As the last village I would visit in the first training series we would go out to Ha Seng. This is a village about 15 kilometers north of Semonkong town but yet it takes us about two hours to travel the rough furrowed road. The area is beautiful out that way with long vistas of the surrounding valleys and mountain sides.
This village had one of the best attendance records yet. The group of farmers, mothers and fathers all gathered in one of the two old school houses. It was surely a throw back to their time in the same spot. By the look of the building it was probably that old. I was in utter shock to think kids were trying to learn math, Sesotho, English, and science in this kind of place. Not even in the third world should there not be enough seating for the kids such that seniority determined who sat on the cardboard in front of the benches. Sitting on a bench wasn’t much of an upgrade. The nails from the boards hammered together were pounded down and the whole bench was propped up with pieces of block; not even a whole block. The windows were great if Lesotho was overly hot all year long but on this day holes in the wall let us know just how cold it was outside. Horizontal rain flew in on the westerly side poke-a-dotting the kids’ back-packs. If they weren’t already empty because the school can’t afford books or the kids, school supplies, someone may have saved them to a dryer place.
I was struck stiff when I looked over and saw how someone had placed a piece of the kids’ cardboard under my back-pack. Kids must sit on the dusty dung floor but my pack wasn’t allowed to get dirty. There is clearly something wrong here!
There are a series of pictures I have posted online and I will provide a link so people may see what some kids have as their learning environment. What a disappointment and yet the ministry officials all get a brand new Lexus. Yes, I’m upset!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Me’ Nthabileng is sooooo excited. I talked with Semonkong Lodge here in town about her wool spinning. The way I see it is if she is willing to put the extra time into spinning the stuff I’m am more than willing to go to bat for the woman and find some places to sell the stuff. The Lodge is always looking to help out if they can get some good stuff. Their gift shop is loaded with talented Basotho work for sale with the money going to those individuals. When I told Me’ she was just grinning and said she would get some samples prepared to take down in two weeks. Anyone want some hand spun wool?!!!
Our current Peace Corps director just heard that he has been accepted to a new post in Ghana as their PC director. It’s a good move for someone who actually served up there during his own PCV service. I wish him luck as he moves to more familiar grounds in Africa. He was a good boss who respected volunteers more like adults than most (as heard from the international PCV gossip channel!). A strong emphasis on PCV collaboration and technology integration was another priority that I hope isn’t lost after he’s gone.
Such is Peace Corps where there is always a constant turnover of people. Just as you get in a groove with people three months pass and something else is going to change!
Such is Peace Corps where there is always a constant turnover of people. Just as you get in a groove with people three months pass and something else is going to change!
Patrick, a Zambian Peace Corps Volunteer, came to Semonkong to visit for a couple days this week (September 9-11). This is actually his last stop on a trip that took him through Zambia, Nigeria, South Africa (Capetown), and Lesotho. He’s headed out on Saturday for the USA. I wish him the best after a good couple days hanging out and showing him around. I’m sure the guy has left quit the impact back in Zambia and that people will be eating the fish out of those ponds he helped build for many years to come. The weather in the ‘Kong took a turn for the cold on Wednesday night just to give Patrick a taste of Lesotho. He’s from Maryland and is soft after two years in warm Zambia so it’s more of a favor to weatherize him for the coming winter!
Well, the second week of trainings is finished. Of the eight villages scheduled for this round of trainings, five were able to cooperate with us to get people together on their training day. Chiefs in the other three all forgot to let others know about the event which Me’ Mokhoase and I have rescheduled. For the most part, I feel this has been a real success. Before we started people were saying I would be unable to draw people out for anything without offering food. Their pessimism fed a small doubt in me but I was curious to see how many people were willing to still listen. I also consider those that come out to be more interested in hearing something new rather than just waiting for free food. In total we have talked with over one hundred people.
It has been amazing to have Me’ Mokhoase conduct the sessions. She actually asked if she could help present and has shined. Not only is she able to address the points I have set out with accuracy but she also makes a point to emphasize the reasoning I’ve provided to give people explanation as to why we are working in a certain way. Her enthusiasm is contagious. As I watch people listen and hear their questions it is clear that she pays attention to detailed explanation and is maintaining the audience. She is not shying away from future trips to the villages and is already talking about what is next.
It has been amazing to have Me’ Mokhoase conduct the sessions. She actually asked if she could help present and has shined. Not only is she able to address the points I have set out with accuracy but she also makes a point to emphasize the reasoning I’ve provided to give people explanation as to why we are working in a certain way. Her enthusiasm is contagious. As I watch people listen and hear their questions it is clear that she pays attention to detailed explanation and is maintaining the audience. She is not shying away from future trips to the villages and is already talking about what is next.
Technology: Friend or Foe?
On Sunday I got in around lunchtime from Maseru. Looking at my house, I realized a thorough cleaning was in order, especially if I was going to have a visitor this week. Everything got wiped down, swept, mopped, and scrubbed. By the time I got to the pile of clothes on the floor it was late in the afternoon. I wouldn’t even have started it if I didn’t know that this week was going to be busy with trips to the villages. It hadn’t been long after I started washing when Tim came over. There was a frustrated look about his eyes and he walked with an exhausted gate. The people over at the TabithaCare office had been writing their trimester report and a serious problem had arisen just as they were preparing to submit it to the main office. Tim was coming over as a last chance attempt to solve the problem and thus make all their work worth something. Being oh-so busy with unwanted laundry, I dropped everything and came right then!
Technology can be a frustrating thing. There are any numbers of things that can cause overwhelming frustration but as I have learned—at times the hard way—it does not always need to be this difficult.
The people in the office were very frustrated by the time I was called. It was late in the afternoon and as the skies over Semonkong turned there usual dark blue and purple the light inside started to out compete the light outside. The three people in the office were huddled around the one desktop. This computer and I already have a history. Multiple times I have come over to check on one thing or another and my opinion of it doesn’t hover much above modest disdain. Because of this I understand their frustrations!
One of the office people, however, made a statement of hatred for how aweful technology is for them. I could not reisit defending technology as a tool that we must learn to wield like any other. You can't give me the cow pulled plough any more than I give any one person in Semonkong a computer and expect great things without first learning how to make good things happen. This was the manager who made the statement and he agreed. I sowed the seeds for future conversations about their computers if they so wished.
TabithaCare is the support and preventative arm of DocorsAide which works with the clinic here at the mission. This group works with support groups, families, and communities to improve HIV/AIDS mitigation and community responses.
The desktop sits by the window of a room no bigger than some people’s bathrooms ( an average sixe bathroom in the states). There are several calendars on the walls from several organizations. Undoubtedly they are free because NGO’s rarely have the funds to pay for aesthetics in the office space. Without the calendars the dingy wall would simply drain any enthusiasm for work all together. [May I note that these are all the expectations of an overly conditioned American who has grown up to expect a certain environment in the office. Whether research conclusions determining dingy offices are a factor to decreased productivity is a nugget of thought for another day!]
