March 17th, 2006
That’s it, I’m giving up on my own e-mail address. It’s not working at all. From now on, messages will go through Matt and come to you all.
Today’s my third full day in Lesotho. I’m still really enjoying myself. The best thing of all is the people. They are so kind, smiley, friendly and inquisitive. Everyone wants to know ‘Where are you going?’
Last night, I had a wonderful, clear conversation with Matt all the way in Canada. There was no delay and it was amazingly clear. I was shocked. He gave me a lot of confidence in the remainder of my journey, but knowing that it was the last time we’d talk for at least six weeks was difficult. I am very used to having him around every day. I do have some wonderful letters from him to open weekly, though.
Today was a pretty funny day. I woke up at 8:30 a.m. after falling asleep after 2 a.m. Last night, I had decided that I would not be heading to Ficksburg, South Africa until Saturday. That way Mel, who is familiar with Lesotho, can come with me. We will be able to eat a salad, which is exciting because you are strongly advised against eating any leafy veggies in Lesotho, due to debatable fertilizer conditions. So, I had another day in Leribe. It was a damp day, periodic showers that cooled my sweaty body off. I’m walking around so much with a huge backpack, and need the rain! I was given two missions for the morning, to head downtown and mail two letters and pick up thirteen umbrellas. The letters are from the St. Mary’s girls for their sponsors in Canada and the umbrellas are also for them. There are sixteen of them, and they only have three umbrellas. They were send home from school yesterday for being soaking wet.
I headed downtown (a fairly liberal title for it!) and took photos as I walked, lots of people were interested in having their photo taken, and called to me as I walked! I checked out umbrella prices at the booths set up on the side of the road. As I approached the post office, I noticed there was a huge group of elderly folks standing on the steps. I walked into the open door and noticed that there were dozens more people sitting inside on the benches in the post office. Their heads were all bowed in prayer, and a woman looked up at me and gave me a sign of the cross. I quickly bowed my head too. The prayer was long, but when it finished, I joined what I thought was a line. The gentleman at the counter beckoned me over and told me that the people inside were waiting for money and doing a prayer of thanks for that. The staff of the post office all came out to meet me. What a happy, welcoming place!
After I’d successfully joined an impromptu prayer group and mailed the letters, I continued comparison shopping for umbrellas. It turns out that the roadside stands have the best price (20 rand per umbrella – about $4 Canadian). No one stand had 13 umbrellas, so I divided my purchases between three happy sellers. By the time I had finished (and communicated the concept of a receipt to each one), I had 13 umbrellas hanging off my arms. And then, it started to rain. Good, you think, lots of shelter from the rain. But alas, I could not even maneuver the opening of a single one, as it was a careful balancing job. I must have looked really cool traipsing down the road with umbrellas hanging off every part of me, and getting soaked by the rain (“pula” in Sesotho).
I had lunch with Carolyn at her home on the outskirts of town. While we were walking there, we passed the health clinic that includes the Tsepong Clinic (an AIDS clinic run by Ontario doctors and featured recently on “The Nature of Things” and in “Walrus” magazine). I was very interested, so we peeked in. It was extremely busy, so we didn’t stay. At Carolyn’s, we worked on some finances for the 140+ sponsored orphans. We had a mix match lunch of spaghetti, frozen veg (she has a fridge) and canned tuna. Yummy and PROTEIN!
Tomorrow, I will be off to Ficksburg for a shopping trip for soccer balls. I have just been informed that I need to bring rat poison into the mountains. So, another thing to buy in Ficksburg!
I hope I’ll be able to e-mail once more before I’m up to Mahlekefane to teach. If I don’t however, I’ll tell you my stories when I’m back, I promise!
Thanks again for all the wonderful e-mails, support and donations!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Lesotho Update #2
March 17, 2006
This is my THIRD attempt to send this e-mail. I think I made a mistake in one person's e-mail (Roy Chineh - that's you) and it corrupted the whole thing (typical of Roy, really). I hope that it actually comes through, otherwise, I'm going to have Matt be the middle man and send this off to you.
Good morning to you all, It's past 4 p.m. here, so about 9 a.m. in Ottawa. I had trouble with the first mass e-mail, but it appears that it made it's way through the truly world wide web and arrived finally! I hope this one makes it too. Today was another nice, leisurely day. I was able to have my second out of three sleep in days. This is the grace period I get as a new arrival! I once again had difficulty falling asleep, so many things to think about - but once I did fall asleep, I slept in typical Shauna-fashion, like a rock.
