blog 6 - catch up

Blog 6.

I want to catch up with what’s been happening since last blog entry. 

The days seem to melt into each other and before I know it a week has gone.  I thought life would slow down when I got here, but alas that hasn’t happened, its going faster.

So Saturday 12^th was as hot as hades, about 100 in the waterbag. And now this Saturday was about 17.   Is this sounding familiar???    Just my luck -  the weather here is changeable too. And of course I shouldn’t complain because there is lots of relief from the heat at this time of the year.   And summer is just around the corner. 

I need some hang out at home trackies here.  Of course I got rid of that part of my wardrobe before leaving OZ, and now I live 2 hours from a decent shopping area.  Oh well.   I’ll just have to suck it up….  Because I went to town last week and there are no tackies to be found – wrong time of the year for that shopping.

So the sewing days this week – 14^th – 16^th.  Was not a good one.  Two machines had to go to the fixit man in Manzini and Daran was not happy.  Both machines where left from other ladies who are no longer part of the group and therefore the organisation had to pick up the cost of repairs.  

So with 2 machines down, 3 new ladies decided to choose this time to introduce themselves and let me know that they are the replacements for the ones no longer here.   One lady, Ellenah, has her own machine, not in good nick and she does not speak or understand English or simplified commands.  WOW – just one of my challenges.   I am discovering there are limitations to my illustration skills and putting a pin where you want them to sew does not work.   They will sew either side, and maybe they think they have to avoid the pin or break a needle.   When will I be able to talk enough SiSwati to give good instructions ???   probably in 2 years time. !!

The next new one whose name is  -  Nonhlanhle -   she is a natural. !!!!   WOW -  was I excited.  She speaks and understands English and has a great attitude to learning and cannot work hard enough.  She has shown me her perfectionism already.  Unpicks things quietly if it does meet her own standards.  A few more like her would be fabulous, but then I would not have much to do.   Hahahahaha

The third lady -  I cannot even remember her name, but I do remember that I could not get my tongue or teeth to work right.  So I need to discreetly ask for a repeat and practice before I run into her again.

With our new purchase of fabrics I spent some time on the weekend cutting out some of the bags that they have been making.    When they started to sew I quickly realised that what they have previously learnt, and the best way to sew this bag, are very different.  I watched in amazement at some of the sewing skills being applied and watched in horror at others.   By the end of day 1 I was exhausted.  Day 2 more of the same and at the insistence of Teresa, who wanted the ladies to make a particular pyjama pants pattern that seems to be trendy in the ‘states’.  So I thought we would give it  go. 

This was about lesson No. 6 for me -  don’t try anything new on mass !!!   just do it as a single and get everyone to watch. 

The pyjamas were a disaster.  1 out of 6 was acceptable.  I was most concerned about the waste of fabric that is not easy to get.   As a result we are going to advertise for any unwanted fabric to be donated so we can use it for training and learning purposes.   I know where there are tubs of fabric in storage !!!!

One of the ladies, Kumbuzile,  I call her Koombooz.  She is very quiet and sits and sews and doesn’t chatter to much like the others,  a quiet achiever, she has only one eye that works – not sure how much though and is a culprit of not sewing where the pin is placed.  The ladies are encouraging her to learn to speak some English, and so she is inclined to repeat what I say. 

Last Monday I was telling the ladies I would not be seeing them until the following Monday as I had to go to Mbabane.

After our class I often give Kumbuz and Rose a lift to the nearest corner for them.  I had only Kumbuz this Monday and she loves to sit in the front – if Rose is there she is relegated to the back seat as Rose would not be able to get in or out of the back of my  GSV.

I stopped at the corner and KumBuz, gets out   -   and in her best Ozzie accent says -    “see ya Munday”     I didn’t know what to do or say -  I was laughing so much at her strine accent.  She copies me parrot fashion.

When I got control of myself I replied,  “humba kahle”  that means go well.  She went off with a big smile on her dial.   See it’s the quiet ones you’ve gotta watch.

Now I have to be careful with my words and polish up my pronunciations a little.

So I headed into the city on Tuesday morning,  it had been raining for 4 days, not heavy, thankfully, as I have 14 kms of dirt / mud to navigate to reach the sealed roads, I did , a few mud skates in places, but got there without too much drama just a very muddy little GSV.

The new volunteer who was supposed to be with us at departure, had finally arrived and so we were doing some of the orientation things together, like the visit to the UN office for more talks on security, then to the medical centre for  a check to ensure that we are not idiots.   The form is to be signed by the GP and attached to our application for Temporary Resident Permit.  I have now been in Africa for 6 weeks and this was to done within 4 weeks from arrival,  so I may be home soon.  The other requirement for being in town was to do the first Assignment monitor and evaluation discussion with my employers and AVI officer.   Very typical govt red tape stuff.    The biggest concern was that I am only teaching for 3 days a week and what do I do on the other 2 days.

As this assignment is full time we need to come up with justification for the 2 days.  I have given Daran a list of what I do and when etc. and he will add others things as he feels necessary, like communicating with his other staff who look after the health of the people I am teaching as most of them either have HIV/AIDS or are exposed to it.    Sadly the country officer doesn’t use reality when assessing things, and gets heavily involved with the jargonistic political correctness and always choosing the longest and most convoluted way of addressing a question or statement.  Like I just tied to do.!!  Daran kept asking her to put this into simple language – I  love him!

