It has been a very emotional and mixed week for me here. There is a slow detachment process every volunteer experiences and I am spending more time thinking about home, even the April schedule at Valley Vet. I have finished a few last minute projects with Sr. Victoria including wrapping up all the vet matters and treating cows, chickens and dogs. I have written reports and recommendations ! The last preschool has passed and I survived ! On Tuesday night I was given a beautiful send off, as many of the orphans left Wednesday and Thurday to spend Easter with relatives. They sang and danced for me for over an hour, with the songs bestowing blessings and good wishes for happiness in Sesotho. There were several poems, and after I am home, I will try to place a few passages on the last "safe home" blog entry. I cannot describe the music and harmony created by the children or their dance talent. Once again, I sat transfixed and couldn't believe the privilege of their love and attention. I have presented each with a photo, the dearest thing to them, and also tonight will cook a Canadian meal for them. Michelle, the other HL volunteer who is visiting and will send me off tomorrow, will help me create pasta and bread, chocolate cake and ice cream, for 40. Tomorrow I will spend time coloring with the little ones as the adults and teens will be at church, as well as handwashing sheets and tidying the rondavel. It has been a very comfortable home.
The emotions come and go. There are favorite beloved children I try not to overtly show more affection for that, indeed, I wish I could bring home. I steal a chance to hug them but do not obsess. I hate the thought of leaving them and will for a long time think of them and what they are doing every moment of the day.It might be more accurate to say, I hate the thought of another person leaving them. Sr. Victoria is a friend and a very special person who enriched my experience here immensely, we laughed continuously. I am now completely comfortable with the transport and market journey once a week and people recognize me. Think I could work here a year there is so much to be done at the orphange, I have really just started to help significantly. Thankfully this week we have secured two Basotho volunteers who will share the computer and homework tutoring, so I know all will be good in the near future. My overwhelming impression is that the kids are amazing in more ways than I can say, including being generous, happy, playful, athletic, musical, surprisingly secure at the Centre and a pleasure to know. I told them, in a 5 minute translated farewell, that I feel their primary responsibililty is to stay healthy and wished them all happiness and faithfulness with one spouse, and the good health to raise their own children.I tried to say that good health is our greatest possession, and hope a few remember that advice and protect it.
So now, it is off to prepare the food and for my 2 day journey. But I get one more pass through the amazing African market first.
See you all in Canada
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Amazing Experiences.....
Global Fund Conference
Sister Victoria and I attended an all day conference at the premier hotel in Maseru, the Lesotho Sun. I was asked if I would like to take the place of Sr. Margaret, who has been to this function many times. The Global Fund administers huge sums of money for the developing world, much of it donated by foreign governments. The process includes specific proposal and accountability methods. Round 5 and 6 proposals included large HIV/AIDS initiatives such as testing and acquisition of drugs, but also
many small ones. These included drama presentations and films aimed at youth, training of pastors and traditional healers and much more. Renovations of homes led by children in Thaba Tseka and community support for Orphans and Vulnerable (OVC) Children were also funded. The 16 groups and individuals that had received funding had to present their projects and results. The Global Fund also did a summary of funds dispersed. It was an incredibly interesting day. The Ministry of Health, Education and the National AIDS Commission all presented large projects. Round 7 of funding is underway and the call for Round 8 will go out soon. This was all conducted in English and the people I met/saw as well as the facility and meals were
really fantastic. What an unexpected opportunity to see how development works at a completely different level.
Field Day for 75 Preschoolers
Not for the faint of heart….I helped take 75 children under five years to a field day on
Friday. There were 5 adults- don’t forget I can’t talk to the kids or really control them
And don’t know most of their names. Also, I can’t really communicate to any of the
adults very well either. A huge bus arrived and chaos ruled as they crowd jammed the
doors. From there on it was pretty much hilarious as we unloaded them at a large
field with no toilets. We cared for them, and fed them til 3 o’clock, including digging
latrines and feeding them chicken and bread. A few of the kids ran in races and relays
but generally they just played and we tried to keep and eye on them . Many had toilet
accidents and several spent the day with no pants. The other schools had colors and
costumes and there was great competitive spirit and cheering. Beautiful mountains in
the background and the Basotho dress of the teachers and the fact that it was all so
crazy made it another “ can’t believe I am here” experience. All heads were accounted
for on the bus before we left, but that was the only vestige of Canadian propriety I
experienced !