Anyway, we worked everything out and got the file sent. I’ve advised them to find some time when we can set up computer procedures that would help keep the computer clean. They are more than enthusiastic. As a side note I think we should discuss procrastination as a bad habit too so they aren’t sending the next trimester report a day later at 6 pm with worried eyes and tight shoulders.
Update: On Monday, they asked me to come back and help them out again. They were working on that same report again. Yep, We are going to talk about how to keep deadlines!!!
Technology can be a frustrating thing. There are any numbers of things that can cause overwhelming frustration but as I have learned—at times the hard way—it does not always need to be this difficult.
The people in the office were very frustrated by the time I was called. It was late in the afternoon and as the skies over Semonkong turned there usual dark blue and purple the light inside started to out compete the light outside. The three people in the office were huddled around the one desktop. This computer and I already have a history. Multiple times I have come over to check on one thing or another and my opinion of it doesn’t hover much above modest disdain. Because of this I understand their frustrations!
One of the office people, however, made a statement of hatred for how aweful technology is for them. I could not reisit defending technology as a tool that we must learn to wield like any other. You can't give me the cow pulled plough any more than I give any one person in Semonkong a computer and expect great things without first learning how to make good things happen. This was the manager who made the statement and he agreed. I sowed the seeds for future conversations about their computers if they so wished.
TabithaCare is the support and preventative arm of DocorsAide which works with the clinic here at the mission. This group works with support groups, families, and communities to improve HIV/AIDS mitigation and community responses.
The desktop sits by the window of a room no bigger than some people’s bathrooms ( an average sixe bathroom in the states). There are several calendars on the walls from several organizations. Undoubtedly they are free because NGO’s rarely have the funds to pay for aesthetics in the office space. Without the calendars the dingy wall would simply drain any enthusiasm for work all together. [May I note that these are all the expectations of an overly conditioned American who has grown up to expect a certain environment in the office. Whether research conclusions determining dingy offices are a factor to decreased productivity is a nugget of thought for another day!]
Anyway, we worked everything out and got the file sent. I’ve advised them to find some time when we can set up computer procedures that would help keep the computer clean. They are more than enthusiastic. As a side note I think we should discuss procrastination as a bad habit too so they aren’t sending the next trimester report a day later at 6 pm with worried eyes and tight shoulders.
Update: On Monday, they asked me to come back and help them out again. They were working on that same report again. Yep, We are going to talk about how to keep deadlines!!!
The longer I stay here the more subtle my powers of observation pick up of my environment. Just the other day I was in Ha Sethua-Majoe (the village name means ‘the stone cutters’) a village north west of town. By this time I have visited quite a few villages, been in many homes to sit down with a cup of matoho while people surround the place to watch me drink the fermented sorghum. This gives me a context with which to view these homes as statements of the people that live in the compound.
I come to Semonkong with little history of the people living here. The numerous villages I work with all have their wealthy, their poor, their active and intelligent, and the lazy of the whole bunch. That simply resembles the human dynamic that generally exists among all kinds of people. Novelty arose in the observation of how someone may have used multiple different pieces of scrap to construct a fence, link that to a shelter for a set of animals, or integrate all of this into a simple farming system that allows more efficient collection of farm manure to be used in the fields. I recognized a tinkerer in my visit to Ha Sethua-Majoe. This was the home of an older man with him, his wife and their two grand children. The first thing that caught my eye was the amount of things lying around his place. Instead of a random junk look there was an organization and intent within the chaos. Noticeably much of the material used to construct his animal pins, shelters, even a storage building—something I rarely see outside of the house people live in—all this utilized the collection of ‘junk’ this man had amassed.
I’ve similarly noticed a woman in Maseru who owns a plate place—a place where you can buy a ‘plate’ of food as Lesotho’s version of a simple restaurant. In a tin building inside the rank are a line of different vendors all selling ‘plates’ and at first glance everyone looks to fend for themselves. The first time I walked into this place I could tell much but this woman caught my eye as she formed a conveyor of Styrofoam containers for multiple orders. To get at idea of the best, I found the busiest! I also later noticed that it was not just her working but that she was directing three other people.
Maybe I am getting excited about something simple but delegating tasks in a business and doing it well are a skill that even managers in the states struggle to do successfully. It’s also a relatively big step from your own little stall to a multi-station unit that requires multi-tasking.
Anyway, my powers of observation just give me a better chance to give props to this woman and all those successful people doing well in their communities.
I come to Semonkong with little history of the people living here. The numerous villages I work with all have their wealthy, their poor, their active and intelligent, and the lazy of the whole bunch. That simply resembles the human dynamic that generally exists among all kinds of people. Novelty arose in the observation of how someone may have used multiple different pieces of scrap to construct a fence, link that to a shelter for a set of animals, or integrate all of this into a simple farming system that allows more efficient collection of farm manure to be used in the fields. I recognized a tinkerer in my visit to Ha Sethua-Majoe. This was the home of an older man with him, his wife and their two grand children. The first thing that caught my eye was the amount of things lying around his place. Instead of a random junk look there was an organization and intent within the chaos. Noticeably much of the material used to construct his animal pins, shelters, even a storage building—something I rarely see outside of the house people live in—all this utilized the collection of ‘junk’ this man had amassed.
I’ve similarly noticed a woman in Maseru who owns a plate place—a place where you can buy a ‘plate’ of food as Lesotho’s version of a simple restaurant. In a tin building inside the rank are a line of different vendors all selling ‘plates’ and at first glance everyone looks to fend for themselves. The first time I walked into this place I could tell much but this woman caught my eye as she formed a conveyor of Styrofoam containers for multiple orders. To get at idea of the best, I found the busiest! I also later noticed that it was not just her working but that she was directing three other people.
Maybe I am getting excited about something simple but delegating tasks in a business and doing it well are a skill that even managers in the states struggle to do successfully. It’s also a relatively big step from your own little stall to a multi-station unit that requires multi-tasking.
Anyway, my powers of observation just give me a better chance to give props to this woman and all those successful people doing well in their communities.
Now for what you've all been waiting for. It's saukraut time! Get out your Hefenweizzen, Leder hozen, and bourwaurst. Yea, I know you're asking the same question: I have five large heads of cabbage, an empty 20 lt bucket, and a cup of salt, why didn't I think saurkraut?! For those who don't like the stuff let me propose a hypothetical: Saukraut or accordion? Both German, both out of the Element in Lesotho, but only one cure, a hangover and it belongs on a kombi! Yea, No! Anyway, If anyone is interested in learning more I can keep you posted. I'm doing it alos in search of those old country methods of preserving some winter din'din. Who's for papa and saukraut?! It'll catch but only if you sing about it. And I'm taking the accordion on the road.
A Delicate Fate
It is not the name but the story that is important so I've changed it because I don't need to worry about telling someone else's business to the world.
There's a lot going through my mind right now. About now is when technology should hurry and provide some brain wave scan that would correlate that to some wonderfully concise adjectives. That would at least give me something.
