My Year In South Africa

It was exciting and different, an experience of a lifetime.

2008-11-06T12:50:00.000-08:00

So I'm back. Back home in Norway. "How was South Africa?" people ask. How do you sum up a year in one answer?
"It was exciting and different, an experience of a lifetime. "

I landed at the airport in Oslo in late July. By the 10th of August I had spent one week at home and was back in Oslo starting my new job; Teaching grade 5 at one of the most multicultural school in Norway. Ethnic Norwegians are a minority with only 3 % so I wasn't too surprised when I got the list over my 20 pupils; 3 from Somalia, 4 from Turkey, 1 from Vietnam and the rest from Pakistan.
I know I didn't choose an easy school to try out my teaching skills, but I don't regret it. No day is the same and (most:)) of the kids are so sweet and funny (not always on purpose). The people I work with are helpful and understanding with all the things I mess up or forget:)

Reverse cultural shock was something I experienced after my year in Australia and I was prepared for it to happen this time as well.
I know South Africa and its people will always be a part of me and I know I will be going back there in the near future. But now my focus is trying to settle down in Norway and figuring out if teaching is what I want to do:)

xox

Be the change

2008-07-21T12:48:00.000-07:00

It's almost time to leave this amazing country which has been my home for the past 13 months. I have had an fantastic time; learned so much about my self and about these communities, met so many wonderful people which have touched my heart in so many ways.

Host families have opened their homes to me and made me part of families , their generosity and kindness have meant so much to me. They have given me insight and knowledge about different cultures and ways of life which I could not have received anywhere else.

Communities and their members have accepted this Umlungu as one of them. When my coach from Mt. Frere told me that they wanted to give me their traditional costume to show their appreciation for everything I had done for them, I almost cried. They do not have much, but what they have they always share!

With new friends I have shared culture shock, laughter, tears, experiences and challenges over the last year. Without them and their support I am not sure I could have survived. The support from everyone at home has also been priceless. I guess it has not always been easy to understand or grasp the context of what I'm talking about and experiencing, but knowing that people at home are interested and care about me has meant a lot. Enkosi:)

I am looking forward to going home, but at the same time scared.. Am i ready for Norway?

For now I'll finish of with some inspiring words by a guy called Gandhi:

Be the change you want to see in the world! Good Friends
My soccer team in Tiyani. These boys were amazing!
Good times with my team in Mt. Frere
My inspiring little sister in Mt. Frere Cwete.

xxxx

Tyjani 5th and last SOM Community

2008-07-20T23:40:00.000-07:00

With my hostbrother Lonene
B and I. Transport was always a challenge
Up at sunrise for the funeral where I fainted
Changing lives through Sport:)
Soccer training with my Team!

This one is getting old

2008-07-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

Good start to the day. Jeger always helps:)
Birthday girl!
Lunch inMakhado with the SOM team
Birthday song and cake for the birthday girl:) Enkosi B!!!

Buffelshoek and Rabali

2008-07-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

Buffelshoek; Just recovered from food poisening
Si Siblings in Buffelshoek
Soccer tournament in Buffelshoek
Rabali, our 4th community
Laundery time

Enjoying Africa!

2008-07-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

QHA!! We finished SCORE on the Move about 2 weeks ago, and it was a bitter sweet feeling. In one way very good to be done, it has been a very stressful last 5 months with lots of challenges and problems with the group, but on the other hand this last year has been truly amazing and it was a bit sad to be finished. But I am still in Africa so in one way I don't feel finished just jet. Going back til Mt. Frere to say propa goodbye to my host family and friends there, and then to Cape Town where my good friends and colleagues in SCORE are doing GO for the new volunteers. But for now I am traveling, and it has been great!
Zanzibar for a week with Jan Morten, another SCORE volunteer. white beaches and clear blue ocean. Mix of Indian, African and Arabic culture there. very interesting and beautiful place!
And now I am in Mozambique with Tonje and some of her friends. Arrived in Tofo last night and staying for a week. house (or hut) on the beach, 30 degrees and cold beers:) This one she loves Africa:) then is back to South Africa before home n the 25 th of July!!

hope all is well, miss you all and starting to looking forward to going home now. That is a good feeling:)

lots of love!!

There is always something

2008-06-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

date: 23.05.08

Clare and I have realised something with this SCORE on the Move project; there is always something! Whenever we do or say something, there is always something that is not good enough or something goes wrong.

Our latest experiences include running out of petrol on our way home from a camping site in the middle of nowhere. We had been invited there a local volunteer, but we should have known better than to listen to him when he said it is only a 45 minutes drive. In rural Africa that usually means 1 ½ hours. The place was amazing, the view and scenery on the way back down the mountains were breathtaking with rural villages clinging to the mountain sides, but Clare and I was to stressed and nervous about not having enough petrol to get back. Luckily we only had to push the car for 1 km, so the timing wasn’t too bad! :)

Another incidence was Tuesday when Clare and I went to nearest town to get some sport equipment. We had communicated with TK that he was to come and get us at 5.30 PM, but since there is always something, TK misunderstood where we were and could not pick us up. In light of the resent violence against foreigners in this country, Clare and I found ourselves at the taxi rank looking for the right taxi to take us home. As darkness was approaching, we found the taxi which could take us all the way to Rabali, no problem…!. As Rabali was getting closer, and we told the driver that he could drop us of at the next short left, his assistance turned around and said “no, there is a closer exit to your place”. Panic came over us and we looked at each other in fear, but then the guy said “you are staying at Onkomas aren’t you? Send him my regards!” lol. The feeling of relief was indescribable, but we cursed the guy for not telling us when we got in the taxi that he knew the place. That would have saved us a nervous 40 minutes drive where Clare and I was whining each other up with bad comments and jokes, and keeping our hoods on so the two lekorash (white person) wouldn’t attract too much attention!

Our stay in Rabali is now over, and it has been quite a different experience compared to Buffelshoek. No pap, no sausages, no power cuts and no outdoor toilets. But a maid, two gardeners, satellite tv and indoor pluming. The food I made my self so pasta, rice and taco has been on the menu.
When it comes to work this community has been a challenge as little sport activities are happening. But I have been showing of my (lack of) volleyball skills with the local boy team and we organised an active youth course at a youth foundation. This local guy came back to this community after studying down in Cape Town and started this foundation to give the youth in the area knowledge and skills to develop themselves. There is for example a IT section, career section and agriculture project running. This guy is just so inspiring and the story to some of the youth involved is heartbreaking. Like the two boys from Zimbabwe who attended our workshop. They stayed at a local orphanage after arriving from Zimbabwe by foot some months ago.

