Friday Attitude Check

Today started with cold torrential rains and wind as we ate breakfast.

It is hard to be motivated to leave home in that kind of weather - especially on a Friday! But amidst grumbles  about the rain, we loaded into our van and away we went.  The rain had stopped by the time we got to Emafini, and that was a blessing!

Such happy smiles really warm my heart!

I went to work with a different 1st grade teacher today, Ms.Vivi, and the excitement of being in a new classroom with a new group of learners made the morning fly by. I was able to teach math and English literacy to these first grade cuties.
After a morning of proud smiles, songs, and hugs, learners and teachers headed home, ready for the weekend! Our group of teachers left much happier than when we arrived.
Kids will do that to you, no matter where you are in this big, wide world!





To finish off our day's adventures, we went with Emafini's principal, Mr. McKay, to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's satellite campus at Missionvale. They were proudly opening the new Education building.  Principals, education students, and teachers from around the community (and the world!) were asked to provide input to increasing community involvement at the university. It was refreshing to hear people also talk about how to improve schools.  Just to be given a chance to speak your opinion is empowering. Again, that spirit of ubuntu resonates!

NMMU's Missionvale's new education building

Grahamstown: "Inkcubeko Nenaldo"

Dr. Michelle Cocks, Rhodes U.

We today was a busy day! (I think all my days are this way!!)

We left Port Elizabeth at 7:00am for the picturesque, two hour journey to Grahamstown.
 We arrived at the beautiful campus of Rhodes University where we met with one of the authors of "Voices of the Forest" at the Anthropology Department. How cool is that! (We studied that book as we prepared for our adventure to South Africa.) Dr. Michelle Cocks gave us a presentation on Bio-cultural Diversity, and we learned about how the Xhosa culture relies on the forest to maintain their cultural and religious beliefs.  But with Apartheid, the Xhosa people were placed in townships, far away from the forest.  This has taken a toll on how they are able to uphold their cultural beliefs.



Next, we traveled to Nombulelo Secondary School.  We sat in on a 10th grade class' lecture on South African biomes, delivered by Mr.Mluleki Nkosi.

Did you know South Africa has nine different biomes? And six of them are near Grahamstown! Some of them I heard of before, but some were new to me.  I learn something new every day!









We went with Mr.Nkosi to Dassie Krantz Forest.  We traveled to the top of an enormous hill overlooking Grahamstown. Students from Nombulelo joined us, too. Vegetation was sparse, there were rocks all over, and it was crazy windy... we couldn't figure out where the forest was!

Heading down into the forest

Then we ducked down into the brush Brer Rabbit style and found ourselves out of the wind and delving down the hillside into a quiet, peaceful forest! There were moss covered boulders, vines, and many trees and bushes I have never seen before.

Mr.Nkosi continued teaching us about bio-cultural diversity, pulling the day together with "inkcubeko nenaldo"; being in the cultural environment.  The Xhosa believe this is how they must stay in touch with their ancestors, and the learners and teachers closed our eyes and simply focused on the sounds in the woods. It was incredibly peaceful and surreal.

Quietly appreciating nature/getting in touch with our ancestors

When we hiked back to the top and emerged into the wind, it was back to reality.
Our driver took us to an out of the way farmer's market (those are the best!!) to do a little shopping.  He swore by the meat pies, so I bought a lamb and mint one for supper. I've never had lamb before, and it was pretty good!
Tomorrow - back to work at Emafini. The learners await!

Overlooking Grahamstown

Working with Firsties in Africa!

I'm working with firsties again!
I met a wonderful first grade teacher, Nonuthado Mazantsi at Emafini yesterday.

I worked with her in her first grade class yesterday and today.  (She is one of six first grade teachers.) It was great to be with the little ones again.  :)  Here, students are called learners, and there isn't a grade level for kindergarten, so first grade is the beginning of school for kids. The majority of learning is done in Xhosa, so I only understand what is being said when the teacher translates for me.  But I get the general idea, and it is interesting to see her teaching style. First graders are the furthest from the office and are in what they call "containers". They are just individual, tiny buildings. They have electricity for lights, but the school, like most places here, do not have heat/AC. I've noticed that teaching supplies are sparse, but students work together to share what they have.

That's quite a word!