The facts are:
· Headed to Ha Sechache village today for another training.
· I had a walk-and-talk with a local teacher on the way who invited me to visit her school with my agriculture training. (we also talked about the ever so common pig raising project)
· I stopped by Ntate Likiso's house. This is a farmer I've worked with on several activities. He is very outward, talkative, and knows some English to go along with my Sesotho. When you get him and Ntate Matsistsi together they are a comedic show.
· Likiso was found in his bed where he had been for four days. He had a gaunt, tired look on his face, and there on the night stand were his ART drugs. Likiso is HIV positive I am sure and I have known for a while. To see him, a man I think highly of in a dibilitated state too tired to even go outside in the sun, is painful to see.
· I must still move on leaving Likiso with the only things I have with me, a pack of Cheez-it crackers and a drink package because it is 'enhanced' with vitamins and minerals the lack of which is partly keeping Likiso prisoner.
· At the Chief's place I met the Chief and his guys (men who basically just hang out up there but have official titles that escape me right now). No one had any idea about my coming or why I was there. Ha Phallang, my first village, spoiled me with their attendance and communication.
· Trying to rectify the situation I talked to the teachers again and asked if they were still wanting me to some. Some villagers were quickly collected and I convinced everyone to combine the training and have it in the school. I'd be “killing two birds with one stone” the teacher was saying so as to convince me further to come to her school. (she was more than excited not to be teaching today. I remember how teachers are Mom!)
· In my training, one of the things I encourage people not to do is kill the birds along with all the other creatures that we identify as “friends” who help us keep a healthy and happy farm. People still think I'm crazy to want snakes alive and well in Semonkong.
· I caught a lift back to town with a delivery man from South Africa who loves Michael Jackson. His favorite song is “Baby Be Mine”. There was no CD player in the delivery truck, however. :(
· Back at the mission I get a visit from a recent transplant from Maseru, Felix. He and his wife moved to Semonkong because of his job with a Dutch NGO operating here. Also directly affiliated with the mission clinic, they do HIV/AIDS education, counseling, drug adherence, clinic and pharmacy management, support group activities and OVCs (orphans). They do it all. Felix and his wife are young, speak English, and are people I can relate to more easily so we can hang out more.
· Felix and I headed to his office where he shared proofs of the massage mismanagement happening at the clinic. Given my day's start and the sight of Likiso sick in bed, this frustrated me to no end. Why had all the money allocated for vitamins, for maintenance of the pharmacy stock and drug defaulter outreach not been used?
· Felix was asking me to help him design a way to maintain better records, monitoring and evaluation of the clinic and NGO's activities through the computer. The idea is to set up a system using people, resources, and the computer to better manage all the activities as one big database of information.
· I headed home after we met and thought how useless I felt this morning seeing Likiso there in bed. There was still a strong frustration with why people did so little with so much (a fortune that just sat). Then, all in the same day, there is an opportunity to maybe help things along.
It's impossible not to think there is some game of coincidence at play here. I must personally hope so as I consider how utterly surreal it has felt not to be much of a help in the morning and then to be faced with the other end of that spectrum in the evening. I have no hopes of changing anything honestly. I'll help Felix as much as I can. I will talk to as many people as my time and their patience will offer but I can't do it all for them. This is a tough truth.
The reality is where ever Likiso and other HIV positive individuals might have been wronged because of chaos that is Lesotho's response to this pandemic, there is not much that I can do but tread water along side those in the muck. People like Felix are the answer. Him and his wife are educated Basotho working in the Health field. They are staying in Lesotho. Something promising in a sea of ripples might just mean my single ripple will have some effect.\
There is an Indian (from India) saying about death that says, “When someone dies a piece of those who knew them dies with that person to keep them company.” Yea, I'll let a bit of myself die for Likiso.
It is not the name but the story that is important so I've changed it because I don't need to worry about telling someone else's business to the world.
There's a lot going through my mind right now. About now is when technology should hurry and provide some brain wave scan that would correlate that to some wonderfully concise adjectives. That would at least give me something.
The facts are:
· Headed to Ha Sechache village today for another training.
· I had a walk-and-talk with a local teacher on the way who invited me to visit her school with my agriculture training. (we also talked about the ever so common pig raising project)
· I stopped by Ntate Likiso's house. This is a farmer I've worked with on several activities. He is very outward, talkative, and knows some English to go along with my Sesotho. When you get him and Ntate Matsistsi together they are a comedic show.
· Likiso was found in his bed where he had been for four days. He had a gaunt, tired look on his face, and there on the night stand were his ART drugs. Likiso is HIV positive I am sure and I have known for a while. To see him, a man I think highly of in a dibilitated state too tired to even go outside in the sun, is painful to see.
· I must still move on leaving Likiso with the only things I have with me, a pack of Cheez-it crackers and a drink package because it is 'enhanced' with vitamins and minerals the lack of which is partly keeping Likiso prisoner.
· At the Chief's place I met the Chief and his guys (men who basically just hang out up there but have official titles that escape me right now). No one had any idea about my coming or why I was there. Ha Phallang, my first village, spoiled me with their attendance and communication.
· Trying to rectify the situation I talked to the teachers again and asked if they were still wanting me to some. Some villagers were quickly collected and I convinced everyone to combine the training and have it in the school. I'd be “killing two birds with one stone” the teacher was saying so as to convince me further to come to her school. (she was more than excited not to be teaching today. I remember how teachers are Mom!)
· In my training, one of the things I encourage people not to do is kill the birds along with all the other creatures that we identify as “friends” who help us keep a healthy and happy farm. People still think I'm crazy to want snakes alive and well in Semonkong.
· I caught a lift back to town with a delivery man from South Africa who loves Michael Jackson. His favorite song is “Baby Be Mine”. There was no CD player in the delivery truck, however. :(
· Back at the mission I get a visit from a recent transplant from Maseru, Felix. He and his wife moved to Semonkong because of his job with a Dutch NGO operating here. Also directly affiliated with the mission clinic, they do HIV/AIDS education, counseling, drug adherence, clinic and pharmacy management, support group activities and OVCs (orphans). They do it all. Felix and his wife are young, speak English, and are people I can relate to more easily so we can hang out more.
· Felix and I headed to his office where he shared proofs of the massage mismanagement happening at the clinic. Given my day's start and the sight of Likiso sick in bed, this frustrated me to no end. Why had all the money allocated for vitamins, for maintenance of the pharmacy stock and drug defaulter outreach not been used?
· Felix was asking me to help him design a way to maintain better records, monitoring and evaluation of the clinic and NGO's activities through the computer. The idea is to set up a system using people, resources, and the computer to better manage all the activities as one big database of information.
· I headed home after we met and thought how useless I felt this morning seeing Likiso there in bed. There was still a strong frustration with why people did so little with so much (a fortune that just sat). Then, all in the same day, there is an opportunity to maybe help things along.
