africa has the deepest mines in the world and commands superior skills in deep level mining.
16. South Africa is the world's top ranked gold producing country commanding more than 80% of the world's platinum reserves.
17. The highest quality cars in Europe are made in South Africa. BMW's Rosslyn plant was awarded the highly prestigious European Gold Plant Quality Award ranking it first among European plants in terms of quality.
18. The first person of African descent to win the Nobel Prize was South Africa's Zulu Chief Albert Luthuli.
19. South Africa has the only street in the world Vilakazi in the historical township of Soweto to house two Nobel Peace Prize winners - Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
20. South Africa is the leading country in having more women in the cabinet.
These Fact were found on the South African Consulate General Webpage.
Did You Know?
1. South Africa has 11 official languages from A - Z: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu.
2. The Population is approximately 45 million
3. South Africa is five times the size of Japan and three times the size of Texas or the size of Spain and France together.
4. South Africa has deserts, mountains, escarpments, plateaus, grasslands, bush, wetlands and subtropical forests
5. South Africa enjoys one of the world's highest average daily hours of sunshine 8.5 compared with 3.8 in London, 6.4 in Rome and 6.9 in New York. The weather is famously excellent, mostly warm dry and sunny.
6. South Africa is rated in the top five in the world in supplying safe, drinkable tap water.
7. South Africa is the second largest exporter of fruit in the world.
8. South Africa has the longest wine route in the world.
9. South Africa is ranked first in the world for its floral kingdom.
10. South Africa's blue sky is the second brightest in the world.
11. South Africa has the third highest level of biodiversity in the world.
12. The Lost City Resort Hotel in Sun City is the largest theme resort in the world.
13. South Africa is the only country in the world to voluntarily abandon its nuclear weapons program.
14. South Africa is among the first countries to gain Blue Flag status for some of its coastal beaches.
15. South Africa has the deepest mines in the world and commands superior skills in deep level mining.
16. South Africa is the world's top ranked gold producing country commanding more than 80% of the world's platinum reserves.
17. The highest quality cars in Europe are made in South Africa. BMW's Rosslyn plant was awarded the highly prestigious European Gold Plant Quality Award ranking it first among European plants in terms of quality.
18. The first person of African descent to win the Nobel Prize was South Africa's Zulu Chief Albert Luthuli.
19. South Africa has the only street in the world Vilakazi in the historical township of Soweto to house two Nobel Peace Prize winners - Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
20. South Africa is the leading country in having more women in the cabinet.
These Fact were found on the South African Consulate General Webpage.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Ontario SALTer's Gathering
Last night 7 out of 8 of us Ontario SALTer's met for the first time. We met at the MCC office in Kitchener, where we started with a light dinner prepared by Cath Woolner (MCC Human Resources, Ontario office), and got started right away with introductions and where everybody is going. We were all able to ask lots of questions and learned from each other how things were going and also learned any helpful traveling tips from those who have lived and traveled and abroad. 
Before we left we took a group photo. Listed below are my fellow Ontario SALTer's minus one and their country of placement.
Before we left we took a group photo. Listed below are my fellow Ontario SALTer's minus one and their country of placement.L-R front row of the picture are Kim Walker (Bolivia), Iris Suggett (India), Adrienne Schellenberg (Bolivia). L-R back row, me (South Africa), Katie Friesen (Chad), Simon Martin (Lesotho), and Ben Reesor (Bangladesh). Absent was Yolanda Weima (Burundi or Rwanda) not sure which.
Next time we will meet again and the rest of the SALTer's will be August 8th in Akron PA at orientation. It was a great night. Sorry we missed you Yolanda.
I am hoping by next week I'll get my visa sent off to the South African Consulate General in Toronto. Just have to do a good copy of the application form and bundle everything up and mail off. The rest of my paper work is slowly getting filled out soon will be ready to mail off too.
I just finished the other week the book 28 Stories of Aids in Africa. It was a very interesting and eye opening book and I learned lots too from it. Reading peoples stories of how Aids has affected them and what they have done since learning of their disease. Some of them have reached out and helped others, some have become activists with bringing awareness to the disease and trying to get medical treatment to help others and themselves, and also trying to teach others how to protect themselves and others from it too. So now I'm concentrating on the book Long Walk to Freedom, Autobiography of Nelson Mandela.
Still much to do in 6 1/2 more weeks.
Signing off..