That meeting went for 2.5 hours and commenced an hour late due to the country officer, who being Swazi is allowed to be ate, but we are not.  I have noted that Teresa and Daran are practicing to be Swazi in this regard.  So I have decided that I will give it a go too.

We finished the meeting at 5.30 and then raced up the hill to the home of Teresa and Daran to pick up some old curtains that can be used for their office in Vuvulane or sued for training purposes. I was asked to stay for dinner and so did and helped to cook spag bol.   Very different !   after dinner they host a family fellowship, I stayed for this and it turned out to be a very good idea.  One of the ladies arrived with the biggest and the yummiest cake ever.   She has now been given the task of cake provision every week.   The people were all fabulous, very friendly and welcoming.  There was a couple from NZ who have been in Swaziland for 2 years and have just been told that their 3^rd year has been cancelled.  They are now leaving early in December and returning to NZ via Australia.   I just happened to have with me one of the bags that the ladies are making and it was the first with some good changes and it looked fabulous.  Well Sharon wanted to buy it.  They have selling for E120  (which is about $13) because of the changes made to the bag I said E150.  She not only bought that one, but another that Teresa had purchased for a friend.   I sold 2 bags!   I was so excited and can’t wait to tell the ladies.

Sharon asked if she could have 50 bags before she departs to take with her to sell.    YAY !!!  our first commission.   WOW.   I have about 20 cut out already to start.  I have also designed a small bag that is most suitable for travellers to hold passport, cash, glasses – the things you need to have ready access to and keep securely.   I requested opinions from people I met and other vollies and will re-design before we go into production.  I use one for myself now and I love it for when I go shopping. 

I went shopping with Penny before leaving Mbabane and it was very pleasant, she is a great person and I have secured a place at her home whenever I am in town.

I arrived back at my palace about 5.30 on Thursday and fund that I have now secured a gardener.   What a miracle transformation.  He is a lovely young man, so polite and friendly.  He had cut down all the dead branches, cleared around the trees where there was 3 feet high grasses etc.    Teresa and Daran had arrived behind me to pick up the ‘couch’   it has now gone to its new home.

I noticed that Nomsa had done washing ad was still cleaning my house,  I walked in to find the kitchen covered in dead bees. .   – so the story goes -  the gardener had disturbed a hive in the garden, i.e. he chopped down the part of the tree that housed them, and of course they were in search of a new home.   The ones that got into the house couldn’t get out and got caught in the mosquito net and that was the end of them.  Pretty powerful netting.   I then found that they were making their new home in the roof space and the drone from inside the house was very audible.

My gardeners name is Mcoze,  he is familiar with bees and understands their behaviour.  He said he would smoke them out at night when they were quiet.   Around 8.30 he arrived with a piece of rubber from a tyre that was alight and he was holding that in front of the small hole they were using to access the roof space.  He was not sure how would it would work and would check in the morning. 

Well they appeared to be quiet,   later in the day I heard an incredible swarming sound and noticed that they were all in the mango tree and only the occasional 1 or 2  near the eaves.   A little later another swarming and now I don’t where they have gone to.    I thought of all the honey in the roof space – YUM. 

Well it’s now Sunday 27^th and I am up to date.

Before I sign off I must tell that I found short life – real fresh milk in Mbabane and have filled the freezer.

Next week I am going to Lesotho for an AVI in-country meeting of the volunteers from Swaziland and Lesotho – about 20 of us in total.  Staying at www.malealea.co.ls

Georgie **

the entrance to Mananga college where I live, my view on the way to work and Me at the Simunye Country Club 13th Oct.

my first day at my new job

Blog 5. 

my first day at my new job.

I was well warned about Swazi time

If they say an hour expect a day

If they say a day – expect a week

If they say a week expect a month etc.

Now we had agreed that the classes would be Monday – Wednesday  9am – 3pm     Yebo?   That means yes

I turned up at 9.  Not a sewing person in sight and of course that meant no one’s veranda had been prepared, so I continued to drive the GSV  (Georgie’s Swazi Vehicle) to Janes place. A whole 100m.

Jane was still doing her daily routine – breakfast and getting Sister ready to go the care point for the day. (I take  it that care point is something like a day care service)  I will go with Jane next week to see what it is all about.

I tried to stay out of her way while she continued with her chores and patiently wait for others to appear. 

Next to arrive was Ncane -  don’t try to say this alone- it could cause problems.   She is also known as Make Maseko -  (instruction:  Make is pronounced ‘margay’ and it means a mature or married lady) and it is then followed by the last name.   I am called Sister Georgine  (not with an ‘a’) as Make Whitchurch is as strange to them as some sounds are to me.

Ncane was the original teacher of the group about 3 years ago.  She has been invited to come in for a while to answer any questions I may have. 

Slowly about 7 people turned up, and the latest was about 10.30.  Some are not sewing persons but were interested to find out what was going on -  read a bit further and you will understand this!

My plan for the day was to establish what supplies they have and don’t have – what is needed etc.  That was the easy part – they have no fabric!!  One pair of scissors that chew rather than cut, a few pins, some poor quality threads,  what is a tape measure?  What are patterns? Where are the templates for the things you make?   Did I mention they have been without a teacher/leader for over 8 months and so nothing was being done by them because there was nobody to do it for them.    Yes! It also became obvious that the person with them prior to me, made them all very dependent on her. 

Once I established that a shopping spree was in need they all had a reason for having to go to Manzini -  that was so they could get a lift rather than taking the bus.  I’m learning fast not to commit to any of these types of demands. And the easiest way is not to tell them what I am doing or where I am going.  Don’t get me wrong – I am not opposed to giving someone a lift if they genuinely have a need to be going in the same direction as me.

