Why I Love Running, and Why I Introduced It To My Students

When I graduated University, I promised myself two things, one being that I wouldn't ever stop reading, and the second being that I would continue staying active. Throughout university I took English classes that encouraged me to read, and I spent my summers bouncing around in the ocean that kept me beyond fit. Knowing that I would no longer have jobs that I could sneak away from to spend endless hours buoying through the Atlantic I decided I needed to find something else. That something else became running. 

Running quickly became a big part of my life. I introduced my dog to it, and she would jump up and down when she saw my running shoes getting pulled out of my closet. I introduced my friends to it, and we began to sign up for races together. When I moved away from Wilmington and moved to Baton Rouge, I joined a running club, and some of the closest friends I made in Baton Rouge, I met through running. 

Pictured: Zela and one of my friends in Baton Rouge, running the Turkey Trot through downtown BR. 

When I moved to South Africa, I was worried that my running would take the back burner, but instead I fell deeper in love with running. I began to reflect on what running means to me, and why it has become such an important aspect of my life. 

To me running is a way to 

- relax after a long day

- get energized in the morning

- relieve stress 

- help myself generate new ideas and lesson plan

- make new friends

- stay active

- allow myself to eat whatever I want 

- be proud of myself

- motivate myself to work harder

- continue to have a goal in sight

- become strong

- get myself away from watching TV

- become a better person

When I first came to South Africa, a Peace Corps Volunteer who had already been in the country for two years told me that the best way to keep myself motivated is to implement plans that you are already passionate about. To me, that was running, so I decided to start a running group after school once a week. I wanted to give my students that same joy that I got out of running. I wanted my students to have something to be proud of. 

As some people already know, I struggled to get my female students involved due to the lack of sports bras available. Once donations of sports bras came in, I began to see my female students become even more motivated than many of my already involved male students. 

I have one female student in particular that embodies the entire reason why I started a running group. She was one of my students who was struggling in class due to problems that were effecting her outside of the classroom. On the one side she would never interrupt class, but on the other hand, she never got involved in class either. I would find her staring out the window while I attempted to hold class discussions, and other times I would have to track her down and keep her after school to finish half completed assignments and tests. 

Once I gave her a new pair of running shorts, and a donated sports bra, she threw herself into running. She was always the first one to show up for running club, and would encourage the other students to join in. She also showed me the route she ran when I wasn't running with her. 

Although she continued to struggle in school, she began to open up. She took pride in her running, and would speak up more in class. She started getting involved in other activities, like when there was free time in the computer lab, and started coming to girls' group. I saw her hanging out with her peers more, instead of sitting on the sidelines during lunch. 

This is why I wanted to introduce my students to running. Running motivates you, empowers you, and gives you courage. It makes you feel like you can take on any challenge. I wanted my students to be able to have this feeling, especially the ones who are struggling in school. 

Being Sick in Peace Corps: This one's for all those worried momma's out there

Friday morning I woke up with a pain in my lower back, but knowing my mattress I just passed it off as sleeping funny, took some pain pills and went to work. Seeing at it is December, it's almost time for school to let out and work to be done for the Christmas holidays and I didn't want to miss out on precious time with my students and coworkers before I left for Cape Town for vacation. But as the day wore on, my back continued to ache, and I continued to try to ignore it. It was Friday and I was looking forward to a good weekend back in my preservice training village with another peace corps volunteer and my boyfriend. Around five in the afternoon my boyfriend arrived, and we went out to enjoy dinner, and the beginning of the weekend.

On Saturday morning we woke up early to head out to my preservice training village to meet up with my host family. Luckily having my boyfriend with me it would be a three hour drive instead of a five hour taxi ride. I had complained to my boyfriend earlier that morning that my lower back was hurting, and he stated that I should go to the doctors, but knowing that would put us off track for visiting my host family, I took a few more pain tablets, and we were on the road.