It's impossible not to think there is some game of coincidence at play here. I must personally hope so as I consider how utterly surreal it has felt not to be much of a help in the morning and then to be faced with the other end of that spectrum in the evening. I have no hopes of changing anything honestly. I'll help Felix as much as I can. I will talk to as many people as my time and their patience will offer but I can't do it all for them. This is a tough truth.
The reality is where ever Likiso and other HIV positive individuals might have been wronged because of chaos that is Lesotho's response to this pandemic, there is not much that I can do but tread water along side those in the muck. People like Felix are the answer. Him and his wife are educated Basotho working in the Health field. They are staying in Lesotho. Something promising in a sea of ripples might just mean my single ripple will have some effect.\
There is an Indian (from India) saying about death that says, “When someone dies a piece of those who knew them dies with that person to keep them company.” Yea, I'll let a bit of myself die for Likiso.
SNake Friendly
For the next two weeks I'm headed around to each of the villages with Me Makhoase to talk about improving gardening in Semonkong. This is the first of several trips. I'm loving the chance to be out in the villages again. I get up at 5:30 to catch the morning bus out to the village. We've been talking about adding organic material to the soil and creating seed beds so we can start producing our own seeds. We talk, we share pest control methods, and I get a chance to encourage everybody not to kill everything they see. There is a reoccurring theme in my discussions with farmers. “Let Nature work for you not against you so you work smarter not harder.” Not original but effective. Don't kill snakes, don't whack birds (or let your kids) just to kill them; Yea universals have been tempting. Today a farmer asked “So you want us to live with snakes. Would you live with a snake?” he asked. It's tough to argue with that cause I can't say I would. I, however, can't say people need to go searching for them either. There are stories of herb boys coming across snakes in the mountains. The snake would stalk the guy and from a higher ledge leap straight up in the air and turn vertical coming down onto their head. This is a true story to them and I've heard it numerous times from many different people. Of course, these farmers are also the onces that think earth worms and slugs as snakes too. Where's a Jack Hanna when you need one!
OCEAN ADVENTURES
One of the reasons it has been so long since my last posting is because I went on a little trip. Before I go any further I should admit that this post may start to sound like an info-mercial and for that I will apologize in advance. I left to get scuba certified and have come out the other side with a new found respect for the ocean and excitement for everything in the water. I can’t help myself but know to others it may sound a little obsessive or even premature—though this post is being written almost a month after the trip. The excitement has not worn off and my enthusiasm has spread. Not in any small way related to my blabbering about this trip have others started to plan their own vacations to the same area I visited. Word of mouth is wondrous.
Hearing about this place from someone else is what got me interested in the first place. They were no where nearly as excited about the place as I am but still strongly encouraged me to get certified out there. I don’t regret a second or a dime of the time and money it took to get out there. It truly is a one of a kind place.
Becky, Ro, Kevin and I all headed out to Sodwana Bay, South Africa for a week by the beach. We didn’t know much about the area. Other than a trip to Durban or two, we hadn’t been to very many places in South Africa. With open minds and an increasing excitement for a break from our usual routines we rented a car and headed east. Heading there we broke the trip up into two days. Partly we had to with the amount of dawdling we did in Bloem but we were on vacation so time isn’t so important! That night we tracked down a great, and inexpensive, B&B called Oak Tree Manor Bed and Breakfast. They were very accommodating with their furnishings, food, and prices compared to other much more expensive but similar establishments. James and Regi Marshall were really welcoming and nice as well.
The next day we set out to arrive in Sodwana Bay. There isn’t actually much to Sodwana Bay since it is set inside the larger St. Lucia wetlands reserve, a piece of land and ocean set aside for wildlife protection. Mbazwana is the closest town having a Spar (grocery) and a fully stocked liquor store for all beach necessities! The area just outside the entrance to the reserve has quite a few nice lodgings which we could have stayed at but instead decided to head through the reserve to the other side. Passing through the second gate we made it to Mseni Lodge (www.mseni.co.za), the only accommodation in the area with direct beach access—this makes it well worth the cost to stay.
Of course, almost immediately we all took one trip to our lodging, a decent self-catering unit for five, put our stuff down and went straight to the beach. There was a five minute walk through a canopy of low sub-tropical trees along a board walk to the beach. Our enthusiasm grew even more with the walk but nothing prepared us for the beautifully majestic beach.
We were walking down a half forest, half sand dune of tree and sand toward the Indian Ocean. The wind blew head into us from the east. Once we hit the end of the boardwalk and the beginning of the sandy beach we found ourselves at the top of a huge sand dune. The fine grains, wind blown and ocean tumbled, were stacked billions upon billions into these gradual mounds that eased into the forest but looked as if they crept out toward the ocean waiting for the right time to return to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
The water was a palette of blues blended up and into the white tops that were tumbling down upon themselves. It’s here that I fell in love with this place. The evening air and shadows of light and dark were so completely different from where I had just come from that it had a mystical aura. This would only prove truer in the morning as the sun emerged from the horizon to highlight those lights and darks in a new manner bringing the coast alive. Surely this could be the place for someone’s religious experience where man and nature commune. If you get a chance, take a look at my pictures on Facebook.
The next day we started out scuba diving class. It’s a pretty technical course and there is a lot of information gone over in a short period of time. With a streamlined training that builds upon itself, the information is quickly tied to the actual practices you use making the process much more enjoyable. The first day’s series of instructional videos were a reminder of high school health classes. There was a lot covered in those videos and because of how new we all were, everything seemed just as important as the next. The next day was our pool session that made sense of the videos with practical modules for each technique.
The next day’s weather made for an exciting introduction to the ocean underworld. The wind blew strong and the waves were crashing hard. The diving companies in Sodwana—there are over 15 of them—all use a small inlet cove of the beach north of the Sodwana Reserve to birth their boats. They large boats with two outboard motors hauled down to the water by boat. When it comes time to set off, everyone stands along the outside edge of the boat and then a tractor pushes it into the shallow waters. This cove is used because of the natural rock formation that jets out into the waters just at the breakers which calms the waters and allows the boats smoother entry. Every body in, the boat is off.
That first day’s ride was wild. Several times we made a u-turn riding with the waves into shore then turned back into the oncoming tides for another try until just the right natural path formed between breaks allowing the boat to ride out beyond the breakers. Turbulence, high cresting waves, and a strong wind formed a natural rock and roll symphony that geared us up for a wild first dive.
Gear checked, all in and we were under water. Only about twelve meters but twelve meters more than any of us had been before; our mission this dive was to “get used to the equipment and the feeling of breathing under water.” Brief mention was made of a current that would ebb and flow today with the rise of the turbulent winds. Underwater that equated to an invisible force that tugged the four of us in every which direction letting up only once we surfaced after an hour. Our first dive was a test of determination.