I awoke at about 10 a.m. to Sister Maria coming into my room. She is the same eldely nun who greeted me my first night and made me dinner. She is very smiley and giggles a lot. It turns out that another couple of volunteers are coming to the Guest House and I had to move my things to another room. She and another nun were happily tidying up the guest house and they are the very best way to start the day, you can't help but smile back and laugh. I repacked my essentials and moved over to the Help Lesotho office, just down a small hill and moved bags to my new room there. I had some computer work to do for Peg - copying out phone numbers and other contact info into a database on her laptop. Once I finished that, there was lunch being served to the Youth Against HIV/AIDS group who are being trained next door. There was lots and I was invited to share. It was DELICIOUS - I loved the rice, mashed pumpkin and fake chilli. There is a popular (and inexpensive) way to feel like you're eating meat here, you boil water and add a package of a tofu-based, spiced mixture to it. It's so tasty. I'm going to bring some home to see if it's just tasty cause I'm really hungry, or if it's really that good! You never know, for example, I hate bananas in Cananda - I can't stand the consistency, they make me gag. Yesterday I bought one from a little child street vendor and ate it ravenously. Same with camping, the most simple things taste so good!
My big job for today was to teach 'M'e Mojaje how to write a letter on her computer. 'M'e Mojaje is a cheerful (although, who here isn't?) woman who operates the Leribe Craft Centre right next to the Help Lesotho office. It takes a minute or two to get between the buildings, as you have to trek up and down a tiny hill - not a totally direct route. The "lawn mower" (a cow with a leash on his horns) grazes between the buildings. I also saw a really dirty sheep this morning. 'M'e Mojaje and I had a wonderful time on the computer - I helped her to write her letter. She did everything herself and was really excited about spell check. We learned that Sesotho (the language of Lesotho) words are NOT in fact on the Microsoft Word dictionary. Weird. After we finished, I found out that she wanted to send the letter via e-mail. I gave her a lesson on "attachments" in Microsoft Outlook. We couldn't get online for quite some time, so we had a chance to practice her new skills. She'll do great. As a backup, however, I wrote her a list of instructions for the new things we had just tried. It's funny - both times I have used computers here it has begun to rain. My timing is perfect.
This e-mail is being written from 'M'e Mojaje's Craft Centre, which is staffed entirely by disabled women. They make beautiful mohair scarves, sweaters and hats, among other things. She has a computer in a back room that is protected by a tiny lock similar to the ones used to lock my suitcases (which survived the trip, wheels intact). She hooks it up to the internet when she needs it. The internet is painfullly slow - compared to what I'm used to, so I've opened up a solitaire game on the side as I wait for things to update! I'm having trouble learning PATIENCE...that will be my key task here. Just to slow down and take things easy, as they come. Things don't move as fast here and I have to get used to that.
I'm also really hyper right now, filled with excited energy, ready to get started. I will be travelling by public transport into Ficksburg, South Africa tomorrow to buy soccer balls (the ones that were donated were to large to transport, and the ones available in Leribe fall apart after three games, allegedly), and mail some letters for 'M'e Mojaje's son. I will take a bus to the border, and then walk into this border town. I will return on bus well before dark. Everyone is inside by the second the sun sets. It is not dangerous, per se, but the reputation you earn by being out after dark is not so good. Makes for early nights and early mornings, a much more healthy way to live!
On Saturday, I head to Pitseng to explore a town where HL does many projects. Then, on Sunday, I am hoping to visit the Tsepong Clinic, an AIDS clinic in Leribe run by Ontario doctors and nurses. On Monday morning I leave with Penney Place up into the mountains (Wendy - she loved her letter and loon!), to Mahlekefane. I cannot wait. I am not sure whether I will be living in a rondevel or a mud hut that is rectangular. I'll make sure to take lots of photos. Things are a little unclear, as I am the first volunteer to stay in Mahlekefane for a long time. Anyone who has visited in the past has stayed for under a week, and I'll be there for six. This is really what I'm here for and I am thrilled that it's coming up. After Mahlekefane, I will go to Thaba Tseka to work at Paray Primary school for about 5 weeks. This is the school that is paired with Fielding Drive in Ottawa (where I frequently supply teach). The drive to Mahlekefane takes over four hours and is supposed to be beautiful, breathtaking, one of the most beautiful in the country.