We arrived in Matlerekeng around 1pm. I introduced my host family to my now steady South Africa boyfriend. My host brother later commented “You'll probably be angry with me saying this, but I love that you have a South African boyfriend, because that means you can stay in South Africa forever!” I snuggled my host nephews, and kissed my host siblings who I had missed terribly in the past few months. We all got changed quickly, to get ready to go to a wedding one village away. 

 

 

Pictured: My boyfriend meeting my host nephew, Dumi. 

As the night wore on my back continued to be in pain, but I continued to dance at the wedding, and enjoy the food and ciders placed in front of me. Living in the city had made me miss the village weddings filled with dancing, food, and laughter. We chatted with each other, my host sisters filled me in on the gossip, and my host brother continued to ask me advice on asking the girl he had been crushing on for months. 

Pictured: My host brother, Frans, and my boyfriend during the wedding

Pictured: My host sister, Lea, myself and another PCV, Koko.

 

Pictured: My host brother, myself, my boyfriend, and host sister. 

Pictured: Enjoying the wedding festivities.
 

Around eleven it began to pour with rain and everyone began packing up their things. My host siblings were filled with excitement to go out in the city to see a DJ show, but from the rain and my back I told them I would pass and see them the next morning.

The next morning I woke up to excruciating back pain. Whenever I rolled over I hurt, and I couldn't warm myself up. I shivered in pain while my boyfriend rubbed my back hoping the pain would go away. But at 5am, when I started puking he carried me to the car and began the long drive back to site.

I messaged my host siblings, telling them that I was in pain, and was going to go to the hospital (I had warned them already that I wasn't feeling well). When we pulled into my house, Clayton walked me to my bed where I called Peace Corps medical. I told them my symptoms and that amount of pain I was in. They quickly told me where to go for treatment and explained that they would fax over a letter to the hospital so I wouldn't have to pay the hospital fees.

Clayton then helped me back out to the car, and drove me to the hospital. Once admitted, they began administering fluids and explained that I had a bladder infection as well as a fever. They gave me pain meds and antibiotics, and after a few hours, they sent me on my way. On my way home, I called Peace Corps, and told them the diagnosis as well at the medication that I was put on.

Later that week while I was recovering (and after 72 hours of sleeping with moments in between of vomiting and snippets of Futurama), I skyped my mother to tell her how I was feeling. She explained how when she searched sick in the peace corps, all she found were links to PCVs dying in service, and explained that she was worried sick that I was slowly dying of dehydration. Although death does happen in Peace Corps (remember, death can happen anywhere), ailments are treated and Peace Corps Volunteers do get better. I just wanted to post this blog to ease the mind of other worried parents.

Thankful!

With Thanksgiving come up in less than a week, I wanted to write a list of things that I am thankful for.

1. My parents

I am beyond thankful for my parents. They have supported me in everything that I do, and have allowed me to leave the nest without hesitation. When I decided to move ten hours away to go to University, they helped me move into my new dorm. When I exclaimed that I was going to Baton Rouge, to work as a City Year Corps member, my dad flew into North Carolina, rented a moving van, and helped me drive 16 hours to my new home. When I decided to apply for the Peace Corps they helped me with my application, and when I got my invitation to South Africa, they didn’t hesitate before celebrating with me. Without my parents loving support, and “yes” attitude with everything I have desired to do, I couldn’t have become the person I am today.

2. My sweet puppy, Vuvuzela

Out of all the goodbyes before leaving to South Africa, the hardest one was to my puppy. I remember sitting on the steps of my apartment in Wilmington, NC not wanting to pick up my bags and leave Zela behind. She gave me the biggest puppy dog face, let me hug her for waayyy to long (definitely almost missed my flight), and allowed me to leave. Not only did she let me leave, she was fine being shuffled between friends and family. I can’t wait to see her when I return to America.

Pictured: When Zela still lived in Wilmington. 

Pictured: Zela when she moved to my parent's and was introduced to my mother's friend's newborn baby.

2. My students

I believe I have the most amazing group of students. They have such a strong desire to learn. They work hard in class, and willingly stay after school to work on their reading, computers, and writing. They also inspire me to be a better teacher both in and out of the classroom.