My stay is getting to an end, and I can’t lie; I’m really looking forward to being finished with this project now. I love the communities and the people, but it has just been “too much” as we like to say here. Only one community left so I hope I manage to get my motivation and spirit back before Sunday. It is our last community and I want to make the best out of it!

I also planned my travelling a bit more:
Flying to Dar salaam on the 23. Meeting up with Jan Morten, SCORE volunteer in Namibia and going to Zanzibar with him and his friends for a week, before flying back to Joburg and taking the bus down to Mozambique with Tonje and her friends for two weeks.

Hope you are all good, keep me updated!

Sharp sharp:)

Pictures from Zambia

2008-05-20T05:20:00.000-07:00

Going to the marked with Linds little sister:)
Victoria Falls

Lind and I
Lake Outside Kabwe

Jeffreys Bay and Cape Town with the girls

2008-05-20T05:07:00.000-07:00

Ready?? Eish... I had never been on a horse and Iva with her big mouth...:)
Biking down to cape of good hope

Cape of Good Hope
Houts Bay

Back to reality; 3 months and 3 communities to go!

2008-04-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

From Joburg it was back to Limpopo and mid service with the rest of the SOM group. We stayed in a nature reserve way up north, about 18 km from the Zimbabwean border…
It was some good days, but hard getting our minds back to work. There has been some problems within our group which has taken a lot of energy of everyone, but I think we managed to sort things out because this first week in our 3. Community has been really great.
We are now in a very rural community in Blouberg called Buffelshouk. It is a very beautiful area with amazing mountains surrounding us. We asked about going hiking in some of these mountains, but were told by some locals that in one of the mountains people disappear, and in other mountains people are living and they apparently have amazing soccer fields there…

The level of unemployment and alcoholism is very high in this community, and people’s level of English is very low so communication is a challenge. There are now “real” shops in this community, but places to buy the local beer are not hard to find. If you see a house with a white flag, you know you are in the right place.

A local favourite seems to be chicken feet, which Claire and I experienced today when we took a minibus taxi from the nearest town. These busses are NEVER full according to the driver, and this one was packed with people and over 60 kg of chicken head, neck and feet….

New community also means a new host family and once again I have been lucky. Together with mum, 3 daughters and a grandson I live in a small house with 2 bedrooms and a kitchen/living room. My food so far consists of bread, pap, chicken liver, sausage (boerwors) and potatoes. I once had chicken but ended up taking the head by accident….
The bathroom is none existing, so everyday they put a (small) washing basin in my room. The toilet is outside, but during the night I’m suppose to use a bucket they place in my room every evening…..I’m getting comfortable with the rural African life, but NOT THAT comfortable;)

For information, I have decided on when I’m coming home, and my flight is booked on the 24th of July. We finish the program around the 21st of June and the plan is to travel for a month before I come home. I want to go to Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique, and finish of with a week or so in South Africa.

My mind is starting to focus on going home, but I still have 3 months to go and I’m determined to make the best of it and enjoy it to the fullest! When will I ever get the chance again to wake up at 5 am by the roosters, wash in bucket, eat chicken liver and pap, and sit in the dark every other night because of the power shortage?
Lol. This one, she also loves South Africa; The hospitality and kindness of the people, their different way and phase of life, the smiles on the children’s faces, the genuine interest and appreciation of what you are doing, the amazing sunsets, and the sky at night lit up by thousands of stars.

Wish you all a great weekend!!

XXXX

This one, she loved Zambia

2008-04-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

How many people do you need to fill up a minibus taxi in Zambia?
- one to get passengers on their taxi
- one to take the money
- one to give your ticket
- one to pretend to be the driver
- two to pretend to be the passengers (so you’ll think the taxi is full and leaving soon)
- one who is the actual driver

This one, she loved Zambia! Zambia to me was in many ways similar to South Africa, but in other ways so different. I find SA so diverse; it is both developed and underdeveloped. You have the rural areas we work in, but also a well developed infrastructure and cities which remind me of Western Europe. Zambia had that “Real Africa” feeling, with the roads, people, houses and everyday life.

The bus ride from Lusaka (the capital) to Livingston ( 3.largest city (Correct me on this one Solveig) and major tourist attraction) was a 7 hour long bumpy drive. I honestly thought they were doing roadwork the last 200 km or so, but this was not the case. Heavy rain during the end of the rainy season had made the road even worst than normal. I could not believe this was the main road between these two cities. But one the bright side this was the only bus I took that did not get a flat tire and left me waiting by the road for hours.

In Livingston I met up with Lind. She is also a SCORE volunteer, but works for another NGO with (former) commercial sex workers. I met some of the girls she works with and their stories really make an impact. Like the 16year old girl with the 4 year old daughter. Luckily she has a (Norwegian) sponsor who is now paying for her to finish high school and hopefully she will get good enough grads to go on studying. Of all the girls Lind works with about 2\3 are HIV positive.
10 km out of Livingston is where you find the Victoria Falls. Since the raining season just finished the falls was massive. My pictures do not make justice at all.

