There is always something

date: 23.05.08

Clare and I have realised something with this SCORE on the Move project; there is always something! Whenever we do or say something, there is always something that is not good enough or something goes wrong.

Our latest experiences include running out of petrol on our way home from a camping site in the middle of nowhere. We had been invited there a local volunteer, but we should have known better than to listen to him when he said it is only a 45 minutes drive. In rural Africa that usually means 1 ½ hours. The place was amazing, the view and scenery on the way back down the mountains were breathtaking with rural villages clinging to the mountain sides, but Clare and I was to stressed and nervous about not having enough petrol to get back. Luckily we only had to push the car for 1 km, so the timing wasn’t too bad! :)

Another incidence was Tuesday when Clare and I went to nearest town to get some sport equipment. We had communicated with TK that he was to come and get us at 5.30 PM, but since there is always something, TK misunderstood where we were and could not pick us up. In light of the resent violence against foreigners in this country, Clare and I found ourselves at the taxi rank looking for the right taxi to take us home. As darkness was approaching, we found the taxi which could take us all the way to Rabali, no problem…!. As Rabali was getting closer, and we told the driver that he could drop us of at the next short left, his assistance turned around and said “no, there is a closer exit to your place”. Panic came over us and we looked at each other in fear, but then the guy said “you are staying at Onkomas aren’t you? Send him my regards!” lol. The feeling of relief was indescribable, but we cursed the guy for not telling us when we got in the taxi that he knew the place. That would have saved us a nervous 40 minutes drive where Clare and I was whining each other up with bad comments and jokes, and keeping our hoods on so the two lekorash (white person) wouldn’t attract too much attention!

Our stay in Rabali is now over, and it has been quite a different experience compared to Buffelshoek. No pap, no sausages, no power cuts and no outdoor toilets. But a maid, two gardeners, satellite tv and indoor pluming. The food I made my self so pasta, rice and taco has been on the menu.
When it comes to work this community has been a challenge as little sport activities are happening. But I have been showing of my (lack of) volleyball skills with the local boy team and we organised an active youth course at a youth foundation. This local guy came back to this community after studying down in Cape Town and started this foundation to give the youth in the area knowledge and skills to develop themselves. There is for example a IT section, career section and agriculture project running. This guy is just so inspiring and the story to some of the youth involved is heartbreaking. Like the two boys from Zimbabwe who attended our workshop. They stayed at a local orphanage after arriving from Zimbabwe by foot some months ago.

My stay is getting to an end, and I can’t lie; I’m really looking forward to being finished with this project now. I love the communities and the people, but it has just been “too much” as we like to say here. Only one community left so I hope I manage to get my motivation and spirit back before Sunday. It is our last community and I want to make the best out of it!

I also planned my travelling a bit more:
Flying to Dar salaam on the 23. Meeting up with Jan Morten, SCORE volunteer in Namibia and going to Zanzibar with him and his friends for a week, before flying back to Joburg and taking the bus down to Mozambique with Tonje and her friends for two weeks.

Hope you are all good, keep me updated!

Sharp sharp:)