So plan B  for Monday was to see what they could do with a make shift lesson in being creative.  I had taken with me the roll of black plastic rubbish bags ( left over from my shower curtain)  and a bunch of crochet hooks – I had been told they either can crochet / or had been taught earlier in the year.  They were very puzzled about the ‘material’  they were to use and couldn’t quite get it!!!.  However for me it gave a good indication of who would jump outside their comfort zone and who would not.  So I’ve got some measure of them.  

As fast as I could cut the plastic into strips about 2cms wide they were crocheting round or square items.  No pattern – just a few stitches allowed and make your own pattern from this.  There was lots of cutting from me. And lots of laughs coming from the ladies -  as I don’t understand SiSwati – they could have been taking the ……….out of me .  -  who is this mad woman ?   making us crochet with this stuff?   It didn’t matter, at least they were happy and it filled several hours without any difficulty.  One lady who is not of the group, but interested, was left handed and try as I may I could not explain to her what to do, so I asked her to watch me from the front and try to copy.  She eventually got going, but with the most unusual style of crochet I have ever seen.  

Day one ended about 2.30 and with the instruction that tomorrow we are starting at 9.30 and we are going to use the material suitable for toddler size dresses and we are going to make a dress.

I got home and jumped into the shower with my clothes still on, put the plug in the bath and then after washing me and my hair I washed my clothes. While going through the supply bags all sorts of things were jumping out and for most of the day there appeared to be flying critters everywhere.

Day 2.   I arrived again at 9.30.   and you guessed it!!!!    What is SSDD ? -   Same stuff Different Day.

No one there, veranda not ready.  Jane unfortunately gets lumbered with all the organising of others.  I’m planning on working on personal responsibilities -   good luck with that - I tell myself.

Jane and I cleaned the veranda and got the fabric out of the supply bag along with a horde of critters quite happy to escape again.  We discussed fabric and pattern selection and I asked Jane to do the cutting.   She is probably the most skilled of all.  Rose then arrived and so we cut another lot for her.  Jane was off to a good start as her machine is well cared for and didn’t need any fixing, cleaning or jiggling.  Rose has her machine at her place which is not at Section 19 and so she was borrowing a machine.  It was not in good nick and she fiddled and oiled and cleaned and then got going, sort of.  A short while later Kumbuzi arrived and also wanted to make a dress.  So another cut out and repeated instructions.  Kumbuzi also lives elsewhere and had to borrow a machine.  After a little more of the same, number 3 was in the race.   I was sitting with Jane to give her the instruction for the next step and along came Kunyasili, and not to be ignored for long, she put a bundle of material in my lap and patted my knee to let me know she was ready for my undivided attention. 

Pretty soon number 4 was in the race -      not Melbourne cup contenders. . . . but we had something going – as like most people anywhere – there are competitive ones. . . 

I was hopping from one to the other with a series of instructions because they were all at different stages all day.   It was interesting though -  Jane, the most skilled, but low confidence, Rose the most confident, but loves drama. Kumbuzi the quiet achiever, with a vision problem and cannot see to measure a seam allowance and Kunyasili needing all the attention.

By 3 o’clock I was knackered and noticed a few silly mistakes happening.  We were making a very simple small person dress and clearly they were doing things they were not familiar with. I suggested we pack up and continue the next day. 

No surprises here – they requested a 10am start on Wednesday. 

I arrived at 10.15   I was hoping to catch them ready - but alas I will never be disappointed by these women, because there’s just no stress.  Jane had the fire going in the corner of her veranda and was cooking Maize on the cob.  Obviously not breakfast, based of the time, but because the maize was there to be cooked.  That’s just how it is.  It is cooked leaning up against hot coals/ash and sort of smoked.  We all ate one and it was pretty tasty- I thought of introducing butter, salt and pepper, but ate it their way.  Rose had arrived, so it was the three of us sitting on the edge of the veranda eating when a youngish male came by with my first offer of marriage.  I think it was the GSV that did it.   I told him not to get excited, I’m not the marrying kind and I don’t cook or clean or do washing all of which of course is a woman’s job in their culture.   OH hang on a minute that’s about the same as where I have been for the last 40 hears.   He was not put off, but we all had a good laugh, and there are no wedding plans.

I want to describe the building style here.   If you think of a square about 20 ft or so.  Half of this is the veranda and the other half is divided into half again and becomes two rooms that open onto the veranda.  The rooms are the living, sleeping and storage place for a family, regardless of size.

One end of the veranda is open the other is concrete block wall that creates a 3 sided enclosure where fires are lit for cooking.  Some of these are left to smoulder all day and reignited every time there is a need to heat something.  The people occupying the two rooms and be from different families and share the cooking space.

Now back to stitching….  Eventually we set up camp at Janes place this day and Kumbuzi sauntered in about 11.30. Unfortunately I had to leave at 1.00pm so not one of the dresses were finished.  We got pretty close. 

The top of the hills are in low cloud today. This s not my regular view.

While I was driving to work.

