Women's day Weekend - 8-10th August

I have never done/seen/experienced so much in one weekend ever…
Friday afternoon and placement was finished for the week and it was time for our free weekend. Friday evening we all arrived at Newlands stadium at about 7 to watch Western province take on the Sharks. We had amazing seats so we were very lucky. It was a great game, Nick played really well and I guess if hes a star of the future it was the game to be at as he was starting in number 8. After the game we were waiting for our cab which was going to be an hour so after going to the shop etc we just sat and waited. Then the players started coming out and getting into their cars so we where lucky enough to get our shirts signed and have photos taken with them, once again courtesy of my very friendly American friend Leslie. Afterwards we met up with some people at Oblivion in Claremont before heading to Wadda which was an experience I don’t think ill be repeating too soon. Was a good night though.
On Saturday morning I went to Bishops to watch Max a guy from the island whose on exchange here play rugby, and also Dean which was good. Great to see everyone and the atmosphere there is pretty awesome and Rugby is all that’s on the horizon when it’s a match day.
Saturday lunchtime we met our ride to Langa, the township which we would be staying in that night. I was a little apprehensive as we arrived as this was the first time we had been without proper CCS protection so to say. Annie , Erica and I bought food and we had a bbq and we gave out dinner to some of the surrounding families near to where we where staying at ‘Radebe’s B and B and Coffee Shack’. All the people we met where amazing, we walked about and visited some people’s shacks/homes. Definitely worthwhile and it was only a shame we had to stay in after dark due to safety issues. I ended up sleeping in a room by myself which was scary but I just locked the door and there where bars on the windows so I soon dozed off before Alexander called me at 6 am when he ha arrived home.. Talked to Mum on Sunday morning which was nice to have a catch up and fill her in on everything I have been doing. Its hard to explain it all in a few words because there really is no way of doing it. A month here and now it really does feel great. The kids at my placement have given me so much just through seeing them everyday.
On Sunday Gavin our guide from Cape Extreme collected 6 others and myself and we set off for a wine tour around Paarl and Stellenbosch. We visited 3 different wineries which was great and Stellenbosch is a beautiful place. Anyway who goes to University there is truly privileged…We are trying to make a plan to go and spend a night there this weekend if possible before the others leave.
Paul one of the guys here said the other day ‘we need to stop abusing the rand’ and that was such a fitting thing to say…I have been really lucky with the exchange rate over here that during free time I guess we have indulged a bit. I feel like this has been a huge part of the experience as after definitely getting our hands dirty at placement it is what is needed to unwind and discuss the day. Today was the start of my 5th week at Blossom Street. I spent the second half of my morning helping Glenda and Kara two of the new volunteers with a new initiative they decided could help the school. - To set up a library. We organised all the books so far, they where all so old and falling apart there was dust everywhere but I think it’s a fantastic idea just one basic thing we take for granted. Most of the books are from the 70’s and have been donated from other libraries including schools in the UK and the States. Its crazy!!
I just chatted with Tahira the placement co ordinator and she is going to set me up with an afternoon placement this week. In either and AIDS/HIV childrens hospital or a mental illness institute so I am very excited and hope it works out because I have been thinking a lot about what I want to do when I return home and I definitely want to see another aspect of a placement outside of the education sector. So I will let you know how that goes and where abouts I am placed.
During my stay in Langa I found this quote on one of the flyers in the coffee shack I think its very fitting for what im feeling right now ….
‘The use of travelling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are’ - Samuel Johnson
Love K xx

We love Molinga!!

Evening!!!

What a great day... another teacher was ill so today i had to take care and teach the 2nd grade class they where better than the kindergarden kids but very challenging and i was upset i didnt get to see the grade 5 kids again. Bought another camera today so will definately take it to school tomorrow.

Today we had the leaving lunch for my original group and the old leavers it wa sin Langa township at a place called 'Mzoli's meat' it was interesting thats for sure. We sat in an outdoor tent and there where nearly as many flies as us but it turned out to be really fun. All the staff came and their was a local african group playing music and all the organisers and staff where dancing so it was really cool and relaxed a nice change but kind of sad for all the people that are leaving some have been here for up to 12 weeks.. This means new arrivals on Saturday we have a girl joining our room as alex is leaving for home. She is called Kate so will be good to meet her and all the other new people etc..