We didn’t dive the second time opting to check on conditions tomorrow to make three dives that day. The next morning, however, the weather didn’t let up as predicted so the winds kept blowing and we chose to wait an additional day hoping for calmer seas. This gave us a relaxing day that we used to explore Mkuzi Game Reserve. This place is supposed to be famous for its Hippo and Rhino populations. Since we haven’t seen the rainy season yet they weren’t viewable. Instead we saw a great deal of different deer like animals, some zebra, and wild boar—the wildest and fastest thing we saw. I have to admit the wild boar were pretty interesting as they scattered and then posed for pictures with ears and tusk poised for a charge if threatened any further. They stood ready as if telling us we shouldn’t get out of the car! It was a nice drive and it was fun to search for something and then see more wildlife in a day than we have ever seen in Lesotho.
Dinners were primarily cooked on the grill. My major secondary project in Peace Corps has been to perfect my grilling ability. From start to finish I’ve been working and this week proved a success with well cooked steaks, awesome burgers, and some fish that was amazing—more on that later. The only thing I don’t understand is why everyone here insists on using fuel blocks to start their charcoal instead of lighter fluid. I’ve yet to see any liquid fluid instead there are only the blocks. Kevin and I worked on determining what our own method of starting the grill would be but figured we would also start consulting locals to find out what they do as well.
The day after our game run the weather was fantastic. The winds had died down, the water had calmed and flattened, and the visibility underwater had increased considerably. These next three dives we would enter the water, practice several diving techniques and then go off on a regular dive of our own for the remainder. With the subtler currents we all were able to enjoy the sights and the sounds of the ocean. This first dive was such a treat with an amazing variety of fish and sea life, loggerhead turtles, and the sounds of the Humpback whale. At first I didn’t understand our instructor, Shaun’s hand signal ‘listen’ and a waving hand. Then I heard in the distance, the distinct sound of the whales calling. The tonal sounds echoed through the water to us and though you can’t tell from where they originate or from how far you know it isn’t too far just off the continental shelf.
Seeing the turtles, however, was a true highlight in our dives. In total we saw three turtles; two older turtles (one green and the other loggerhead) and one young green turtle. We contrasted severely; the smooth, gentle ease of the turtles and the jerky, novice diver. Their style is certainly something to emulate!
All three of our dives this day were spectacular for the amount of marine life we were exposed to with the greatly improved visibility we enjoyed—15 to 20 meters at times. Amoray Divers in Sodwana (mail@amoraydivers.com) were really great. Their individual attention gave the feeling of security, competence, and interest in the dive as an experience. We were a name instead of a number and our class was fully catered to our pace. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction.
If this wasn’t enough excitement for any one vacation, we had previously set up a sea fishing trip for the following day. We went out on Richard Scott’s boat who is affiliated with the Sodwana Bay Lodge (sodwanabay@mweb.co.za, www.magnum.co.za). Magnum II was captained by Arie, a six foot + 300 lb+ guy. In his free time, I am sure he bench pressed outboard motors and maybe a small boat or two!
We all met up at 7am to make a day of fishing till 2pm. Heading out about ten miles south of where we entered we trolled for some dinner. The first 45 minutes yielded most of our catches of the day. Kevin and I both caught a large spike fish each and threw them back. Ro caught a mackerel. Then Kevin got a beautiful Yellow Fin Tuna. Both of these we kept. I got a blue job fish (at least this is what I remember the name being!) then Beckey caught some really ugly looking fish that we thankfully threw back. After that the fish got really quiet. We then headed out to deeper waters to do some drop fishing; basically dropping the line and reeling it up a bit to give a lure the look of a real fish moving in the water. The action of the lure did bring the fish. In the spirit of the reserve, no commercial fishing is allowed in the area so only small operation is permitted and all catches are catalogued with intention for home use. The sight of some of these deeper water fish is so amazing that to keep these fish would be a crime. Ro and Kevin both caught beautiful fish and though I don’t remember the name of the fish Ro brought up, Kevin got a Coral Rock Cod—a beautiful fish!
When I almost thought my luck at catching anything with drop fishing was waning I dipped and raised the rod for the last time to bring it up. Just as I began to reel something took my line and ‘zz-zzz-zz-zzz’ it went taking the line down to the backing—that last part of the line before you get the end. This fish was not only big it was deep. I immediately began rocking with the rod trying to bring the fish to the surface; down then up and reel, down then up and reel. In reality, the resistance was too great. I would drop down and ease the rod up just enough to give the fish the feeling of something tugging on the other line. I could feel the behemoth on the other line give in a bit and I would reel as steady and constant as possible. Some ground was gained but even with Arie’s guiding advice, we knew this fish was headed for deeper waters. We had to get back some of that line, get out of the backing of the reel, and gain some ground, so to speak.
Arie lead the boat around following the fish as it maneuvered, lingered, dropped and rose. It was confused like a child lost in a park full of people. Trying to take advantage of that I tried, with tremendous effort, to bring the fish which felt more like a dinosaur to the surface. My arms weakening, I began to notice an inability to let go of the rode long enough to even grasp the reel. Nothing was gained and we were running the risk of loosing more so I turned it over to Ro. He immediately felt the strength and confirmed the massive creature was alive and well on the other end.
In no time Kevin was passed the rode and we all started to gain a look of worry as to how much longer this could go on. The fantastic thought that this fish would tire of this fight for its life was quite unrealistic. As the depth of water increased the strength this fish seemed to exert proportionally fought back. From one side of the boat to the other this guy was giving us all a run.
Finally, Arie was handed the rode. A seasoned fisherman who has worked in Angola, other parts of South Africa and Mozambique for the past 11 years, he has the experience of Hemingway’s Old man and the Sea. Would we be as lucky to see what kind of sea monster we had fought with today?
Just as Arie got the rod he looked to me and said “Ah S$#T, this is a big guy! I don’t know what to say!” We had seen the sea silence this Ole’ Salt. He wrestled with the rod a bit and said that it was definitely a fish because of the feeling of its action through the water. Spouting out directions for how best to steer the boat to Ro as he worked at the fish, even Arie was looking disheartened. Unsure what we could do next, physics decided for us as the rod suddenly rod back up straight and the slack fishing line gave out. The fish had won.
Arie talked us through all the things that had happened with his professional insights. He gave his professional opinion that, with a stronger test line for our backing rather than the 30 lbs we had, there would be little doubt of our success. Also, he formed a list of likely contenders for the catch of the day. All of this is the hypothetical banter of a fisherman. I started committing it all to memory!! This is my fish’s tale!
That night’s dinner was only an amazing assortment of fresh fish and cold beers. Our last night was as awesome close to an amazing week and probably as celestial as the stars aligning, this vacation became a diamond of which I will talk about for years. At least until I catch that big fish!
Hearing about this place from someone else is what got me interested in the first place. They were no where nearly as excited about the place as I am but still strongly encouraged me to get certified out there. I don’t regret a second or a dime of the time and money it took to get out there. It truly is a one of a kind place.
