My First Full Day
Hi All
I met up with 6 other volunteers yesterday and we were collected at George airport by Jim Morel, the Traveller's representative. Excellent. On the road at last as it seemed I had been either in airports or on planes for an age.
We were all very tired last night but after some serious sleeping we were ready to burst forth today for our induction day. Pauline (another Traveller's representative) came around in the morning and we had our induction talk. This was all quite serious stuff about how we should conduct ourselves here, ie show respect to the cultures here, and a briefing about personal safety and security. I think we all felt a bit 'sober' after that but Pauline lightened the mood by taking us on a short trip around Knysna town to orient ourselves.
It was fairly obvious that there is a good bit of money in Knysna - we went to a new development on Thesen Islands which was seriously upmarket.
However, the best part of the day was when Pauline took us all to each of the township achools we will be working in. Driving through the townships was really enlightening but it made me realise that there is much work to be done in SA to achieve a parity of opportunity and standard of living for the 'blacks' and the 'coloureds'.
Much of the livestock is just free to roam around so the van dodged chickens with tiny new chicks, cows and cattle eating at the side of the road and pigs and their piglets. I was just a typical 'european' and 'oohed and aahed'. I also gave all the dogs wistful looks as I had had to leave my dog at home and I do kind of miss her.
The absolute highlight of 'the best part of the day' was our visit to a creche. The kids were tiny and amazing. They sang and acted out at least five songs and with each song the 30 or so children came closer and closer. The teachers were incredible too as they managed to shush them down after the excitement of our visit almost immediately.
I feel I may be gushing and going on rather so I will finish for today. Tomorrow is my first day at Percy Mdala and I just hope I do a good job for them.
Over and out.
Claire
posted by Claire @ 15:50
2 Comments:
We are so glad that you made it safely and are enjoying your first experiences. Change in culture is rather strange - I remember feeling like a sponge and absorbing every thing - I remember feeling like I couldnt even take it all in or discuss it properly as with the new experiences came such a stew of emotions - some about missing my friends and family and some about feeling the new experiences - It can all be rather heightened and almost like being in love for the first time when colours are brighter and smells are stronger and you are more aware of the world around you and you are really aware of your feelings - I suspect you are feeling some of this - as I cannot imagine the Clarie I know cooing in a creche or ohhhing at a piglet??? Missing you and glad to be able to keep up with you on your wonderful blog - you are in my favourites - in fact you are my favourite!!
lol
tina
Your first day and so many new sights and sounds and friends and possibilities - It is great that you are diving in and open to all that is new - The beginning of an adventure is such a unique period because it is a time when you have an external perspective - Fish will be the last ones to discover water - what you see and feel and think in the next few days will create some insights that you should capture as you will probably never have them so vividly
Missing you and very proud of you- thank you for reminding us that there is much more to being a full Human than work and work !!!
lots of love
tina
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