A Wedding
I was invited to a wedding by the Sisters Sunday. They know the family and assisted
in the decorating, a sideline business for Sr. Exinia ( as well as catering and sewing).
The tent was hugs and there were 200 guests. The ceremony included a full mass and
Church service and a large hot buffet was served. They welcomed me and did part of
the ceremony in English because I was there. The women looked stunning in African
dress that I only wish I could describe . It was a beautiful, though long, day and I felt
perhaps I should have stayed with the kids as this was my last full weekend. But it
was a privilege to be invited to attend and a nice look at how the upper echelons here
celebrate and their wedding traditions.
Sister Victoria and I attended an all day conference at the premier hotel in Maseru, the Lesotho Sun. I was asked if I would like to take the place of Sr. Margaret, who has been to this function many times. The Global Fund administers huge sums of money for the developing world, much of it donated by foreign governments. The process includes specific proposal and accountability methods. Round 5 and 6 proposals included large HIV/AIDS initiatives such as testing and acquisition of drugs, but also
many small ones. These included drama presentations and films aimed at youth, training of pastors and traditional healers and much more. Renovations of homes led by children in Thaba Tseka and community support for Orphans and Vulnerable (OVC) Children were also funded. The 16 groups and individuals that had received funding had to present their projects and results. The Global Fund also did a summary of funds dispersed. It was an incredibly interesting day. The Ministry of Health, Education and the National AIDS Commission all presented large projects. Round 7 of funding is underway and the call for Round 8 will go out soon. This was all conducted in English and the people I met/saw as well as the facility and meals were
really fantastic. What an unexpected opportunity to see how development works at a completely different level.
Field Day for 75 Preschoolers
Not for the faint of heart….I helped take 75 children under five years to a field day on
Friday. There were 5 adults- don’t forget I can’t talk to the kids or really control them
And don’t know most of their names. Also, I can’t really communicate to any of the
adults very well either. A huge bus arrived and chaos ruled as they crowd jammed the
doors. From there on it was pretty much hilarious as we unloaded them at a large
field with no toilets. We cared for them, and fed them til 3 o’clock, including digging
latrines and feeding them chicken and bread. A few of the kids ran in races and relays
but generally they just played and we tried to keep and eye on them . Many had toilet
accidents and several spent the day with no pants. The other schools had colors and
costumes and there was great competitive spirit and cheering. Beautiful mountains in
the background and the Basotho dress of the teachers and the fact that it was all so
crazy made it another “ can’t believe I am here” experience. All heads were accounted
for on the bus before we left, but that was the only vestige of Canadian propriety I
experienced !
A Wedding
I was invited to a wedding by the Sisters Sunday. They know the family and assisted
in the decorating, a sideline business for Sr. Exinia ( as well as catering and sewing).
The tent was hugs and there were 200 guests. The ceremony included a full mass and
Church service and a large hot buffet was served. They welcomed me and did part of
the ceremony in English because I was there. The women looked stunning in African
dress that I only wish I could describe . It was a beautiful, though long, day and I felt
perhaps I should have stayed with the kids as this was my last full weekend. But it
was a privilege to be invited to attend and a nice look at how the upper echelons here
celebrate and their wedding traditions.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
A Few Stories.......
Special Moments with Dr Seuss
I had one of those special moments the other night reading the Cat in the Hat. It wasn’t because the kids understood well or it was the hoped for bedtime story hour scenario. I have discovered the overflowing library is not used. The books are just not appropriate and the kids English not good enough ! However, picture me surrounded by ten heads as I sat on a chair reading Dr Seuss. The rhythm was fun and kids thought it sounded like singing and loved it. Near the end, I realized a couple of the teens had joined in and were following the story seriously. They asked questions about Thing One and Thing Two and the resulting mess in the house and the return of the mother as if it were non fiction. I answered them just as seriously. We all decided it would be best not to tell Mother what had happened that day in the house. It was as close to studying English as I have gotten, and I appreciated their time and interest. How wonderful to have a moment where I could see the absolute culture gap created by such different experiences and realities in growing up ! These kids had never seen a Dr Seuss book and their reaction was unedited and sincere.