Becky, Ro, Kevin and I all headed out to Sodwana Bay, South Africa for a week by the beach. We didn’t know much about the area. Other than a trip to Durban or two, we hadn’t been to very many places in South Africa. With open minds and an increasing excitement for a break from our usual routines we rented a car and headed east. Heading there we broke the trip up into two days. Partly we had to with the amount of dawdling we did in Bloem but we were on vacation so time isn’t so important! That night we tracked down a great, and inexpensive, B&B called Oak Tree Manor Bed and Breakfast. They were very accommodating with their furnishings, food, and prices compared to other much more expensive but similar establishments. James and Regi Marshall were really welcoming and nice as well.
The next day we set out to arrive in Sodwana Bay. There isn’t actually much to Sodwana Bay since it is set inside the larger St. Lucia wetlands reserve, a piece of land and ocean set aside for wildlife protection. Mbazwana is the closest town having a Spar (grocery) and a fully stocked liquor store for all beach necessities! The area just outside the entrance to the reserve has quite a few nice lodgings which we could have stayed at but instead decided to head through the reserve to the other side. Passing through the second gate we made it to Mseni Lodge (www.mseni.co.za), the only accommodation in the area with direct beach access—this makes it well worth the cost to stay.
Of course, almost immediately we all took one trip to our lodging, a decent self-catering unit for five, put our stuff down and went straight to the beach. There was a five minute walk through a canopy of low sub-tropical trees along a board walk to the beach. Our enthusiasm grew even more with the walk but nothing prepared us for the beautifully majestic beach.
We were walking down a half forest, half sand dune of tree and sand toward the Indian Ocean. The wind blew head into us from the east. Once we hit the end of the boardwalk and the beginning of the sandy beach we found ourselves at the top of a huge sand dune. The fine grains, wind blown and ocean tumbled, were stacked billions upon billions into these gradual mounds that eased into the forest but looked as if they crept out toward the ocean waiting for the right time to return to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
The water was a palette of blues blended up and into the white tops that were tumbling down upon themselves. It’s here that I fell in love with this place. The evening air and shadows of light and dark were so completely different from where I had just come from that it had a mystical aura. This would only prove truer in the morning as the sun emerged from the horizon to highlight those lights and darks in a new manner bringing the coast alive. Surely this could be the place for someone’s religious experience where man and nature commune. If you get a chance, take a look at my pictures on Facebook.
The next day we started out scuba diving class. It’s a pretty technical course and there is a lot of information gone over in a short period of time. With a streamlined training that builds upon itself, the information is quickly tied to the actual practices you use making the process much more enjoyable. The first day’s series of instructional videos were a reminder of high school health classes. There was a lot covered in those videos and because of how new we all were, everything seemed just as important as the next. The next day was our pool session that made sense of the videos with practical modules for each technique.
The next day’s weather made for an exciting introduction to the ocean underworld. The wind blew strong and the waves were crashing hard. The diving companies in Sodwana—there are over 15 of them—all use a small inlet cove of the beach north of the Sodwana Reserve to birth their boats. They large boats with two outboard motors hauled down to the water by boat. When it comes time to set off, everyone stands along the outside edge of the boat and then a tractor pushes it into the shallow waters. This cove is used because of the natural rock formation that jets out into the waters just at the breakers which calms the waters and allows the boats smoother entry. Every body in, the boat is off.
That first day’s ride was wild. Several times we made a u-turn riding with the waves into shore then turned back into the oncoming tides for another try until just the right natural path formed between breaks allowing the boat to ride out beyond the breakers. Turbulence, high cresting waves, and a strong wind formed a natural rock and roll symphony that geared us up for a wild first dive.
Gear checked, all in and we were under water. Only about twelve meters but twelve meters more than any of us had been before; our mission this dive was to “get used to the equipment and the feeling of breathing under water.” Brief mention was made of a current that would ebb and flow today with the rise of the turbulent winds. Underwater that equated to an invisible force that tugged the four of us in every which direction letting up only once we surfaced after an hour. Our first dive was a test of determination.
We didn’t dive the second time opting to check on conditions tomorrow to make three dives that day. The next morning, however, the weather didn’t let up as predicted so the winds kept blowing and we chose to wait an additional day hoping for calmer seas. This gave us a relaxing day that we used to explore Mkuzi Game Reserve. This place is supposed to be famous for its Hippo and Rhino populations. Since we haven’t seen the rainy season yet they weren’t viewable. Instead we saw a great deal of different deer like animals, some zebra, and wild boar—the wildest and fastest thing we saw. I have to admit the wild boar were pretty interesting as they scattered and then posed for pictures with ears and tusk poised for a charge if threatened any further. They stood ready as if telling us we shouldn’t get out of the car! It was a nice drive and it was fun to search for something and then see more wildlife in a day than we have ever seen in Lesotho.
Dinners were primarily cooked on the grill. My major secondary project in Peace Corps has been to perfect my grilling ability. From start to finish I’ve been working and this week proved a success with well cooked steaks, awesome burgers, and some fish that was amazing—more on that later. The only thing I don’t understand is why everyone here insists on using fuel blocks to start their charcoal instead of lighter fluid. I’ve yet to see any liquid fluid instead there are only the blocks. Kevin and I worked on determining what our own method of starting the grill would be but figured we would also start consulting locals to find out what they do as well.
The day after our game run the weather was fantastic. The winds had died down, the water had calmed and flattened, and the visibility underwater had increased considerably. These next three dives we would enter the water, practice several diving techniques and then go off on a regular dive of our own for the remainder. With the subtler currents we all were able to enjoy the sights and the sounds of the ocean. This first dive was such a treat with an amazing variety of fish and sea life, loggerhead turtles, and the sounds of the Humpback whale. At first I didn’t understand our instructor, Shaun’s hand signal ‘listen’ and a waving hand. Then I heard in the distance, the distinct sound of the whales calling. The tonal sounds echoed through the water to us and though you can’t tell from where they originate or from how far you know it isn’t too far just off the continental shelf.
Seeing the turtles, however, was a true highlight in our dives. In total we saw three turtles; two older turtles (one green and the other loggerhead) and one young green turtle. We contrasted severely; the smooth, gentle ease of the turtles and the jerky, novice diver. Their style is certainly something to emulate!
All three of our dives this day were spectacular for the amount of marine life we were exposed to with the greatly improved visibility we enjoyed—15 to 20 meters at times. Amoray Divers in Sodwana (mail@amoraydivers.com) were really great. Their individual attention gave the feeling of security, competence, and interest in the dive as an experience. We were a name instead of a number and our class was fully catered to our pace. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction.
If this wasn’t enough excitement for any one vacation, we had previously set up a sea fishing trip for the following day. We went out on Richard Scott’s boat who is affiliated with the Sodwana Bay Lodge (sodwanabay@mweb.co.za, www.magnum.co.za). Magnum II was captained by Arie, a six foot + 300 lb+ guy. In his free time, I am sure he bench pressed outboard motors and maybe a small boat or two!