After some days in Livingston we went to Kalomo, which is where Vidar and Samuel are working. Well, actually they work in the “bush”; the very rural areas around Kalomo. Every week or so they drive their bikes out to these areas and sleeping in tents for a couple of days. After I night there with pap, beans, and local beer for dinner I took the bus back to Lusaka where I stayed with Gillian, a Canadian volunteer, for a night before flying back to South Africa. I wish I had time to stay longer in Zambia, but I’m glad I got to see all the other volunteers and Victoria Falls. Also, I must admit that being back in Joburg and eating lunch at Mug and Beans at a nice mall wasn’t too bad either;)

xxx

All over the place

2008-03-31T03:10:00.000-07:00

Thursday 20.03: time to leave Ga-Radingwana. Had an amazing time, but after only eating pap, chicken,sausages, peanut butter and bread for 2 weeks, I wasn't to sad to come back to "civilisation" in Pretoria. Hot shower, nice food and cold beer and water that doesn't taste like salt was highly appreciated. Ga-Radingwana was a beautiful place, loved the nature and the people, and concerning work it was a huge progress compared to Apel. The volunteers organised a great workshop and tournament. Clare and I spent our days writing reports, checking up on the volunteers, drinking coke and and eating bread. We also enjoyed my host families satelit tv if there were any power (SA is having a national power shortage crises so the powers been of almost everyday).
Friday 21.03: Time to leave Clare and head for Port Elisabeth.
Saturday 22.03: FINALLY I met up with Ann-Cecilie and Iva in Port Elisabeth. So great to see them. We travelled down to Jeffreys Bay where we stayed at a beautiful backpackers, which was owned by a Norwegian couple. Spent the day shopping, eating and relaxing. Jeff Bay is layback small surfers mekka on the south coast of SA in Eastern Cape, about an hours drive from Port Elisabeth.
Sunday 23.03: Plan was to either surf or go sand boarding, but everything was full, so we ended up in a shitty bar watching the awful liverpool-man utd game, before we decided to drown my sorrows at a nice bar\restaurant.
Monday 24.03: Horseback riding at the beach. Yes, that was one strange experience. Me, who has never been on a horse before got the slowest one in the group, while Iva with her big mouth ended up on Speedy Gonzales. lol. We didn't laugh that much while we were on the horses, but afterwards we realised how funny it must have been for the others to watch us. Ivas horse in almost 60 kmh while she struggled to hold on, and me 10 meters behind everyone having no control or power over my horse. Whenever I would say go, A-C and Ivas horse would take of instead! lol.
Tuesday 25.03: Spent the day on the bazbus traveling all the way down to Cape Town. Not much to say, other than that we were in great pain after the horse ride. Our bums and backs were killing us. But we had booked a hotel i CT, and had a good night sleep!
Wednesday 26.03: Cape Peninsula. We had booked a guided trip with the bazbus down to cape of good hope. What a day. Started in CT and drow down the coast to Houts Bay (I think). Went on a short boat trip to see a seal colony. Must fun was actually filming the girls singing the famous drinking song to Sveinung and Martin: "Jeg har en selunge". The we we went to Boulding beach (I think) to watch the Penguins. then it was of to Cape point, were we actually bicycled half way down. It was a great day, which we finished of with a great dinner down at the Waterfront with a view of the harbour and table mountain.
Thursday 27.03: Spent the WHOLE day shopping at Waterfront.
Friday 28.03: More shopping, but now in Long Street, which is a very popular street in CT with coll bars, restaurants and local craft shops. The girls did the "African shopping" here. Also went up to Tabel Mountain where the view of the city is just breathtaking.
Together with Anders, a Norwegian volunteer working outside CT, we had an African dinner at a restaurant on long street. The girls got to eat pap, which I eat almost everyday in the communities. Don't think they were to impressed! Neither am I, but when you are hungry enough, you eat almost anything.
Saturday29.03: The girls left early back to Norway. So great to have them here, wish they could have stayed longer.
Sunday 30.03: Up at 04.00am. Flight to Joburg at 06.00 am. Then of to Zambia at 10.30 am. Arrived in Lusaka at 01.00pm. Taxi to the craziest bus station in Zambia. With some help I got on the "most reliable" buss there, which wasn't as full as they said. So after about 1 1\2 hours waiting the bus was full finally full, the pastor had finished his speak and blessing, and we were of to Kabwe. After 3 hours and a flat tire I was met by Solveig and Ingeborg at the bus stop. So great to see them again. Ingeborg is actually working in Zimbabwe, but because of the election they are all working in Zambia for 3 weeks. So the plan is to stay with them here till Wednesday. Then I want to travel down to Livingston and Victoria Falls.
Sharp sharp guys, hope you all had a great Easter holiday and that things are propa!

xx

In the middle of nowhere

2008-03-10T12:43:00.000-07:00

Dumelang! Lekay? Arrhona..

That’s’ how limited my Pedi knowledge is after almost 4 weeks in Limpopo. And also “Lafisha” which means it’s hot. And I’m telling you, Limpopo is HOT!! Eish, Apel, our first community, was a nightmare concerning weather. You were constantly sweating. Only way to cool down was to throw a bucket of water over you. That helped for about 5 minutes, and my host family would look at me as if I was crazy..:)

Apel was a semi rural community and much more quiet than Mt. Frere. My host family consisted of a grandmother and her 2 year old grandson. It was a new house, but no water or toilet inside the house so that was a big challenge. The roof wasn’t finished neither so there was an opening between the rooms. One night we found a bat inside the house… lol!! But at least there were no chickens to wake me up at 5 am…

But I loved Apel. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer family, and the community members were so positive and enthusiastic to everything we did. It was our first community and of course there were challenges, both with the community and also among our group. But at the end of the day it didn’t matter. Every night I would stand outside brushing my teeth while looking at the stars and thinking how grateful I am for this experience.

We are now in a rural community called Ga- Radingwana. It’s a small community about half an hour from Apel. But the difference is huge. In Apel they had Spar and other shops, but here you only find small spaza shop. The roads are all gravel roads and most of them don’t look like roads at all. Apel was filled with minibus taxies, here you might see 1 or 2 a day. But this place is truly beautiful surrounded by mountains. We went on a hike on Saturday and I felt like home:)

The community is also doing an amazing job in regards to sport development. For such a small place there is so much activity going on and we sometimes wonder if they need us here at all. But they are so eager to improve and learn more, and the volunteers are now busy planning coaching clinics and tournaments. Clare and I are now having so much free time compared to Apel. But this is a good thing because it shows how good the community is organised and how better the program is going for the volunteers.

And my living situation here is just incredible. Together with TK, our chief team leader, I’m staying in a palace. The family consists of our host dad, his daughter and his sister. The house is so beautiful and we have a toilet inside and satellite TV! I am afraid the next three houses will be a disappointment after this.. lol

Sharp sharp guys. I’m doing great, but miss you all so much. I am really excited about seeing Diva and Ann Cecilie in less than two weeks. It is too bad they will not get to visit me in any of the communities, but South Africa is such an amazing country so know they will enjoy it:)

Take care

XXXX

Kruger

2008-02-15T10:01:00.000-08:00

Kruger National Park
Looking at Hippos and Crocodiles
Kruger National Park
Skyway trails in Hazview. Not afraid of hights anymore..
Saw three lions. one lay down right in front of the car.