Public Transport
There is a saying “Africa walks” but I believe it is more apt to say “Africa takes Public” Taxis and van ply the streets cruising for fares and have a man whose job it is to entice people into their vehicles. I always have to steel myself to go on public, it’s so unpredictable and wild. After the incident of the three youths high on something yelling/screeching for an entire trip I have been reluctant to go alone. However, today I had to go to Hlotse and meet the South Africa troupe and left early from the orphanage as I know the vans and buses take time to fill (sometimes an hour) before they will leave on a longer trip The bus rank is in the market, and the markets are amazing. Crowded with stalls of sticks, plastic and tin, there are people everywhere, corn and meat cooking on open fires, hawkers plying the bus windows and exotic sights. Herd boys with blankets and sticks, mothers with babies on their backs and ancient grandmothers selling peaches and apples. I got in a Sprinter, the upscale van with the higher roof. This is just an excuse to pack in more people standing. We sat an hour in stifling heat with men trying to sell drinks and chips and reading glasses thru the windows. When we departed a lady with a large derriere balance it on my shoulder. Her strong perfume made my nose twitch and gave me a headache, but I was aware there could have been worse consequences to have a posterior on my shoulder for 2 hrs. I shared my food with my teenage seat mate. I was thrown out at a transfer stop and shoved in a small VW van already overcrowded, seated practically on a mans lap, and my suitcase taken and put in the back. However, I got to the office just fine and all in all felt more at home and less stressed for the journey than I had anticipated. One gets used to anything !
Grandmothers:
Many in Canada are aware of the plight of the grandmothers of Africa. Many groups are working to help them. It is totally different to hear the details of their stories here and meet them. Me Mapoloko of Help Lesotho is starting a grandmother initiative. Needy grandmothers are being identified by the chiefs of the villages and enrolled in our program. They will come to a meeting once a month for a good meal and support, and take food or vouchers home. Many have lost all their own children and are caring for multiple orphans, some of whom are HIV positive. Food is the main issue, but as well there is no money for tuition or uniforms, so many of the orphans do not go to school. One family went without food for 5 days except what they could beg from neighbours. The photo is of one of these grandmothers and there are many more to share when I get home. They have a dignity in hardship that is hard to describe. We will continue to collect glasses for them at VVC throughout the year to send over with volunteers.
A Weekend in South Africa.
I crossed the border to South Africa with four friends last weekend for a mini holiday. We stayed at a fantastic lodge run by English ex-Pats. They purchased the little lodge, im the middle of a 3,000acre farm, six years ago. It was a combination of English Country garden and funk. The roses and stone cottages were set beside a thatched pig house and a mushroom shaped thatched sauna.There were hammocks, a large wooden chess set on the lawn and meals cooked by a Thai chef....incredible. The first night I was overwhelmed by sensory delights, the quiet and the many feasts for my senses....picture swimming under the African stars and hearing a jackal. The Saturday was an outride at the nearby polo farm, then we stayed to watch a game of polo. The next day we had a ride around a 6000 acre game farm in the back of a 4X4 that is hard to describe. We saw wild scenery from another world while spotting wildebeast, antelope , zebra and trucking thru runoff ditches. Also looked for agate and had a history lesson from our Afrikaaner game warden. The Sat night there was a party at our lodge and the cast of characters could have been from a novel, including the polo pro from Zimbabwe. Complete with 70s music and tye dye, it was a journey back to some other time. The trip there was interesting too as South Africa is so visually different than Lesotho. Quite a 48 hours. Now back to concentrate on the children for 2 weeks.Lots of pictures of all of this for those interested !
I had one of those special moments the other night reading the Cat in the Hat. It wasn’t because the kids understood well or it was the hoped for bedtime story hour scenario. I have discovered the overflowing library is not used. The books are just not appropriate and the kids English not good enough ! However, picture me surrounded by ten heads as I sat on a chair reading Dr Seuss. The rhythm was fun and kids thought it sounded like singing and loved it. Near the end, I realized a couple of the teens had joined in and were following the story seriously. They asked questions about Thing One and Thing Two and the resulting mess in the house and the return of the mother as if it were non fiction. I answered them just as seriously. We all decided it would be best not to tell Mother what had happened that day in the house. It was as close to studying English as I have gotten, and I appreciated their time and interest. How wonderful to have a moment where I could see the absolute culture gap created by such different experiences and realities in growing up ! These kids had never seen a Dr Seuss book and their reaction was unedited and sincere.
