Race Weekend

This past weekend, I hosted 32 PCVs at the game reserve to run/cheer. The weekend consisted of running, braaiing, eating, and dancing.

On Thursday, four PCVs came early to help rent the chalets for everyone, get started on buying food, and cooking. But of course, before anything, we all went for a walk through the game reserve. We got extremely lucky and got to see a huge herd of giraffes! These young giraffes, are typically not with their parents, because they begin to fend for themselves at an early age (six weeks), they instead find a male to watch over them and continuously change "babysitters" (or herds) until they are full grown. The name giraffe comes from the Arab word xirapha, which means 'one who walks fast.' Giraffes walk very similar to camels, in that it walks with the left legs together and then the right legs, not cross legged like other four legged creatures.

On Friday, people started showing up. It was great to see everyone again, and be able to catch up on what going on in each other's lives. One PCV made Mexican food for everyone for dinner, and it was great to chow down on some great food, before the big race the next day.

On Saturday, we all woke up bright and early to head to the race. Luckily, the race was within walking distance, and we could all meander there. The best part is that the race was being run by the running club that I had joined, so I was able to introduce my South African friends to all my PCV friends. At 7, we were off! It was nice having so many cheerleaders who didn't run, because as we crossed the finish line, it was wonderful to hear everyone cheering.

 

Pictured: The group of PCVs who ran Saturday morning.

Pictured: Myself and Koko after completing the race.

 

After the race finished, the athletic club did a small braai, and opened their bar. After getting some food in us, we wandered back to the game reserve. Some people headed to the mall, others wandered through the game reserve, and others hung out at the park to hang out on the swings and merry-go-round. Around 4 we had a braai, and had some prize giving for the best runner, the biggest fundraiser, etc. The food was delicious, and I'm so glad that I was not needed for cooking.

 

It was great to be able to see friends, catch up, and just relax in the sun for a weekend.

Random School Moments That Make Me Smile

As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I have learned to enjoy the little victories. These victories range from when students greet me in the morning, to when I have a class that is only interrupted once, to when a student asks for condoms.

 

This post is about those moments (captured in pictures) that have happened so far in Term 3.  

 

 

 

Pictured: Two of my star students showing me how much they have improved in reading. They try and come after school every day to practice their reading, and it shows!

 

 

Pictured: A few of my students playing "Piglet's Big Adventure" on the computer after typing class. The boys beg me to play it every day.

Pictured: My grade seven students during their computer class. Since we only have four computers, they sit four to a computer. Not a single argument broke out during this entire lesson. That's a HUGE success.

 

 

Pictured: One of my students diligently at work. He asked to borrow a dictionary so he could complete a science project.

 

 

Pictured: My grade sevens playing grassroots soccer. A program that uses soccer to teach students about HIV. During this day, each cone represented something that would be a risk for getting HIV, ie: mixing alcohol and sex, multiple sex partners...  

 

 

Pictured: My students lining up, and posing for a picture. 

 

 

Pictured: Teaching some of the younger students how to stretch. Precious!

 

Pictured: Me with my star runner. She hasn't missed a running practice yet! And she now shows me the route she takes when I'm not running with her. Thanks to everyone who sent sports bras to support her dream!

 

 









Pictured: Playing with the students after a short exercise and stretching.

 

Pictured: One of my girls showing of her juggling skills.

 



From the Desk of a Computer Teacher

When a group of my grade 10 learners approached me and asked if I could teach them how to type, I responded with, “Sure, why not?” Looking back now, I can tell you a list of reasons to not teach typing class, there was no designated time to teach typing, there were only six computers and forty-two grade 10 learners, half of the computer wires had been chewed to ruin by mice, and I would have to assemble and disassemble the computers every day. But my grade 10 learners were consistent, and begged me to teach them how to type, and I promised them as soon as term 3 began they would begin typing class. I began by assembling all the computers to make sure they all worked. They didn't, a mouse had been eaten to smithereens by... a mouse, I couldn't find a plug for another, a keyboard's space bar would not work, a monitor didn't have a cable... we ended up down a computer... to five. Five computers for forty-two learners who all wanted to be taught how to type. The next item was figuring out a time to teach. After talking to the principal, he happily agreed to allow me to teach the students the hour before school (7:00-8:00), during lunch (10:00-11:00), and after the last bell rang (14:00-15:00). I then went into breaking the groups up into these three slots for the three days that I'm in school (for those of you who don't know, I'm split between a school and a municipality). Then I downloaded RapidTyper, a typing program that tracks each student's progress, as well as allows me to create my own typing lessons. Lastly, I downloaded and bought a few games, so when the lesson finished, my students could play some games, and become better at using a mouse and other keys not needed in typing.

