Greetings to all!
So the last you heard was that we were having two weeks school holidays after the first term. We really enjoyed our travels to Cape Town. We took our time and camped our way all down the coast until we reached Cape Town stopping at all the lovely cities and doing some activities along the way. We enjoyed some sea kayaking where we saw hundreds of seals jumping all around our kayak- they were so playful. We did lots of hiking up different mountains along the way (the last one being the famous Table Mountain). Our drive alone was enough of a "trip" as each curve we took(and there were lots- a sign even said...350 more curves and you'll be at "Spar"(grocery store)) had us saying "Oh wow" "so beautiful". The landscape was spectacular, specifically in the Eastern Cape where mountains surrounded us on both sides and little valleys where huts were spread around and cows, goats and sheep roamed freely (even on the highway).
Most of the trip we stayed along the coast but we also made our way inland and enjoyed seeing the hundreds of ostrich farms. We thoroughly enjoyed our ostrich ride (we were shocked how fast the ran with us on!)We climbed through the famous Cango Caves and also enjoyed some sandboarding. We had fun abselining through the forest and down a waterfall, and enjoyed watching people bungie jump from the tallest bungie in the world.
All in all our travels were fantastic and we felt refreshed and ready to being our work again.
The newest things on our plate at St. Francis is helping to organize events such as parents day and sports day. Both which are happening in the next two weeks. Caleb has been busy with these as well as his day to day work. He is also working on how to make things more efficient at the school and also organizing with an German group to come and make some repairs at the Boys Hostel.
Library classes have been going fine for me and with some funds from my friend in Canada I had purchased some new novels. The students are rushing to check to see if other's have finished reading them so they can borrow them next. After school now I have arranged with the Social worker to work at St. Vincent's the Children's home just down the street from St. Francis College. On Monday and Tuesday's I have been doing play therapy with some of the children. The boy Siyanda I have been working with is such a joy! On Wednesday and Thursday's I have been teaching computer lessons to some of the highschool girls there. They are working with Mavis Beacon 8 and doing really well in their typing. Their smiles and giggles make my heart melt.
This weekend is a long weekend as Tuesday is "Freedom Day" and so the students are allowed to go home and school resumes on Wedesday. Caleb and I are using this time to do some work at the school and to visit with some youth around here. This afternoon we are taking two boys from St. Vincent's along with us to go to two Rugby games in Durban.
The weather has cooled down here now I think the "winter" has begun. It is about 23 today and overcast, but it is amazing how quickly we have adjusted, and I can't help but wear my sweater on a day like today.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
March 22, 2010
It is already nearing the end of March. We can’t believe how fast the weeks are going by. We are continuously busy at the school as we draw near to the two-week school holidays which start on Thursday of this week. The last three weeks at St. Francis College Brittany and I have been finishing the book orders and ensuring all of the students have books, notebooks, and pens. We hope that next year the students will be able to have these things ready for them when they arrive in January. Brittany was also taking over the computer classes as the Austrian volunteer has been getting over some stomach problems. Brittany noticed a grade 8 student that had artistic skill in MS paint unlike anyone else. He had drawn a car with amazing precision...all the other kids would leave their computer to watch him create his masterpiece. Brittany has also met a young boy with some impressive ideas on how to make a difference in the political scene in South Africa. We have come across some really amazing students that seem very determined to succeed at what they do.
In the office, I have been heavily involved in reporting the financials to management of the school and resolving the many issues that the last Financial Manager has left for me. Our ‘Accounts’ department has been working hard doing the entries for the statements that will be sent out before the students go home on Thursday. From what I understand, this will be the first time in a year that the parents will receive a statement showing their balances. I have also been sorting out the issues stemming from the Boys Boarding Hostel, a Bookshop, and a Uniform shop. We have been working long days for the past two weeks but will be enjoying our holiday as we will be heading to Capetown.
The last few weekends we have gone to the surrounding area. One weekend we went to the Moses Mabida Stadium where we will be watching the Netherlands in about three months. We walked up the 550 steps of the arch that overlooks the city and the soccer pitch below. When we got to the bottom, we left our guide for about two minutes to get a picture on the pitch. By the time we reached the goal posts security was yelling at us to get off. The next weekend we when to Port Shepstone, a town known for their banana’s and fish. We went with a local couple we met and enjoyed a night for ‘newlyweds.’ The church there was starting a monthly meeting for young couples to meet. The next day we went to Durban once more to enjoy the beach. We couldn’t believe the amount of ‘blue bottle jellyfish’ found washed on the beach. They are small and camouflage well in the ocean. We talked to someone at a surf shop who told us that everyone he took out in the morning had been stung. We decided to try surfing another day. That week we also received a red Classic VW Beatle thanks to Nerds-on-Site. (thanks Uncle Charlie).