We all met up at 7am to make a day of fishing till 2pm. Heading out about ten miles south of where we entered we trolled for some dinner. The first 45 minutes yielded most of our catches of the day. Kevin and I both caught a large spike fish each and threw them back. Ro caught a mackerel. Then Kevin got a beautiful Yellow Fin Tuna. Both of these we kept. I got a blue job fish (at least this is what I remember the name being!) then Beckey caught some really ugly looking fish that we thankfully threw back. After that the fish got really quiet. We then headed out to deeper waters to do some drop fishing; basically dropping the line and reeling it up a bit to give a lure the look of a real fish moving in the water. The action of the lure did bring the fish. In the spirit of the reserve, no commercial fishing is allowed in the area so only small operation is permitted and all catches are catalogued with intention for home use. The sight of some of these deeper water fish is so amazing that to keep these fish would be a crime. Ro and Kevin both caught beautiful fish and though I don’t remember the name of the fish Ro brought up, Kevin got a Coral Rock Cod—a beautiful fish!
When I almost thought my luck at catching anything with drop fishing was waning I dipped and raised the rod for the last time to bring it up. Just as I began to reel something took my line and ‘zz-zzz-zz-zzz’ it went taking the line down to the backing—that last part of the line before you get the end. This fish was not only big it was deep. I immediately began rocking with the rod trying to bring the fish to the surface; down then up and reel, down then up and reel. In reality, the resistance was too great. I would drop down and ease the rod up just enough to give the fish the feeling of something tugging on the other line. I could feel the behemoth on the other line give in a bit and I would reel as steady and constant as possible. Some ground was gained but even with Arie’s guiding advice, we knew this fish was headed for deeper waters. We had to get back some of that line, get out of the backing of the reel, and gain some ground, so to speak.
Arie lead the boat around following the fish as it maneuvered, lingered, dropped and rose. It was confused like a child lost in a park full of people. Trying to take advantage of that I tried, with tremendous effort, to bring the fish which felt more like a dinosaur to the surface. My arms weakening, I began to notice an inability to let go of the rode long enough to even grasp the reel. Nothing was gained and we were running the risk of loosing more so I turned it over to Ro. He immediately felt the strength and confirmed the massive creature was alive and well on the other end.
In no time Kevin was passed the rode and we all started to gain a look of worry as to how much longer this could go on. The fantastic thought that this fish would tire of this fight for its life was quite unrealistic. As the depth of water increased the strength this fish seemed to exert proportionally fought back. From one side of the boat to the other this guy was giving us all a run.
Finally, Arie was handed the rode. A seasoned fisherman who has worked in Angola, other parts of South Africa and Mozambique for the past 11 years, he has the experience of Hemingway’s Old man and the Sea. Would we be as lucky to see what kind of sea monster we had fought with today?
Just as Arie got the rod he looked to me and said “Ah S$#T, this is a big guy! I don’t know what to say!” We had seen the sea silence this Ole’ Salt. He wrestled with the rod a bit and said that it was definitely a fish because of the feeling of its action through the water. Spouting out directions for how best to steer the boat to Ro as he worked at the fish, even Arie was looking disheartened. Unsure what we could do next, physics decided for us as the rod suddenly rod back up straight and the slack fishing line gave out. The fish had won.
Arie talked us through all the things that had happened with his professional insights. He gave his professional opinion that, with a stronger test line for our backing rather than the 30 lbs we had, there would be little doubt of our success. Also, he formed a list of likely contenders for the catch of the day. All of this is the hypothetical banter of a fisherman. I started committing it all to memory!! This is my fish’s tale!
That night’s dinner was only an amazing assortment of fresh fish and cold beers. Our last night was as awesome close to an amazing week and probably as celestial as the stars aligning, this vacation became a diamond of which I will talk about for years. At least until I catch that big fish!
Training Outlines
Home Garden Training Plan
Villages:
Phallang
Sechache
Setua-Majoe
Polateng
Ha Moahloli
Ha Mateketa
Ha Lesala/ Lesia
Ha Seng (need car or horses)
Objectives:
Bring simple trainings to the villagers with practical methods
Inform villages of improved garden practices to increase home vegetable production
Encourage greater diversification and experimentation within the home garden
Bring information to the villagers at the local level with hands-on interactive trainings.
Provide information for local families that will increase home food production and provide potential income generation opportunities.
Soil Fertility, Natural Pest control, Crop rotation, Healthy garden habits
Method:
A day per village will be spent training local villagers on various gardening practices that can improve vegetable garden production.
Time table:
Spend two separate sessions in each village to train farmers; once in September and the second in December.
September Training Time table:
Phallang – Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sechache – Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Setua-Majoe – Thursday, September 3, 2009
Polateng – Friday, September 4, 2009
Ha Moahloli – Monday, September 7, 2009
Ha Mateketa – Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Ha Lesala/Lesia – Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Ha Seng – Thursday, September 10, 2009
September Training Lesson Plan:
Introduce double digging with inclusion of manure, ash, and organic material.
Plant bobatsi seed. (Talk about next training including bobatsi seed collection methods.)
Crop rotation, crop diversification, and companion planting. (Marigolds, onion and garlic chives planted).
Helping plants and purposes.
Helping creatures in the garden.
Construct rock grow boxes and discuss purpose and advantages. (tomato planted)
December Training Time table:
Phallang – Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sechache – Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Setua-Majoe – Thursday, December 3, 2009
Polateng – Friday, December 4, 2009
Ha Moahloli – Monday, December 7, 2009
Ha Mateketa – Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Ha Lesala/Lesia – Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Ha Seng – Thursday, December 10, 2009
December Training Lesson Plan:
Follow-up and further discussion of previous topics covered.
Bobatsi Seed collection method and an eye for the best plants.
Manure teas as aid to soil fertility.
Potato/vegetable storage mounds.
Seed multiplication of cabbage, carrot, peppers, and garlic.
Villages:
Phallang
Sechache
Setua-Majoe
Polateng
Ha Moahloli
Ha Mateketa
Ha Lesala/ Lesia
Ha Seng (need car or horses)
Objectives:
Bring simple trainings to the villagers with practical methods
Inform villages of improved garden practices to increase home vegetable production
Encourage greater diversification and experimentation within the home garden
Bring information to the villagers at the local level with hands-on interactive trainings.
Provide information for local families that will increase home food production and provide potential income generation opportunities.
Soil Fertility, Natural Pest control, Crop rotation, Healthy garden habits
Method:
A day per village will be spent training local villagers on various gardening practices that can improve vegetable garden production.
Time table:
Spend two separate sessions in each village to train farmers; once in September and the second in December.
September Training Time table:
Phallang – Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sechache – Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Setua-Majoe – Thursday, September 3, 2009
Polateng – Friday, September 4, 2009
Ha Moahloli – Monday, September 7, 2009
Ha Mateketa – Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Ha Lesala/Lesia – Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Ha Seng – Thursday, September 10, 2009
September Training Lesson Plan:
Introduce double digging with inclusion of manure, ash, and organic material.
Plant bobatsi seed. (Talk about next training including bobatsi seed collection methods.)
Crop rotation, crop diversification, and companion planting. (Marigolds, onion and garlic chives planted).
Helping plants and purposes.
Helping creatures in the garden.