I have 12 kms to drive on gravel and doing about 40kph.  It is so peaceful and relaxing -  no radio, windows down with the cool morning air passing through the GSV and a fabulous carefree drive.  No bumper to bumper, no tail gaters, no silly idiots to make sure they get just one more car length closer etc.   I saunter along waving to all I see along the way.  I have mountains (sorry – ‘hills’ in NZ terms) on my left and an ongoing vista of green cane fields at my right and in front.  Further in the distance to my right I can see the outline of more hills.  The cane is grown in many small patches on a rotation so there is always a patch just sown and a patch being harvested and all other stages in between.  Doing it this way ensures the work is continuous, the mills are always processing etc.  the vast area of the low-veld is cane and occasionally maize crops.  There are a few major pumping stations in this area for the water to feed the crops and many sub stations.  The sub stations are all terracotta brick with green roofs.  When first I was driving through here, I thought I would use ‘this’ building as a landmark until I realised that there was more than one.  Just as well I realised this before I got horribly lost.

When I drive slow enough and have the windows down I can hear the birds and often see ones that are very colourful and unknown to me.   There is not much animal life in this general area due to the use of the land being for cane growing but there are many beautifully coloured birds.   I wish I could photograph them for you.  I watched a pair feeding outside of kitchen area.  I think it was a mother and chick as there appeared to be a teaching program happening.  The birds had a crown on their head that was black and white and opened out to fan when they were on the lookout for a sound.  The head and upper body was a really nice tan colour.  The wings when folded were black and white and resembled the lines of a Zebra. So attractive – I didn’t see them in flight so I do not  know how the wings would look.   I saw a pretty little one today in one of my trees – again outside the kitchen, the bird appeared to be the same colour as the new leaves on the tree, and ever so tiny.  Finch like. 

I am told that there are monkeys around here because we do back onto bush and there can be snakes.  There are a few feral cats around, but they seem to go as soon as they appear.  There are no dogs in our compound as the native Swazi people do not like to have pets of any kind, it is not in their culture to have any animals living near a human.  They consider it an offense / bad omen to have an animal in your house.

Shopping for fabric.

Thursday last week was our shopping day in Manzini for fabric.

We first went to the open markets that are there daily.  It was a maze of makeshift structures made from rough cut timbers each little stall had a raised timber platform and uprights that are denuded trunks of small trees with some form of cover over the top.  All fabrics are sold in either 2 or 4 meter lengths.  I have no idea where they come from, but the quality ranges from very poor to reasonable.  I am told that the best fabric in the area is in Mozambique – and I will need to go there one day soon !!!  

Teresa and I managed to spend a few emalangeni  - that is the currency.  About 8.5E to our $.  I thought we had heaps until I got home and worked out what we can make from what we have and of course we should have spent 3 times what we did to build up supplies.  After the market we went to another fabric retailer for the linings, threads, zips etc. and spent a bit more.  In hind sight it may have been better for me to go alone with the open cheque book. . . . .   I need to shop again next week.

Friday I started cutting out things for sewing and also cutting patterns from a heavy fabric – and hopefully they will not get lost.   Good luck with that, Georgie.

Friday night was a killer -  temperature was off the scale -  and it was followed by a day that will not be describe in this blog.   The temp was well over 40 ++++   I filled the bath and every hour or so hopped in to cool off.   By mid evening it changed and I was able to sleep with a light covering.  Sunday morning was a different story, quite cool in comparison but I still wore capri pants and little sleeve.  My fellow vollies turned up to brunch in long sleeves, and one was wearing a coat !!!

The photo at the top of this blog was taken on Sunday 13^th.  The AVI volunteers in Swaziland like to have a brunch get-together each month, and because I am out in the sticks on my own, they decided to come out my way this time.  

Blog 4

Blog 4 

6^th October.

Lets start with the Mananga Country Club,  just like you may see in some movies from Africa – the building was impressive in size as were the grounds, vast.  Where Corine lives there  is a guest house and a scattering of free standing houses.  I am not sure who occupies these apart from Corine, who has a book library for the children of the complex.   The country club is on the other side of the greater complex and is about 2 – 3 kilometres distance.   On arrival you walk into a room that would fit several of my little house and all I could think of was John Wayne and the movie - Hitari.  The John Wayne thoughts were fleeting !!!!  don’t panic.

At the end of this large room was a bar and so we propped ourselves up for a drink prior to dinner.  We ordered and then all these people came in from nowhere !!!  the local white africaaners – business owners mostly.  the men had been playing tennis and the women preening in prep for the weekly night out.  I was introduced to them all and have since forgotten names except for Bruce and Mandy,  who live close by to me and are cane farmers.

Once dinner is ready you get the call and head upstairs where it is delivered.  Another huge room with huge tables – not many joined together!!!

My steak !!!!  L   the cook needs lessons on how to cook a good steak.  Any offers ????  It was huge, the perfect colour, but slow cooked and a bit on the tough side. And I was hanging out for this !!!!  Corine tells me there is a decent butcher in Tshaneni and I can get my own decent piece of steak from there. 

While on the subject of food -  where I am living, rural , low-veld, the shops cater for the majority population which is indigenous Swazis.  Their dietary likes and mine are no-where near the same.  So shopping for me is a bit hit and miss.  Getting things that make a salad can be like a miracle and of course everything is seasonal here.  I have managed to get some lettuce, tomato and cucumber.  Last time at the shops I managed to find plain yoghurt and a decent juice.  The fruit is good and I have been having decent apples, mandarins and pears.  The pineapples are starting to come in now and I am told that stone fruit is also big during the summer.    YAY    - Oh for a bowl of cherries !!!!!  I am slowly building my supplies to suit my tastes.

Meat is my second biggest issue.  I am not sure how it is butchered, but it doesn’t look at all familiar to me.  I could become vegetarian in between visits to Tshaneni butcher.