Went to Cavendish etc this afternoon and then came home just spent tonight relaxing and chatting with the girls at home preparing for tomorrow etc. We love Malinga one of the drivers at CCS hes like everyones grand father but amazing and so much fun ... I am definately growing attached to this place. Time is just passing too quickly...The world is so big yet so small. Love K X

2 Days, 2 Worlds One City!! - CAPETOWN

Hi guys,
So i am finally all settled in Capetown at the home base. So far so good. Am rooming with 3 other girls all from the States. Our home base is pretty big housing 30 of us girls and the boys get to sleep in what they call the 'man cave' outside right by the security. On arrival i was given a thorough explanation of the security, bars, gates and where the panic alarms are situated. We have security but they are not armed as the house manager feels that would attract more attention. We have a direct response to a security company which can reach us in 3 minutes with back up. So all seems rather scary at first... Yesterday we had orientation which started with all the rules and guidelines. what to do what not to do etc.. we where welcomed by Luann our Afrikaans programme manager and she is absolutely lovely. However the 'Welcome to Capetown , probably the crime and murder capital of the world' sent a few shock waves out!! However we all know the situation here... So after orientation in the morning we went on a tour of Capetown, We where driven upto Signal hill where we got what was an absolutely amazing view of the city and devils peak i think. The sun was shining as we drove down to Camps bay.. absolutely gorgeous beach area very cosmopolitan and european cafes and all the posers pretty much Puerto Banus without the boats.. We got to paddle in the sea and then we drove back past Clifton and Bantry bay. You could be in Miami, or anywhere in the world!! You could tell this was the upmarket area..We came home and changed then a few of us went to the Waterfront and had dinner and some wine at a pizza place.. lovely to walk around down there and felt very safe our taxis collected and dropped us right by the entrance...Curfew is 11 during the week and is needed due to the early starts.
This morning alrams went off at 7 and so the day began..it was pitch black and kind of chilly. After breakfast we split into our groups and my group was first to head of on a township tour of the communities which we will be working in. We had a great guide who came with us and the CCS driver. We first stopped at District 6 which is an area filled with history from the apartheid era. Then we travlled to Langa a township.. the poverty was hard hitting and it was something which cannot really be explained until you see it. Millions of people literally living in this 'black' township. The people there where so welcoming. We met this 77 year old gentleman who invited us into his room which he shared with 3 other families. He pays the equilavent of one pound a month for his bed and space. Outside there was rubbish littered all around and children playing one thing that struck me was how happy these people appeared. How friendly they where and how relaxed. I feel like they dont really have any idea what is outside their township let alone around the world..and they are unaffected by this. 2000 people arrive in Capetown each day from other countries in Africa trying to find a better life. We went through Athlone and Guguleto 'coloured' townships and the infamous Cape Flats area. Once we returned to the home base for the second part of orientation which was about our placements and what we will be doing. I will be based at Blossom Primary with 2 other volunteers Alex and Joanna which is very exciting. Tomorrow is our first day and our placement manager will accompany us to introduce us to our supervisors etc. We are collected at 7:45 and the CCS drivers will then do the round dropping everyone at their various placements within the townships.. The drivers are local so Luann explained to us that if at any time their was a problem or they felt it was unsafe to go into the areas they wouldnt hesitate and we would never be placed in that position. Only recently when the Xenophobic attacks occured did they have an incident like this. We then had a history of South Africa given to us by Luann who seems amazing, she told us what it was like living in SA as a white south african during apartheid. She has met Nelson mandela twice and his family numerous times. Very interesting lady i think...

About 5 ' o clock orientation was over so i decided to walk to Rondebosch which is ten mins away with some of the others.Rondebosch is a student area right by the University of Capetown. Its nothing like Leeds AT ALL!! To be honest you do feel rather uncomfortable walking around and its so different to what i am used to. We cant bring our bags with us or display and phones, jewellery or the like. We also have to be back by 6 the time it starts getting dark. If we want to go out after this time we have to take a taxi. Everything is really cheap here compared to at home so far..the americans are all loving the exchange rate too. Its so hard to undestand the great divide in this city. Aprtheid is over but their is still this vibe looming overhead. On the way to langa the black township we passed a ferrari and Maserati dealership...such a huge divide its unexplainable. I am so excited to start my placement tomorrow. No matter what my thoughts and expectations where before i arrived , today i realised that the children definately steal your hearts!! Love K xx