We will go almost all the way in a rented van, and the last leg will be taken in a hired 4 x 4 that will be able to get us up the steep, unpaved roads. Yee haw!
Thanks for your e-mails and best wishes, I'd love to hear updates from Canada!
To the MacDonald/Jansen family - You are always on my mind, I know you head to Toronto today and I am thinking of you every moment. I have the nuns praying for Anna every night.
This is my THIRD attempt to send this e-mail. I think I made a mistake in one person's e-mail (Roy Chineh - that's you) and it corrupted the whole thing (typical of Roy, really). I hope that it actually comes through, otherwise, I'm going to have Matt be the middle man and send this off to you.
Good morning to you all, It's past 4 p.m. here, so about 9 a.m. in Ottawa. I had trouble with the first mass e-mail, but it appears that it made it's way through the truly world wide web and arrived finally! I hope this one makes it too. Today was another nice, leisurely day. I was able to have my second out of three sleep in days. This is the grace period I get as a new arrival! I once again had difficulty falling asleep, so many things to think about - but once I did fall asleep, I slept in typical Shauna-fashion, like a rock.
I awoke at about 10 a.m. to Sister Maria coming into my room. She is the same eldely nun who greeted me my first night and made me dinner. She is very smiley and giggles a lot. It turns out that another couple of volunteers are coming to the Guest House and I had to move my things to another room. She and another nun were happily tidying up the guest house and they are the very best way to start the day, you can't help but smile back and laugh. I repacked my essentials and moved over to the Help Lesotho office, just down a small hill and moved bags to my new room there. I had some computer work to do for Peg - copying out phone numbers and other contact info into a database on her laptop. Once I finished that, there was lunch being served to the Youth Against HIV/AIDS group who are being trained next door. There was lots and I was invited to share. It was DELICIOUS - I loved the rice, mashed pumpkin and fake chilli. There is a popular (and inexpensive) way to feel like you're eating meat here, you boil water and add a package of a tofu-based, spiced mixture to it. It's so tasty. I'm going to bring some home to see if it's just tasty cause I'm really hungry, or if it's really that good! You never know, for example, I hate bananas in Cananda - I can't stand the consistency, they make me gag. Yesterday I bought one from a little child street vendor and ate it ravenously. Same with camping, the most simple things taste so good!
My big job for today was to teach 'M'e Mojaje how to write a letter on her computer. 'M'e Mojaje is a cheerful (although, who here isn't?) woman who operates the Leribe Craft Centre right next to the Help Lesotho office. It takes a minute or two to get between the buildings, as you have to trek up and down a tiny hill - not a totally direct route. The "lawn mower" (a cow with a leash on his horns) grazes between the buildings. I also saw a really dirty sheep this morning. 'M'e Mojaje and I had a wonderful time on the computer - I helped her to write her letter. She did everything herself and was really excited about spell check. We learned that Sesotho (the language of Lesotho) words are NOT in fact on the Microsoft Word dictionary. Weird. After we finished, I found out that she wanted to send the letter via e-mail. I gave her a lesson on "attachments" in Microsoft Outlook. We couldn't get online for quite some time, so we had a chance to practice her new skills. She'll do great. As a backup, however, I wrote her a list of instructions for the new things we had just tried. It's funny - both times I have used computers here it has begun to rain. My timing is perfect.
This e-mail is being written from 'M'e Mojaje's Craft Centre, which is staffed entirely by disabled women. They make beautiful mohair scarves, sweaters and hats, among other things. She has a computer in a back room that is protected by a tiny lock similar to the ones used to lock my suitcases (which survived the trip, wheels intact). She hooks it up to the internet when she needs it. The internet is painfullly slow - compared to what I'm used to, so I've opened up a solitaire game on the side as I wait for things to update! I'm having trouble learning PATIENCE...that will be my key task here. Just to slow down and take things easy, as they come. Things don't move as fast here and I have to get used to that.