My biggest issue is milk for Tea !!!  all milk is long life !!!   its OK in coffee but not in tea, so I am in the process of change -  weak black tea with a few drops of honey.  Nice !!!

Don’t fret I will not go hungry -  the shelves are stacked with baked beans – almost a whole aisle full.  And if desperate, in the freezer section there are bags and bags of chicken heads and feet.  -  remember  - sharing is caring !!!   the word for Chicken is  Tinkhuku.

Corine goes to Nelspruit in South Africa once a month to get the things she likes and cannot get locally. I am going with her next time.  Its about 2 hours drive from here.

Another reason for me to go – it has a place like a super large Spotlight.  The fabrics are good quality, much better than here, and the sewing ladies get some from there – normally is it Terese or Daran going shopping, but they have handed this on to me.   Wow the power !!!   

I know that I said at the end of blog 3 that I didn’t know where to start with the task of teaching these ladies to sew for a living. . . . .   before I get into that and how it will or may work . . . .

I want to concentrate a bit more on the ladies at Section 19 as they are the reason I am here.

Back in March, in the position description that gave all the information about the job, it stated that there was a room that would accommodate up to 20 desks with machines.   When I first came out this way with the AVI coordinator, and the area was pointed out to me, I asked if the desks and machines were already there.  I got the look that said ‘of course they are  - what do you think we just write this stuff for the joy of writing’ !!!     WELL. !!!

The reality is that the room does not exist

I mentioned in an earlier blog about using the veranda for sewing.  The ladies have their own machines that were provided by KuDvumisa with an expectation that the cost would be recouped in time as they made money with selling their items. 

I have only met 7 of the group and I am expecting that more will join later.  2 of the women are not from Section 19 and are already fairly good sewers.  I have noted that they don’t like to share their skills and patterns and they dominate the sales when there is an open day.   I have a bit of a dilemma here.   As my reason for being here is to give the women of Section 19 the tools to earn money.  So what do I do about these other two?   Gently encourage them to stand alone and be a shining example for the others.    Right.

After meeting some of the women with Terese, I was to return on Thursday as a team of visitors from US (connected to an NGO called “HopeAlive268”   another one for you to google) would be arriving in the afternoon to look at the products for sale and interact with the women of the group.  Terese could not be there so I was to be the retail assistant as well as the spokesperson for the group.

I arrived 30 minutes early and they had already got the sales area ready – on the verandah.   They have been concentrating on making bags of many sizes and shapes, but predominantly a bag with long straps that go across the body / over one shoulder. There was also some crocheted items for sale, as that was their latest learned skill.

The ladies were all dressed well and eager to sell.  Three people movers arrived carrying about 6 – 7 people in each.  I didn’t really know how to handle this many customers at once.   The leader of the group is a woman in her late 30’s maybe – born in Swazi to missionary parents.  She speaks very fluent SiSwati.  She asked if I would address the group before they got into the sales mode to give them the history of the sewing project.   I did the best I could with the scratchy pieces of information I have been able to gain over time.  Fortunately they were more interested in why me and what are my goals and aspirations.  I found in this group of people of all ages, enormous support and encouragement and the offer of assisting with overseas marketing or obtaining materials etc.   

Then it was sale time and it became a bit of a frenzy.   One of the ladies who was the original teacher, herself a Swazi woman, took charge of the book for recording the sales and so,  not wanting to  make her feel uncomfortable or inferior and thinking that she would be familiar with this having been there in the beginning.   Alas I discovered at the end that she had not make adequate recordings of the items sold and who was the maker of each item.   Lesson learnt !!

At the end of the sale time, the group circled around with the women and, being from a Christian / religious based organisation we had prayer time and then a song which was in SiSwati , and sounded fabulous and everyone except me was singing.  I just did the movements and smiled a lot.  J

One of our ladies, Jane responded to them.  It was all very emotional and moving.  The senior of the group then called a group to pray with and for me.   Whilst I say that I am a spiritual person without any religious conviction, I know that I am in the right place at the right time doing what I am needed to be doing.  It is a very humbling experience that very gently keeps tugging at my heart. 

When the visitors had left, the ladies were very happy with the sales and I helped them to get everything packed up.

I returned the next day for more of the same.  This time Pastor Kay West, whose husband just happens to be John West,  brought two US visitors with her for sales and a donation of some food and some basic sewing items.  This was a very different day to the previous one.   One of the sewing ladies experienced the death of her eldest son the night before and was very grief stricken and withdrawn.  The visitors spent some time with her to counsel.  They also purchased a large number of items before the group prayers and departure.  Pastor Kay, a lovely lady, lives about 5 minutes from me and has invited me to visit any time.  Pastor Kay provides bible study for the people of Section 19 and another adjacent location every fortnight.  Most of the people I am in touch with here are Christian or a combination of cultural Christian beliefs.

I had made a commitment with the ladies that we would have classes Monday – Wednesday 9 – 3.  Thus giving me Thursday and Friday to do some patterns, prototypes, lesson construction and research etc. 

I am not sure what I have written before -  but what is  in my journal is –

“how do they live???  No electricity,  no sanitation, water from the cane fields that may contain chemicals, the grounds of the compound are uncovered  - by that I mean there is no grass, vegetation or paved areas, no gardens, no trees – except on the boundaries where there are a row of gum trees.  Adults, children, chickens, dogs all roaming around together in the mud, food scraps and heaps of leaf matter from the maize that is a stable food item.  I have been to several aboriginal communities in Australia and I have seen similar sights -  but there is one big difference.   $$$’s.”