General Orientation SCORE on the Move

2008-02-15T09:44:00.000-08:00

Cultural dinner in the community we visited in Mpumelanga during General orientation
Me trying to cook Pap...
I'll eat your pap if you try my snus...
The girls all dressed up and ready for dining out

SCORE on the Move team at the Apartheid Museum. Made a strong impact on all of us.

Limpopo next

2008-02-15T09:24:00.000-08:00

Molweni!
or maybe I should start saying Dumelang, which might be hello in the language they speak in Limpopo.. with 11 official languages in SA, and travelling to five different communities it will be a challenge understandig the locals:)

It's now been 2 weeks since I left Mt. Frere. The first week I spent outisde Pretoria in genreal orientation wit the rest of the SCORE on the move group. It was a hectick and exciting week, getting to know the rest of the guys and also learn more about the program. We are three team leaders, and a girl from England and I will be responsible for the 5 norwegian volunteer. There is also another guy, TK from SA, who is also responisble for the project. We are staying three weeks in five different communties around the Limpopo province, which is north in SA. They left for the first community on sunday, but since my mum came down to visit me, I got this week of to travel with her. We came back to Joburg last night after some amazing days in Kruguer National Park. It's the biggest one in SA and we saw lot's of animals, including three lions:)
Tomorrow she flies back to Norway, and I travell to Apel in Limpopo, which is were the rest of the group is now. Really excited about this project and being a team leader. Also I think it's great that it's in Limpopo, which is a province I haven't seen jet. It's suppose to be very hot and lots of musquitos there, which is my biggest concern at the moment!

anyways, will keep you updated on my new adventure. If this internet is kind to me, I'l try and post some pictures!!

take care!!
xxx

On the move

2008-02-01T00:44:00.000-08:00

Molweni!!

Just a short update now becuase things are changing here. SCORE called me tuesday and asked if I wanted to be team leader for a porject called SCORE on the move. So tomorrow I go to Joburg for genreal orientation and then we start working in Limpopo on the tenth of febuary. I am realy excited about it because it is a great oppurtunity, but also sad about leaving Mt. Frere so soon. I have had an amazing time here, and saying goodbye to everyone has been really hard. But I'm looking forward to seeing more of South Afria and getting more responsibilities and work.
The porject will last till the end on June and we will be working in three different communitites in the Limpopo province. Thats basically all I know for now, but will keep you updated!!

have a great weekend everyone!!

XXX Marte

New Year!!

2008-01-19T08:09:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years everyone!!

I can not believe it's january 2008 already, and it's 6 months since I left Norway!

My last week travelling with my dad was great. After St.Lucia we went to the Drakensberg, where we meet Polljera. Kor liten er verden egentlig? Vi viste at Mette Sandal og familien var i South Africa, men at vi skulle treffe paa dei der hadde vi ikkje rekna med. Pappa sa til og med da vi kjorte dit at viss han traff noken Poljera skulle han spsie solbrillene sine:) Vi sat ved hotellet og las da dei plutselig dukka opp. Liten verden altsaa!:)
Anyways, Drakensberg was a lovely place, amazing views, but we didn't really do any hicking!
After that we went to Mt. Frere and visited my family there. I had brought xmas presens and I've never seen anyone beeing so happy for a gift before!:)
We also visited one of Marks (old:( ) hostfamily. The dad in the house is a big Liverpool supporter so I'm usually there every weekend watching english football! Me and my dad went so watch the Liverpool game. Was fun to see them together discussing football:)
New years we spent in Durban, and on the 3rd my dad went back home, and I went to a nice backpackers and started writting my exam paper which was due the next day.. I handed it in ten min before the deadline. Can't say it's the best assignment I have writtened, but I think I will pass..:)
Then it was of to Joburgh for midservice with SCORE. It was great seeing the others again, and getting my mind back in to work!

Last week I came back to Mt. Frere. It was nice seeing everyone again. Ingeborg (another volunteer working in Zimbabwe) and 2 friends also came and visited for 2 days, which was great! 4 white, european girls in Mt. Frere attracs alot attention though!!:)
But after they left I didn't have much to do. So after finishing of the 3rd season of House, I decided to go to Durban for the weekend. Arrived here yesterday and are staying till monday morning. Then it's back to Mt. Frere and finally starting to work!
This week has been a bit hard with nothing to do and a bit of an anticlimax(can you say that in english?) with a long holiday, nothing to do and no Mark in Mt. Frere!! But I am really excited to get started with work so I'm looking forward to going back on monday!

Will try and post some pic soon! Are going back to Durban in two weeks beacuse my mum is comming to visit for two weeks! Really looking forward to that to:)

Take care everyone, and keep me updated on whats going on at home!

xxx Nolitha

Christmas in South Africa

2007-12-26T07:43:00.000-08:00

Xmas dinner in St.Lucia
Our hotel on Xmas eve
Opening Xmas presents
Game drive in Hulhulwe
My Dad on Xmas eve :)

Merry Xmas everyone!!

This year I'm celebrating Xmas in South Africa with my dad who came down about a week ago. We have been travelling around KZN and arrived here in St.Lucia on Xmas eve. It's a beautiful little coast town in KZN, about 3 hours east of Durban. Before that we were in Hulhulwe National Park for a few days. We saw alot of animals, but no lions:(

Even tough I miss you all back home, I don't mind spending my holiday in 30 degrees at the beach:) Tomorrow we are travelling up to the Drakensberg to do some hiking before we go to Mt.Frere. Am excited to show my dad my new family, friends and hometown:)

take care everyone and enjoy the holidays!!

X Marte

Pic from Chintsa

2007-12-05T03:07:00.000-08:00

Watching the sunset on Chintsa Beach
Mark and I at the Backpackers
The view from the backpackers
Mark and I
Canoeing (Who do you write that in English??)

Molweni

2007-11-29T03:52:00.000-08:00

Kunjani? Ndikhona, Enkosi:)
It’s been a while since my last update. To say I’ve been to busy is lying; it’s just that the internet here is so slow it’s painful and I’ve been lacking the patients to download this page.

