Today I was fortunate enough to meet Aaron Williams, the newly appointed Peace Corps Director. Since he didn't have a lot of time on his visit, two other volunteers working in nearby villages and I went to another volunteer's site for the meeting.
It was convenient for me for two reasons: 1) My site wasn't well prepared to accommodate the visit and 2) I got to see what Haley, the hosting volunteer, had been up to since she has been here.
As can be seen in the post about my school, it is in poor condition and we would have to move learners out of a classroom in order to hold a meeting; this would be not only unfair to the learners but in poor taste as representatives of the U.S. My room is also a disaster since I had a late night visitor that was on top of my wardrobe. I jumped up on my bed and with a broom proceeded to knock everything off the wardrobe using a broom handle and dump the contents of all the bags all over the floor. Also I have many great projects planned but that's it, there is nothing to show for it.
The meeting was instead at Haley's primary school where she teaches reading to special needs children. I was astounded to see the classroom she had set up; partly because there are no additional classrooms at my school but mostly because of how good of a job she did in setting up her classrooms. There were tons of books neatly stacked on recently built bookshelves, teaching aids all over the wall, and it just felt like a place where children would learn; she deserved that opportunity.
Mr. Williams is tall, slender, light skinned, African American man. When he entered one of the classrooms, the learners started going wild and were enthusiastically asking "Aungu Obama naa?". Given the fact that he's tall, slender, light-brown skinned, and from the U.S. government, it's no surprise that they wanted too know, "Is that Obama?". Mr. Williams said he gets that a lot from the children when visiting foreign countries.
He resembled Obama not only physically but also in the respect that he commanded. A former Nicaraguan Peace Corps volunteer himself, he was a very approachable, kind, and progressive leader; which made him a good choice to be appointed as Director of the Peace Corps.
For such a high-profile diplomat he traveled surprisingly light. He didn't have any security officers, only 3 women and 1 man, all of average build and in their mid-twenties; not a very imposing bunch. He rode in the Peace Corps Land Rover with everyone else including some of my fellow South African Peace Corps volunteers. He was also accompanied by my APCD (Associate Peace Corps Country Director) in charge of the education project, and the PTO (Peace Corps Training Officer) for South Africa.
We sat in Haley's classroom in a circle of learners' chairs with all of the tables pushed to one side. Created a less formal and more comfortable environment to hold the meeting. The first part of the meeting was Haley talking about her site and all of the great things that she is doing there. Then, as that discussion was waning, another volunteer, Steve, suggested that the other volunteers talk a little about what they were doing.
It was interesting for me to discover that we all cover very different parts of development and how much work we were all doing together. Haley is a special needs teacher by training, Steve works with ICT, Joanna (the other volunteer) works with HIV/AIDS education and activities, and I focus primarily on infrastructure.
Haley is teaching at both her and Steve's schools; Steve has helped set up computer labs at both Joanna's and Haley's schools (and mine in the near future); Haley and Joanna are going to do an HIV/AIDS workshop at both my and Steve's schools; I'm helping Steve with a bookshelf project; and everyone is learning from my successive failures.
He said "that is music to my ears" when Steve mentioned that from a volunteer's perspective, ICT is severely lacking. There are many discussions going on now about how to better improve the Peace Corps in respect to ICT. One of the biggest and in my opinion most important one is to increase the sharing of information amongst volunteers both within each country and worldwide; all too often volunteers are re-inventing the wheel causing a lot of wasted effort and resources. That is a problem that
I suggested that they add updating the Peace Corps website to the ICT list of things to do. Since the communications director is new and was not responsible for any part of the creation or operation of the existing website she said I could say whatever I wanted about it without fear of reprisal.
Amongst other things, I said that there is very vague and general information for incoming volunteers that doesn't do a good job of describing what Peace Corps actually is. Sometimes prospective volunteers know of someone or knows someone who knows someone who was/is a Peace Corps volunteer and they may send a few e-mails back and forth but that's usually the extent of that relationship. Each post should have their own website with more up-to-date and detailed information about their projects and the post's project goals. Just like universities and colleges there should be not only an incoming/prospective volunteers website but also a current volunteers section.
Other major concerns included an increase in the readjustment allowance-payment accrued to be paid at the completion of service to help us reenter "normal" life-whose rate hasn't changed since 1999, and difficulty in locating money for our projects.
