BLOG… 7-26-11
Today we focused on the monthly meeting of the VMS HIV/AIDS Women’s Support Group. Eleven women attended today’s meeting. Our goal was to discuss the viability of sustainable work, work which they are capable of performing and would enjoy. The outcome was positive and encouraging. A ‘Becky’s Buddies’ comfort doll project is in the making. Watch our website for more information.
BLOG.. 7-25-11
Saturday was a memorable day at VMS. Local children who are either on ARV meds or about to begin the medication are participants in the first-ever (in the continent!) youth ARV workshop facilitated by children. We are beyond thrilled to be witness to this history-making gathering. Saturday they were busy preparing a drama that they had collaboratively written and hope to share with surrounding villages in an effort to break the stigma of HIV. With help from the Scottish volunteers everyone broke into small groups to paint the backdrop scenery and practice lines. Laughter! Mutual Support! Team Spirit! A joy to watch. More information on the ARV workshop when we return to USA.
BLOG...7-22-11
We arrived safely with warm greetings from our SA friends. How wonderful to know that ‘smiles’ and ‘friendship’ has no language barriers. Unfortunately we have had great difficulty communicating with friends back home: international phone is not programmed correctly and internet is sketchy thus the delay in blogging. Hopefully all are bearing with us.
We’ve accomplished much in the week that we’ve been here but we still have much to do and a very short time left in Limpopo. Jo spent the first week with Fiona, the Director of TVEP, discussing important pending projects that are awaiting funding while Tricia and I have focused our efforts on Vhutshilo Mountain School.
Mr. Makwarela, Vice-Chairman of the VMS school board, took time out of his busy day to watch us model a K teaching lesson. We bought some much needed school supplies and have managed to model sample lessons in all of the classes.
We were a bit overwhelmed when entering the preschool class and 34 active preschoolers ages 2-5 years swarmed us! Darling children but as any teacher knows, it is very difficult to control 34 children in one class, much less 2-5 year olds with very few educational supplies at their disposal. Before the week was out we succeeded in organizing the entire preschool classroom which allowed the teacher to prepare her lessons more efficiently.
We were thrilled to learn that 10 Scottish university volunteers had paid R35 per day for housing at VMS. They have been assigned to work with CPC (Center for Positive Care) and the Jumbo Primary School while boarding at VMS. They are such willing participants and ready to help us with many spontaneous projects around the school during their free time.
There is so much more to share but time eludes us and the school children await!