Anyways, I’m really enjoyung life in Mt. Frere now. Having Mark here has helped me a lot the last couple months, as he is a great friend and also somebody I can share experiences and frustrations with. Walking together in our community or in town people stare a lot “what? Two “molongos” (white person) in Mt. Frere??” :) If I walk by myself people always asks me where my husband is:) it’s better than the daily marriage proposals!!

Work has also been going ok. The children are just so positive and enthusiastic. Working with a group of older kids in the schools and organising school sport with them have been so awarding. At first they are all the same polite and responsible kids, but after a while they start showing their individual personality and you see who the “born leaders” in the group are.

The last weeks I have been busy planning a festival in connection with the World Aids Day (1st of Dec.). HIV/AIDS is a huge problem here in South Africa with over 25 % of the population infected. In a (semi)rural community like mine, were poverty, unemployment and alcoholism are a reality, HIV/AIDS is a huge problem. You see posters and hear about funerals several times a week, but hardly anyone will admit there loved ones passed away from HIV/AIDS. Although there is a big focus on the problem, the disease is still a taboo and myths about it are widespread.
Together with 5 schools and the Department of Education we organised the festival last Friday. We had Kicking Aids out Games (physical activities which also educates children about HIV/AIDS), had a doctor speak about the disease, candle lightning and a sport tournament. It turned out to be a really good Festival, but I must say I’m glad it’s over. It was the first big event I’ve planned and I’ve learned a lot about how things work here in Africa, what to expect from people, and what not to do next time J:)

After 6 weeks in my community it was good to get away for a weekend with Mark, Thierry and Camilla (other SCORE volunteers). We went to Chintsa (www.cintsa.com ) two weeks ago for a short holiday. Chintsa is a small town by the coast about 4 hours south west from Mt.Frere. We stayed at what is supposed to be South Africas best backpackers. Even though both Thierry and I agreed that the Coffee Shack (Coffee Bay) had a more friendly staff and better atmosphere, The Buccaneers were pretty good. Amazing food, beautiful surrounding, right by the beach, great surfing, volleyball court, pool, table tennis and a proper pool table (this is very important:)). Both Mark and Thierry are done their program in December so this was the last trip with the two of them. I am really going to miss them as they have become close friends of mine and I love hanging out with them. (Who am I now going to change life through pool with?? L)

I still have about 2 and a half week left before my holiday officially starts, but since the schools are closing this week there isn’t much to do. Have a bunch of reports and a NIH assignment to write, and are going to do SCORE for ALL (basically just playing with the kids for a couple hours in the afternoon) 3-4 times a week. But so far it’s been raining and I’ve done a lot of the paper work already, so next weekend I’m going to Durban with Mark and Tanja. Then the following weekend my holiday starts. I’m most likely first of to Port St.Johns with Mark for a couple of days before he gets on his plane back to Canada. I then go to Durban to meet my dad who arrives on the 19th of December! Can’t wait to see a familiar face from back home:)

Think I’ll stop here. Bet I lost Ann Cecilie before I got to Chintsa :) Hope you are all doing well!! I now have the internet working on my phone, so I get my daily update on facebook. MSN is also working proper:)

Hambani Kakuhle
XXX Nolitha

Travel Letters

2007-10-29T00:55:00.000-07:00

All of the Norwegian volunteers have to write travel letters to NIF while we work here i Southern Africa. They are posted on their homepage and here is a link to the page:

http://www.nif.idrett.no/t2.aspx?p=68552

Enjoy:)
x

Blod er tjukkare enn vann

2007-10-29T00:18:00.000-07:00

HEIA BRANN HEIA BRANN
KOM AA SYNG MED ALLE MANN
HEIA BRANN

FANTASTISK DEILIG!! :)

I've seen the rain fall in Africa

2007-10-12T01:32:00.000-07:00

I’ve seen the rain fall in Africa

So, it’s been almost two weeks since I came back from Coffee Bay and it has been raining EVERY single day!! I can’t say patience is my strongest side, and people who know me well know how restless I get. I’m now almost done with all my dvds, so I hope my brother, Eirik, has sent the package he promised meJ Also read a couple of books, and done a lot of administration work. But with the power on and of for the last week it’s been a challenge.

But in-between all the rain there have been a couple of sunny mornings, so last Saturday we organised school matches between two of the schools in handball, netball, soccer and volleyball. It was a bit chaotic, but great fun :)
And yesterday I had my first Youth Leads tournament. 10 grade 6 students organised it for grade 5 & 6 in soccer and netball, and almost 100 kids played. It was a lot of screaming (I still have a headache), but the kids had fun and enjoyed themselves. The other schools will organise them the two following weeks so if the weather is good, that will keep me occupied.

Yesterday Mark (another volunteer from Canada) came to Mt.Frere again, and is staying till Christmas. He is working on a different SCORE project here in Eastern Cape and will be travelling to the other SCORE communities, but will be based here in Mt.Frere. I’m really happy about that, will be great to have a familiar face around!!

So things are still good in South Africa! And today the sun is back:) I will never complain about the heat again...
Have a great weekend everyone. Not sure what I will be doing. But TIA so anything can happen:)

Take care,
Nolita

Three Months in South Africa

2007-10-03T06:40:00.000-07:00

Molweni!!

Tonight there is a bad storm; I can hear the thunder and see the lightning. Just waiting for the rain. The power has been on and of all day.

It is not the first time I am experiencing a big storm; I grew up by “Stadt” in Norway where this happens all the time. My first day here we also had this kind of storm, and I remember my feelings that night; scared, nervous and excited. I was scared about the thought of living here by my self for 12 months, nervous about the family and community not liking me and me not liking them, and excited about starting to work and learn about a new culture. That was 10 weeks ago and a lot have changed. Tonight I don’t have any of those feelings. I am no longer scared or nervous and unfortunately much of the excitement has gone as well. Things are not new and different anymore, and work is slow and sometimes frustrating. But I now feel comfortable; in my home where I don’t feel like guest anymore, and in the community where people don’t stare that much and now greet me by my name. And I am happy. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I am trying to appreciate every second of it. Work is a challenge but I knew that, I just have to be patience. And thinking back on these three months, I hardly remember any of the frustrations. What I do remember are the good moments and I know there will be many more to come.