Moving on.

I am about a week behind in news of whats happening, so I’ll try to type faster and get this one in the press for you so I can get on to the no. 5.

Last weekend -  what did I get up to???

Clubbing, dinners, theaters, other cultural arts pursuits. . . . . . .

I made a shower curtain. Remember I live in the sticks. . . .  I have a shower over bath situation and have been happy to clean the bathroom after each shower – until today.   I have a roll of black plastic bags and a roll of wide packing tape.  I taped 6 bags together and strung up a line from the curtain rail to the door jam !  very ingenious.   At last a shower without having to mop the floor etc.

That done,  then I got even more ingenious. -   there are no screens at windows or doors here and of course we must be approaching mosquito time, but already we have several 100 variety of flying things that like to come in for a visit when the light is on -  or off!  They don’t mind either way.  I have an insecticide infused mosquito net that, at my request, was a parting gift from my colleagues at WSG.  As it happens it is even greater than a mosquito net for the bed.  I had it installed, but just couldn’t bring myself to sleep in an enclosed chemical cocoon.     Then that  AHH  haa  moment.  I can cut it up and tape it to the windows.  You will be pleased to know that I now have screen at all windows except one and that one I leave closed until I can get some more netting.   I have noticed that some of the little critters still dare to come and I find them dead on the window sill or the floor in the morning.  So what may it have done to me after 2 years.   Thanks or the great gift WSG team -  it is of greater value than any of could have thought back then.

I was on a roll -   as it was getting hotter and I didn’t have any tops to wear that were really cool. I had a piece of fabric with me that was perfect, but no patterns, the only paper I had was kitchen paper towel, that will do to make a pattern.  A few hours I had made 2 tops and I wear them constantly and could start my own business, all ladies and girls in the compound want one.

This creativity was to continue for the day,  Nomsa, my neighbour wants to learn to sew, I gave her a lesson on the machine I purchased here, a very basic cheap Janome.  She is going to take some patience.  After sewing we cleaned my car.  I must mention that Nomsa  is my ‘maid’.  Nomsa helped me clean when I arrived and I call on her to clean, wash and iron at times,  she also keeps the outside tidy and rakes leaves and burns off when needed.   I noticed they all burn off regularly and wondered why is this so?    It is to keep the place tidy and reduce the incidence of snakes close to the home.   The greater area around my place is in need of a big burn and I will get onto it this week.

After dinner on Saturday I had a visit from Tanele, the mother of my 2 little urchins.   She came to greet me.  What a lovely woman and so easy and relaxed to talk with.  She was puzzled at how a person from another country could just leave home and go half way around the world to another place to work and help other people.  She also expressed a desire to learn to sew.   

Clocking up 2 students at home now.

Sunday 6^th October

Sunday’s listening to Macca is no longer on my menu!!   I don’t even have a radio.  Ii only my little ipod with  a few CD’s on.

I spent most of the day creating a spreadsheet to record the activities of the sewing group and sales, costs, profits etc.   and of course the necessary interruptions from the urchins who need to entertain me.  They put on a ‘show’ for me.  They had a visitor, Claudia from a nearby location and so they danced and sang for me.  I had the tablet with me so videoed it -  but have no idea where it went !!!

They are so disappointed -  as like all children –they wanted to see themselves in action.

Temperatures are in the 20’s – 30’s and variable and so far most nights have been comfortable for sleeping.   Apart from that first week with 42, there has not been a return of that yet -  but they tell me to expect lots of that in summer and that is just around the corner.

At the end of this Sunday 6^th , I was mentally preparing myself for the next day – being my first lesson day with ‘the girls’.  

blog 3

Unpacking and finding homes for the purchases and contents of my luggage was done relatively quickly after a clean up and a good sleep. So that took care of Friday, the horrible hot day !!!!

Saturday started off a bit cooler and it was pleasant to wear a little more than knickers and a sarong. In fact I actually needed long pants and a t shirt by the end of the day. 

I did my washing !!!  and you’re now thinking – why is this in the blog ???   because -  it was done by hand in a big bowl – I mean big !!!  and the bath is then used or rinsing.  No auto front loaders out bush or even twin tubs !!  just plain elbow grease and a bad back.   Washing gets done daily. . . .    der     I’m really fitting into the culture !!!

There was a gentle knock at my door about mid morning  and there was a little creature full of curiosity…   her name is Tema  (pronounced like dreamer with out the first ‘r’).  she is about 9 / 10 yrs going on 15.  And full of energy I found out later.   We exchanged names and a brief conversation and then off she went.  Returned about an hour later with brother about the same age – maybe.   Milayo  – I’m still trying to get that one right!!  A very forward pair of gorgeous  rat bags– asked if they could talk to me ?? what could I say ??  invited them in and for the next 2 hours they entertained me with games, stories and SiSwati lessons.   When they exhausted me I sent them home saying I had work to do.  Well sort of work – meditating is work isn’t it?

Some time later I had another visit from Jenny a mature English / Irish with an American accent.  Jenny and her husband Ian are missionaries who have been in this area now for 4 years and work with the CHIPS group and alongside  KuDvumisa org.  CHIPS is to do with children, health and HIV / AIDS etc.  Jenny was a  font of knowledge of the area and other things of interest and need like  malaria, water, internet, people, vehicles, roads etc.  they live about 10 – 15 minutes from me depending on the road conditions.  Most people here have 4x4’s or high set vehicles.  I did not get this advice and mine is a little close to the ground and will probably cause me to be house bound occasionally in the wet. The advice from Jenny is to ensure that I have sufficient tinned food and water in case this happens.  However there are people around me with high set vehicles and I’m sure I could get to shops if necessary. 