It was a very beneficial meeting-the APCD said "it went swimmingly"-for both Peace Corps Washington and Peace Corps South Africa. I feel very confident that with Mr. Williams in charge, the Peace Corps has a bright future.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A New Concept
Schools in South Africa are very poor. This is not due to a lack of funds but more a misappropriation of funds. Some schools are no-fee schools which means that they don't have to pay the annual R60 (8 USD) for each child attending primary school; secondary school students pay R140/year. This is an extremely small amount of money; even the poorest of the poor should be able to afford this. If a family allocates R3/week to their child's education then that will far exceed the required school fee. Many of them refuse to pay this which I mostly attribute that to a lack of interest in their child's education; most would spend R100+ a week on beer but somehow they can't afford to pay R60 per year.
I have devised a plan to raise the money for the school that the Department of Education should be, but is not, providing to the school. Instead of asking for a once-off payment of R60 a year, we will request R20/term; this will actually bring the annual total to R80/year (but I will steer away from pointing that out). Since my school has approximately 440 learners, that would net R8800/term that can be used for school expenses resulting in an additional R8800 per year for school improvement projects. As the parents see results, hopefully they will realize that a little money goes a long way and they may be willing to contribute more.
Since the funds come from the parents and not from the Department of Education, the parents can play a more direct role in how the money is spent. Each term the parents will vote on initiatives they would like to use the money for. Ideas I have are: a new kitchen, an improved computer lab which can also be used for educating parents, a new class room building, and new learning materials. This approach will bring a constant source of funds into the school providing money to the school to improve children's education.
One of the keys to the success of this initiative is to make sure that the funds are used for what they've been allocated for and not be stolen by corrupt officials. Very easily, people in high places could quietly increase the food and entertainment budget of the educators. I have faith in my principal that she will do the right thing and make sure everything goes in the right places.
The annual parents' meeting will be held at the end of November. At the meeting, my principal, some faculty, and I will be presenting this concept to them. If this initiative passes, Mnyamana stands the chance to become one of the richer poor schools. The parents will also be able to hold their heads high knowing that they had a direct impact on improving the education of their children and themselves. Let's hope that is something that they think is worth R20/term.
I have devised a plan to raise the money for the school that the Department of Education should be, but is not, providing to the school. Instead of asking for a once-off payment of R60 a year, we will request R20/term; this will actually bring the annual total to R80/year (but I will steer away from pointing that out). Since my school has approximately 440 learners, that would net R8800/term that can be used for school expenses resulting in an additional R8800 per year for school improvement projects. As the parents see results, hopefully they will realize that a little money goes a long way and they may be willing to contribute more.
Since the funds come from the parents and not from the Department of Education, the parents can play a more direct role in how the money is spent. Each term the parents will vote on initiatives they would like to use the money for. Ideas I have are: a new kitchen, an improved computer lab which can also be used for educating parents, a new class room building, and new learning materials. This approach will bring a constant source of funds into the school providing money to the school to improve children's education.
One of the keys to the success of this initiative is to make sure that the funds are used for what they've been allocated for and not be stolen by corrupt officials. Very easily, people in high places could quietly increase the food and entertainment budget of the educators. I have faith in my principal that she will do the right thing and make sure everything goes in the right places.
The annual parents' meeting will be held at the end of November. At the meeting, my principal, some faculty, and I will be presenting this concept to them. If this initiative passes, Mnyamana stands the chance to become one of the richer poor schools. The parents will also be able to hold their heads high knowing that they had a direct impact on improving the education of their children and themselves. Let's hope that is something that they think is worth R20/term.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
MST (Mid-Service Training)
Last week I went to MST (Mid-Service Training) which was conveniently about 50 km from my village. This is our 4th training of our service-PST, IST, LST were the first three-and the last before our COS conference next June. The first three focused on the acquisition of skills that would help us better do our jobs. This one was more about reflection: where I felt I was in regards to my projects, my mental and physical well-being and what I planned to do with the few remaining months of my service.
We did an exercise to help us reflect on how we were feeling about being here now. There were several choices: I'm doing what I came here to do; I made a commitment and I'm sticking with it; I'm ready to go home now; I am happy with where I am right now; I am really making a difference in the lives of the people I'm working with, etc. It was really tough to say I felt more with one than the other since I experience all of those mental states often more than one in a day.
