Don't get me wrong. Some of these entries may lean towards the cynical side of life. The negatives are over-represented on my blog. In practice, day after positive day will pass. Days where a spontaneous game of football with 40 kids in the streets takes place as the sun sets. Or days where a rare power outage at night allows for a wild game of hide and seek in our yard. These good days are plentiful. But usually they don't make for thrilling subject matter. It is when something bad happens that I am compelled to write. I also don't like to only blog about sunshine and skittle rainbows. The Peace Corps is by far the toughest social experience I have ever had. My self esteem has taken many a beating and my patience given plenty of exercise. That side of this job needs to be addressed.
I love it here and I am very happy. I really dislike school holidays and I am starting to consider weekends as the time that gets in the way of working, instead of the light at the end of the tunnel that got me through my weeks last year. I look forward to just about every new day. I appreciate every piece of fruit, deliciously fresh and dirt cheap. Life is beautiful...
Last week I gave a presentation about STI's, safe sex, HIV, and the like, to all the grade 12 students at my high school. I worked on it for about a week or so in PowerPoint. I tried to make it cool and hip. I use the SiSwati slang when I refer to the private parts. The kids laugh at all the right parts. It was probably the most fun I have had doing 'work' since I got here. All the teachers preach abstinence while half the school gets pregnant. I was told to stress the point that if you needed to resort to using a condom, it is because you are a failure at abstaining.
I disregarded that. My approach is one of total honesty. Ideally, I would like to be the guy that the kids can feel comfortable coming to and asking for advice. That won't happen if I act like some kind of American saint who is free from vice. 'Yea, most people drink alcohol in America. Yes I drink, too.' I think this approach is working for me. Others have chosen to put on the Respect-Costume and I guess that works for them, too.
I want to give the talk to the entire school, grade by grade. Unfortunately, June 2 marked the start of exams. From here until the end of the month, the students will be taking texts. Most won't come to school everyday. When they do come, they will come late or leave early. Teachers will be sitting around all day. I can't stand this time of year.
Luckily I now have Kristy's map painting to help on and Scott has somehow started getting me inroads at the Tjakastad home-based care NGO that he has never even visited. This school break should be a productive one.
I love it here and I am very happy. I really dislike school holidays and I am starting to consider weekends as the time that gets in the way of working, instead of the light at the end of the tunnel that got me through my weeks last year. I look forward to just about every new day. I appreciate every piece of fruit, deliciously fresh and dirt cheap. Life is beautiful...
Last week I gave a presentation about STI's, safe sex, HIV, and the like, to all the grade 12 students at my high school. I worked on it for about a week or so in PowerPoint. I tried to make it cool and hip. I use the SiSwati slang when I refer to the private parts. The kids laugh at all the right parts. It was probably the most fun I have had doing 'work' since I got here. All the teachers preach abstinence while half the school gets pregnant. I was told to stress the point that if you needed to resort to using a condom, it is because you are a failure at abstaining.
I disregarded that. My approach is one of total honesty. Ideally, I would like to be the guy that the kids can feel comfortable coming to and asking for advice. That won't happen if I act like some kind of American saint who is free from vice. 'Yea, most people drink alcohol in America. Yes I drink, too.' I think this approach is working for me. Others have chosen to put on the Respect-Costume and I guess that works for them, too.
I want to give the talk to the entire school, grade by grade. Unfortunately, June 2 marked the start of exams. From here until the end of the month, the students will be taking texts. Most won't come to school everyday. When they do come, they will come late or leave early. Teachers will be sitting around all day. I can't stand this time of year.
Luckily I now have Kristy's map painting to help on and Scott has somehow started getting me inroads at the Tjakastad home-based care NGO that he has never even visited. This school break should be a productive one.
1 responses:
Hi Garrett!
I am so happy you are safe from being mugged! Please stay safe
Will see you soon in Africa!
Mom's Friend,
Connie
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