Crossing the border was no big deal – definitely nothing like trying to get into the States! – 2 stamps in our passports and we were ready to go. We’re staying in the capital, Manzini, and working with the people nearby. Swaziland is the last absolute monarchy that exists in the world, and you see pictures of the king everywhere.
Our first afternoon we went to a Swazi cultural village to learn about how life used to function in the ‘good ole days’ and actually still functions in some of the rural areas. We learned all sorts of interesting (and very very different from North America) facts: Polygamy is still legal here in Swazi (the grandfather of one of our speakers had 40 wives!!!), a virgin cost 17 cows, Grandma got the biggest hut in the family, they worshipped the ancestors and the beer brewing hut was treated as an open bar by visitors. At the end of our tour we were treated to a song and dance performance. I don’t understand it – the people of Africa seem to be born able to play the drums, dance and sing in 12-part harmony. It was awesome to watch though – especially when this little, wizened old man came out and danced. I have never seen someone that old move with that amount of energy and agility!
 |
| chillin' by a Swazi hut |
The next day we volunteered at the Shamma Orphanage. Mama Salacia came out of retirement, liquidated everything she owned to start this orphanage/HIV clinic. We were able to come in and paint a couple houses, fortify a retaining wall and do a little bit of gardening for this incredible grandmother who was one of the most beautiful people I have ever met. She was all smiles and just so full of love – boy will she bless the children that come to her!
 |
| Ben, Pete, Mama S, Blayne, Dan & Aly by the wall they built |
The rest of the week we spent volunteering at some Swazi NCPs (Neighbourhood Care Points). It was a new challenge for all of us, to play with children who didn’t speak any English. Zero. Nada. But that didn’t stand in the way of our having fun together – I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of laughing at how kids can be entertained by the simplest games. My students in Germany just LOVED playing Go Fish, and the kiddies here were enthralled with Duck, Duck, Goose (which we turned into Lion, Lion, Zebra). It was hilarious watching some of them – it’s hard to convey the rules when you don’t know any of the local language. We had kids go around the entire circle saying ‘Lion’ before sitting down in their spot having tagged no one, we had a few kids run around both circles when we played in 2 smaller groups, and we also had a few kids burst into tears when they didn’t get back first. It was chaos. I loved it.
The smiles and the laughter were the highlight of my week.
It was also a good reminder of the fact that a huge part of this semester is not about me – we had to drive about an hour to get to our first NCP and by the time we got there we only had about 30 minutes to play. Then we drove another hour to get to the second NCP where we had about 20 minutes with the kids. But instead of thinking about how much time I spent sitting on the bus, I was challenged to remember how much those 30 minutes meant to the children we were able to love. South Africa has taught me nothing if not how little it takes to bring joy to someone. Myself included.
All my love,
Sandy
ps. things are starting to wrap up; we've started our debrief process and are in the midst of hearing each student share their story. It's incredible to hear how everyone has learned, been challenged, seen God and experience adventure over the past 8 months. It's hard to believe that we'll be back in Canada in just over 10 days!!
