A Wandering Sole

Voices of a South African Village

// November 2nd, 2011 // 4 Comments » // South Africa

Hi Ta Hlula Voices: Huntington Youth Choir

A job may have been my avenue for going to Africa, but it wasn’t the driving force. I didn’t choose the job with a minor detail being “Located in South Africa”. I chose the job because it was located in South Africa. I love Africa for it’s beautiful landscapes and warm-hearted people, and I love to contribute what skills and ideas I might have for the betterment of others’ livelihood. Though my colleague and I stayed busy in the village with our students, when we were approached by the local youth choir to assist in their marketing efforts, we agreed. (more…)

Blyde River Canyon

// September 23rd, 2011 // 4 Comments » // South Africa

Snapshot from the car as we approach the canyon

Blyde River Canyon is the second largest canyon in Africa (after Fish River Canyon in Namibia) and one of the largest in the world. Located in the Mpumalanga region of South Africa, it was a short drive from our villages. We took our students here on their final excursion for the summer just a week before leaving South Africa. The canyon offers so many great activities, from hiking, kloofing, and whitewater rafting, to a scenic boat ride, just to name a few. (more…)

This One Time, I Kissed a Hippo

// August 23rd, 2011 // 12 Comments » // South Africa

Jessica likes sweet tea

I never thought I would use the words kiss and hippo in the same sentence. But as Justin Bieber has taught me.. never say never! (I know it was cheesy to throw out a Justin Bieber line, but cheesy very much characterizes what you are about to witness.) (more…)

Montage Monday: African Safari in Luxury

// August 15th, 2011 // 14 Comments » // South Africa

One of the perks of my summer job was a safari in South Africa. And this wasn’t just any safari… we’re talking a five-star safari that I will probably never go on again unless I win the lottery. We spent two evenings on a private game reserve at Thornybush and went on four game drives. Our drivers and trackers assigned to us were amazing, and I can’t say enough good things about this place. (more…)

Random Things I’ve Done in South Africa

// July 31st, 2011 // 9 Comments » // South Africa

My internet sucks. You can’t do a safari post without photos, and the internet isn’t my friend at the moment. So instead of hearing about my amazing and luxurious safari, you’re going to have to settle on second best: a random list of things I’ve done in my 8 weeks of living in rural South Africa!

1. Visited the fantastic Apartheid Museum, which has been on my to do list since 2006
2. On my fourth safari in Africa, I finally saw leopards!
3. Made a local mat called a sangu by weaving plastic string tied to old, eroded batteries through pieces of straw (okay, okay, so my granny did half the work).
4. Watched WWE wrestling like it was the greatest fake sport ever and followed a local soap religiously
5. Pee’d in a bucket
6. Sat in on a community meeting as the village chief told the crowd not to ‘touch our breasts’.
7. Participated in a kudu poop spitting contest. (Not to toot my own horn, but I was pretty good.)
8. Shot video footage of a local choir to be used for promotional material in landing gigs at nearby game lodges.
9. Debated many a topic surrounding social business & aid in Africa.
10. Battled another staph infection, which I’m beginning to think is some recurring African mystery disease.
11. Attended a night vigil for one of the many funerals that took place in the village.
12. Danced with the locals while they were performing for paying tourists. I did this a lot actually since it takes place across from my house where the chief lives. I know I ruined many a tourist experience when they saw a mulungu (white person) saunter over to the party.
13. Shared the wonderful world of funfetti cake with my homestay family.
14. Watched the most amazing sunsets and sunrises.
15. Kissed a hippo. Yes, they kill more people than any other animal in Africa.

I will be taking a two-week hiatus from blogging since my internet access will be limited until I leave South Africa. It’s good timing anyhow, because I have people to see and places to go before making my exodus from the village in 10 days!

Dead Aid: Thoughts on Development

// July 29th, 2011 // 9 Comments » // South Africa

My sisters and cousins practice their math flash cards I made for them

Working in the field rather than in an office is rewarding. It’s hands on, always changing, and exciting. But… it’s also very exhausting mentally. Trying to synthesize all of the information I’ve gathered about a new culture while trying to develop business strategies is challenging to do in just seven weeks. One of issues we discuss the most is the idea of development and our role as an outsider. If we assume that monetary aid isn’t the answer, then what is? These are just a few thoughts and stories from over the weeks. (more…)

Women Rule the Roost

// July 25th, 2011 // 6 Comments » // South Africa

Party of Five

I had more family photos for this post, however the internet is not cooperating. I hope to post more next time!

Estrogen runs high here in my Huntington household. My co-advisor and I live with a grandmother and her twin granddaughters, making us a house of five women. Our closest friends in the village are our female cousins. I have no idea how lucky I got, but I don’t think I could have found a more perfect family. And the irony is that I got to choose all of the homestays for my students, but when I arrived my homestay had already been decided. Considering I’ve been in the village for well over a month, I figured it was time to write about family! (more…)

Wednesdays are for Wrestling

// July 13th, 2011 // 11 Comments » // South Africa

Courtesy of cthoyes

We arrived in the village on a Wednesday. After taking a really long time to cook pasta (because we weren’t experts yet on how to make water boil here) I decided to join my family in the living room. (more…)

Challenges & Celebrations

// July 10th, 2011 // 10 Comments » // South Africa

The "challenge" on my birthday in Hawaii

This morning was a struggle. I woke up angry, went for a run to clear my mind, and didn’t feel much better. I had a meeting to go to this morning to resolve issues that are the root of my frustration, and I arrived a few minutes early. I sat down in the field by the dam, and though it was windy, I had a moment to myself to enjoy it. I have some type of meeting here on a daily basis, but I have yet to just go there for my own down time. Reality is, I really haven’t had much down time. I made a conscious note that I had to come back just to lay in the grass and read a book some day soon. I flipped open my journal with five minutes to spare before my students arrived for the meeting. I dated the page as I always do. 10 July 2011. The eve of my birthday. (more…)

Mati: The hot topic in the village

// July 8th, 2011 // 6 Comments » // South Africa

Mati is the Shangaan word for water.

Water is a huge issue in the village. Huntington has four boreholes, which is not enough to support the village. There are more boreholes in the village, but apparently the pumps have been stolen to the rest of them. There are water taps throughout the village- our water tap by our house supports 15 families. The taps are a fascinating place to people watch on water day. Our water is turned on three times during a two-week period. It takes all day to collect water. (more…)