Lessons take longer than usual since learners are sharing pencils, and crayons are not a part of the day's routine like I am used to. On the flip side, because of the lack of supplies children learn patience and know to help others.

Pete the Cat lesson

I got to to do today's second language (English) lesson! I brought my favorite book, Pete the Cat, and did a read aloud/activity with them. The kids loved drawing/coloring their own Pete and choosing his shoe color.  Fun times with literacy!

She drew a great Pete the Cat - with red shoes!

Our  Carolina Forest PE teacher, Judy, stopped in and we took the children outside to do Chinese jump rope.  They loved it! We send them home soon after that, and I received a happy  chorus of "See you tomorrow Teacher!"

Emafini at Last!

Since my journey to  South Africa began, I have been anticipating coming to Emafini
Primary School. I finally arrived! We were greeted with a warm hug and a host of 4-6th grade teachers.

Surprise! I was placed with a 6th grade social studies teacher, Bomela.  She was an incredible, dedicated teacher working with classes with 40+ learners.  Never again will I complain about class size! They might have been squished in there, but they were amazing kids.

 I loved being in there and working with them,  They were discussing Nelson Mandela and citizens' rights to vote - how cool is that?! Bomela was proud to show me her lesson plans and the workbook she uses, with all the dreaded, thought provoking discussion questions I remember using when I was young! She even wrote a summary of the lesson on the chalkboard for the kids to copy - in English! They are fluent in Xhosa, but are doing a pretty good job learning English.

When we were done for the day and waiting for our taxi/van, I had some time to just take pictures of the students as they were on their lunch break.  They either hammed it up or squealed and ran the other way.  It just goes to show that kids are kids, not matter where you are in the world!

These young ladies were on their way to the library.  :) 

Loving Life in South Africa

Today we were honored to visit a remarkable high school, Solomon Mahlango in Limpopo.

Thumbs up to begin the presentation

The students we met were incredibly dedicated to community work and to making their school a better place. This group of students gave us a presentation to explain their school and how they make an impact on the community, and we were honored to have a group photo with them. I am truly impressed at how the people here strive to make a difference in their community! It is not just a one time thing, but something that is ongoing and give them a sense of pride.

CFIE rocks! 

Next we returned to LoveLife where we had our final presentation with them.  It was sad to say good bye to our new friends, but what wonderful memories we made in just a few short days!

Doctor Matt recites a powerful poem about domestic violence.

Each of the young people who worked with us this week gave a short presentation to show their talents or to tell of how LoveLife has impacted their lives. It was a fast, fun, and moving good bye. Einstein, DJ, and Thorne, thank you for everything!








We hopped into our van and headed off to NMMU for another language lesson. When we arrived, we were in for a treat - Ron (our Xhosa professor) had brought in a guest speaker! Ncedile Saule was there to talk with us about the Xhosa culture.

Ncedile Saule, guest speaker, with our professor, Ron.

I now know I cannot point or gesture with my fingers at students. I guess I had better sit on my hands! But he was a wonderful story teller and helped us gain better insight to the Xhosa culture.

As a final excursion, a few of us took a walk around the neighborhood surrounding our bed and breakfast.  We found ourselves at Mandela Bay!  We walked to Shark Stone pier and enjoyed a gorgeous view of Port Elizabeth. I'm loving the beauty of South Africa!

Mandela Bay at sunset

A view of the city from Shark Stone pier

Ubuntu

"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything" Albert Einstein.
Today was a beautiful day in Port Elizabeth.  We began by stopping at LoveLife to get Einstein.  He agreed to be our guide today and show us around the Township near Love Life.

Thandile showing us the voting ballot she created for the blind.

We began by visiting the South African National Council for the Blind.  A remarkable blind woman by the name of Thandile explained how her job empowers people who are visually impaired by teaching them life skills and helping them get jobs. She even created a voting ballot so they can be independent and vote! She taught some of them to make jewelry and brought some out to show us, much to our delight! We quickly bought those hand made necklaces!

We continued walking through the community, going to the White Door Center of Hope. Victims of domestic violence and rape can come here for help. A couple of doors down is the Amadoda Okwenene.  This community outreach educates men on being positive role models for their family and community, and how to avoid domestic/sexual violence and drug/alcohol abuse. (Do  we even have something like this for men in the United States?) The men operating this place are volunteers, and know the importance of making a difference in the world one person at a time. I was struck by the strength these workers have to face such violence and heartache on a daily basis. Yet they do this for the love of their community.