As the first day of typing class rolled around, I started setting up the five computers and nervously wondered if my learners would actually show up. At 7:00 my first five students came in, excited to start typing class. I gave them all their “contract” stating that if they missed more than three classes they would not be allowed to return to class, and their seat would be given to a grade 12 learner. I began by asking each of them if they knew how to turn on the computer. They all quickly said yes.... and turned on the button... for the monitor. I explained that there are two power buttons on the computers, and showed them the other one. I then asked them if they could show me the mouse. They all picked the correct item, but when I asked them to use it, I soon realized that each student was on a different playing field. One student could identify the RapidTyping icon, and clicked on it, while another clicked excessively on the scrolling button, and even others didn't know how to control the curser with the mouse. After explaining how to use a mouse, we all got the RapidTyping program. I then showed them the F and J keys, and how they must always have their pointer finger on those two keys. Another problem, the names of our fingers did not translate. I changed over to numbers, left pinky: 1, left ring finger: 2, middle finger: 3, pointer finger:4, thumb... and so on. I told them how to place their fingers, and to use your THUMB for the space bar. As they began typing 'fj fj fj jf jf jf...' I would walk around the room and help guide their correct fingers onto the correct key. I also began to feel like a broken record “finger 4 for f, finger 3 for j!” After going through the lesson five times, I could see they were beginning to get it. They were using the correct finger for the correct key, and their speed was increasing. After the 8^th time, I told them they could play a game on the computer, but they all declined, and continued to type 'df df df kj kj kj.' When the bell rang, I told them they HAD to get off the computer and go to class, and that they could pick up where they left off next Monday. They all thanked me, and left. This continued eight more times throughout the rest of the week, eight more lessons of “Finger 5 for j! You need to use all your fingers to type!” Two more days of assembling and disassembling the computers, 8 more hours of typing class, 37 more students, and countless times of saying “use your thumb for the space bar, not your finger.” But after the last computer was put back in a box, and back into storage, I realized that every student was a little better, and other students were now asking me to teach them how to type, as well as teachers. 

Now that a few weeks have passed, I have students who come during whatever free break they have, and are achieving “champion” levels on the program. I've also talked to two of my grade 10 learners, and asked them if they want to later teach the grade 9 learners next year. Neither of them hesitated before saying yes. They now come to every typing lesson (without my asking) to help teach their grade 10 peers. A few of my grade 7 learners come and wait like vultures to see if anyone is absent and scramble to grab their computer first to learn how to type.

There are hiccups in this business of teaching computer typing. I did drop one of the hard drives while unpacking one of the computers, so we are down to four. A few students who weren't interested did drop out, but were happily replaced by eager grade 12 learners. Students do get frustrated, spacebars stop working, computers freeze, chairs break, and the power does unexpectedly go out. But at the end of the day, typing class is successful, because my students knew they needed it, and asked for it. 

Half Marathon in Kruger National Park

Running my first half marathon was an incredible experience, but running it in Kruger National Park was even more incredible.

Within minutes of driving into the park, we had our first encounter of one of the Big 5, a pair of white rhino. Although I have seen white rhinos at the game reserve before, I had never been this close to one, and was in awe of how truly big they were!

As we continued through the park, we were lucky enough to see all of the big five; white/black rhino, African elephant, African leopard, Cape buffalo, and African lion. The Big Five game was coined by game hunters when referring to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot. The members of the Big Five were chosen for the difficulty of hunting them and the degree of danger that is involved, not their size.

 Pictured:  A dead Cape Buffalo on the side of the road.

Pictured: A baby elephant.

Pictured: Two lionesses watching a warthog.

 Pictured: A lion, and a young male lion laying by the watering hole.

 

Pictured: A Cape buffalo.

 

 

Pictured: A leopard sunbathing on a rock.

 

When we got to Skukuza camp, we pitch edour tents, and then walked around the Skukuza village, which is made up of guest houses, camping grounds, 2 swimming pools, a golf course, a library, a museum,  3 restaurants, and gift shops. The word Skukuza, is a shortened word from Sikhukhuza, from the Shangaan language. The name was given by the local Tsonga Shangaan people as a nickname for James Stevenson-Hamilton. The word translated into “a new broom,” since Stevenson-Hamilton swept the area clean of poachers, outlaws... and the Tsonga Shangaan people, to make way for the camp.

 

Pictured: Nic with his running number next to his tent. 

 

Pictured: Me with my running number next to my tent.

 

 

Pictured: Drinking a beer at the Skukuza restuarant. 

 

 

That night, we ate a huge meal of braii, and pap tart. Pap tart is a delicious meal that is made in a pan. You put a layer of mealiepap, and then a layer of tomato sauce mixed with onion, mushrooms, garlic, and corn, then another layer of mealiepap, and another layer of the tomato sauce, then another layer of mealiepap, and then you pour over onion soup, and then you put a layer of grated cheddar cheese. It was delicious.

The next day, we woke around 6 to head out to the race. Before the race began, helicopters came in to fly over us to scare of any lions, elephants, or leopard that might want to cause us harm. They continued to stay over us throughout the race, as well as squad of rangers littered throughout the race in vehicles and on foot, to make sure that both humans and animals are safe throughout the race.  

Pictured: Let's run a half marathon, but first, lemme take a selfie!

 

When I finally finished my first half marathon , I was awarded with a beer, and a medal. 

 

Pictured: All sweaty after running a half marathon. 

 

When we got back to the camp, I took a long nap, a long shower, and put on my knee brace.

 

After we all celebrated the 21k race by taking shots, drinking beer, and eating pokjie (a slow cooked meat/veggie dish, famously served while camping from a big three legged pot. Pronounced poy-key).

The next morning, we woke up early, to break down camp, and so that we could have a whole morning of driving through the park before heading home.

Pictured: Impala, there are thousands of impala in Kruger National Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured: An elephant at the watering hole, if you look to the right of him, you can see a group of about 5 lions. A little after this picture was taken, the elephant charged at them to scare them off. 

 

 

 

 

Pictured: The hornbill bird, also known as Zazu in the lion king! 

 

 

 

Pictured: Hyenas at night, on the other side of the fence of our campsite. Not nearly as cute at the hyenas in the lion king.

 

 

All in all, the race was amazing, the animals were incredible, and the food was delicious.

 

It is truly a different experience seeing these animals in the wild, and not in captivity.

 

I promise though, my next blog will be about my students.