10 March 2009
landed safe and sound
"is it possible?" this is the south Africa tourism slogan. It is meant to signify the wonder of a magical place that has it all; beauty, adventure, culture , diversity all wrapped up into one place. From 45,000 feet - this is hard to confirm, but I hope by the end of the trip I can make the claim. All I know is we just crossed the Botswana border into SA - the sun is shining, I am beaming. . . I think it might be possible!
06 March 2009
Waiting For My Real Life to Begin
I woke up this morning with a huge smile on my face in part because I am filled will all of this positive energy due to my trip, but in part because I woke up to my ipod alarm clock playing Colin Hay's "Waiting For My Real Life to Begin". Of all songs it is funny that my shuffle landed on this one. The beauty and coincidence of it all. The song gets my morning mind thinking about a few things. 1. That Colin Hay is underrated and is such a fantastic singer songwriter. I wish he got more love since his days with Men at Work. But more importantly, 2. How lucky we all are to have lil luxuries like an Ipod alarm clock when many around the world are hoping and praying for clean water to consume. And 3. How poetic it is that in just a few short days I feel like MY real life will begin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4tcRlHY-3Q
Thanks again for reading and hope you enjoy the blog!
Cheers,
Tif
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4tcRlHY-3Q
Thanks again for reading and hope you enjoy the blog!
Cheers,
Tif
05 March 2009
My Travel Schedule
Today is officially my last day at work and I am thrilled to be finally at this point. For the past week I have been a bit checked out and in a bit of a daydream. Good thing I have been loaded with work and haven't had the time to allow myself to really sit back and relax just yet.
As many of you know I tend to have a bit of the planning streak in me and have been working on my travel plans for some time now. I finally made my final touches on my travel plans that have been 9 months in the making; coincidentally, the same amount of time a baby needs to grow in a mother's womb. As all eager mothers like to show off their new creations, I am proud to announce my travel schedule to you and hope you think that it is as adorable as I do.
Cheers,
Tif
9 Mar - Depart O'Hare
10 Mar- Land in Johannesburg, rent car and drive to Pretoria (Capital City) to explore the historic sights.
11 Mar- Drive to Kruger National Park Game Reserve.
12 Mar- Day Safari to see Big 5 and Night Elephant Safari
13 Mar- Drive West towards: Sarbie, Hazyview, Pilgrims Rest, Blyde Cayon, God's Window, Grasgoap
Visit the Apartied Museum
14 Mar- Fly from Jo'burg to East London to meet with the rest of the volunteers and drive 3 hours NE to Malungeni (near
Volunteer in Malugeni for 2 weeks
29 Mar- Fly from East London to Cape town
Visit the Summer Concert at Kirstenbosch National Gardens (botanical)
30 Mar- Cape Town city tours
Ride to the top of Table Mountain
31 Mar - Open Day to Explore
1 Apr- Beach Day
2 Apr- Winelands Tour
3 Apr- Cape Town markets
4 Apr- Meet with Amy, another volunteer who will be also staying in Cape Town
5 Apr- Winelands Tour
6 Apr- Robben Island
7 Apr- Fly from Cape Town to Jo'burg to Frankfurt, Germany
8 Apr- Frankfurt city tour
Visit the Staedel Art Museum
Trip to the Rhein (45 minutes) via train ride to Rüdesheim (extremely touristy) and Bingen, take a boat trip on the river
9 Apr- Fly from Frankfurt to O'Hare
As many of you know I tend to have a bit of the planning streak in me and have been working on my travel plans for some time now. I finally made my final touches on my travel plans that have been 9 months in the making; coincidentally, the same amount of time a baby needs to grow in a mother's womb. As all eager mothers like to show off their new creations, I am proud to announce my travel schedule to you and hope you think that it is as adorable as I do.