After Jenny left me it started to rain and it didn’t stop until Monday early hours. I had expected it to be like tropics and horribly humid and hot, but it was like Victoria.  Cold and wet.  The temp on Sunday night was 5 degrees.  A huge change from Friday and a fabulous relief. 

My next visit was on Sunday from Corine, also a missionary in mid 40’s from US and has been here since 2007 on and off for the first few years and now permanently.   Corine was a previous part time teacher with the sewing group for a while to help out.  Corine was happy to do a handover of all her things and knowledge as her role is with children and establishing pre-schools.  This is what happens with the money from child sponsorships. It allows schooling to actually happen and I am pleased to have this information having been a sponsor for many years.

Corine is now living about 30 minutes from me just out of Tshaneni (sounds like char nee nee).  Her place of abode is within the grounds of Mananga Country Club and I am going to visit there tonight. (Wednesday 2.10.)  I am looking forward to seeing this and having a cooked meal -   BIG STEAK  is what I am hanging out for.

It is the local tennis, dinner and social night and Corine is usually involved at least once a month with the group.   There will be more of this next blog. 

Back to Monday  30^th Sept.  I attempted to get blog 2 out and could not access internet.  I am discovering that it may be due to my provider – pay as you go – very expensive.  $30 so far for 2 sessions on the internet.  I may have to find another system.

I was not well earlier on Monday – and no I haven’t been bitten by a mosquito or tick or any of the other critters we are told to look out for.   Fortunately I was able to get some rest and help and a few hours later was up and off again.

My employers came out to visit me on Monday afternoon late. They are very busy and unfortunately I cannot do anything without them first inducting me into the role.  Terese and Daran Rehmeyer.   Daran is an electrical engineer and had a look at the electrics and will return with some tools of trade to see if he can prevent my stove from tripping the power.  He also plans to get my couch into my house -  now that’s a story I haven’t told.  The short version – it’s too big and won’t go through the door because there is a privacy brick wall in the way.  Terese thinks that Daran will dismantle the couch and re-make it in the house. !!!!!  I have the cushions and using them.  The couch frame is in the home of the children who are my regular visitors.

Section 19.

I finally got to see where I will be working on Tuesday afternoon.

How can I describe this and really give you, the reader a real sense of life for some people here.

Firstly the women I met, 5 of them so far, were so happy and excited that they have a new teacher at last – it has been about 8 months without any direction and they are lost without a leader.

I was taken by their happiness, openness and desire to welcome me with hugs, huge smiles, clapping and dancing.

Behind this they live in what we would consider grossly appalling circumstances.  Not even what you would tolerate out camping !!!

They are in a cluster of ‘homes’.   Because most of their living is outdoors, they have an allocation of one room per family and that is where they store their possessions !!! and sleep.  There is no electricity connected to their village, no sanitation and I’m not sure about water.   The water may be taken from the irrigation channels for the cane growing – if so it possibly contains chemicals.   Since discovered they do have good water from the cane growing farmers and it is chemical free.

The sewing happens on the concrete ‘veranda’ of one of these ‘homes’.   They each sit on a grass mat on the floor and have machines that are hand operated.   I have not seen them in action yet so I cannot say any more.

They are so excited that they are going to learn new things and this excitement and their happiness touched me immensely.   I’m going back tomorrow and Friday as they are expecting visitors who are wanting to buy some of their products.   Then I will begin with them on Monday next week and I have no idea how to start !!!!   

blog 2.

That first blog was all about the AVI experince and getting from Sydney airport to my dwelling place in the Mananga area.  So I want to give you a better picture of what I have experienced on the other hand. It’s all yard yakka / doom n gloom.

(I’m doing this blog entry as an attachment because internet is not connecting today,  I am told this happens frequently.  I’m learning to adapt to this style of living.)

In Joberg, we stayed at Courtyard Hotel on Oxford St in Rosebank, across the road is the Holiday Inn and the Mall  ‘The Zone’ that I mentioned in blog 1.

The Courtyard, like so many places and residences in the greater Joberg area, has a very high security fence all around and a security gate with a guard 24/7.  But put that aside, behind the walls and gates is a fabulous place with very friendly staff, especially Harold, who has been a waiter there for many years and has the smiliest face and everyone loves him.  The rooms were well appointed and decorated and clean, the breakfast was an amazing feast and there was a great outdoors area where Cheryl and I sat each morning.  We were there for 4 nights and only on our last night did we make use of the happy hour in the lounge for free drinks between 6 and 7.  I had a rum and coke while Cheryl knocked over a few cocktails and looked totally relaxed at the end of the night.

While in Joberg we were taken to Lilliesleaf.  This is also worth a google.  It was a farm where Nelson Mandela lived in seclusion under an assumed name for years during the time that he and others were planning to interrupt the government at the onset of apartheid.  The farm was called Lilliesleaf and it is now a museum dedicated to the purpose for which it was used back then.  The set up is amazing and very informative and well worth many hours to take it in.  Sadly our time there was limited. I found it very moving and at times wanted to just spend more time in quiet to ’be there’.  I will return before I leave Africa.

Another of our excursions was to Pretoria to meet the Australian High Commissioner – alas he was on leave so we had a brief meeting with his PA who gave us more material on personal safety and security.