Construct rock grow boxes and discuss purpose and advantages. (tomato planted)
December Training Time table:
Phallang – Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sechache – Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Setua-Majoe – Thursday, December 3, 2009
Polateng – Friday, December 4, 2009
Ha Moahloli – Monday, December 7, 2009
Ha Mateketa – Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Ha Lesala/Lesia – Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Ha Seng – Thursday, December 10, 2009
December Training Lesson Plan:
Follow-up and further discussion of previous topics covered.
Bobatsi Seed collection method and an eye for the best plants.
Manure teas as aid to soil fertility.
Potato/vegetable storage mounds.
Seed multiplication of cabbage, carrot, peppers, and garlic.
“Sorrow drips through your heart, through a pin hole just like a faucet, but there is comfort in the sound.” Death Cab for Cutie.
Just the other day I was approached by an acquaintance I have here in town. We met along the road which is where I meet most everybody somewhere along the way.
Our greetings were typical. Tall and thin-maybe too thin-he’s a younger guy I know who was going to college in Maseru. He’s been around Semokong for a while now. We played quite a lot of soccer when the weather was nice. His hanging around although I knew school had started back up, concerned me. He made me think something happened that made him leave school. Never before had he mentioned anything beyond that first time we met. That was until this particular day.
I don’t know the timing people feel within themselves to discuss certain things. What happened this day to drive this guy to tell me that he was ‘sick’? There isn’t much I can say or do. He feels I’m someone he wants to talk to right now on a dirt path surrounded by fields. Maybe he needs to say it out loud. Whatever the reasoning, though, I want to listen.
His eyes aren’t dodgy like I would imagine someone’s to be as they told one of their deepest secrets. Calmly he explained what happened and then, as if to reassure me, he said he was still preparing to head back to school next semester. All he needed was a doctor’s note. He needed to have someone vouch for his health. Does that seem degrading? I guess I’ve had that done for me too but really? This is what he needs to get back into school.
Good luck to him.
Just the other day I was approached by an acquaintance I have here in town. We met along the road which is where I meet most everybody somewhere along the way.
Our greetings were typical. Tall and thin-maybe too thin-he’s a younger guy I know who was going to college in Maseru. He’s been around Semokong for a while now. We played quite a lot of soccer when the weather was nice. His hanging around although I knew school had started back up, concerned me. He made me think something happened that made him leave school. Never before had he mentioned anything beyond that first time we met. That was until this particular day.
I don’t know the timing people feel within themselves to discuss certain things. What happened this day to drive this guy to tell me that he was ‘sick’? There isn’t much I can say or do. He feels I’m someone he wants to talk to right now on a dirt path surrounded by fields. Maybe he needs to say it out loud. Whatever the reasoning, though, I want to listen.
His eyes aren’t dodgy like I would imagine someone’s to be as they told one of their deepest secrets. Calmly he explained what happened and then, as if to reassure me, he said he was still preparing to head back to school next semester. All he needed was a doctor’s note. He needed to have someone vouch for his health. Does that seem degrading? I guess I’ve had that done for me too but really? This is what he needs to get back into school.
Good luck to him.
I’m the Priest’s secret weapon!
The priest at the mission is building a new sanctuary. A large part of the shell has already been built and left for more than a year. Now a new crew is coming and the priest is asking if I can’t provide a bit of encouragement to the guys to work faster. The thought is that coming from a white guy here in Semonkong people will listen. A pleading voice asking if the guys will finish the church quickly is because I am leaving in a year and want to see it finished. At one point I couldn’t tell if he really was serious or whether I was actually being asked to keep on them about their work. I’m not a foreman, get outta here! I also am pretty sure nothing happens fast around here.
The beard was a good choice. (Post from July.)
The weather shut everything down last week. Sitting in my house working up a strong feeling of cabin fever, I started to laugh when people were saying during our trainings that ‘nothing really happens during the winter’. I don’t blame them.
It’s the coldest winter people can remember. Even the Lodge owners, Jonathan and Armel were telling me it was a rather chilly and wet winter. That damp cold is worse than a dry cold any day, or night. Sitting at the computer right now, I’m wearing my ski jacket, long johns, pants, a couple long sleeve shirts, and a cup of tea to keep warm. Admittedly, the cold here may not be as drastic in number but it is in quantity. I can’t complain too much. I have a ski jacket that makes me look like the marshmallow man minus the cheese grinning face. People in the villages right now are huddled as much as they can with a blanket and a dung fire.
Another advantage I have is this pretty good beard I’ve let happen. One part lazy, one part lack of water, and one part cold make for an excellent bit of face hair. At first I thought I would get complaints. The Basotho, though they live it pretty rough, still have expectations of cleanliness people must abide. Instead, I’ve gotten comments of admiration. It doesn’t hurt that the stuff is thick like wrapping a small animal around my face. It’s warm too making it a lot easier to run in the morning.
I was meant for this kind of weather! But I’m still keeping an eye out for an end that gets us all outside working again.
It’s the coldest winter people can remember. Even the Lodge owners, Jonathan and Armel were telling me it was a rather chilly and wet winter. That damp cold is worse than a dry cold any day, or night. Sitting at the computer right now, I’m wearing my ski jacket, long johns, pants, a couple long sleeve shirts, and a cup of tea to keep warm. Admittedly, the cold here may not be as drastic in number but it is in quantity. I can’t complain too much. I have a ski jacket that makes me look like the marshmallow man minus the cheese grinning face. People in the villages right now are huddled as much as they can with a blanket and a dung fire.
Another advantage I have is this pretty good beard I’ve let happen. One part lazy, one part lack of water, and one part cold make for an excellent bit of face hair. At first I thought I would get complaints. The Basotho, though they live it pretty rough, still have expectations of cleanliness people must abide. Instead, I’ve gotten comments of admiration. It doesn’t hurt that the stuff is thick like wrapping a small animal around my face. It’s warm too making it a lot easier to run in the morning.
I was meant for this kind of weather! But I’m still keeping an eye out for an end that gets us all outside working again.
Sheep Fuzz. . .
I’ve spent the past couple days communicating back and forth with the donor from the UK who supports the Women’s spinning group here in Semonkong. It’s finally been determined that the money, meant to purchase the last two months bags of un-spun wool, has disappeared somewhere in the transfer.
I laugh because, given the current financial mess and those also most recent in our minds, it’s not the motivating factor behind thievery that has changed but the sophistication of the action. Go figure, and yet the means to prevent this from happening are still evolving. . . everywhere.
I directed this donor to another contact I had made through previous projects. Hopefully, if all goes well we can keep things on track and keep these ladies spinning some sheep fuzz.
I laugh because, given the current financial mess and those also most recent in our minds, it’s not the motivating factor behind thievery that has changed but the sophistication of the action. Go figure, and yet the means to prevent this from happening are still evolving. . . everywhere.
I directed this donor to another contact I had made through previous projects. Hopefully, if all goes well we can keep things on track and keep these ladies spinning some sheep fuzz.
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