Friday, June 12, 2009
Corrections
I thought I would make some corrections from a post made back in May. I made the comment that the past SALTer's and current SALT'er say that this is their hardest year of their life. I think I should have said it was a challenging year. Also I mentioned about about two other Canadains traveling with me to South Africa, one from BC and one from Man. I was wrong. They are from BC and AB. I am excited to meet them as well as the two going to Lesotho.
I hope I havn't offended anyone with my mistakes.
I hope I havn't offended anyone with my mistakes.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Two months till Orientation in Akron, PA
I can't believe that in two months I'll be in Akron, PA along with all of the 59 other SALTer, 68 IVEPers, and 12 YAMENs for our one week orientation. I am very excited and nervous.
This past few days, I've been really busy working on my work visa, other paper work, and getting my shot's done. A requirement for my work visa to South Africa, I needed to get a chest x-ray and have a paper signed by the radiologist. I think I may have raised a few eyebrows in my local doctors clinic and the x-ray department at the hospital with that request. I guess the only reason they would issue chest x-rays if the TB skin test came back positive, but it is a requirement for the visa form, and so I got one done. Just to let you know, my TB skin test was negative, which I expected. Phew!
Other things that I've continued to do is read, read and more reading. I am currently reading two books, or maybe it's three books or four? lol Oh, dear better make sure I get them read before I leave. But the two I've been really focusing on are the autobiography of Nelson Mandela called Long Walk to Freedom and the other one is called 28: Stories of Aids in Africa. So far they have been interesting.
On June 23, I'm going to be meeting most of the other Ontario SALTer's at the Kitchener office. I'm excited to be meeting them and so it won't be all new faces when we reach Akron Pa in two months. There are 8 of us in total from Ontario, and I think either 13 or 14 of us Canadian SALTer's in total and the rest from the US.
One thing I did learn today is my flight itinerary to SA from Akron, Pa. I'll be on three different flights to get there. My longest flight length is a whopping 15 hrs long. Ouch, I guess I'll be doing some sleeping during that time. In total, my fly travel time is about 20hrs long. Ouch once again :) :(
Anyways there are things I need to do, so I'm signing off now.
This past few days, I've been really busy working on my work visa, other paper work, and getting my shot's done. A requirement for my work visa to South Africa, I needed to get a chest x-ray and have a paper signed by the radiologist. I think I may have raised a few eyebrows in my local doctors clinic and the x-ray department at the hospital with that request. I guess the only reason they would issue chest x-rays if the TB skin test came back positive, but it is a requirement for the visa form, and so I got one done. Just to let you know, my TB skin test was negative, which I expected. Phew!
Other things that I've continued to do is read, read and more reading. I am currently reading two books, or maybe it's three books or four? lol Oh, dear better make sure I get them read before I leave. But the two I've been really focusing on are the autobiography of Nelson Mandela called Long Walk to Freedom and the other one is called 28: Stories of Aids in Africa. So far they have been interesting.
On June 23, I'm going to be meeting most of the other Ontario SALTer's at the Kitchener office. I'm excited to be meeting them and so it won't be all new faces when we reach Akron Pa in two months. There are 8 of us in total from Ontario, and I think either 13 or 14 of us Canadian SALTer's in total and the rest from the US.
One thing I did learn today is my flight itinerary to SA from Akron, Pa. I'll be on three different flights to get there. My longest flight length is a whopping 15 hrs long. Ouch, I guess I'll be doing some sleeping during that time. In total, my fly travel time is about 20hrs long. Ouch once again :) :(
Anyways there are things I need to do, so I'm signing off now.
Monday, June 1, 2009
10 1/2 weeks till Orientation
Well I can't believe it's June already. Wow!!! Just a couple more months till I'm in SA! So, my preparation continues. The other week I receive my work visa information. There are sure lots of things to submit to process for that. I was suppose to have found what I have so far fund raised last Friday, but won't find out until next week. Two weeks ago, I finally bought a web cam and had my first conversation with James and Joan Alty, who are the representatives for MCC SwaLeSa (Swaziland, Lesotho, and South Africa). They seem like a really nice couple and I can't wait to meet them in person. Actually I wish I could go to SA now, but can't, too much still to do. Drats!!
I have finally finished reading the book The Covenant, one of many suggested books from James and Joan. It was a very interesting book and I enjoyed learning about the history of South Africa and how the country was developed. I learned a lot of history, which is good and hope that this knowledge will help me understand the culture and the people better. One thing that I would suggest to the author, would be to include a map of South Africa. A map would have been very helpful.