Some weeks I sit in my room for several days straight leaving only when I need to use the toilet or throw out water from bathing or cooking. These times I am usually craving the convenience of home: hot shower, large kitchen, cable television, carpeted floors. This often results when I have had a close succession of failures or disappointment.
Some days I wonder why I even bother. I ask someone to do something simple that has the potential to greatly benefit them but they don't do it. I waste 2 hours waiting for people to come to a meeting that they don't show up for but then wait for the next time they see me to explain why they didn't come. An educator tells me they will have something done at a certain time but don't do it until I'm sitting there holding their hand. These days make me crave American efficiency and accountability that makes it so much easier to get things done.
Some days I resent the laziness of the people when they walk up to me and greet me or don't and then ask me for "5 bob" (R.50) to buy sweets (candy) or R2 for a drag (cigarette), or R5 to buy food (which is often requested by someone sitting in a shabeen or tavern drunk holding a beer. I of course can't give them money because then everyone else will ask me for money citing that I gave money to another person so why not them?
All too often I am seen as a walking bag of money because I'm white instead of the person who I am with the qualities I possess. I thought that being white in America made me feel like just another spoke in the wheel who was completely average. Despite many people who know who I am and what I'm here doing, those same people will still say "give me R__". It makes me miss the non-discriminatory beggars in the U.S. who have manners.
Sometimes I'll be laying in my bed or sitting outside just thinking about my day completed thinking, "Wow, I'm in South Africa". I could be in the U.S. working an 8-5 job where I'm performing the same mundane activities day in and day out but I'm not. I am living in a village, sometimes without running water and electricity, learning and experiencing a very different culture. I feel very lucky knowing that few others get this opportunity. These are the days that I really enjoy.
As I navigate the last eleven months of my service and try to "leave my mark" I keep in mind that it is a very short time that I am here. I often crave the convenience and comfort of my previous life. However, I keep in mind that in a few years, I may be sitting in an insulated building with carpets, running water, and dependable electricity, longing for all of the adventure and experience that I gained during my life of inconvenience and discomfort.
We did an exercise to help us reflect on how we were feeling about being here now. There were several choices: I'm doing what I came here to do; I made a commitment and I'm sticking with it; I'm ready to go home now; I am happy with where I am right now; I am really making a difference in the lives of the people I'm working with, etc. It was really tough to say I felt more with one than the other since I experience all of those mental states often more than one in a day.
Some weeks I sit in my room for several days straight leaving only when I need to use the toilet or throw out water from bathing or cooking. These times I am usually craving the convenience of home: hot shower, large kitchen, cable television, carpeted floors. This often results when I have had a close succession of failures or disappointment.
Some days I wonder why I even bother. I ask someone to do something simple that has the potential to greatly benefit them but they don't do it. I waste 2 hours waiting for people to come to a meeting that they don't show up for but then wait for the next time they see me to explain why they didn't come. An educator tells me they will have something done at a certain time but don't do it until I'm sitting there holding their hand. These days make me crave American efficiency and accountability that makes it so much easier to get things done.
Some days I resent the laziness of the people when they walk up to me and greet me or don't and then ask me for "5 bob" (R.50) to buy sweets (candy) or R2 for a drag (cigarette), or R5 to buy food (which is often requested by someone sitting in a shabeen or tavern drunk holding a beer. I of course can't give them money because then everyone else will ask me for money citing that I gave money to another person so why not them?
All too often I am seen as a walking bag of money because I'm white instead of the person who I am with the qualities I possess. I thought that being white in America made me feel like just another spoke in the wheel who was completely average. Despite many people who know who I am and what I'm here doing, those same people will still say "give me R__". It makes me miss the non-discriminatory beggars in the U.S. who have manners.
Sometimes I'll be laying in my bed or sitting outside just thinking about my day completed thinking, "Wow, I'm in South Africa". I could be in the U.S. working an 8-5 job where I'm performing the same mundane activities day in and day out but I'm not. I am living in a village, sometimes without running water and electricity, learning and experiencing a very different culture. I feel very lucky knowing that few others get this opportunity. These are the days that I really enjoy.
As I navigate the last eleven months of my service and try to "leave my mark" I keep in mind that it is a very short time that I am here. I often crave the convenience and comfort of my previous life. However, I keep in mind that in a few years, I may be sitting in an insulated building with carpets, running water, and dependable electricity, longing for all of the adventure and experience that I gained during my life of inconvenience and discomfort.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Why are you so nice to me?