Public Transport
There is a saying “Africa walks” but I believe it is more apt to say “Africa takes Public” Taxis and van ply the streets cruising for fares and have a man whose job it is to entice people into their vehicles. I always have to steel myself to go on public, it’s so unpredictable and wild. After the incident of the three youths high on something yelling/screeching for an entire trip I have been reluctant to go alone. However, today I had to go to Hlotse and meet the South Africa troupe and left early from the orphanage as I know the vans and buses take time to fill (sometimes an hour) before they will leave on a longer trip The bus rank is in the market, and the markets are amazing. Crowded with stalls of sticks, plastic and tin, there are people everywhere, corn and meat cooking on open fires, hawkers plying the bus windows and exotic sights. Herd boys with blankets and sticks, mothers with babies on their backs and ancient grandmothers selling peaches and apples. I got in a Sprinter, the upscale van with the higher roof. This is just an excuse to pack in more people standing. We sat an hour in stifling heat with men trying to sell drinks and chips and reading glasses thru the windows. When we departed a lady with a large derriere balance it on my shoulder. Her strong perfume made my nose twitch and gave me a headache, but I was aware there could have been worse consequences to have a posterior on my shoulder for 2 hrs. I shared my food with my teenage seat mate. I was thrown out at a transfer stop and shoved in a small VW van already overcrowded, seated practically on a mans lap, and my suitcase taken and put in the back. However, I got to the office just fine and all in all felt more at home and less stressed for the journey than I had anticipated. One gets used to anything !
Grandmothers:
Many in Canada are aware of the plight of the grandmothers of Africa. Many groups are working to help them. It is totally different to hear the details of their stories here and meet them. Me Mapoloko of Help Lesotho is starting a grandmother initiative. Needy grandmothers are being identified by the chiefs of the villages and enrolled in our program. They will come to a meeting once a month for a good meal and support, and take food or vouchers home. Many have lost all their own children and are caring for multiple orphans, some of whom are HIV positive. Food is the main issue, but as well there is no money for tuition or uniforms, so many of the orphans do not go to school. One family went without food for 5 days except what they could beg from neighbours. The photo is of one of these grandmothers and there are many more to share when I get home. They have a dignity in hardship that is hard to describe. We will continue to collect glasses for them at VVC throughout the year to send over with volunteers.
A Weekend in South Africa.
I crossed the border to South Africa with four friends last weekend for a mini holiday. We stayed at a fantastic lodge run by English ex-Pats. They purchased the little lodge, im the middle of a 3,000acre farm, six years ago. It was a combination of English Country garden and funk. The roses and stone cottages were set beside a thatched pig house and a mushroom shaped thatched sauna.There were hammocks, a large wooden chess set on the lawn and meals cooked by a Thai chef....incredible. The first night I was overwhelmed by sensory delights, the quiet and the many feasts for my senses....picture swimming under the African stars and hearing a jackal. The Saturday was an outride at the nearby polo farm, then we stayed to watch a game of polo. The next day we had a ride around a 6000 acre game farm in the back of a 4X4 that is hard to describe. We saw wild scenery from another world while spotting wildebeast, antelope , zebra and trucking thru runoff ditches. Also looked for agate and had a history lesson from our Afrikaaner game warden. The Sat night there was a party at our lodge and the cast of characters could have been from a novel, including the polo pro from Zimbabwe. Complete with 70s music and tye dye, it was a journey back to some other time. The trip there was interesting too as South Africa is so visually different than Lesotho. Quite a 48 hours. Now back to concentrate on the children for 2 weeks.Lots of pictures of all of this for those interested !
Friday, March 7, 2008
A Most Important Night - HIV Questions
It occurred to me about a week ago that the teens might have questions about HIV/AIDS and need more time and answers. It is a logical assumption that every
person, even at home, absorbs only part of what they are taught. I had the feeling
there might be more problems here if the teaching had been in English in the past.
Phil disagreed, saying they have had it multiple times. Taking a gamble, and with Sister Victoria’ s blessing, I put out an anonymous question box and said I would answer all the questions on Saturday night coming. The box was full Friday and I was pleased and slightly intimidated….my idea had been a good one, but the questions were intense. I had to make a few calls to get some of the answers, and steel myself for the session.
I was feeling this may be the most important thing I have done here, as I was seeing an opportunity to impact the teens and perhaps save even one life. I phoned around and got all the answers. Saturday night came and I had prepared a short true and false quiz, which indeed they did well on. I also prepared two charts- one on transmission
and the concept of viral load and how HIV turns into AIDS. The questions varied from where did HIV come from, to can a couple with one person HIV positive have a baby? There were a lot of questions about particular types of sexual risk, many about sharing razors/clippers etc, and another about other STDs. It was a fantastic session.