Cheers,
Tif
9 Mar - Depart O'Hare
10 Mar- Land in Johannesburg, rent car and drive to Pretoria (Capital City) to explore the historic sights.
11 Mar- Drive to Kruger National Park Game Reserve.
12 Mar- Day Safari to see Big 5 and Night Elephant Safari
13 Mar- Drive West towards: Sarbie, Hazyview, Pilgrims Rest, Blyde Cayon, God's Window, Grasgoap
Visit the Apartied Museum
14 Mar- Fly from Jo'burg to East London to meet with the rest of the volunteers and drive 3 hours NE to Malungeni (near
Volunteer in Malugeni for 2 weeks
29 Mar- Fly from East London to Cape town
Visit the Summer Concert at Kirstenbosch National Gardens (botanical)
30 Mar- Cape Town city tours
Ride to the top of Table Mountain
31 Mar - Open Day to Explore
1 Apr- Beach Day
2 Apr- Winelands Tour
3 Apr- Cape Town markets
4 Apr- Meet with Amy, another volunteer who will be also staying in Cape Town
5 Apr- Winelands Tour
6 Apr- Robben Island
7 Apr- Fly from Cape Town to Jo'burg to Frankfurt, Germany
8 Apr- Frankfurt city tour
Visit the Staedel Art Museum
Trip to the Rhein (45 minutes) via train ride to Rüdesheim (extremely touristy) and Bingen, take a boat trip on the river
9 Apr- Fly from Frankfurt to O'Hare
20 February 2009
My Assignment in Malungeni, SA
Well, it is official...I am a "pioneer". This is what Global Volunteers calls any group of volunteers that go into a region in the first year that GV establishes a foundation in that region. Our team will be the 5th group to work in Malungeni.
So many of you have asked what I will be doing volunteer wise in South Africa and today we were sent our assignments for that region and it looks like we will have our hands full. I wanted to update you all on what our roles will be while we are there.
Our primary assignment will be to work with students in the K-9 Langalakhe primary school - there are currently about 130 kids and 5 classrooms. Classes are from about 7:45AM to 1:45PM, with a lunch break. The school requested assistance with the following subjects: English, math, natural sciences and social sciences. Good thing I taught at local Chicago Public Schools with Junior Achievement several times this past year!
Our secondary projects are a wide range of community building activities from after school tutoring to labor work with community centers and a bakery. In addition, we could work on the following projects!
Women’s cooperative: A group of local women represent different special interest groups in the community – bakery, community garden, sewing and dance, and the piggery/poultry farms. Volunteers on past teams worked with the sewing and dance group on handicrafts. The women are concerned about providing productive activities for young women and girls in the community and also opportunities for earning outside income to purchase craft supplies and the like for community projects. They’ve thought about starting a local crafts market to attract people to the village, and to publicize their dancing group for hire at outside community programs. Craft projects on past teams included making dresses out of t-shirts, sewing, felting, knitting and darning.
Business planning: Volunteers on the first 3 teams facilitated business planning workshops and a project planning workshop. Local participants included members of the bakery, community garden, sewing and dance group, and the piggery/poultry farms groups. Information and activities focused around the different components of developing a business plan: mission/objective, management, operating budget, target market, marketing, funding. Each group also received small group assistance on creating their own budget and plan. Many of the groups have completed the initial planning phases for their businesses, and are still considering their next steps.
Healthcare:Medical professionals who are comfortable working independently and providing their own supplies (instruments and protective gear) have provided basic services in Malungeni. For example, an RN held blood sugar and blood pressure clinics/checks at the community center. Over 50 community members participated.
I can't tell you how excited I am to start this trip and get to Malungeni and really begin to work towards the betterment of this community!
xoxo - Tif
So many of you have asked what I will be doing volunteer wise in South Africa and today we were sent our assignments for that region and it looks like we will have our hands full. I wanted to update you all on what our roles will be while we are there.