Last weekend we went about an hours drive to visit a seminarian Brittany has known since her last visit. He showed us the area of Howick with its falls and gorges. The area had a school for seminarians with communities from different orders around it. We met seminarians from all over Africa and enjoyed a few ‘Braii’s’ (BBQ) with them. We enjoyed hearing their different stories and socializing with them. This last weekend we went about 20minutes to find some gorges and falls in Kloof. Wherever we go there seems to be beautiful views, cliffs, and waterfalls. There are some pictures attached of our adventures.
Cheers,
Caleb and Britttany
In the office, I have been heavily involved in reporting the financials to management of the school and resolving the many issues that the last Financial Manager has left for me. Our ‘Accounts’ department has been working hard doing the entries for the statements that will be sent out before the students go home on Thursday. From what I understand, this will be the first time in a year that the parents will receive a statement showing their balances. I have also been sorting out the issues stemming from the Boys Boarding Hostel, a Bookshop, and a Uniform shop. We have been working long days for the past two weeks but will be enjoying our holiday as we will be heading to Capetown.
The last few weekends we have gone to the surrounding area. One weekend we went to the Moses Mabida Stadium where we will be watching the Netherlands in about three months. We walked up the 550 steps of the arch that overlooks the city and the soccer pitch below. When we got to the bottom, we left our guide for about two minutes to get a picture on the pitch. By the time we reached the goal posts security was yelling at us to get off. The next weekend we when to Port Shepstone, a town known for their banana’s and fish. We went with a local couple we met and enjoyed a night for ‘newlyweds.’ The church there was starting a monthly meeting for young couples to meet. The next day we went to Durban once more to enjoy the beach. We couldn’t believe the amount of ‘blue bottle jellyfish’ found washed on the beach. They are small and camouflage well in the ocean. We talked to someone at a surf shop who told us that everyone he took out in the morning had been stung. We decided to try surfing another day. That week we also received a red Classic VW Beatle thanks to Nerds-on-Site. (thanks Uncle Charlie).
Last weekend we went about an hours drive to visit a seminarian Brittany has known since her last visit. He showed us the area of Howick with its falls and gorges. The area had a school for seminarians with communities from different orders around it. We met seminarians from all over Africa and enjoyed a few ‘Braii’s’ (BBQ) with them. We enjoyed hearing their different stories and socializing with them. This last weekend we went about 20minutes to find some gorges and falls in Kloof. Wherever we go there seems to be beautiful views, cliffs, and waterfalls. There are some pictures attached of our adventures.
Cheers,
Caleb and Britttany
February 25, 2010
Well it has been another busy, exciting, and eventful few weeks here.
As far as the weather goes, we are still sweating buckets here. After a few days of intense humidity, we usually go to sleep with some roaring thunderstorms- very cool to watch.
The Austrian computer teacher who is also a volunteer was taking some holidays, but has now returned so I am no longer teaching in the computer room.
Booksellers after being paid, have finally arrived with the much overdue books for the students. In between library classes, I am counting, sorting and handing out the books to students with another lady recently employed from Zimbabwe.
Caleb’s work is non-stop. So I have been also helping in the office. The auditor for the school has been more than helpful and has begun to get the school back on track. The year end for 2008, 2009 and organizing this 2010 year is still underway, but at least most of the papers have now been found and somewhat put in a file according to their years.
Caleb has organized everything just in time and teacher and staff salaries have been processed this week.
The student’s smiles and questions about Canada are cute, and often hilarious. I keep telling them…no I don’t see or know celebrities! I think they think if you are anywhere near United States you will see celebrities.
I have also enjoyed speaking and hearing from past students that I taught computers to 5 years ago.
The students had their first free weekend of the year, where they are allowed to leave the hostel and go home to visit. They were thrilled and came back Monday saying it wasn’t long enough of a visit.
The students are also trying to bear the heat. Many teachers take their classes outside to sit and learn where they can get a bit of a breeze. I see many students in the library practically being put to sleep with such heat.