Pictured: A message of my students left that reads "Solomon is the good writer in English but now I dont no how to talk english perfect but I will"

Pictured: My students after graduating from the Grassroot Soccer Skills program. 

Pictured: Teaching the younger students how to play twister in my office. 

4.       My own education

Since graduating high school, I have realized that in many parts of America and the world, a good education from a public school is far from the norm. As a graduate from the Pittsburgh Public School system, I have realized how lucky I was to have such incredible teachers in my life.  I learned so much from my teachers, from the love of reading, to the importance of understanding other cultures, to thinking outside of the box.

5.       Access to running water

Being one of the only PCVs in my cohort with running water, I have realized the ease that running water brings. When I wash dishes, I don’t have to go and pump water. When I want to bathe, I don’t have to fill a bucket with water. When I want to drink water, I don’t have to filter it first. I don’t have to store up water every week and ration it out.  It is such a blessing to have clean running water, every single day.

6.       Understanding how much time is saved by a washing machine

About a month before I left for South Africa, my friend Jordan laughed and said You’re going to have to wash your laundry by hand! Although I do have running water, I do not have a laundry machine. After learning to wash laundry, and try to figure out the least time consuming way to do it, I’ve realized how important and life changing washing machines must have been in The States. When I do laundry every weekend, it could take from two hours (if I decided to wash only darks), to the whole day (this is when I have to wash everything, from socks to towels). I am only one person, if I was a mother with a family of ten, washing the clothes for the whole family could very easily turn into a full time job. As a female, access to washing machines could dramatically change the future of women in countries where there are none. To have a washing machine could free up time for a woman to go to university, or to read a book, or to get a job. All in all, washing machines are incredible.

7.       Books

I am so thankful for all the books I have and trade with other PCVs. These books have given me something to do on boring Tuesday nights, especially on nights when there is load shedding (a.k.a. no electricity).

Kindles are also awesome!

8.       External hard drive

One of the first things I learned before joining the Peace Corps, was to get an external hard drive and stock up on movies. I didn’t really think anything of it, and decided against getting one. But, when Christmas rolled around, my ex-boyfriend (who as a marine, had been told to do the same thing when he got deployed) gave me one as a Christmas present. As my time continued in Peace Corps, I realized how important and how wonderful this gift was. I have been able to watch the same TV series with other PCVs and message them throughout the seasons (I think there are a few that are getting sick of me messaging them every time there's a twist in Scandal). I’ve watched scads of movies and documentaries. It’s been great when it’s too dark to go outside, and I’m too tired to read a book.

9.       Facebook, skype and whatsapp

Definitely thankful for each of these things. I’m so happy that I’ve been able to stay in touch with all of my friends back home, and message my parents every single day about all the things that I’m doing in South Africa. I do not know how PCVs did this before skype, and other forms of easy communication, because to me, it's my life line. 

10.   Supportive friends

To piggyback on my last statement, I’m so glad that all my friends back home have supported me, and continued to stay in communication. With a seven hour time difference, I wake up to messages every morning from friends asking how I am, or picture of them laying on the beach (rude!). But no matter what it is, I’m happy that I’m still on their mind as their world continues to grow and change in America.

Pictured: These two taunt me every time they hang out and send me a picture of them together.

Pictured: My friend sending my pictures of him lying on the beach. 

Pictured: This is cruel and unusual punishment. Everyone knows how much I love and miss pierogies. 

11.   PCV Friends

The importance of my PCV friends are just as much as my supportive friends back home. I wouldn’t be able to survive Peace Corps without them. My PCV friends understand what we are all going through. We understand the cultural shocks, the funny misunderstanding, the amount we miss our family, friends and our old life. We are each other’s shoulders, support, and best friends. We share gifts from home, books that we have read, movies and TV shows that we like. We message each other when we’re lonely, and joyously share a bottle of wine when two get together.

Pictured: Braaing at the game reserve to celebrate 4th of July. 

Pictured: Celebrating my birthday with other PCVs.

