Hello all:
We are starting a new format where Suzanne and I will be writing separate updates and sharing them in the same Email. Our thoughts and views of the world may be different in that it is seen through different colored glasses. Also, we are doing different things during the day so, our experiences are different.
From Marty
The week has brought a change in weather with cooler mornings and warm afternoons, with it cooling off again. The walk in the morning is comfortable with a light jacket.
My days have been spent inputting data to record the number of people tested for HIV and the results. This gives a gender count and total count. Also, age can be determined and statistics can be compared to prior years at the same time to see what the trend is at this time.
The NGO we are working with is expanding services and therefore the record keeping is more important. The records not only tell the story of what is happening but also provide the funding for the programs conducted. In short it is an important to keep up to date. We are starting to work on March 2014. It is slowed by internet access coming and going throughout the day. This is a problem I understand is true throughout rural South Africa. I say this from talking to an IT person from Health Department with the Province.
Another task this week is the review of two reports written in English by people who speak Tsonga and Afrikkanse as a first language. The facts are there and the editing is not difficult.
We are discovering our way about and gradually making ourselves known by walking up and down the road. People have stopped to offer us a ride and find out about us. A local minister who lives out our way has offered to help us come to services on Sunday. It will be a big help in getting to know more people on a social level and buying groceries that are too bulky to carry by hand up the hill from where the taxi or bus lets us off. I keep reminding myself of how healthy i will be when I am 70.
That is about it from me this week.
Sdelsarto
May 6 (3 days ago)
to me
For my part as the other person on this note, I spend most of time trying to remember names , especially at the crèche (day care center). My purpose there is to try to organize an activity calendar. I spend most of my time addressing hygiene needs, getting equipment fixed, supplies needed, and manage to organize some activities during the day. I found that everyone likes to learn to count and introduce themselves and kick or throw a ball. So still working with the scheduling concept! Visited a clinic on an environmental health college. We saw giraffes and a camilion. Sunday we saw a blaze buck, looks like a horse, but not the face of it. This animal is a charcoal color, a grazer, and it was galloping. I am getting to know our host family little by little as we live independently. Christine Is an social entrepreneur in the health care field. She has am amazing amount of focus and drive. I am amazed at all her work here with the farm workers.
We are also friends with our prior hostess who has similar drive, for education and the love of her people. Mmakoma is a primary school, 2nd grade teacher with many other involvements. She married a man from the village where she lives and teaches. Lost her husband a couple of years ago. She has rooms for rent. Through her we met 3 other teachers. 2 are from Zimbabwe and one from Zaneen, a town about 2 hours away from Macomma's town. It will be good to get better acquainted with our new host and the village we are currently staying.
We have been asked to write a disclaimer, so please understand that
none of what is written represents the Peace Corps, in any way.
Thanks!
>
Marty and Suzanne
We are starting a new format where Suzanne and I will be writing separate updates and sharing them in the same Email. Our thoughts and views of the world may be different in that it is seen through different colored glasses. Also, we are doing different things during the day so, our experiences are different.
From Marty
The week has brought a change in weather with cooler mornings and warm afternoons, with it cooling off again. The walk in the morning is comfortable with a light jacket.
My days have been spent inputting data to record the number of people tested for HIV and the results. This gives a gender count and total count. Also, age can be determined and statistics can be compared to prior years at the same time to see what the trend is at this time.
The NGO we are working with is expanding services and therefore the record keeping is more important. The records not only tell the story of what is happening but also provide the funding for the programs conducted. In short it is an important to keep up to date. We are starting to work on March 2014. It is slowed by internet access coming and going throughout the day. This is a problem I understand is true throughout rural South Africa. I say this from talking to an IT person from Health Department with the Province.
Another task this week is the review of two reports written in English by people who speak Tsonga and Afrikkanse as a first language. The facts are there and the editing is not difficult.
We are discovering our way about and gradually making ourselves known by walking up and down the road. People have stopped to offer us a ride and find out about us. A local minister who lives out our way has offered to help us come to services on Sunday. It will be a big help in getting to know more people on a social level and buying groceries that are too bulky to carry by hand up the hill from where the taxi or bus lets us off. I keep reminding myself of how healthy i will be when I am 70.
That is about it from me this week.
Sdelsarto
May 6 (3 days ago)
to me
For my part as the other person on this note, I spend most of time trying to remember names , especially at the crèche (day care center). My purpose there is to try to organize an activity calendar. I spend most of my time addressing hygiene needs, getting equipment fixed, supplies needed, and manage to organize some activities during the day. I found that everyone likes to learn to count and introduce themselves and kick or throw a ball. So still working with the scheduling concept! Visited a clinic on an environmental health college. We saw giraffes and a camilion. Sunday we saw a blaze buck, looks like a horse, but not the face of it. This animal is a charcoal color, a grazer, and it was galloping. I am getting to know our host family little by little as we live independently. Christine Is an social entrepreneur in the health care field. She has am amazing amount of focus and drive. I am amazed at all her work here with the farm workers.
We are also friends with our prior hostess who has similar drive, for education and the love of her people. Mmakoma is a primary school, 2nd grade teacher with many other involvements. She married a man from the village where she lives and teaches. Lost her husband a couple of years ago. She has rooms for rent. Through her we met 3 other teachers. 2 are from Zimbabwe and one from Zaneen, a town about 2 hours away from Macomma's town. It will be good to get better acquainted with our new host and the village we are currently staying.
We have been asked to write a disclaimer, so please understand that
none of what is written represents the Peace Corps, in any way.
Thanks!
>
Marty and Suzanne
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