When I write these bogs I try to think about what you guys would like to read about. It is hard. What I found interesting 3 months ago had changed. I think my experiences here have shifted my focus, but bare with me, I will try and keep this blog interesting:)

School Holidays last week so I took a couple days leave and went to Coffee Bay with another volunteer. CB is a small coast village about 3 hours south west of Mt.Frere. We stayed at a very nice and cheap backpacker’s (www.coffeeshak.co.za ) right by the beach and spent our days hiking, relaxing on the beach, surfing, playing pool or enjoying a couple of beers by the fireplace (not sure if I should write this, but half our bill was from the bar..:)) I defiantly want to go back there! The place is a Xhosa village and the hostel were doing a lot for the community. They had for example a school fund where they sponsored children from CB that couldn’t afford to pay for their secondary school. Even though I have been travelling a lot the last months, this trip was great because it wasn’t related to work and we got to be “just tourist” for a couple of days.

But it is good being back and I think this is going to be fun month. I have tournaments every week up until “Cup of Heroes”. COH is a big tournament SCORE is organizing the last weekend of October in the North West Province, and all the South Africa volunteers will be helping out. Think our job will be to prepare the food, so that will probably be my biggest challenge so farJ

Hope you are all doing well and keep me updated on whatever. I have an address and would love mail from you guys, but will not write it on here. Will send out an email!

Dad: check out the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park at www.kznwildlife.com, and St.Lucia at www.advantagetours.co.za. The Drakensberg mountains in the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park seems interesting, but might be a detour.. but check it out anyways!! and Swaziland!

Nolita:)

The heat is on

2007-09-21T06:04:00.000-07:00

So I’m back in Mt.Frere now. Been here a week. Was great being in CT and Pretoria seeing everybody again, but also nice to be back home.
Been working at the two of the schools this week, and it’s been good. Was suppose to do the Youth Leads, but ended up with over 80 kids playing soccer and volleyball. It was great to see that many kids in action enjoying them selves.

Next week it’s the schools holiday so I’m go away for a few days, just relaxing on a beach somewhere! The heat has really kicked in here now with 37 degrees today!! Must say it’s been hard doing sport in this heat, and I’m really nervous for the summer because it’s only spring now.. But I’m getting a nice tan and since I have to wear a t-shirt and shorts below the knee my tan line is pretty cool...;)

Fredrik, my Norwegian boss and Mandla, my SCORE boss, are rriving here tomorrow for a site visit. They’re staying to Tuesday. I’m hoping Mandla is bringing a bike for me because I’m getting tired of all this walking.
Not sure what we actually will be doing while they are here because except two soccer games I’m playing on Monday I don’t have anything planed. To be honest there is not much to do here in Mt.Frere, but it will be nice seeing them.

Can’t believe I’ve been here almost 3 months now! Time is flying by and I’m trying to enjoy every minute of it. Starting to get use to the life here and it’s good. Finally found my earplugs so the dogs don’t keep me up till midnight anymore and the chickens don’t wake me up at 4 anymore either! But the mosquitoes are killing me. We counted 31 bites on one leg!!

I’m also still getting to many marriage proposals which are starting to be annoying. But if that is my biggest problem here then I shouldn’t complain:)

Hope things are good with all of you guys. Really appreciate all the e-mails and comments from you!:)

Salani Kakuhle and ube nempela-veki emnandi!
Goodbye everyone and have a nice weekend!

On the Bus again..

2007-09-09T03:11:00.000-07:00

Then CT is over for this time, and I'm soon on the bus again for about 19 hours. Destination is Pretoria where it's mid-service for Team South Africa.
Will be back in Mt.Frere on Friday morning, and the following week my boss from Norwegian and my team leader will be coming for a site visit. Not sure what the plan is because it's school holidays that week, but I trust Mandla to come up with something smart:)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, I'm of to the YMCA to pack before the long bus ride.

Til next time, take care!

It's fun to stay at the YMCA!!

2007-09-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

Molo!
Finally in Cape Town. Have uploaded some pic. Haven't used my camera to much so not so many pictures of people, but at least you get to see how I live:)
Arrived here in CT on Friday. Had a 22 hours bus ride by my self so two nights at a hotel with some of the Norwegians was sweet:) Best part was finally taking a shower!! Other than that we have been shopping, watching soccer, playing poker (almost won..) and eating out. Good to see the others again and here about the life in Namibia and Zambia.
Sunday we all moved to a hostel: YMCA in The Obs. in CT and started our course today. Will be attending lectures at the uni all week, but hopefully we get time for some fun stuff as well.
Sunday the South Africa volunteers here will be going to Pretoria, not far from J'Borg where we will have Mid-service. Feel that work in the community is really slow and somethings going nowhere, so will be good to get some new ideas and the spirit back:)

Life is good at the moment, hope it's the same for you guys!
Take Care!!
xoxox

More pictures...

2007-09-03T11:05:00.003-07:00

One of the schools I work with.

View from my house

On my way to another school. Town of Mt.Frere in the background.
My soccer team, VIVO in Mthatha at the university of Transkei.
We won 3-2

More pic from Mt.Frere

2007-09-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

My house is the one on the top to the right. If you look closly, you see all the cars!
My room
My room
Outside. My house in the back, the Spaza Shop to the right.
My Hostbrother, Pethros outside.

Pictures from Mt.Frere

2007-09-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

Finally some pictures from Mt. Frere

The view from my room

The hallway
The kitchen where we spend most of our time. eating and watching Generations
Outside
The Livingroom we only use when we have important guests like Mandla

As Time Goes By

2007-08-24T03:34:00.000-07:00

Molweni Guys! Unjani? My Xhosa has unfortunately not improved much in the last week, but I’m starting to pick up the odd word here and there! But everybody laughs at my pronunciationJ

It’s been a good week with much more work to do. Youth Leads are going fine at all three schools. The kids have decided on tournaments and I’ve been doing Workshops on Fair Play which have been going great. I recommend the fruit salad as a Icebreaker, and one grade 5 can not get enough of JihaaJ They don’t really get the game jet, but just love saying jihaa and 4 gear TractorJ So work in schools are good now. It’s really interesting to see how the school life is here compared to back home. Two of the schools have some half finished buildings with broken windows and no doors, and at the third school the wind broke of the roof in two of the classrooms. There are usually around 60 students in each class so I understand the teachers find it difficult to do PE with hardly any equipment. Some of the teachers are really interested in what I’m doing, while others don’t seem to bother. But the kids are great and I love working with them.