The volunteers at Amadoda Okwenene talking with us.

Einstein then surprised us by taking us to his Township home! It was great being in a home situation again after being far away from my own home. We met his parents and little brother, and could see all the care they put into their property. With Einstein being a 23 year old, he no longer lives in his parent's house; they built him his own room.

This brings me back to my opening quote. Our LoveLife guide Einstein reminded us of this quote yesterday, and it fits with the Ubuntu message of having humanity to others.
On a lighter note, we are continuing to take Xhosa language classes at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Our poor professor! He is a good sport, and we are trying our best to learn the different tongue clicks!

Love Life

People walk past buildings every day without knowing what is inside. But going into this building can change a person's life.
LoveLife Youth Center is a non-profit organization (sponsored by VW) focused on the well being of teen aged youths. Today we went to LoveLife and it was amazing!  First of all, people must know that South Africa has the highest rate of HIV in the world. To combat this, LoveLife educates and empowers young adults to care for their bodies and understand how to avoid the risk of HIV infection. This is where I am volunteering this week!

On air!

Learning Xhosa

We toured the organization today to learn about its many programs.  They have a radio station where we got to be a part of their live radio show RadioL2K (pretty cool!), we talked with the nurse in charge of the HIV/Family Planning, saw where they make solar panels for the neighborhood homes, visited the computer lab (many of these young adults have never used a computer), saw the game room (which was currently filled with about 50 new bicycles to donate to the teens), the chat room (for counseling), and the cultural arts room.  They are also proud to have the only net ball court in the area. LoveLife uses many young adult volunteers, and some of these become "Groundbreakers". Groundbreakers are given a sort of internship which will help them be placed in a career the following year. Our oh so friendly Groundbreaker was Einstein. He even attempted to give us a language lesson in Xhosa!

Since HIV has claimed so many live in South Africa, a conference is currently being held in Durban . We held a beautiful, moving candle light ceremony to remember loved ones lost to this disease.
Overall, it was incredibly impressive to see how a community that has so little resources and government help has such a strong sense of community help. That my friends, is the heart and soul of Ubuntu.

African Literature for the little ones! Hooray!!

Touring Port Elizabeth

First of all, Happy Mandela Day!

Colleges are amazing, and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University is no exception! It is a beautiful campus.  It is also a nature reserve, and students can attend here for about a quarter of the cost in the US. (To my son: watch out, I'm sending you to college in South Africa!)

At NMMU!

After receiving a tour of the campus, we went on a tour of the city.  And we had a bonus surprise of having some NMMU students travel with us! We were able to discuss so many topics with these young adults and gain their perspective on family, lifestyles, and their input on Port Elizabeth. Thank you Nikita, Sihle, Bontle, and Joy for spending the afternoon with us!

One of our stops included the Donkin Reserve (which had a lighthouse, a pyramid, and gigantic mosaic walkway!)  It also had The Moving Wall sculpture. I loved the artistry! It was a place I would like to visit again, just to appreciate the details and the beauty.  There was also a umsintsi tree, AKA a "Lucky Bean Tree" on the premises. Legend says if you keep one in your wallet you will always have money! Yes, I have a bean!!

The Moving Wall. The shadow is remarkable.

We also visited the house of a local native woman who creates pottery in her home.  She explained her creative process and how she makes her pottery -it was so interesting! It was inspiring to see her way of life and how a she can combine her talents with what little she has to make a life for herself. 

After being here for only a few days, I am impressed with how resourceful people can be, especially when faced with poverty. There is always joy to be found, even in the little things. 

Seeing the local pottery

Safari Excitement!

