Baba, sisi, mama, ntombi (girl), MyZo, Zozo, Zoey, Zolekaaaa, sweatheart, girl, sweetie, lady, mam, madam, miss, lumkazi (white lady, sp?), umlungu (white person), Alana-ee, and sometimes Alana.
Those are the many names that I have gotten used to hearing. I find it funny that I get everything from baby to mama. I am getting more and more well known throughout the community. We have a lot of people here – but when I’m gone for a week like I was recently many people ask me where I have been. I am the queen of greeting – waving from very far away at anyone and everyone so as not to offend (people have asked me – why didn’t you greet me?). I get my name called from all directions (usually by kids) and they are the automatic alarm that I’m coming down the street.
They are the funniest because they each say my name about 10 times and are not satisfied with a general “Molweni!” (hello plural)…they each want individual “hi!”. Usually I do not pay attention after the first two hellos and just let them scream my name over and over as I walk by waving and smiling at them. Greeting is a VERY important custom in South Africa. If you want to be rude – jump into a conversation without saying hello and how are you? If you think about your daily interactions (in the States I mean), it is not always necessary to greet someone fully before launching into whatever story it is, or problem you have to share with them. Here – store clerk, co worker, random person on the street – you don’t say hi? You are running the risk of seriously offending them. This has been something that I’ve really enjoyed HAVING to focus on here in South Africa.
Coming from the mindset that I need to get things done, and get them done efficiently and quickly I don’t normally take the time in the States for a full greeting before launching into whatever it is I’m thinking of. I like to think that I have manners – so I think I usually begin a conversation with at least “hi” but I’m sure I’m guilty of skipping even that when for example at a store, in a rush, trying to find the aisle with the shampoo – “where can I find shampoo? K, great, thanks!”. I did that once here – walked up to the movie ticket counter at a mall only to ask about price “how much are movie tickets?” I asked. After literally shooting daggers at me with her eyes, the clerk took a long pause, and said “hello, how are you?”. I apologized, greeted her and then asked again. It was actually really embarrassing and an “ah ha” moment.
I knew that it was going to be something I was going to learn in South Africa – how to be more relationship focused and friendly – even with random strangers that I will never see again. I’ve been working really hard at taking the time to do that. I know that it’s not just an American thing, but also an individual personality thing. I tend to be a direct person so sometimes slowing down to take the time to ask how someone is can be last thing on my mind. Knowing that about myself, I hope to come back to the States with a little more patience and a little less rush.
On the work front I’m less frantically rushed to get everything done as I have been the last few weeks. I held the Strategic Planning workshop (which went SO WELL – yay!). I applied for a grant from the MTV Staying Alive Foundation which funds youth led HIV/AIDS prevention projects around the world (pray for me that I get it!). I have this really cool idea for an all youth conference on HIV/AIDS and healthy behaviors. It would be awesome. Our pilot program for HIV/AIDS education SKILLZ has started and is so much fun! The kids really seem to enjoy it (despite the ever present problem of attendance). A lot of them were able to tell us what HIV and AIDS stands for! And they are 9-13! I mean it’s a good thing but also kind of crazy to think about. They are apparently giving really great answers to all of our questions (I can’t understand anything that’s happening because it’s all held in isiXhosa). I’m kind of excited to work with older kids so I can participate and help lead some of the sessions. Right now I just am sort of there to see that everything goes according to plan. And I always facilitate this one session called Fact/Nonsense and then the coaches in teams translate for me.
This was my first week back from the Peace Corps Life Skills training in Pretoria. I brought two of my counterparts with me and it was GREAT. We all got a lot out of it, and the whole week was really productive and helpful. I was very impressed with the Peace Corps, the facilitators, the smooth logistics, and my counterparts for their excitement and willingness to learn. We also got to know each other better which was really fun. I brought an extra bathing suit for my girls clubs co-facilitator Noxolo so she could go swimming. We also worked out together once (well they worked out more but I only did once haha). We also had a chance to just sit and chat about work, the office, and all kinds of stuff. I loved it. The two counterparts I brought are really fun and we have a really playful relationship. It was a good time. On the last night I bought them each a drink at the bar. All in all – a very valuable experience. Funniest quote of the week: during a “recap” of the day before which was taking wayyyyyy too long my male counterpart Figo leans over and says “borrow me a gun”. Maybe that sounds horrible but it was hilarious. Good times in PTA…
I’m really excited to have my first visitors at site – my two PCV friends who stay in KZN (Kwa-Zulu Natal) are coming to visit! They’re just going to be at my site for one night but still – so excited! Then I’m going to go with them to spend the night in PE before they head back. One of them studied abroad here in college and she’s going back to talk to the new study abroad kids about the Peace Corps. I would have gone to that also but I have SKILLZ that week so no such luck. While they are here we’re going to prepare for the World Map Project so that we can all each do it at our sites. It should be a great time!
Funny story: for the last two days these children have come to my house and demanded I give them biscuits (cookies). They just say it over and over. I told them I only have carrots thinking that would deter them and then they demanded carrots. I was shocked by this clever strategy of theirs so then I could only say…well if I give you my carrots what will I eat? That was about the extent of our conversation besides them demanding things from me. Like – go to church, go home (which I was), give me biscuits. “ZOLEKA! Give me biscuits!”. Please let this not be a daily thing…
“Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible”.
-Cadet Maxim
ps. If you are interested in helping me out with my girls clubs just see below on how you can help us out!
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