I'm also really hyper right now, filled with excited energy, ready to get started. I will be travelling by public transport into Ficksburg, South Africa tomorrow to buy soccer balls (the ones that were donated were to large to transport, and the ones available in Leribe fall apart after three games, allegedly), and mail some letters for 'M'e Mojaje's son. I will take a bus to the border, and then walk into this border town. I will return on bus well before dark. Everyone is inside by the second the sun sets. It is not dangerous, per se, but the reputation you earn by being out after dark is not so good. Makes for early nights and early mornings, a much more healthy way to live!
On Saturday, I head to Pitseng to explore a town where HL does many projects. Then, on Sunday, I am hoping to visit the Tsepong Clinic, an AIDS clinic in Leribe run by Ontario doctors and nurses. On Monday morning I leave with Penney Place up into the mountains (Wendy - she loved her letter and loon!), to Mahlekefane. I cannot wait. I am not sure whether I will be living in a rondevel or a mud hut that is rectangular. I'll make sure to take lots of photos. Things are a little unclear, as I am the first volunteer to stay in Mahlekefane for a long time. Anyone who has visited in the past has stayed for under a week, and I'll be there for six. This is really what I'm here for and I am thrilled that it's coming up. After Mahlekefane, I will go to Thaba Tseka to work at Paray Primary school for about 5 weeks. This is the school that is paired with Fielding Drive in Ottawa (where I frequently supply teach). The drive to Mahlekefane takes over four hours and is supposed to be beautiful, breathtaking, one of the most beautiful in the country.
We will go almost all the way in a rented van, and the last leg will be taken in a hired 4 x 4 that will be able to get us up the steep, unpaved roads. Yee haw!
Thanks for your e-mails and best wishes, I'd love to hear updates from Canada!
To the MacDonald/Jansen family - You are always on my mind, I know you head to Toronto today and I am thinking of you every moment. I have the nuns praying for Anna every night.
Greetings from Lesotho #1
March 16, 2006
Hello!
I'm here - safe and sound, happy and SO excited. My long journey went very smoothly, I had great luck at every step of the way. Arriving at the Montreal airport, I was told I would have to check three of my bags and pay an extra $225, plus extra for the heavy weight. I found a friendly check-in fellow, called Christian, and he let me put everything through for no extra cost, and checked it all the way to Maseru, my final destination. I had a wonderful stop-over in Zurich, Switzerland. Kathi Fleig (my uncle Matt's former nanny) picked me up and drove me to her apartment where I had a much appreciated hot shower and a delicious breakfast (museli and fruit - very similar to Grandpa's famous oatmeal!). I spent the day touring Zurich - a bus tour, a train ride up for a wonderful view and a hike to the very highest point in Zurich. It was cold and windy, my bag was heavy, but I knew I had to hike all the way to the top. The view was wonderful! I managed to find my way back to the airport on public transportation, I was very proud of myself! The airplane rides were perfect - I had a personal TV, with movies, TV shows, games, flight info...at demand. All in all I watched 4.5 movies (including Serendipity - Charlie will be happy!) Arriving into Maseru, South Africa on a tiny prop plane was incredible.
The sky was blue and clear and the sun was shining. Walking into the small airport, I thought I would burst with excitement. Carloyn Kennedy was there to meet me and we had no problem getting through customs. We drove (on the wrong side of the road, a strange feeling) to Leribe/Hlotse, the location of the Help Lesotho office and the place where I'm staying until Monday when I head on a 4 hour ride to Mahlekefane, up in the mountains. I met other Help Lesotho volunteers and staff and then headed to the St. Mary's compound (fenced in with a guard at night). There, I met Peg and Sister Maria, who had prepared a welcome sign, fresh flowers and dinner for me! I had a lovely evening catching up with Peg and meeting the sixteen sponsored St. Mary's girls. They were working on their homework in their dormitory. I showed them the route that I took to get here on a map. They asked why I didn't just cross the Atlantic Ocean, an obviously much more direct route. I explained the need to re-fuel. They said that I should have just swam. I said it was very far, and they said, "But lahoa (white person) is very good swimmer!" They were a spunky bunch ranging in age from about 13-16 and they call me "Aussi Shauna" (meaning Sister Shauna, because I don't have children). I was greeted with hugs from these girls who I had never seen and felt very welcome.