Our primary assignment will be to work with students in the K-9 Langalakhe primary school - there are currently about 130 kids and 5 classrooms. Classes are from about 7:45AM to 1:45PM, with a lunch break. The school requested assistance with the following subjects: English, math, natural sciences and social sciences. Good thing I taught at local Chicago Public Schools with Junior Achievement several times this past year!
Our secondary projects are a wide range of community building activities from after school tutoring to labor work with community centers and a bakery. In addition, we could work on the following projects!
Women’s cooperative: A group of local women represent different special interest groups in the community – bakery, community garden, sewing and dance, and the piggery/poultry farms. Volunteers on past teams worked with the sewing and dance group on handicrafts. The women are concerned about providing productive activities for young women and girls in the community and also opportunities for earning outside income to purchase craft supplies and the like for community projects. They’ve thought about starting a local crafts market to attract people to the village, and to publicize their dancing group for hire at outside community programs. Craft projects on past teams included making dresses out of t-shirts, sewing, felting, knitting and darning.
Business planning: Volunteers on the first 3 teams facilitated business planning workshops and a project planning workshop. Local participants included members of the bakery, community garden, sewing and dance group, and the piggery/poultry farms groups. Information and activities focused around the different components of developing a business plan: mission/objective, management, operating budget, target market, marketing, funding. Each group also received small group assistance on creating their own budget and plan. Many of the groups have completed the initial planning phases for their businesses, and are still considering their next steps.
Healthcare:Medical professionals who are comfortable working independently and providing their own supplies (instruments and protective gear) have provided basic services in Malungeni. For example, an RN held blood sugar and blood pressure clinics/checks at the community center. Over 50 community members participated.
I can't tell you how excited I am to start this trip and get to Malungeni and really begin to work towards the betterment of this community!
xoxo - Tif
09 February 2009
Departures, Donations & Destinations
One month, or 30 days, or 720 hours or 43200 mins! This is the count down of my departure for in 2,592,000 seconds I will be at Ohare awaiting my plane to South Africa. My anticipation is overwhelming and I have been trying to contain my excitement by keeping busy. I did want to take a moment to thank all of the generous and caring people who have helped me by making donations to the Malungeni community, offering South Africa travel advise and those who are house/cat sitting for me while I am gone. Thank you so much for everything! Because of you I have a 70lbs suitcase filled with dental/school/sport supplies; An itinerary filled with wonderful and thrilling destinations; and a mind filled with ease of leaving my house and girls for a month. Of course because of this my heart is filled with love.
Thanks again everyone and keep checking back for more posts!
xoxo
Tiffany
Thanks again everyone and keep checking back for more posts!
xoxo
Tiffany
31 January 2009
Mamma Afrika
Hello - - or should I say "Hallo", "Sanibonani", "Bhota", "Dumela" or "Avuxeni"!
There are 11 official languages in South Africa which is a true testament to its diverse culture that South Africa prides itself on. As all of you already know, I am leaving to experience first hand what this country has to offer. When I talk to people about South Africa, I am met with such positive responses. These conversations make me excited each day to see for myself what some have shared as "The most beautiful place on Earth", "Amazing", "A once in a lifetime experience" and my personal favorite "Mamma Afrika".
My goal while I am there is to learn as much as I can about the country, the people and maybe along the way a little bit about myself as well. To help me track this journey, I set up a blogspot to record some of my experiences while I am there and many of you have asked to view this blog. So here it is.. enjoy!
Tif
There are 11 official languages in South Africa which is a true testament to its diverse culture that South Africa prides itself on. As all of you already know, I am leaving to experience first hand what this country has to offer. When I talk to people about South Africa, I am met with such positive responses. These conversations make me excited each day to see for myself what some have shared as "The most beautiful place on Earth", "Amazing", "A once in a lifetime experience" and my personal favorite "Mamma Afrika".
My goal while I am there is to learn as much as I can about the country, the people and maybe along the way a little bit about myself as well. To help me track this journey, I set up a blogspot to record some of my experiences while I am there and many of you have asked to view this blog. So here it is.. enjoy!
Tif
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
