SWANNEPHA: The Siteki Story

So, there is a reason why I haven't talked much about the work I am doing here with SWANNEPHA, and to be honest, it's because there isn't any.  The Organization has been going through a lot of difficulties lately and we happened to come right in the middle of the chaos.  The lady who we were supposed to work with quit two weeks before we arrived and the woman who was promoted to the position is less than desirable.  Right now we have no electricity, no telephone, and no petty cash, so working on projects is incredibly difficult.  SWANNEPHA has no money whatsoever, and it has definitely taken a toll on our motivation and desire.

But enough of the depressing stuff, Aye and I have some things on our own to keep busy.  We have talked to school children about basic hygiene and self esteem.  We have created a lesson plan about body parts and taught at a local preschool. We have visited rural clinics and brought the samples back to the hospital for testing.  The two of us REFUSE to sit in the office staring at each other or reading books.

Something that I am struggling with is the sustainability of my actions.  When I leave here, everything that I am doing will stop.  The challenge is creating something that can be used even when I'm back at home.  Unfortunately, I don't believe SWANNEPHA can assist me with this task as they are scrambling for funding and support.

The next couple of weeks are going to be full of critical thinking and brainstorming ideas to work on for the remainder of my placement.  Wish me luck!

Your SiSwati word for the day is 'Sondzela' meaning 'come closer'.  We now say this to kids that we pass on our way to and from work so that they can get close enought for us to give them stickers.  On another note, it is also the backpackers hostel that we love. http://www.hostelz.com/hostel/27966-Sondzela-Backpackers-Lodge-Hostel We had our orientation here, and we spend a night last week with the rest of the SWANNEPHA team.

Thanks so much for your patience,

Love,
Gina

Bushfire 2011… and a photo of a crocodile.

So I found a photo that a friend took of our crocodile friend that we met, so if you look very carefully in the left hand corner you can see him.

Most exciting thing that has happened in the past couple of weeks = BUSHFIRE.  Last weekend the 5 of us SWANNEPHA volunteers went to the biggest Swaziland music festival in Mbabane.  It was rather awesome.  The music festival supports Young Heros, an organization that helps orphans pay for school, clothing and textbooks so that they can get an education here in Swaziland.  The event was really well done, and we were able to listen to some pretty cool Swazi bands and DJs.  The musician in the photo is Bholoja, and he was the main entertainer for the evening with his 'Swazi Soul' style of music.

There was also a great poetry reading that we went to by an award winning Jamaican/Canadian artist named D'Bi Young.  She made me miss Canada just a little bit…

Things are picking up a bit in the work department, just trying to keep busy!  We are working with Primary Schools in the area about basic hygiene and hand-washing techniques.  Hopefully next week we will attend Health Clubs at High Schools and talk more about HIV and the stigma and discrimination that accompanies an HIV positive lifestyle.

Your Siswati word for today is “Mnganiwami" meaning friend. :)

Love and hugs and roaming cattle,

Gina