Peg and I returned to the guest house that is operated by the nuns and I found a bed with clean sheets and fancy pillows, with a lamp next to my bed. After chatting with Peg, I hit the hay. Filled with nervous excitement and about a million thoughts running through my head, I was unable to sleep for quite some time. Once I finally did fall asleep though, I slept like a log. I woke up at 1p.m. Lesotho time (5 a.m. Ottawa time), had a warm shower under a tiny bit of flow, and headed "downtown" with Cliff and Mel, two Help Lesotho staff members.
Things are wonderful here, the people are so friendly and everything is being met by my thrilled eyes. I'm so excited...I'm anxious writing this e-mail as I feel that I cannot express everything that I am seeing in a clear enough way. I hope you're not expecting profound words and deep reflection at this point. I'm still on a "honeymoon phase" where everything is novel, new and thrilling. We went to a wood shop where we ordered a table and bookshelves for the new office. It's incredible how different things are here, but how so many are the same. It's just like what I expected, although it's not as DIFFERENT as I thought it would be. It's what I pictured, almost exactly. We'll see if that remains true as time passes and I learn more.
You are all in my thoughts, and I want to thank you all so much for the support, encouragment and help in getting me here. I couldn't have done this without you. I will be in town until Monday and will try to e-mail again before I head into Mahlekefane - with no electricity or running water and certainly no e-mail! Happily yours from a tiny internet cafe in "downtown" Leribe,
Shauna
(I am pretty embarrased that my first e-mail contained my name written as Shauns, not Shauna. Bear in mind that it was a typo, not an attempt to make a nickname for myself!)
Hello!
I'm here - safe and sound, happy and SO excited. My long journey went very smoothly, I had great luck at every step of the way. Arriving at the Montreal airport, I was told I would have to check three of my bags and pay an extra $225, plus extra for the heavy weight. I found a friendly check-in fellow, called Christian, and he let me put everything through for no extra cost, and checked it all the way to Maseru, my final destination. I had a wonderful stop-over in Zurich, Switzerland. Kathi Fleig (my uncle Matt's former nanny) picked me up and drove me to her apartment where I had a much appreciated hot shower and a delicious breakfast (museli and fruit - very similar to Grandpa's famous oatmeal!). I spent the day touring Zurich - a bus tour, a train ride up for a wonderful view and a hike to the very highest point in Zurich. It was cold and windy, my bag was heavy, but I knew I had to hike all the way to the top. The view was wonderful! I managed to find my way back to the airport on public transportation, I was very proud of myself! The airplane rides were perfect - I had a personal TV, with movies, TV shows, games, flight info...at demand. All in all I watched 4.5 movies (including Serendipity - Charlie will be happy!) Arriving into Maseru, South Africa on a tiny prop plane was incredible.
The sky was blue and clear and the sun was shining. Walking into the small airport, I thought I would burst with excitement. Carloyn Kennedy was there to meet me and we had no problem getting through customs. We drove (on the wrong side of the road, a strange feeling) to Leribe/Hlotse, the location of the Help Lesotho office and the place where I'm staying until Monday when I head on a 4 hour ride to Mahlekefane, up in the mountains. I met other Help Lesotho volunteers and staff and then headed to the St. Mary's compound (fenced in with a guard at night). There, I met Peg and Sister Maria, who had prepared a welcome sign, fresh flowers and dinner for me! I had a lovely evening catching up with Peg and meeting the sixteen sponsored St. Mary's girls. They were working on their homework in their dormitory. I showed them the route that I took to get here on a map. They asked why I didn't just cross the Atlantic Ocean, an obviously much more direct route. I explained the need to re-fuel. They said that I should have just swam. I said it was very far, and they said, "But lahoa (white person) is very good swimmer!" They were a spunky bunch ranging in age from about 13-16 and they call me "Aussi Shauna" (meaning Sister Shauna, because I don't have children). I was greeted with hugs from these girls who I had never seen and felt very welcome.
Peg and I returned to the guest house that is operated by the nuns and I found a bed with clean sheets and fancy pillows, with a lamp next to my bed. After chatting with Peg, I hit the hay. Filled with nervous excitement and about a million thoughts running through my head, I was unable to sleep for quite some time. Once I finally did fall asleep though, I slept like a log. I woke up at 1p.m. Lesotho time (5 a.m. Ottawa time), had a warm shower under a tiny bit of flow, and headed "downtown" with Cliff and Mel, two Help Lesotho staff members.
