First Week

My first week is almost over. I am happy. First weeks are always the toughest. From here on things will get easier and I will settle in better.

This week I learned how to drive a manual on the opposite side of the road. The manual part is easy, it's the getting used to turning correctly and staying on the correct side of the road. These poor Africans... they need to watch out for Miss Katie. I've stalled out a couple times in the middle of an important intersection and I know I'm upsetting the locals, but oh well... what can you do?! I have to laugh and pray that no one hits me from behind.

On Wednesday's at Serve the City we go into a different township (from where I'm working at Kuyasa.) This township is called InKanini. It is not as developed as Kayamandi. I was shocked at the scenes and it made my pulse race, my throat hurt and I can honestly say I was a little choked up. The children ran down from the hills when they saw are group coming towards them. Apparently they know that every Wednesday we serve there. They were running from every direction and before I knew it I had 3-4 little kids all over me. One on each hand, one jumping up in front and one behind. They weren't attacking me... they were loving me. They were kissing my hands and trying to get me to hold them. This happened to all of us and we all looked at each other and smiled and kept walking up the steep hill to the area we needed to be.

We split the children up into three different groups. One group for games, one for face painting and one for dancing. Of course they stuck the new girl (me) with the dancing. I had each group for about 15-20 minutes and we had a radio we used with some dance music. I instructed the kids to dance. No pattern whatsoever, just whatever I felt like doing. If I put one leg up and shook it, they laughed and put one leg up and shook it. One arm up, their arm was up. They literally copied every move. It was so much fun! I had them doing everything from jumping jacks, to shaking their hips... onto yoga moves (which was the break and breathe time for me). I was pouring with sweat. The kids LOVED it and they laughed and smiled and really enjoyed it. When a slow song came on next they would say "Teacha.... Dance." which meant they wanted a fast song again and to dance fast. Their favorite move of course was just to jump. So we ended up jumping a lot. Next time I'm wearing a sports bra and cooler clothing.

The saddest part was at the end we fed them each a bag of chips. (Each week is different depending on what food we can get donated. Sometimes meals, sometimes snacks like this) The kids were lined up and each had their hands out like you see on the TV commercials or movies. It was so sad. They were fighting with each other trying to take each others bags. We had some left over bags so we opened them and were handing out hand-fuls of the chips. They were so very excited and immediately got into a big line and knew the procedure. They were so happy!! It was a great feeling and the older parents that were walking by looked pleased with our group and smiled.

As we left we had many adults come up and thank us and then all the little children followed us all the way down the hill in the same manner of kissing, jumping on us and asking us to kiss them. Sadly none of us kiss them, but we give an air kiss to them. They followed us all the way down to the main street where our vehicles were parked and they were on the hood and hands all over the windows. We had to eventually honk to scare them to back out.

We drove back and I was overwhelmed with various feelings. Mostly sadness.

Battery dying on computer.... more later.

Arrived Safely

I am finally getting a chance to email everyone today. I do not have internet where I live so more than likely I will be updating this and responding to emails on weekends when I can find internet availability. Amazing how much we take for granted in America, including a simple thing as the internet.

My flights were uneventful, however I almost missed my connection in Amsterdam which made things a bit hectic. I never even had time to use the restroom, I was just running frantically to the next gate. As you can imagine, my luggage did not make it. Luckily I received my bags last night.

I started working the very next morning after my arrival. I was introduced to everyone and my head was spinning with all of the names and pronounciations. I had heard about the Xhosa language and all of the clicks but didn't know what to expect. There are about 3 different types of clicks which they use in their language. This alone will be a major challenge. Luckily most of the population understands English.

At Kuyasa I was thrown right into the job since they are in so need of help. I will be teaching Grades 1 and 7, which exist of science, math, and english. I had to laugh because those of you who really know me, know I am just AWFUL at math and it was my worst subject. I always get the dang numbers screwed in my head and in college survived only with my high tech expensive calculator. There are no calculators here. God is laughing for sure.

I have also taken over the adult computer literacy course which I am enjoying. The classes start with showing them how to turn on a computer, explaining every feature of a keyboard, mouse, screen, etc.. and then moving on to keyboard lessons, saving files, Microsoft Word functions and then eventually showing them how to create a resume, cover letter and email account. Today I showed them how to search for local jobs and send their resume. It is so nice to see their smiles after we click the "send" button. So much Hope in their eyes, which is sad because I wonder what the percentage is of ever receiving a response.

I have the pleasure of helping to feed about 200 kids a day who all line up to receive their small plate of food that the Mama's cook every day. It is the BIGGEST pot I have ever seen in my life. The cooks prepare some type of stew or filling substance. When I first saw it I couldn't imagine that we would go through the entire pot. I was shocked when I saw the pot was empty and at the end the pot is taken out where the kids are lined up to receive any scrapings or left over fruit or juice. I will take pictures when I can and post this unbelievable sight. It really touched my heart.

I will discuss more about my time at Serve the City on my next posting. I work in a separate township with them. That experience is worth an entire post itself.

I need to go now as it is almost time to feed the little ones. I can hear them outside starting to gather around with excitement for their daily feeding.

One last thing - for those of you who received my letter, please dismiss the mailing address that I sent. It is wrong and doesn't exist. I will not be able to receive anything at that address, and more than likely you won't receive the letter or card back if you already sent one. My apologies. I will post the correct address as soon as I figure out the best way to receive mail.

All is well and I am doing good. Mom, Dad... do not worry. Love you.