On the weekends, we have enjoyed going to the beach. No matter how nervous I may be about getting another jellyfish sting, the heat gives me no choice but to enjoy a swim in the ocean.
Love,
Caleb and Brittany
As far as the weather goes, we are still sweating buckets here. After a few days of intense humidity, we usually go to sleep with some roaring thunderstorms- very cool to watch.
The Austrian computer teacher who is also a volunteer was taking some holidays, but has now returned so I am no longer teaching in the computer room.
Booksellers after being paid, have finally arrived with the much overdue books for the students. In between library classes, I am counting, sorting and handing out the books to students with another lady recently employed from Zimbabwe.
Caleb’s work is non-stop. So I have been also helping in the office. The auditor for the school has been more than helpful and has begun to get the school back on track. The year end for 2008, 2009 and organizing this 2010 year is still underway, but at least most of the papers have now been found and somewhat put in a file according to their years.
Caleb has organized everything just in time and teacher and staff salaries have been processed this week.
The student’s smiles and questions about Canada are cute, and often hilarious. I keep telling them…no I don’t see or know celebrities! I think they think if you are anywhere near United States you will see celebrities.
I have also enjoyed speaking and hearing from past students that I taught computers to 5 years ago.
The students had their first free weekend of the year, where they are allowed to leave the hostel and go home to visit. They were thrilled and came back Monday saying it wasn’t long enough of a visit.
The students are also trying to bear the heat. Many teachers take their classes outside to sit and learn where they can get a bit of a breeze. I see many students in the library practically being put to sleep with such heat.
On the weekends, we have enjoyed going to the beach. No matter how nervous I may be about getting another jellyfish sting, the heat gives me no choice but to enjoy a swim in the ocean.
Love,
Caleb and Brittany
February 14, 2010
Sanibonani,
So it is our third week and we thought we would update you all again. First, we want to rub it in that it is about 35 degrees outside (although with the humidity it is a bit unbearable). We are settling in to the guest house and getting to know all of the staff at the high school now. The kitchen staff and cleaning staff at both places are helping us with our Zulu. I wasn't sure about all the monkey stories Brittany told me, but about a week ago we had a monkey on our balcony (4 stories high) using our railing as a toilet. We tried taking a picture, but we scared it off.
As far as the work goes, Brittany is still busy with the library and has recently taken over the computer classes as Jacob (Austrian volounteer) has left for a couple weeks. She is also helping me out in the book shop and the accounting department. After my first week in the book shop an employee was let go in the accounting department. She had countless responsibilities at the school so myself and a newly hired lady from Zimbabwe are sorting through things. Not only do we have to sort through the mounds of paper scattered throughout the office, but we are also trying to prepare things for an auditor and make sure that the accounts are paid. It seemed a little overwhelming at first because of the quickly approaching deadlines (i.e water, hydro, ect..), but we are gettting through it. The book shop is still part of our responsibility, but Brittany is making sure the students received the textbooks that have arrived while I am ordering the others in. With the high employee turnover at the school and the complexities of sorting things out at the beginning of the school year we are very busy right now. But we are really enjoying the variety of work and helping out as much as we can.
In our down time, we have arranged to start working at the St. Vincents Childrens Home to teach computer lessons to the kids there. We have also been touring Pinetown and Durban to get to know the area a little better. We haven't been back to Durban since our first swim in the ocean. Brittany got stung by a jelly fish after spending about 10min in the water. It has left a good mark behind her knee and the surfers came up to her saying the common Afrikaans phrase "Shame Man"
The local taxi system has been fun and is always interesting, but we are looking into purchasing a car to make travelling a little easier. And the best news of all.....my FIFA ticket application was accepted. I have 3 tickets to Japan/Holland game in June!!. I have 3 tickets...first one down here is welcome to come with (haha) But we will probably enjoy taking a local person with us to the game
We hope to send some pictures in our next update.
Caleb and Brittany
So it is our third week and we thought we would update you all again. First, we want to rub it in that it is about 35 degrees outside (although with the humidity it is a bit unbearable). We are settling in to the guest house and getting to know all of the staff at the high school now. The kitchen staff and cleaning staff at both places are helping us with our Zulu. I wasn't sure about all the monkey stories Brittany told me, but about a week ago we had a monkey on our balcony (4 stories high) using our railing as a toilet. We tried taking a picture, but we scared it off.