I am now reading Long Walk to Freedom, an autobiography about Nelson Mandela, and 28 : Stories of AIDS in Africa. I've also have watched Cry Freedom, Sarafina, and a documentary of Nelson Mandela. I am learning lots.
This past Saturday, May 30, my mother and I went to the Mennonite Relief Sale in New Hamburg, where I met up with Calth Woolner and had a nice chat with her. I haven't seen her since she interview me about two years ago when I first applied.
Well I have lots more paper work to still fill out :( . And lots more to read, so I'm heading up to bed and want to read a few more pages before I'm for the night.
I have finally finished reading the book The Covenant, one of many suggested books from James and Joan. It was a very interesting book and I enjoyed learning about the history of South Africa and how the country was developed. I learned a lot of history, which is good and hope that this knowledge will help me understand the culture and the people better. One thing that I would suggest to the author, would be to include a map of South Africa. A map would have been very helpful.
I am now reading Long Walk to Freedom, an autobiography about Nelson Mandela, and 28 : Stories of AIDS in Africa. I've also have watched Cry Freedom, Sarafina, and a documentary of Nelson Mandela. I am learning lots.
This past Saturday, May 30, my mother and I went to the Mennonite Relief Sale in New Hamburg, where I met up with Calth Woolner and had a nice chat with her. I haven't seen her since she interview me about two years ago when I first applied.
Well I have lots more paper work to still fill out :( . And lots more to read, so I'm heading up to bed and want to read a few more pages before I'm for the night.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Preparation mode continues
I have found that this SALT placement has a lot more paperwork than I anticipated, but I know it's all worth it in the end. It least I hope so. lol I know it going to be hard, but I pray that my family and friends stick with me and encourage me when I'm feeling lonely, send me some funny stories about back home to make me laugh. I have read other SALTer's blogs from the past and this currents year and they do said it's the hardest time during their life. I pray that this experience for me will be life changing and teach me more about me, that after completing my year I'll know more what I want to do with my life. I'm not going to be Tim Horton's Lifer!
This past week I learned that there are six other Ontario SALTer's going to other countries, and I also learned through a different letter that I'm traveling to South Africa with two other Canadians, one from BC and the other from Man.
Well this is all I feel like sharing for now, I hope you will continue to view my blog, especially when I'm there. Better stories I hope to share then.
Kendra
This past week I learned that there are six other Ontario SALTer's going to other countries, and I also learned through a different letter that I'm traveling to South Africa with two other Canadians, one from BC and the other from Man.
Well this is all I feel like sharing for now, I hope you will continue to view my blog, especially when I'm there. Better stories I hope to share then.
Kendra
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Accepting and Preparing my up coming SALT placement.
Welcome everybody to Kendra's African Adventure blog. I am excited to share with all of you this new adventure. Those of you who don't know, I've been trying to do something like this for a couple years, and now it's happening. I am very excited!!!! So I am going to share with you my African adventure. I invite you to read and follow along.
About a month ago I accepted a MCC SALT (Serving and Learning Together) placement in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. I'll be leaving in August for Akron, PA for a one week orientation and then off to South Africa for 11 months. What I have understood from MCC SALT co-ordinators and MCC representatives is that I will be living and working over in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Working in the MCC office and in an charity church based organization called Project Gateway. For more information, please check out my list of web links on the side.
There are many things that I am currently doing to prepare myself to live in South Africa. I'm in process of renewing my passport, setting up doctor appointments to make sure I'm healthy to go, learning what immunization shots are required, researching South Africa, and reading and watching films of the country to better familiarize myself with the country and culture. There is alot of culture there.
Well I think this is lots to write about for now.
About a month ago I accepted a MCC SALT (Serving and Learning Together) placement in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. I'll be leaving in August for Akron, PA for a one week orientation and then off to South Africa for 11 months. What I have understood from MCC SALT co-ordinators and MCC representatives is that I will be living and working over in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Working in the MCC office and in an charity church based organization called Project Gateway. For more information, please check out my list of web links on the side.
There are many things that I am currently doing to prepare myself to live in South Africa. I'm in process of renewing my passport, setting up doctor appointments to make sure I'm healthy to go, learning what immunization shots are required, researching South Africa, and reading and watching films of the country to better familiarize myself with the country and culture. There is alot of culture there.
Well I think this is lots to write about for now.
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