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

Last Day in the UK

Hi All

Just doing some last minute preparations and no small amount of gentle panicing. Have I packed all I need? Will I forget something - (that is a cert with me). All the goodbyes have been difficult but I keep saying to them, and myself, it is only for 3 months and they will fly by.

Have just spent the weekend with a couple of friends in West Sussex. I have been doing a good bit of chilling out which means I have been falling asleep at 9.30pm and generally not being the life and soul of the party.

So, I am gearing up to go to South Africa and meet everyone at the Percy Mdala School. I have been through all the documents that Travellers have sent me. They seem to have thought of everything and each document has reassuring messages - such as 'You will have a wonderful time' or 'Everyone is really friendly'. This calms the knot of excitement and apprehension in the pit of my stomach.

I travel tomorrow night and should be in Knysna on the afternoon of 3rd of October. Amazing. I really can't believe it after all these months of anticipation.

Over and out for now.