As far as the work goes, Brittany is still busy with the library and has recently taken over the computer classes as Jacob (Austrian volounteer) has left for a couple weeks. She is also helping me out in the book shop and the accounting department. After my first week in the book shop an employee was let go in the accounting department. She had countless responsibilities at the school so myself and a newly hired lady from Zimbabwe are sorting through things. Not only do we have to sort through the mounds of paper scattered throughout the office, but we are also trying to prepare things for an auditor and make sure that the accounts are paid. It seemed a little overwhelming at first because of the quickly approaching deadlines (i.e water, hydro, ect..), but we are gettting through it. The book shop is still part of our responsibility, but Brittany is making sure the students received the textbooks that have arrived while I am ordering the others in. With the high employee turnover at the school and the complexities of sorting things out at the beginning of the school year we are very busy right now. But we are really enjoying the variety of work and helping out as much as we can.
In our down time, we have arranged to start working at the St. Vincents Childrens Home to teach computer lessons to the kids there. We have also been touring Pinetown and Durban to get to know the area a little better. We haven't been back to Durban since our first swim in the ocean. Brittany got stung by a jelly fish after spending about 10min in the water. It has left a good mark behind her knee and the surfers came up to her saying the common Afrikaans phrase "Shame Man"
The local taxi system has been fun and is always interesting, but we are looking into purchasing a car to make travelling a little easier. And the best news of all.....my FIFA ticket application was accepted. I have 3 tickets to Japan/Holland game in June!!. I have 3 tickets...first one down here is welcome to come with (haha) But we will probably enjoy taking a local person with us to the game
We hope to send some pictures in our next update.
Caleb and Brittany
January 27, 2010
Sawubona!
Sorry for the delay in writing you all. We have arrived safely. It was a long journey but somehow (I suppose our excitement) we were up early the next morning after arriving late the night before. So we began our work Monday morning at St. Francis High School.
So far it has been a busy start. Caleb has been working in the bookshop organizing the stationary and books and handing it to the over 600 students. I have been busy in the library making library cards for the students and organizing the books that were found after last year in the hostels, as well as doing some typing for some teachers.
So far, our week one has been busy and always exciting.
I have really enjoyed meeting again all the familiar faces I have missed over the last five years. The smiles of the students, their unbelievable singing and their politeness is so refreshing to see. One student has already called me her mom. The students are surprised I am married (I am sure the girls wished Caleb was available!) they assure me that I have made a good choice with him.
We enjoy spending our evenings after work playing cards with the other two volunteers from Austria. And of course watching the vervet monkey’s jumping from tree to tree behind the guesthouse where we stay.
We have seen most of Mariannhill compound now. A trip to the two farms here is still needed. We visited the Children’s Home and plans are in the making to help out there in the evenings as well, tutoring and teaching computer lessons. So much to look forward to!
This weekend we shall head to Pinetown and Durban and check out some of the surrounding area.
Everything here in South Africa is about FIFA already. They count down every day. The country is literally stopping for this event. The schools will all close for about 5 weeks during this time.
We thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts.
Love Caleb and Brittany
Sorry for the delay in writing you all. We have arrived safely. It was a long journey but somehow (I suppose our excitement) we were up early the next morning after arriving late the night before. So we began our work Monday morning at St. Francis High School.
So far it has been a busy start. Caleb has been working in the bookshop organizing the stationary and books and handing it to the over 600 students. I have been busy in the library making library cards for the students and organizing the books that were found after last year in the hostels, as well as doing some typing for some teachers.
So far, our week one has been busy and always exciting.
I have really enjoyed meeting again all the familiar faces I have missed over the last five years. The smiles of the students, their unbelievable singing and their politeness is so refreshing to see. One student has already called me her mom. The students are surprised I am married (I am sure the girls wished Caleb was available!) they assure me that I have made a good choice with him.
We enjoy spending our evenings after work playing cards with the other two volunteers from Austria. And of course watching the vervet monkey’s jumping from tree to tree behind the guesthouse where we stay.
We have seen most of Mariannhill compound now. A trip to the two farms here is still needed. We visited the Children’s Home and plans are in the making to help out there in the evenings as well, tutoring and teaching computer lessons. So much to look forward to!
This weekend we shall head to Pinetown and Durban and check out some of the surrounding area.
Everything here in South Africa is about FIFA already. They count down every day. The country is literally stopping for this event. The schools will all close for about 5 weeks during this time.
We thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts.
Love Caleb and Brittany
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