I had a rather eye-opening and disturbing conversation with a girl in my village who was around 13 years old.
A paraphrased version of the conversation:
Girl: Lotjhani Jabulani (hello Jabulani (my South African name))
Me: Yebo Ninjani (Yes, how are you?)
Girl: Sharp, wena unjani ((pronounced 'shop' meaning 'good') and how are you)
Me: Sharp
Girl: Give me 2 up (give me 2 Rand)
Me:No, you give me 2 Rand
As usual, I followed that response with a series of other responses and questions meant to make her think about her request:
You give me 2 Rand today and then I will give you 2 Rand tomorrow. You don't have 2 Rand today? So what would make me believe you'll have 2 Rand tomorrow to pay me back? If you're going to have 2 Rand tomorrow, why don't you just wait until tomorrow? What have you done for me so that you would deserve me giving you 2 Rand? Why do you deserve 2 Rand more than everyone else who asks me for money? If I gave you my money, how would I feed and clothe myself and do my job?
Generally people will get frustrated by this once it has sunk in that they are not going to get money from me and walk away. Instead of just turning and walking away she continued.
Girl: You're so nice to me, why don't you hate me?
Me: Why should I hate you?
Girl: Well, because I'm black
Me: Well, I don't, it takes too much energy to hate people; especially over something so petty as the color of your skin.
I proceeded to explain to her that the color of her skin doesn't determine what she can and can't do. This is, of course, the very reason she assumed that I had money that I might be willing to give her. I think by the end of the conversation she felt more empowered to look beyond the color of her and other's skins and be more optimistic for the future.
The first post-Apartheid election occurred only 15 years ago meaning that a large portion of the current children's parents were directly impacted as young adults by the Apartheid system. Since your beliefs are largely formed in your formative years from those of the adults around you, it's no surprise that some of the kids have developed this set of beliefs. It's a sad reality that a significant portion of the population still has deeply rooted beliefs like this. The sadder thing is that these views are still cultivating in the young minds who are the future of South Africa. Since South Africa is the most democratic sub-Saharan African country and South it wants to be seen as a developed country, hopefully South Africans will make a stronger effort to try and ease racial tensions and move forward instead of being held back by deep-rooted hatred.
A paraphrased version of the conversation:
Girl: Lotjhani Jabulani (hello Jabulani (my South African name))
Me: Yebo Ninjani (Yes, how are you?)
Girl: Sharp, wena unjani ((pronounced 'shop' meaning 'good') and how are you)
Me: Sharp
Girl: Give me 2 up (give me 2 Rand)
Me:No, you give me 2 Rand
As usual, I followed that response with a series of other responses and questions meant to make her think about her request:
You give me 2 Rand today and then I will give you 2 Rand tomorrow. You don't have 2 Rand today? So what would make me believe you'll have 2 Rand tomorrow to pay me back? If you're going to have 2 Rand tomorrow, why don't you just wait until tomorrow? What have you done for me so that you would deserve me giving you 2 Rand? Why do you deserve 2 Rand more than everyone else who asks me for money? If I gave you my money, how would I feed and clothe myself and do my job?
Generally people will get frustrated by this once it has sunk in that they are not going to get money from me and walk away. Instead of just turning and walking away she continued.
Girl: You're so nice to me, why don't you hate me?
Me: Why should I hate you?
Girl: Well, because I'm black
Me: Well, I don't, it takes too much energy to hate people; especially over something so petty as the color of your skin.
I proceeded to explain to her that the color of her skin doesn't determine what she can and can't do. This is, of course, the very reason she assumed that I had money that I might be willing to give her. I think by the end of the conversation she felt more empowered to look beyond the color of her and other's skins and be more optimistic for the future.
The first post-Apartheid election occurred only 15 years ago meaning that a large portion of the current children's parents were directly impacted as young adults by the Apartheid system. Since your beliefs are largely formed in your formative years from those of the adults around you, it's no surprise that some of the kids have developed this set of beliefs. It's a sad reality that a significant portion of the population still has deeply rooted beliefs like this. The sadder thing is that these views are still cultivating in the young minds who are the future of South Africa. Since South Africa is the most democratic sub-Saharan African country and South it wants to be seen as a developed country, hopefully South Africans will make a stronger effort to try and ease racial tensions and move forward instead of being held back by deep-rooted hatred.
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