Things are wonderful here, the people are so friendly and everything is being met by my thrilled eyes. I'm so excited...I'm anxious writing this e-mail as I feel that I cannot express everything that I am seeing in a clear enough way. I hope you're not expecting profound words and deep reflection at this point. I'm still on a "honeymoon phase" where everything is novel, new and thrilling. We went to a wood shop where we ordered a table and bookshelves for the new office. It's incredible how different things are here, but how so many are the same. It's just like what I expected, although it's not as DIFFERENT as I thought it would be. It's what I pictured, almost exactly. We'll see if that remains true as time passes and I learn more.
You are all in my thoughts, and I want to thank you all so much for the support, encouragment and help in getting me here. I couldn't have done this without you. I will be in town until Monday and will try to e-mail again before I head into Mahlekefane - with no electricity or running water and certainly no e-mail! Happily yours from a tiny internet cafe in "downtown" Leribe,
Shauna
(I am pretty embarrased that my first e-mail contained my name written as Shauns, not Shauna. Bear in mind that it was a typo, not an attempt to make a nickname for myself!)
Shauns is leaving
Right before I left, I sent out this e-mail to almost 100 people. I misspelled my own name in the message title.
March 12, 2006
Off I go!
Hello all, I will be leaving for my three months in Africa in a little over two and a half hours. I'm heading to the train station to catch my first "flight" with Swiss Air, which is in fact a bus to Montreal. I have two huge suitcases filled with school supplies, teaching tools, books and a little wee bit of clothing! I hope that both airlines (Swiss Air and South African Air) will transport these heavy bags and that they make it to Lesotho with me. I have packed some really important items (socks, kids books, my teddy bear) in my carry-on, just in case.
I don't know how often I will get access to the internet, but anytime I do, I will send an e-mail out and let you know of my adventures. Before I go, I just wanted to send out an e-mail to thank any and all of you for your help. So many of you have reached out an given support, advice and hugs in the weeks leading up to this trip. Those of you who donated school supplies, books, toys and money have been a huge help to me and my projects. Please feel free to e-mail me. As many of you know, I will be living in a mountain community with no electricity or running water (therefore, no e-mail!), but when I go into town for supplies, I will hopefully have internet access, and will be happy to read about all of you! I can't wait to get started, and I'll be in touch.
I will certianly be making a presentation in June, with photos, stories and memories - I'll let you know when it's happening!
Thank you to all,
Take care and peace
March 12, 2006
Off I go!
Hello all, I will be leaving for my three months in Africa in a little over two and a half hours. I'm heading to the train station to catch my first "flight" with Swiss Air, which is in fact a bus to Montreal. I have two huge suitcases filled with school supplies, teaching tools, books and a little wee bit of clothing! I hope that both airlines (Swiss Air and South African Air) will transport these heavy bags and that they make it to Lesotho with me. I have packed some really important items (socks, kids books, my teddy bear) in my carry-on, just in case.
I don't know how often I will get access to the internet, but anytime I do, I will send an e-mail out and let you know of my adventures. Before I go, I just wanted to send out an e-mail to thank any and all of you for your help. So many of you have reached out an given support, advice and hugs in the weeks leading up to this trip. Those of you who donated school supplies, books, toys and money have been a huge help to me and my projects. Please feel free to e-mail me. As many of you know, I will be living in a mountain community with no electricity or running water (therefore, no e-mail!), but when I go into town for supplies, I will hopefully have internet access, and will be happy to read about all of you! I can't wait to get started, and I'll be in touch.
I will certianly be making a presentation in June, with photos, stories and memories - I'll let you know when it's happening!
Thank you to all,
Take care and peace
P6 - Palesa Jane
I was soon wrapped up in the process of learning about Lesotho and filling in application forms, seeking donations and preparing myself to travel.
For years, I'd begged my parents to sponsor a child in my name as a Christmas or birthday gift. Once I had decided to go to Lesotho, my mother decided to sponsor a young girl that I could actually meet and spend time with.
Suddenly, Palsea Jane (pronounced Jah-nay) became a part of our family.
How I first learned about Lesotho
I hadn’t even heard of Lesotho until October 2006. I was there 5 months later.
This is how it all started, with an e-mail I sent to the founder of Help Lesotho,October 18,2006
Hello!