With community sport we still haven’t done any SCORE For All, but I play a lot of soccer in the afternoons so time goes by. Tomorrow I’m actually going to Mthatha again to play soccer. The university team we played against there called my teams coach and wanted me to come and play for them. So I’m really looking forward to that! :)

Otherwise life is still good. I’m leaving for CT next Friday. And then Mid Service with the rest of the SA team somewhere in Free State right after that. Can’t wait to see everyone again and to take a showerJ

Have a great weekend everyone!! Thank you for all the comments, keep them coming!J Pictures will come when I’m in CT!

XOXO Nolita

In the Rrural Communities...

2007-08-17T01:25:00.000-07:00

Molo!!! Unjani? Ndiphililie.!:) That’s how far my Xhosa has gotten. Man it’s a hard language!

Three weeks have passed now, seems so much longer and shorter at the same time. Have been some long days doing nothing (when I start reading articles and manuals and taking notes I don’t have a test on, than I’m bored. Maybe you can borrow me “Ona Fyr” Iva? ;), and some fun days with lots of great people. Work in the schools is going slow, and holidays and rain have not helped!
But I’m being patience, and on Tuesday I finally had my first whole day in a school. Started at 8.am with Volleyball for grade 7. 60 students, two balls and one court. A bit different from volleyball with Ola at NIH! But the kids were great so it worked out fine! :) I then did two sessions with two Youth Leads groups before soccer training with a boys community team in the afternoon. So that’s how my day can look like, but no days are the same, and if it rains you do nothing, if it’s cold you don’t do any sports. So I play soccer in the streets with the kids, read and I am now on episode 20 of Grey’s Anatomy :)

Today I went to another school. I was sitting in the Principals office. He had found a paraffin heather for me, and some kids came with some matches. We have one at the house so I thought I knew how to light it. Well, I didn’t so there were really big flames coming from it and I didn’t know what to do. Luckily some grade 9 students came and helped me get it outside. They worked on it for an hour before they managed to kill the flames, but the heater was broken. The Prinicipals office was covered in smoke and it smelled really bad. Good first impression from the stupid foreign Girl!!!...:)

I have also started to play football for a girl team here. Think the plan is to help out with training as well, but they are very well organised and have two coaches, so I just bring some equipment and play with them. Went to Mthatha; city about an hour west of Mt.F, on Saturday and played a match against a university team there. A lot of people there, including Frank (another SCORE volunteer). Great to see a familiar face and to share experiences and frustrations with someone. We won the game 3-2. I scored one, one assist and was named woman of the match! Not bad!:)

So I’m starting to get use to the (semi)-Rrrural life in South Africa. The food is still good, except the cows head they served me, and the chicken I watch them kill and cock before serving me and the father the liver! Gina, you would have had a problem here my friendJ
The chickens don’t wake me up at 4 am anymore, it’s more like 5.30, and then at 6 am the radio is turned on with the volume on max, and stays on till 6 pm. I don’t mind listening to the radio, but it’s in Xhosa so I don’t understand much. Same with the TV. The only program I watch is Generations, and I bet all of the Volunteers in SA do the sameJ It’s SA version of Hotel Cæsar, you will love it Ann-C:) So there is only three things I really miss:
- a shower (there is only a bath here)
- Seeing the News in English or Norwegian(I don’t know what’s going on in the World)
- A couch ( Tv is in the kitchen so that’s were we sit all afternoon)

In two weeks I’ll be going to Cape Town with the other Norwegians. It’s with NIH so we will be at the University there for a week attending lectures ect. Really excited about seeing everybody again and taking a showerJ Will post some pic then, because the internet here is just to slow.

So life is good, have no regrets and no homesickness. But I still miss you all.
I hope you are doing fine, and good luck with your studies, work, travelling and keep me updated!:)

Best of Wishes, Nolita

Nolita says hi from Mt.Frere

2007-08-01T00:28:00.000-07:00

So I finally arrive in Mt.Frere Friday after almost 3 weeks of holiday (as my brother called it) in Cape Town and 2 days East London. Mt. Frere was colder, windier and bigger than I thought. Mandla dropped me of at my hostfamily at night. A really strang experience but everything went well. Got my own room with electricity and a dobbelbed. Proper!! Not sure how many people actually live here, but we have never been less than 8 people for dinner. Must say I have been a bit nervous about the food, but after eating fryed meals for three weeks, my diet now concsist of a lot of vegetables, rice, paap( not sure how you write it, correct me please), potatoes and some meat.It is hard to explaine how my home is, you have to see it with your own eyes. When we came we couldn’t really see the house couse there are so many cars on the property. There are also 4 house including my hostdads workplace/garage. One of the houses are a small convenience shop where my workexperience from Spar back home have commed in handyJ The mainhouse is where my bedroom, the bathroom, kitchen, livingroom and the parents bedroom is. The family has also a lot of animals; chickens, cows,sheeps, pigs, dogs pluss two dead turtoures in a bathtub. The chickens wake me up every morning at 4.am...

Monday I visited one of the schools I’ll be working on, Nkulisha with about 400 kids. It’s a 5-10 min walk from my house. The teachers and parents were very positive and the kids are so great. Will start my work hopefully on Monday. Am really excited about getting started. This last couple days I haven’t done much so I’m already starting to get a bit bored and restless. But it’s good training for my patience.

So everything is Proper. Will post pic from Mt.Frere later. Not a good ide to flash my camera in front of the kids jet. I will never get them of my back..