Let's begin today's blog saying everyone is safe and sound!
When I heard I was coming to South Africa, one of the first thoughts I had was that I would be able to go on a safari - of course!  Everyone wants to see as many of "The Big Five" (Elephant, lion, cape buffalo, leopard, and rhino) as possible.  We were given a day of sight seeing today to include not one, but two safari excursions!
We began our morning at Addo Elephant Park.  It was awesome!  We went on a two hour tour of the park and were able to have numerous sightings of elephants (yay!), cape buffalo, warthogs, and ostriches, just to name the most exciting ones.  Best of all was the herd of elephants walking past us as they left their watering hole and crossed our road. After lunch we continued our adventure and went to Kragga Kamma Game Park.  Again, it was incredibly exciting to see the animals! Giraffes, wildebeests, impala, zebra, rhinoceros, warthogs, and cheetahs!  We had a bit of a scary situation when our jeep broke down in the cheetah compound and we had to be rescued by another jeep, but in the end we were all safe.  Exhausted, but safe!
Sadly, I am still trying to get accustomed to the time change.  It is past my bedtime, but it is only 5:00pm on NC time and I'm still wide awake!

Elephants crossed right behind us - we were in their way.

Painting

Today was my first day in South Africa! After an excellent breakfast at the bed and breakfast (B&B) our group loaded into our 15 passenger van and drove about an hour away to Uitenhage. Volkswagon was sponsoring a community service project, Show of Hands, and we were amidst a group of volunteers ready to give Htlemeza Primary School a well deserved face lift.  It was truly heartwarming to see so many people pull together to lay sod, plant vegetables and other plants, and paint classrooms.  Even youngsters were yielding wheelbarrows full of soil! Young and old alike were singing, laughing,and working together.  Bathrooms were newly installed, and a beautiful playground was being dedicated.  Yes, I did say bathrooms were installed - there had previously not been indoor restrooms. This just showed how important it is for a community to come together for the well-being of children! Our group of teachers were given the honor of painting wall murals in the preschool classroom and helping add mosaics in the wonderful bathroom. It was indeed a day I will always remember - just a few hours of my time can make such a difference! As the principal eloquently stated for a news crew, the Titanic was built by professionals and Noah's Ark was created by volunteers.
 I would love to be at Htlemeza on their first day of school Monday to see the looks on the students' faces!

A Day of Traveling

We have arrived!! After an incredibly LONG flight, I am thankful to say I am in South Africa! (The picture below shows us waiting patiently in Atlanta!)

I left home an noon Thursday and arrived in Port Elizabeth late Friday evening. Aside from the obvious long, crowded flights, everything went smoothly.  I learned to navigate various airports, and how to go though customs.(See below for a photo from the Johannesburg International Airport on my way to baggage claim - the colorful walkway was amazing! And our shuttle to the bed and breakfast was... FULL!) Best of all, I now have my first stamp in my passport!
Port Elizabeth is six hours ahead of my normal time, and it is winter time.  The days are shorter, and it reminds me of December. (Just no Christmas decorations!)
We are staying at a bed and breakfast two blocks from the Indian Ocean.We settled in for the night and set alarms for 6am!

7-13 Packing and Re-packing

     I've been trying to pack my suitcases for the past week and a half.  I've added jackets, removed shoes, and tried to fit in a travel sized Scrabble game.  Packing hasn't been as easy as I initially thought.
   For us it is summer... which is winter in South Africa.  My first thought was to pack warm socks and soft sweaters so I didn't freeze.  But I've learned that the daytime temperatures are mild, around 65 degrees. (Thank goodness!)  It still gets quite cold at night, but it turns out that I probably won't need my parka after all.  Half of the things I'm bringing are meant to be gifts and much needed school supplies for my students abroad, which means I'll have that much room to bring back wooden giraffes and African drums.  :)

One more day until take off...

Prologue

Molweni!

   That's Xhosa for hello!  Tomorrow, a group of elementary school teachers and myself will be travelling to South Africa to stay for a month.  We're from a school that prides itself on globalization, and our travels will help us to expand our knowledge of South African culture, history, and literacy.  (This opportunity has been presented by UNCW's SACHL Project scholarship.  Thank-you UNCW!!) Our month will be spent teaching and observing South African students of all ages, and learning about the students and their way of life.  We'll also get to visit a few South African cities, go on safari, and collaborate with Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University faculty.  I'm excited about the trip! I am hoping to bring back amazing, authentic African artifacts for my classroom and am looking forward to seeing the similarities and differences between children here and in South Africa. I'm looking forward to telling my future students that they share certain traits or games with children on the other side of the world! I will also use the information from this trip to create online lesson plans and ideas for other teachers' use. How wonderful that I can travel and experience this first hand, then share with others!