Teen Pregnancy Prevention Workshops

Last month, I spent a week working with Hazel from Phedisang (a local organization that runs drop-in centers in several villages all along the main tar road) helping to plan, and then observe, some teen pregnancy prevention workshops. It was a great experience to work with her and be around to see positive outcomes.
Each workshop was about 2 hours long and we tried to divide the time up in such a way that we would make sure to emphasize certain topics. The outline and what we covered went a little something like this:
*What do you know about pregnancy? (the answers ranged from knowing that getting pregnant comes from having sex to a woman having shiny palms and a glowing body when she's expecting)
*An exercise in labeling the parts of the male and female reproductive systems
*Information on HIV/AIDS, STI's, and locations in the local area where you can get tested, be treated, and receive options for protecting yourself.
*The Bridge Activity. Given magazines, paper, pencils and pens, the girls thought about their futures and were asked to draw a "bridge". What are some goals you have for yourself? What must you do now or in the near future to help yourself to achieve those goals? (Many talked of getting a good education and wanting to be nurses, doctors, teachers, social workers, and one mentioned a passion for becoming a pilot.)
Close to 100 girls attended the workshops.
Enable Village, one of the villages set off the tar road. I took a taxi from Metz to the cross (where the main tar road and Enable dirt road meet), then took a Maxi Taxi that was waiting under a nearby tree (cars owned and driven by local men who drive you closer to the village since there is no regular running public transport), and then walked about half an hour to the drop-in center.
One of the girls from the center in Butswana Village presenting her Bridge.
Hazel and Olga posing with all their facilitating materials.
Olga presenting information about STI's with a carer at the Worcester Center.
Here's the group of girls from the Enable Center with Mmapula, Olga, and Jeaneth (a carer).

Tea Time is... THE BEST TIME!

South Africans do tea time very well and, man, are there many different ways to do tea time. There's Fanta Grape and a loaf of bread. There's Joko tea with four heaping spoonfuls of Cremora and sugar. There's a half loaf of bread, some chips, and a Powerade. There are finger sandwiches with poloney (bologna), Rama (margarine), and cheese with Coke. And then there's hot chocolate with scones. It doesn't matter what is eaten, but, in my experience, in Metz Village, tea time always happens. Around 10am every morning in whatever office I'm working in, there will be a rustling of bread bags and a clinking of mugs.
Rejoice, Davina, and Lorraine. Tea time at Kodumela.

And just for kicks...if Keri and I were in charge of an office, this is what tea time would look like. (This was taken a day she was visiting and we were "watching" my office). Skip-Bo, Long life milk, Nalgene water bottles, and laughing.

Where We Are Treated Like Royalty

I think every volunteer needs some safe, clean, comfortable, and relaxing place they can go when they need to get away from site for a day or two. Yeah, there are backpackers (hostels) and if you're in the mood, you can spring for something a little more fancy.... but I'm thinkin' something a little more like home. A home away from home.
In the beginning months because my housing situation was so.... interesting... and I was still reeling from the idea that I was in AFRICA... I spent a ton of time in town. Now that I've settled and have my own routine in the village, I don't head there as often. When I do get a chance to go it's an adventure. I usually will run some errands, then grab a cup of coffee at Woolie's (Woolworth's), and people watch until it's time to meet up with other volunteers.
Two of my very favorite people in South Africa live in Tzaneen and I'm very lucky to know them. John and Mary host movie nights, braais, have helped with some funding ideas and funding, can relate to what it's like to be a volunteer because they were once volunteers themselves, and have really opened up their hearts and lives to all of us.
Has it really been a year and a half since I first met them?

March 2008, Back row:Nancy, Jim, Megan, and Erin. Front row: Mary, Virginia, Jaceson, and John.

And things have changed a little...March 2009. Back row: Rachel (friend and Oliver's girlfriend), Oliver (SA-17), Steve (friend of John and Mary's who is visiting from the UK and volunteering his time), and Megan. Front row: Mary, Virginia, Jaceson, and John.

The Seasons

Taken at the end of Winter 2008 (photo compliments of Richard Owen)

Taken at the height of Summer 2009

The Grip is Loosening

It's Wednesday morning. I just put a cash flow plan (aka how we're going to spend some money and when we're going to do it plan) on my memory stick and I'm about to head to wash my face and find something to wear for work. Fall is here. Yesterday I didn't see the mountains at all. I made hot chocolate cause it's been at least 20 degrees cooler than the hottest it's ever been in my room (otherwise known as the middle of summer). I got home to my room with about an hour of daylight to spare... just enough time to fill up my water bucket, sweep, and start supper.
For weeks now, because, I think, of a culmination of things, I've had a huge knot in my stomach. Sleeping has been rough with dreams that end in panic or doubt. I wake up and it's hard for me to drag myself out of bed because I just feel so tired...
AND THEN... yesterday, with its misty fog over the mountains, coolness, and long hours, happened. I walked to a local NGO to use their computer with a printer early in the morning and I typed up a letter of resignation for my office... making sure to include the statement, "if there are any specific projects/programs that you would like to work on or discuss with me please don't hesitate to call...". According to this letter I am no longer a volunteer attached to just one organization... I am a volunteer for the community... and I have freedom. (!!) At around 9 I walked up the hill to my office and handed the letter over to Synett. It was about as painless and drama free as it could have been. It was awkward. It was a little uncomfortable. I still hold some guilt. BUT, I did it. After I made sure to let her know that I still thought of us as friends... we just couldn't work together... I walked out a little lighter. I walked away and walked right into getting some work done. I spent all afternoon driving around with some people I'm working with getting quotations for building materials. I spent hours out of the office and jump started on a few projects that have been at a stand still. All the stress hasn't completely gone away, there's something about living here that keeps you on your toes, always ready and waiting for things to change... up and down, but the ball has started rolling. I felt like I was stuck and I did something about it. Damn, that feels good.

Heal Me... or at least tell me my future

Over the holidays, when I found myself in some pretty incredible mountains, I had my "bones" read by a traditional healer. It was pretty cool (thanks, Abby, for the encouragement!), at times more than a little vague, and a good experience.
The "bones" consist of various animal bones, some shells, dice, and rocks. You just lay down your 20 , cup the bones in your hand, shake, shake, shake, and throw the bones over the money. What does this bone throwing show?
Answer: I am lucky. I have a good family and many friends. I will pursue a career in the medical field. I will travel a lot and help a lot of people. Because of some condition I will not be able to have children, but the condition is treatable if caught early. When I have children they will be boys. I will marry, but not right now. I am very lucky.

And here I am with the sangoma (traditional healer) and our translator.
If I were to seek out the help and guidance of a traditional healer in my own village, it very well could compromise my work, connections I have made, and people's thoughts of me.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss

Oh, the Places You'll Go! (1990)

* You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.

* You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

* I'm sorry to say so
But, sadly it's true
That bang-ups and hang-ups
Can happen to you.

* On an on you will hike, And I know you’ll hike far
and face up to your problems whatever they are.

You’ll get mixed up of course, as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.

So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
And remember that Life’s a great balancing act.

Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

* Will you succeed?
Yes you will indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

-http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Dr._Seuss

There are some things that will never get old. I needed to read this this morning. Hope it gives you the lift it gave me.