Address

So here is my address in SA from when I leave in July until about mid-September. I am expecting lots of letters! Yesterday, I received a note from good friend Davy who has been recently sworn in as a PCV in Zambia, and the support her kind words offered is greatly appreciated, I am looking forward to being a serious pen pal with her and all of you who choose to write!

Haley McDonough
Peace Corps
PO Box 9536
Pretoria 0001
South Africa

So here is the deal, it costs $.95 to mail a letter to South Africa, and be sure to write “Airmail” on the envelop. That way it gets there faster!
Also, when you mail a package (I hear padded envelops work the best) write “Educational Supplies” or “Religious Materials” on there.
I promise to write back! So get out your stationery and get to writing! Thanks in advance!

departure July 12

NPR series on South Africa
^check it out, listen in your free time
busy packing, wish I had a good friend to assist me with selecting brands and etc..mother and I are having quite the fun time as we wander around the various shoe/sports/camping stores.

my oh my do I have a great deal to purchase: 3 different sorts of adventure shoes(I am trying to remind myself their purpose and fashion will not have any sort of connection and that is OK), solar charger for my Ipod, Backpack, Water purifier, special undies, books, meds, and fun accessories: mostly camping gadgets..I'm hoping will have worthwhile placement in my 2 checked bags...oh my!
*Carly(sista) is letting me borrow her head lamp that survived Ecuador, yes! I hope it doesn't fall in a pit latrine..like friend Davy's did!

I am leaving to visit good friend Nicky this Friday in Chicago (my first visit here and an item on my bucket list-which I feel there is a need to attempt prior to PC departure!), following this event I have quite the busy schedule before departure to D.C. on July 12.
Everett's 21st bday celebration is July 28, I am using this as an excuse to celebrate with friends on mom and pop's allowance, I hope all that can attend will join us!
Following weekend is full of 4th celebrations especially that with family in PA! I will be traveling from Columbus to meet them, seeing a few friends here especially one (Ruef)coming all the way from Prague to celebrate at Red, White, and Boom..I can not wait!

I am grateful to be given this opportunity and am trying to remain focused as I complete paperwork and close up life in America...which is a great deal more difficult than I had thought, being that I am only 22 and have very little of my own, since I am still dependent on Mom and Dad. My room is a mess..I am trying to clean up my childhood bedroom and pack away school work..as I have been threatened that 2 years may not hold up at Hampton Place and so my life is temporarily in tupperwear. too much fun.

Unbuto: a traditonal African concept

Often South Africans are in search of answers to their past sorrow and have collectively relied on the colonial philosophy: Unbuntu
Unbunto meaning: 'I am because we are, and since we are, therefore I am'

translation: you have made me into the person- 'It is through others that one attains selfhood.'
I am because of compassion and generosity (some additionally place the concept of tolerance)

View for a better understanding in Nelson Mandela YouTube

Additional Resources: South African Government

Africa forum facts

Africa contains 2,000 different languages and 53 independent countries.

Africa can hold China, Alaska, Europe, and the U.S., Is it easier to comprehend the size of this continent?

Nelson Mandela often referred to by South Africans as "our hero" the most significant African leader elected president in 1991, devoted to resisting the apartheid government-he greatly influenced South Africa's final independence in 1994.

Larger affluent cities making up South Africa:
Johannesburg (where I am supposing my preservice training will take place) and Cape Town

South Africa has the largest economy in Africa.