A lot of the terrain in places I have seen so far, I could be forgiven for thinking I was still in Australia, especially the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of WA and some outback areas of  north Qld. There are trees and shrubs that are exactly the same. The biggest difference are the trees in Africa that have flat tops, you know the ones you always see in movies or books. 

On arrival in Swaziland what puzzled me the most was the constant haze that was everywhere.  I asked and no one could tell me why this is so.  I thought of Professor Sumner Miller  - he would be able to tell me.  In some locations it was smokey and others just hazy.  Where I was staying in both Ezulwini and Mbabane it was high country mostly lower temperatures than where I am now.

I first stayed in Ezulwini at the Timbali Lodge.   The rooms were like little cottages scattered through the property with gardens and makeshift gravel roads meandering here and there.  On entry there was always a guard at the entrance and the reception office.  Adjacent was a large round, high beautiful older style building with a thatched roof.  This is the restaurant and next to that a smaller building as a breakfast café. It was very comfortable to walk around and feel totally safe here. I had 3 nights there.  The bathroom of my room was as big as my current lounge room.

Ezulwini is the place I need to visit for art and craft places – I am told it is the place to go for the real Swazi craft treasures.   In preparation for my dwelling I was taken to the other ‘markets’ where some things are made by the sellers and others are cheaper imports from . . . . .  somewhere.  I bought some fabrics for curtains that look the part but are not authentic.

All my purchases were being kept at the home of our country coordinator and included:   a small bench top cooker -  a bit bigger than a granny oven – but still an oven/grill with two hot plates on top, all basic kitchen appliances and crockery, cutlery, glass ware, bedding and other linen.  All very basic.  AVI provided $1000 for this and it covered most but not all.  My dwelling is not furnished and has only one open storage place in the kitchen so I was in need of lots !!!!! 

As I mentioned in blog 1, I was moved into Mbabane on Saturday 21^st to a boarding house.  It was like an oasis in the desert for me and Penny was great company.  Penny’s place is a large house that she has converted to ‘her place’ in the middle, with a huge lounge, sitting, dining area (all original) and on the perimeters she has created 4 self contained, 1 bedroom flats that she rents out.  One of our volunteers is living there and the pool in inside his boundary, although it is for all guests.  John has almost taken total possession of it.  Most of Mbabane is built on hills and mountainous terrain and Penny’s place is very high.  The CBD is much lower and flatter !!.  again the vegetation was like being in north of OZ.

On Monday 23^rd I drove out to my dwelling place with my country coordinator and her husband (who had taken a day off work) and two vehicles loaded to the gunnels with my stuff.   Strange how life is hey ????  when I packed up in OZ I said I was not going to buy anything ever again and that included fabric. !!!   so here I am with 2 vehicles full of STUFF already.     One of the vehicles was a ute !!  called a bakky – pronounced bucky.  

While driving out I thought I was heading towards Kununurra or Wyndham.   The haze was not so bad out here on the low-veld.  No mountains here for me, except the Lombombo which seperates Swaziland from Mozambique.  

On the way to Simunye, the next town, we went through HLane Royal National Park.  I was on the look out for elephants and giraffes, but only saw a few impala, some monkeys and a wilder beast. Vegetation is very dry prior to the ‘wet’ season.

Google Simunye Country Club.  I am going to take out membership and treat myself to some weekends off.

From Simunye, heading north-ish we go through Tambankulu and turn a little to the west until the turn north again to Vuvulane.   The distance from Simunye to my dwelling is only 30 kms, but half on gravel / dirt roads through cane growing country.  From Simunye onwards, the cane appears and lends an appearance of coolness with its lush green growth and watering system.   Vuvulane is where the KuDvumisa office is located and my sewing room is closer to Tambankulu – I THINK !!!  I will clarify that when I eventually get to see it.  I will do my admin / internet stuff in the office and the real stuff with the women at ‘Section 19’.

We arrived at Mananga College after some twists and turns along the road  and unloaded the vehicles.  Two ladies came to greet us and one offered to help clean the house.  The offer was accepted  for obvious reasons and we said we would be back on Wednesday.

The trip back home was a different route to show me other things and places so we did a circuit back to Manzini.  (this is the largest populated town in Swazi and where the King has most of his residences / palaces etc.).

Jumping ahead now to Thursday and arriving at Mananga College again.

The college was a boarding school for an area in the north eastern corner and from across the borders into South Africa and Mozambique.  The school continues to exist but with only day students, the boarding school has been moved to Manzini.   Which leaves about 9 of these little cottages that may have been used for staff and are now rented out to cane workers and such.  One house is used for the headmaster of the school, the local pastor and of course me.  I am told it is very safe and clean and no crime.  The gate keepers are very friendly when they know who you are.   There are only 2 styles of house, a 2 bedroom and a 3 bedroom made from concrete blocks and render and all painted the same colour crème and green.  It is very liveable and now that we have cleaned up all is well.  I have a reasonable size yard with out boundaries, but have already put out a call for a gardener -  the going rate is about R100 per week = $12.00.  I have mango trees, avocado tree and a mulberry tree – unfortunately that one is sick and mulberries not good  -  shame  - I was considering going into production  of mulberry brandy !!!!!

Oh ! I think I have writers block now – or should that be blog !!!   this will keep you all going until no. 3 is released.

Just keep looking for more blogs without me sending you an email. I plan to do one at least weekly.  But no promises.  And one day they will include URL links and pictures.  But for now – just plain old words.

Cheers Georgie