Molweni

Kunjani? Ndikhona, Enkosi:)
It’s been a while since my last update. To say I’ve been to busy is lying; it’s just that the internet here is so slow it’s painful and I’ve been lacking the patients to download this page.

Anyways, I’m really enjoyung life in Mt. Frere now. Having Mark here has helped me a lot the last couple months, as he is a great friend and also somebody I can share experiences and frustrations with. Walking together in our community or in town people stare a lot “what? Two “molongos” (white person) in Mt. Frere??” :) If I walk by myself people always asks me where my husband is:) it’s better than the daily marriage proposals!!

Work has also been going ok. The children are just so positive and enthusiastic. Working with a group of older kids in the schools and organising school sport with them have been so awarding. At first they are all the same polite and responsible kids, but after a while they start showing their individual personality and you see who the “born leaders” in the group are.

The last weeks I have been busy planning a festival in connection with the World Aids Day (1st of Dec.). HIV/AIDS is a huge problem here in South Africa with over 25 % of the population infected. In a (semi)rural community like mine, were poverty, unemployment and alcoholism are a reality, HIV/AIDS is a huge problem. You see posters and hear about funerals several times a week, but hardly anyone will admit there loved ones passed away from HIV/AIDS. Although there is a big focus on the problem, the disease is still a taboo and myths about it are widespread.
Together with 5 schools and the Department of Education we organised the festival last Friday. We had Kicking Aids out Games (physical activities which also educates children about HIV/AIDS), had a doctor speak about the disease, candle lightning and a sport tournament. It turned out to be a really good Festival, but I must say I’m glad it’s over. It was the first big event I’ve planned and I’ve learned a lot about how things work here in Africa, what to expect from people, and what not to do next time J:)

After 6 weeks in my community it was good to get away for a weekend with Mark, Thierry and Camilla (other SCORE volunteers). We went to Chintsa (www.cintsa.com ) two weeks ago for a short holiday. Chintsa is a small town by the coast about 4 hours south west from Mt.Frere. We stayed at what is supposed to be South Africas best backpackers. Even though both Thierry and I agreed that the Coffee Shack (Coffee Bay) had a more friendly staff and better atmosphere, The Buccaneers were pretty good. Amazing food, beautiful surrounding, right by the beach, great surfing, volleyball court, pool, table tennis and a proper pool table (this is very important:)). Both Mark and Thierry are done their program in December so this was the last trip with the two of them. I am really going to miss them as they have become close friends of mine and I love hanging out with them. (Who am I now going to change life through pool with?? L)

I still have about 2 and a half week left before my holiday officially starts, but since the schools are closing this week there isn’t much to do. Have a bunch of reports and a NIH assignment to write, and are going to do SCORE for ALL (basically just playing with the kids for a couple hours in the afternoon) 3-4 times a week. But so far it’s been raining and I’ve done a lot of the paper work already, so next weekend I’m going to Durban with Mark and Tanja. Then the following weekend my holiday starts. I’m most likely first of to Port St.Johns with Mark for a couple of days before he gets on his plane back to Canada. I then go to Durban to meet my dad who arrives on the 19th of December! Can’t wait to see a familiar face from back home:)

Think I’ll stop here. Bet I lost Ann Cecilie before I got to Chintsa :) Hope you are all doing well!! I now have the internet working on my phone, so I get my daily update on facebook. MSN is also working proper:)

Hambani Kakuhle
XXX Nolitha