Pictured: My wonderful cohort after a week long training. 

12.   Finding incredible friends and boyfriend in South Africa

Outside of my Peace Corps friends, I have made a ton of South African friends. My host siblings and I message back and forth almost every week, and I’m planning a visit with them in two weeks for a wedding. I have made friends with multiple people at the running club.  My neighbours at the game reserve continue to invite me over for braais. I have a best friend here, who I can cook dinner with on random Tuesdays. Finding a boyfriend here has been an incredibly weird experience, one that I never expected would have happened. My South African boyfriend, along with my South African friends have all accepted all the weird American things about me. They have also embraced and fallen in love with all my Peace Corps friends. They have shown me South Africa in a way I would never have seen it without them as my guide, and I in return how taught them about America (and I have learned how weird and different America really is).

Pictured: Showing South Africans the great holiday that is Halloween. 

Pictured: Celebrations with my host sisters. 

Pictured: Celebrating my birthday with my South African bestie. 

Pictured: Finding the South African hidden treasures with my South African boyfriend. 

Pictured: Nights out with my local friends. 

13.   Warm weather

A summer girl at heart, I’m so thankful for the warm weather in South Africa. I have always shut down when it turns to snow in the states, and to live somewhere, where it’s almost always summer year round, is heaven for me. Now… all I need is a beach.

Note: This was the dead of winter. 

14.   Running

As an avid runner, I’m so thankful to have other PCVs who also love to run, because they motivate me to continue to run, and to run longer and faster (they’ve also convinced me to sign up for Comrades, 94k's anyone?!?). I am so thankful for locating a running club on Wednesday afternoon. They have become part of my family, and I’m so happy to have wonderful running buddies, who have taught me more about running in the past ten moths than I have learned in the past ten years. Finally I’m thankful I have been able to pass on my love of running to my students. They now come to me and ask if I’m running after school every day.

Pictured: Skukuza Half Marathon with the Polokwane Athletic Club.

Pictured: Running break with a few of my students. 

Pictured: Me and a few of my friends after my first race in South Africa. 

15.   Acceptance

I am thankful for how my co-workers have accepted me into their lives. They have let me into their lives, invited me to family dinners, to weddings, to lunch. We giggle every day at work, and help each other out when one of us is floundering. They call me on weekends to make sure I'm not alone, and make sure that I get tickets to see all the soccer games at Peter Mokaba Stadium. 

16.   Seeing animals on a daily basis

As anyone knows, I’m obsessed with animals. I’ve always rescued cats off the streets, owned a puppy, and couldn’t say no to giving a dog a belly rub. Although the animals in my backyard are a far cry from dogs and cats, seeing them outside of a zoo and in their normal habitat is an incredible experience. I see a giraffe almost every time I go for a run through the game reserve, but every time its beauty stops me dead in my tracks. I cannot be more thankful to see all these majestic creatures almost every day.

17.   This experience

I’m so thankful to have been given this experience of living in South Africa. Yesterday marks 300 days of living in South Africa, an it’s incredible that it has been that long (I only have 16 months left!), but at the same time it’s amazing that it’s hasn’t, because like I say to everyone who asks me how I like South Africa: South Africa feels like home!

Why I Love Teaching in Rural South Africa

The other day one of my Peace Corps Volunteer friends suggested applying to Teach for America together. The first thing that went through my head was will I be able to confirm back to the ways that we teach in America?

This got me to start thinking about all the things I love about teaching in rural South Africa and decided to write a short blog post about it.

1.       Respect

From being a City Year Corps member, one thing I remember from serving in Belaire High School in Baton Rouge, LA, was the lack of respect that students had for their teachers. I would see students blatantly talking over teachers’ lesson, students on their phone, students talking back to teachers, and so on. This is far from the case in the school I teach in. Firstly, students know that they are not allowed to have their cell phones in school, so… they just don’t bring them (also, don’t picture the smart phones that we have today in America, but the blocky Samsung phones we had in the early 2000s).  