I learned of your program on Sunday, as I was preparing to supply teach in agrade 5-6 class. I explored your website in order to find some information to share with the students before the assembly to be held late in the morning. I read about the toys that children in Lesotho play with - homemade soccer balls and small metal cars(galimotos?). With the class that I was supplying for, we discussed what we knew about Lesotho and some ideas of how children unwind and have fun. After a student volunteered the idea of homemade soccer balls, I supplied five groups of four students each with plastic bags, recycling paper and string. Each group made a different sort of ball. We went outside and had a soccer gym lesson using our "Lesotho inspired" balls. This was followed by a discussion in which the children talked about the advantages and disadvantages to using a home-made soccer ball.
Immediately after this discussion, we attended, in the gym, a wonderful photographic presentation put on by your organization. The children were enthralled and very moved. Upon returning to the classroom, they had many questions and all said that they felt for the students at Paray. One student expressed that he could understand their lives a little better after making his own sports equipment out of simple materials. When I asked who else felt this way, all the students raised their hands.
I felt very fortunate to have been supply teaching on this particular morning. Ever since a very young age, I have been extremely interested in the plight of African children. More recently, I have been interested in becoming involved with some type of organization in order that I might travel to Africa and volunteer with school children. When I learned about your organization, I was thrilled. I would love to be a part of Help Lesotho, locally and in Lesotho if at all possible. As I said, I am currently an occasional teacher, and therefore do not have a contract position. My schedule is very flexible and I would absolutely relish being a part of your wonderful organization.
Please let me know if there is a way that I can become involved.
Thank you for all the inspirational, life-changing work that you do!
This is how it all started, with an e-mail I sent to the founder of Help Lesotho,October 18,2006
Hello!
I learned of your program on Sunday, as I was preparing to supply teach in agrade 5-6 class. I explored your website in order to find some information to share with the students before the assembly to be held late in the morning. I read about the toys that children in Lesotho play with - homemade soccer balls and small metal cars(galimotos?). With the class that I was supplying for, we discussed what we knew about Lesotho and some ideas of how children unwind and have fun. After a student volunteered the idea of homemade soccer balls, I supplied five groups of four students each with plastic bags, recycling paper and string. Each group made a different sort of ball. We went outside and had a soccer gym lesson using our "Lesotho inspired" balls. This was followed by a discussion in which the children talked about the advantages and disadvantages to using a home-made soccer ball.
Immediately after this discussion, we attended, in the gym, a wonderful photographic presentation put on by your organization. The children were enthralled and very moved. Upon returning to the classroom, they had many questions and all said that they felt for the students at Paray. One student expressed that he could understand their lives a little better after making his own sports equipment out of simple materials. When I asked who else felt this way, all the students raised their hands.
I felt very fortunate to have been supply teaching on this particular morning. Ever since a very young age, I have been extremely interested in the plight of African children. More recently, I have been interested in becoming involved with some type of organization in order that I might travel to Africa and volunteer with school children. When I learned about your organization, I was thrilled. I would love to be a part of Help Lesotho, locally and in Lesotho if at all possible. As I said, I am currently an occasional teacher, and therefore do not have a contract position. My schedule is very flexible and I would absolutely relish being a part of your wonderful organization.
Please let me know if there is a way that I can become involved.
Thank you for all the inspirational, life-changing work that you do!
Welcome
I had a dream come true last year, when I spent three glorious, thrilling, challenging months living in the mountains of Lesotho (a tiny landlocked country inside South Africa).
I spent a lot of time out of touch with my family and friends and filled two journals with my reflections. I took more than 3000 photos (and had to buy a new camera in Lesotho after breaking my first one!) and managed to write about 17 e-mails to a group of friends and family, many who helped me raise money for my trip and the projects I worked on there.
I travelled with an organization called Help Lesotho that provided me with an opportunity to do exactly what I wanted - live and teach in a tiny African village.
I spent a lot of time out of touch with my family and friends and filled two journals with my reflections. I took more than 3000 photos (and had to buy a new camera in Lesotho after breaking my first one!) and managed to write about 17 e-mails to a group of friends and family, many who helped me raise money for my trip and the projects I worked on there.
I travelled with an organization called Help Lesotho that provided me with an opportunity to do exactly what I wanted - live and teach in a tiny African village.
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