toilet update

Since schools reopened, the remaining purchases were made to allow for project construction to continue. Once again, we encountered some small problems with attaining all materials, but the ordered toilet seat covers should arrive soon. All finance records on the side of the Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) have been submitted, in great thanks to project leader, Joyce, who has developed excellent book-keeping skills. In early July, Bawokuhle Primary School received their annual budget from the Department of Education, which allowed for project construction to continue since they are contributing to unexpected project costs.

Hand washing and proper toilet-use lessons have been introduced to educators and students. Children tend not to use toilet paper or hand soap, so daily classroom discussions will help to inform and train K-grade 3 students about these hygienic practices. It will be necessary that the lessons on toilet etiquette be taught to ensure appropriate toilet use. All learners at Bawokuhle will benefit from these lessons,whether for the first time or in review,community members will take home greater understanding about proper cleanliness. It will be promoted that students share their learnings with their families at home, especially on International Hand Washing Day, 15 October. This knowledge the children gain will improve skills in decision making since students will understand where germs come from and how they can best keep clean to improve their health. Project goals in acquiring skills in hygiene, decision making and creating a healthy environment will continue well after project completion.

An opening ceremony is planned for when the toilet project sewage system is complete. The 12 flush toilets are in place and ready for use, once the flush function is a go. We will be in touch and be mailing a photograph from the opening ceremony. Thank you again for your continued messages of support and interest in Bawokuhle’s Toilet Project. I will be finished with my Peace Corps service 13 August 2010. Leaving this life that has been my home for the past two years will be difficult, but I feel comforted by this finished project. I confidently believe the toilets will be well maintained by the school and Gemsbok community.

June/July Update

Time has flown….I am on my 24th month in South Africa. As of now, I am preparing to be back on U.S.A. soil come 13 August. Just after my 25th birthday. And at this moment, I am occupied by all sorts of things…dancing to World Cup anthems, leading morning yoga sessions, fitting a condom on my head to demonstrate durability, saying good bye to friends and family and passing out my few remaining possessions that have been at my side for the last 2 years.

At our Close of Service conference in early May, the Peace Corps Volunteers in my cohort met for one final reflection and fun time together in South Africa. Friends and I spent a week together discussing what we would miss most about our time in country..full figured women, choice phrases..’Iyoba’, host-country friends and our Peace Corps family. Playing charades and eating from large communal plates of traditional food, friends and I laughed and enjoyed good times we look forward to recreating stateside.
Following this joyous visit, I returned home for the funeral of my 34 year old host brother, MasKosana. MasKosana, working for the South African Police Service was in a car accident as he was traveling home for the day. Sinaye, my little sister is now an orphan and this is my Gogo’s third child that had passed away before the age of 35 years. My sKosana family is coping the best they can and I am trying my best to spend significant one-on-one time with the little one to help her through this tough time. I am noticing more and more how attached I am to this place and it’s people.
With my departure near, I am preparing counterparts for continued project success. Just before school closed Educators completed 8 workshops in Effective Educating that I facilitated. Workshops included Educator learning and participating in methods that support differentiated instruction and group work. Weekly assessments demonstrated that most educators had a stronger concept of why and how to assist the needs of all learners in their classroom.
My second host-school, Bawokuhle began constructing a series of flush toilets with funds provided by my U.S.A. friends and family. Flush toilets and a water station will immediately improve the living of more than 500 learners and community members, since areas will be sanitary and safe.
Completion of a World and South African map painted on the outside of the school is an initiative both being supported and worked on by staff and school students. Many of the young ladies I ask to assist me are holding a paint brush for their very first time and most of the community has never seen a map of the whole world before. I am happy to bring this learning tool to the community.
11 June-11 July, South Africa hosted FIFA World Cup 2010. I had the outstanding opportunity to take children from my village to a U.S.A. soccer practice, here is a feature about our time at this event. Grassroot Soccer, an international organization using the power of soccer in the fight against HIV/AIDS sponsored 8 children from Gemsbok to attend the Ghana Vs. Serbia match in Pretoria. This is a once in a lifetime experience they had never dreamed possible, the students were selected according to their Project support and attendance record.
During school break, I participated in several camps around South Africa supporting HIV/AIDS and life skills learning. Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) was an overnight week camp for 54 teenage ladies, selected to act as school role models. Ladies were instructed on techniques how to ‘Delay Sex’, as well as HIV/AIDS preventive method education such as proper condom use fulfilling the C (codomise) in the A-B-C education model (Abstain, Be Faithful, Condomise). The girls were also introduced to an alternative, D-Do it yourself (or masturbation suggestion). Influenced by prior Peace Corps Volunteers, Volunteer Kristy and I decided this was a worthy discussion since interest in experimentation is driving these women to participate in early sexual relations. In addition, ladies engaged in role-plays, dance and talent competitions, and heated debates. Questions and Answers included techniques for talking with parents, friends and ex-boyfriends. I found all of the learning to be very relevant to this teen group and felt it would have definitely been something I would have benefited from back in the day.
At a nearby volunteer's site, friends Joanna, Joyce and I assisted with a soccer and lifeskills week camp. With this initiative, students are able to stay active during the month holiday break and learn about essential issues that are often overlooked in schools, such as ‘self-esteem’ and ‘being a team-player’. I sung myself through the week, working alongside recent high school graduates to entertain and educate children from 9-15 years of age. Thanks to the gobs of games, songs, and tricks I have picked up from Peace Corps manuals, trainings and PEPFAR sponsored conferences, especially that on intentional camps presented by Global Camps Africa, everyday at camp was successful because all had a fun and educational time.
As school begins again, I am taking time to listen more to life in South Africa and express appreciation for my community friends and family. I am confident that coming home will have its challenges but I am ready for anything, these days.