July Update- "Feel it... it is over!"

We are not sure whether you heard the Moto for the World Cup “Feel it, it is here!” there in Canada- but it was posted all over here and everyone was saying it. Mr. Zondi (an amazingly unique and hilarious man) who is the school driver looked over at a man selling things to drivers through their windows and said- “Feel it, it is over!” So I guess the World Cup is over now. We really had an amazing time experiencing it here- although unfortunately the Netherlands just couldn’t pull through at the end.
So now the students are back to school after a long holiday. In-between watching the soccer games, Caleb and I spent our 5 week holiday doing little projects and visiting friends nearby. We enjoyed setting up the school tuck shop. We (or shall I say Caleb) replaced the ceiling and did repairs while I enjoyed painting it. The first week we ran it and now we are into the fourth week where students are running it themselves. I do the inventory and the students do the selling. It is working great! The steady funds from the tuck shop is really going to help the school. If it keeps up, the funds should cover the salary of at least one teacher. The grade 12’s are also having their class trip so we may also use the tuck shop to help raise funds for events such as this.

During the holidays I was invited to a students home for the weekend. We had a great time and they treated me like a queen. I really enjoyed cooking alongside them and baking- I don’t think I stopped eating for one minute while I was there. The Zulu people really welcome you so much to their home and they want to provide you with everything. Their tradition teaches them that anyone who comes to visit you, you must provide them with at least something to drink when they arrive. No one is suppose to say they came from a Zulu home without at least something to drink. They definitely stick to this, because every Zulu home we enter as soon as we arrive they pour us something to drink and they fill the glass until it is almost running over the top-you literally can hardly even lift it up without spilling it! They are such welcoming people!
Sr. Ursula’s family also welcomed us this way. Before Sr. Ursula returned to Canada she invited us to her home and her extended family home. We had a nice visit with them and they cooked us a traditional meal. It was so nice to visit with Sr. Ursula in her home town.

The beginning of this third term has been a bit rough. Before the holidays began the school sent a warning letter to parents that if school fees are not paid, their child won’t be accepted back to the school until they are. The school is fantastic in providing low school feels for a good education and with government funding lowered and only 30% of parents paying the full amount of school fees it puts the school in a very tight situation. So it was an awkward first day of school as many students were turned away. After 5 weeks many still hadn’t paid their school fees. For the parents who dropped their kids off in a BMW we didn’t feel bad, but those others in difficult situations the Principal dealt with them on a more personal level. We realized here that budgeting is definitely not a strong point among the Zulus. Unfortunately many people seem to only live for the day. Anyways, things are a bit better now, although Caleb and the Principal are still working on the other 10% or so that still haven’t paid.


Mandela’s birthday was in July- 92 years! Many people all over celebrated on this day. Music filled the streets of Mariannhill from the Church as they sang, danced and celebrated all day long.

We were also thrilled to witness the Sardine Run in Durban. Millions of sardines flock to the shore chasing after the cool waters. It is an amazing sight- so many sardines pulled onto the shore! So many people crowded onto the beach to watch, many also holding plastic bags trying to get the scrapes from the fishers nets. People got a little out of control grabbing for the fish even through the nets of the fishers. But all in all awesome to witness!

It has been an extremely busy few months! We really CAN’T believe it is the middle of August! On some of our weekends we have been to a few Nature reserves and I was so excited that we spotted three cheetahs- my favourite animal! The weekend past was a long weekend as it was Women’s Day on the Monday, Caleb and I headed to Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon. We were extremely fortunate and saw all of the big five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino). We had quite a few “too close” encounters with some angry elephants.

Back to the school now…the school recently had a festival (talent show). It was absolutely astounding!! I really can’t express how talented these students are in song, dance, poetry and acting. From Zulu dancing to hip hop dancing, to choir songs, to 1930’s dancing- these students put on an amazing show! Again, we sold snacks and lunch as a fundraiser and it went very well.
The school is conducting some interviews to take over Caleb’s position at the school. The first set of interviews went ok- but not great. So they are still searching. We wanted to find someone 6 months before we left so the transition was really smooth, we can’t believe we only have four months left, so the pressure is really on to find someone.

Well, this update was overdue and now it is getting too long.
Till next time.
Brittany & Caleb