We limited to 14 yrs and up, threw in some humor and I think most people understood my accent. In slow English and very directly I answered all the questions and we went on to watch a movie with no further ado. I am so glad I tried it. I put the question box back and said before I left I would answer all the questions in it, and invited other topics. Lets see what happens.
Last year the kids were all tested. There is one little girl here, one of my favorites, who is positive. She keeps her secret, and is not depressed. She goes off to the clinic for CD4 counts on her own now. It is more testimony to the Sisters skill and human resilience. I cannot help but worry about what her life will bring her, but if she isn’t sad, I must not be.
On a lighter note, Friday night I proposed a Limbo contest, having tired of making Bingo cards. It was a hit and we used a long piece of bamboo and sang the limbo song. We had two groups - best older boy and girl won and the best younger (under 5 ft) boy and girl also won something. Pens and candies are the staple, but a head bandanna was the coveted offering. They were good at it and the Hip Hop dancing they did later was even better. It was a fun and raucous blow out kind of evening.
Schedule now very busy with Phil gone. Do the eggs, preschool, painting the mural, eggs again, and two hours computer lab every afternoon after school. I have break then two hours for homework tutoring. I wonder how it will all go when I leave as there is not another volunteer lined up. The computer training and the homework are so important -some of the kids don’t know what the Internet is. A book I read said grassroots Africa may be in danger of missing out on the information revolution unless there is a miracle, and that’s really one of the smaller of many serious problems. However, there are many times, here at the orphanage, when I see these kids dancing, playing, learning and getting three meals a day that I know they are luckier than many others .Hopefully, for the most part, they will be alright…
person, even at home, absorbs only part of what they are taught. I had the feeling
there might be more problems here if the teaching had been in English in the past.
Phil disagreed, saying they have had it multiple times. Taking a gamble, and with Sister Victoria’ s blessing, I put out an anonymous question box and said I would answer all the questions on Saturday night coming. The box was full Friday and I was pleased and slightly intimidated….my idea had been a good one, but the questions were intense. I had to make a few calls to get some of the answers, and steel myself for the session.
I was feeling this may be the most important thing I have done here, as I was seeing an opportunity to impact the teens and perhaps save even one life. I phoned around and got all the answers. Saturday night came and I had prepared a short true and false quiz, which indeed they did well on. I also prepared two charts- one on transmission
and the concept of viral load and how HIV turns into AIDS. The questions varied from where did HIV come from, to can a couple with one person HIV positive have a baby? There were a lot of questions about particular types of sexual risk, many about sharing razors/clippers etc, and another about other STDs. It was a fantastic session.
We limited to 14 yrs and up, threw in some humor and I think most people understood my accent. In slow English and very directly I answered all the questions and we went on to watch a movie with no further ado. I am so glad I tried it. I put the question box back and said before I left I would answer all the questions in it, and invited other topics. Lets see what happens.
Last year the kids were all tested. There is one little girl here, one of my favorites, who is positive. She keeps her secret, and is not depressed. She goes off to the clinic for CD4 counts on her own now. It is more testimony to the Sisters skill and human resilience. I cannot help but worry about what her life will bring her, but if she isn’t sad, I must not be.
On a lighter note, Friday night I proposed a Limbo contest, having tired of making Bingo cards. It was a hit and we used a long piece of bamboo and sang the limbo song. We had two groups - best older boy and girl won and the best younger (under 5 ft) boy and girl also won something. Pens and candies are the staple, but a head bandanna was the coveted offering. They were good at it and the Hip Hop dancing they did later was even better. It was a fun and raucous blow out kind of evening.
Schedule now very busy with Phil gone. Do the eggs, preschool, painting the mural, eggs again, and two hours computer lab every afternoon after school. I have break then two hours for homework tutoring. I wonder how it will all go when I leave as there is not another volunteer lined up. The computer training and the homework are so important -some of the kids don’t know what the Internet is. A book I read said grassroots Africa may be in danger of missing out on the information revolution unless there is a miracle, and that’s really one of the smaller of many serious problems. However, there are many times, here at the orphanage, when I see these kids dancing, playing, learning and getting three meals a day that I know they are luckier than many others .Hopefully, for the most part, they will be alright…
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