Also, when I arrive at school every morning, am I greeted by whatever student sees me first and asks to carry my purse, soccer balls, or whatever it is I might be bringing to school that day to my office. I would be skeptical if a student asked to do that for me in the states.

Pictured: Me and one of my students who always wants to carry my bags for me in the morning. 

2.       Class structure

Another thing I love about teaching in South Africa, is I have a lot of freedom to teach what I think is important, and relevant to my students. Yes I have to abide by CAPS, so that the students can pass the end of the year test, but I don’t always have to teach out of the book. On most days I look to see what CAPS wants me to teach, and then I teach it in the manner that I think the students would be able to grasp the best. The best example of this working was during the poetry section, and instead of using the poem that was given, I took a song lyric that they already knew. Not only were they able to grasp the concept of poetry and all the vocabulary of it, it also inspired them to write their own poetry!

On another note about class structure (one that is both good, and bad), teachers usually don’t abide by the class schedule. This is frustrating when I find out that a grade hadn't been taught all day because all the teachers decided to just not teach. But on the other hand it’s good, because I can easily teach all of my classes, even if they are not on my schedule. Another good on this side is I can leave students by themselves to finish up work. For example, when I teacher Grassroot Soccer, I can split my grade 8's (a class of 42 students) into two sections. While I am teaching Grassroot Soccer to one half of the class, the other half of the class is busy working in the Life Orientation book.

3.       Rewards and Punishments

Rewards and punishments are very different here than in the states. I reward my students with apples and they are beyond happy, I give them a book and they are ecstatic! For my top three learners last term, I had some left over medals from a race, and they loved them (remember my student age range is from 12-22)! I think if I brought apples, books that I found in a rubbish bin, or janky old medals as prizes to a class in America, they would be beyond bummed. Other rewards that I give are 20 minutes of soccer/netball, or if they are extremely good all term, they get to watch a whole movie on the last day (their favourite movie is Jamaica movie a.k.a. Cool Runnings).

Punishments are quite different here too. I have sent students home to fetch their pens because they forgot to bring them to school. I've made students sit outside my classroom because they were disturbing the class, and I've walked students out of the school and told them to try again tomorrow because they weren't behaving.

Pictured: My grade 7 class enjoying a movie on their last day of Term 2. 

Pictured: Two of my students reaping in the benefits of behaving well, by being able to play Zoombinis on my laptop. 

4.       Village life

There are so many great things about the fact that my school is in the same area where all my students live. When working in the states, probably 10% of my students who attended Belaire High School lived in that neighbourhood. This made things difficult when students were behind on work, because they had to take the bus home, and couldn't stay after school to work on homework. This is not a problem where I work now. If a student is behind on work, they easily stay after school (or come an hour before school) to finish it. If a student feels like they are too cool to stay after school, I can easily walk to the soccer field, find said student, and have them come back to school to finish it. So much easier.

Pictured: A few of my students saying late after not finishing their assignment during school hours. 

The other great thing about working in the same village that my students live, is I don’t have to make phone calls home. All I have to do is walk down the road, and visit their mother. I have developed a great relationship with most of my students’ mothers, one that they now come and visit me at work to see how their child is doing in my classes. This works great, if one of the students are acting out, I can easily relay this information back to their family. This also works well if a student is struggling, because then they are (usually) encouraged to stay after school and study. This also works if I have a student who is doing very well, because then their parents are ecstatic and put more emphasis on their child’s education.

Pictured: Three of my students who stayed after school one day a week to work on their handwriting. 

5.       Desire to Learn

My favourite thing about teaching in South Africa, is my students’ desire to learn. Each of my students are excited about school. When I ask a question in class, almost all of their hands go up. When there isn't a teacher in the classroom, usually the class sends one student to me to ask if I would come and teach instead.

My students love reading, and the library is always filled with children flipping through books, and reading each other stories. When I ask students to stay after school to work on something they are struggling with, they don’t roll their eyes, instead they say “okay” and they come and they learn.

Teaching in rural South Africa is wonderful!