Sharp Sharp as they say here! My contact person also gave me a Xhosa name: Lolita. It means something like bright light, rising sun... yeah..:)

Keep me updated on anything new. Football results, the weather. whatever:)
Miss you all!!
Xoxox

Leaving Cape Town

2007-07-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

hi everybody;)

So, it's my last night in Bergvilet; a nice suburb to CT where I have been staying for the last week with rest of the South-Africa crew. Have had a amazing time here, gotten to see more CT and it has been a bit less hectic than Stellenb. But tomorrow I'm leaving for East London together with Camilla, Frank and Thierry, which also are staying in communities in Eastern Cape. First drop of will be Camilla, so I will most likely be in Mt. Frere on Friday. Am getting excited, scared and nervous and everything else I'M probably suppose to be feeling at this time. The rest of the guys left to day, so it's been good having an extra day to stress down and relax. Going to miss the group a lot, but I guess it's time to get started on what I'm really here to do.
In Mt.Frere I will be working on a program called Leading the Game, which includes programs called "Youth Leads", "School Sport", and"SCORE for All" . Guess that don't tell you guys much, but it basically means helping developing sport in the community, helping with organising leagues, festivals ect. and training youth to lead sports in the community.
In Mt.Frere I will be staying with a hostfamiliy. Don't know much about the jet, only that the dad is a mechanic, the mother has her own shop in the town and that they have one daughter. I will be working on 5 schools, and the one I will be working most on is only 1 km. from "my home".

Hope you are all doing well, enjoy the rest of your summer, and I would love to hear how you all are doing. keep me updated!!

will finish of with a quote my dear roommate Tanja gave me:

My will shall shape the future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing but my own. I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze. My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny.

2007-07-23T12:41:00.000-07:00

Team South Africa in Khayelitsha- South Africas 3.largest Township with around 1 million inhabitans.

Khayelitsha- playing sports with voulanteers and kids there.
Street football-getting our asses kicked;)

Khayelitsha
Khayelitsha

Anders- Lions Head in Cape TownCape Town
View from Lions Head

90 minuts for Mandela- Friendlymatch between World11- Africa 11 on Nelson Mandelas 89.th B-day. Tanja, Me and David
90 min. for Mandela

Ascot-Gardens: Where Team Africa is staying for Spesific Orientation
Me on Lions Head
Team South-Africa
Cape Town

Table mountain-CT

Thaisa and I

More pic from Stellenbosch

2007-07-20T01:44:00.000-07:00

Wine-tour
Ice-breaker
Wine-tour
My Norwegian crew: Solveig,Eric, Øyvind,Ingeborg,Magnus, Vidar,Anders, Tonje

Stellenbosch

2007-07-20T01:30:00.000-07:00

Mbekweni- the township we visited and organized SCORE for ALL
Mbekweni
Mbekweni- Getting ready to leave, it wasn't easy:)
Football in our breaks at Stellenbosch University
Drumsession in Stellenbosch

Mount Frere

2007-07-15T11:53:00.000-07:00

My new hometown for the next 12 months are Mount Frere. Its an small town in Eastern Cape, below Lesotho! Don't know to much about it jet, only that its a lively place and the town is divided by a big state- road! Will be moving in to Cape Town with the other volunteers that is also staying in South Africa. Are having specific orientation there for a week so I'll get to know more then. Other than that, I'm doing fine. We had a great day yesterday. Some of us went on a Wine-tour to 3 different wineries. Stellebousch is the biggest Wine area in South Africa, with about 4000-5000 wineries! At night we had a Country-party. everyone decorated a room at the boys doorms with stuff from their country and served drinks. So we had Norwegian flags, music pictures and served Aqevitt and Karsk! First time I've tried Krask, and I don't recommend it:) I left my camera in one of the Norwegian guys room when we went to the bars, but last night while he was sleeping, some South-African Rugby players that also was staying at the dorms, came into his room and stole his camera and my camera!! Idiots! but its just a camera and I can get a new one. Luckily I got my luggage, cause some of the girls are still missing theirs, and they are going to Namibia and Zambia on Tuesday!
So everything is good, very tires to day so I think I'll end here. Having a hard time concentrating in English!:)
xoxox

Cape Town

2007-07-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

Solveig and I in Cape TownCape Town
Cape Town- Table Mountain
Cape Town
Robben Island

2007-07-07T12:15:00.000-07:00

Hi guys:)

Finally in South Africa, more specifically in the town of Stellenbosch. ( http://www.stellenbosch.org.za) It's a small university town just outside Cape Town, surrounded by wineries. Beautiful :) We are staying at a part of the university and will be here until the 17Th. I'm sharing a room with a girl from Canada (shocking!!) :) and my room is actually nicer than the one I stayed in at the dorms in Aussie. So I haven't seen anything of Real Africa jet except for the townships we drove by on our way from the airport. Tomorrow we have the day of so we are heading in to Cape Town and a some of us are going to Robben Island, which the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisened.(http://www.robben-island.org.za/)

The course with SCORE is really interesting as well. We are 40 people from Zambia, Namibia, SA,Zimbabwe, Holland and Canada. I think on Wednesday I will know where I will be working and living for the next 12 months!!

So I'm doing fine, really excited about the program, met many great people, but is still without any of my luggage. All our luggage is still in London together with a 1000 other "misplaced" bags so we don't know when will get it! Never Heathrow or British Airways again!

I'm Staying safe,
take care :)

On My Way

2007-07-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

So, I'm finally on my way to South Africa to work as a sport volunteer for youth and children for 12 months. Sorry to all of you I haven't called (as I promised Kari; I'm so sorry!!) and not sms'ed back. The last couple days have I have been really stressed since I leave everything to the last minute!

I started my journey today together with 12 other Norwegians who are going to Southern Africa as well; 3 of us to South Africa, 2 to Zimbabwe, 4 to Namibia and 3 are going to Zambia. We are all staying in Cape Town for 12 days first with SCORE (Sport Coach OutReach), which is the Organisation we will be working for in Africa. We were suppose to fly from Oslo to Heathrow, and then to Cape Town, but because of al the delays in both Norway and London, and the fact that the (idiot?) who booked our flight gave us only one hour transfer at Heathrow, we missed our flight to Cape Town. So now I'm sitting in a hotel by the airport and will not be in Cape Town untill Friday morning. But most of us don't really mind an extra night in a normal bed and hot shower!:)

I'm really nervous and excited and scared and everything at the same time at the moment. But I'm glad there are 12 of us who are in the same boat. Can't wait to get to Cape Town and meet the people from SCORE and learn more about what we are going to do and get some practise in the Townships. And experience Cape Town City as well:) Within the first week we will also learn where we will be working for the next 12 months and what they want us to do there!!

Well, I think I'm of to bed now! Sorry about mu english, but Its 1.20 am and I'm falling a sleep!

Promise to take care of myself and try to keep this page updated!

Enjoy your summer everyone!!

Best Wishes to all of you;)