Week 27: Finding Meaning in My Work

I feel like I am finally settling down and finding meaning in my work. I am the self-designated librarian at my school. There are fourteen classes who each have an assigned library time. With the standard one students we sing the alphabet, do our numbers, colors, shapes, and other fun things like that. Although they understand approximately ten percent of what I say, their smiles and enthusiasm are priceless and motivating to me. With the older grades I have them read to me in English, which can be like pulling teeth, but in my mind I am helping the students unlock a larger world and I love it. Who knows that they are thinking, but it is probably not quite the enlightenment that I have in mind. However, I think we are capable of creating our own reality and that is the reality I have created for myself and since it does not appear to be harming anyone I will continue to believe that.

Just when I feel like I am getting comfortable something throws me for a loop like the electricity going out, I wipe out while doing yoga (I did not realize that was possible, but now I have the bruises to show that it is), or my shoe breaks in the middle of the day at work. Life in Moshana is a constant roller coaster, but as of now I am enjoying the ride.

Week 26: Day in the Life

Wake up at 6am empty my pee bucket, I couldn’t decide if this was too much information and in the absence of a second opinion, I opted to include this since it is a regular part of my life here that I do not even give a second thought to, but was very strange for me when I arrived the pit latrine is not to be used after dark. I then fill up my water storage containers. Make metogo (a soft porridge made of sorghum meal), bath, read a bit of Pema Chodron on meditation, and walk to school. Make my rounds of hellos. Remind a teacher it is her library time, she does not appear. Remind other teachers of ongoing projects. I then do a bit of typing for the guidance and counseling department, of which I am a part of. Then go to the kgotla for a men’s sector meeting/presentation on multiple concurrent partners, safe sex practices, and safe male circumcision. Before attending the meeting I make my rounds of hellos at the police office and the agricultural office. Get a chair from the ag office and a friend who will hopefully translate for me. Arrive late to the meeting; my friend puts our chairs up front. My friend disappears, they talk about me in Setswana, but unfortunately all I catch is my name. Walk back to school in the torrential downpour because I have a class coming to the library, I have the students read to me one at a time in English. Lastly I have a meeting with my supervisor and counterpart at the school.

Go home for lunch its just after 2:30 at this point. Heat up some dikobe from the other day (beans and samp) and watch the first episode of Orange is the New Black. My landlady stops by informing me that the water will be off for the next couple of days. Walk around the community, run into friends here and there, am told I am fat, am told I am fit, am told I am a good African woman, everyone has a different opinion. Hear that one of my friends is going to go back to school I am very happy for her and another friend has enrolled in driving school, yay! Visit a neighbor to chat and encourage the kids to stay in school.

Back at home, I read, “Why America Slept” take pictures of the sunset and journal. Then settle into some lovely acai tea that was sent in a care package (thanks Ellen its delicious!) popcorn and another episode of Orange is the New Black, I guess I am hooked. Interrupted by my favorite neighbors who need help with their homework.

Every day is different, but this was my Thursday.

Week 25: Learning to Dance

I have finally discovered why I cannot dance.  Three weeks ago my friends little girl was barely walking then this week I return to Moshana and she is not only walking but dancing. As she toddles back and forth between the couch and the chair she is encouraged to do a victory dance each time. Now these dances are not like my dances but complete with rhythm and a beat provided by her mother. At how ever many months, I can safely say that she has already surpassed my dancing abilities, however, I am at peace with this since I now know why.

Week 24: Training Week Two

I am ready to go home. By home I mean my two room house in Moshana sans amenities. It has been nice living the high life, but it has turned into a strange vortex of in between.

Unfortunately apathy is a universal emotion. For every hard working and dedicated employee there are also apathetic ones. This week the apathetic public employees I encountered out shinned the hard working and dedicated ones. This is not related to country or culture but I believe a reality everywhere.

Training was beneficial and I am ready to bring the new tools and resources I have learned about back to Moshana.