Molo Everybody,
I hope this finds you well. So on Thursday I received a case of my own and had the chance to attempt to go out on a home visit. At first I was scared to death, but as the day passed and a few phone calls that needed to be made were done…I felt much better. Home visits are always trying as homes are not always visible, numbered, or the homes themselves have just seemed to pick themselves up and moved somewhere. From the experiences I have had there are some days where I feel like you are spending more time asking where this house number is than really doing home visits. The home visit I attempted today was interesting. The two women I went out with today Tando and Timbakazee were asking directions for a township we needed to get too, they asked this young boy (7 or 8 y.o.a.) he was traveling the same place we needed to get too! What a coincidence! Tando told him that we would give him a ride...and he gets in the car. My first thoughts are like didn’t this child’s parents teach him anything. This child, Leon was so nice, we dropped him off and then he ran after us to tell us where in the house was in the township. He joined us again in the car for this adventure. We could not find the house we needed to find and we once again dropped Lean off. As he was getting out Tando reminded him that he should not get into a car with strangers because he could be kidnapped…wonder if he thought about that before he got in the car with us???
This weekend Katie, Justin and I went to Cintsa (Buccaneers Backpacking) for the weekend! It was so nice to get out and do something. Uli gave us a ride on Friday evening and we had the opportunity to attend our first braai (grilling in America) in SA! The food was delicious they had lamb, chicken, pork, potatoes, bread, ect. Saturday was more of a gloomy day, it was rainy and cloudy. When it stopped raining we went on the beach and explored. As Justin found some hermit crabs and anomies that he shared with us. On his hunt he also found an octopus!! I have a picture of this but it is difficult to see as the octopus disguised itself. The beach was beautiful as you can tell by the pictures I have posted! Saturday evening Buccaneers had a traditional Xhosa dinner for us! It was the best meal and evening I have had since I have been here and it was quite the experience. Katie and I ended up getting seated by a man named Peter and he was a riot!! He is originally from Maulta, and gave us and geography lesson with beer bottles, cups, and spoons. He was also explaining to us that he was on holiday in search for his third wife. He was informing us that he has all the “qualities” needed to be a wonderful husband such as: teaching geography, knowing astronomy (to charm the ladies, as he preformed this for Katie and I), knitting, and having a baby face. The “qualities” Peter was looking for in his third wife was to be forty years younger than him, understand the game cricket, be American, and know where Maulta is. Katie and I did not quite meet his standards, we both are ok with this The world is quite small, and just how small. We met some individuals from Minnesota at Buccaneers, but not only were they from Minnesota one of the ladies went to the same high school as Katie! How bazaar. Sunday was bright and sunny we all went horse back riding on the beach and the scenery was beautiful. We also had a short time to lay on the beach and relax which was perfect for me as I didn’t have the chance to burn!!!
There are also a few things that I have wanted to mention but just have not had the time. So here I go.
*Children here to not sit in car seats, I don’t even know if they have car seats here. I gasp every time I see a child standing in front seat of the car or just sitting on someone’s lap. Obviously this is some what different than the states.
*The weather here is beautiful; as it is summer here, last Monday it was 98 degrees. This type of weather is normal for February as well. But I don’t believe I have mentioned that there is no air conditioning where Katie and I live, where we work or the vehicles we ride in. Just the window and the breeze, and if there is no breeze we get a little sweatier than we want!! If there is a breeze it is beautiful, we have the windows open 24/7 and do not have the screens that we have at home so sometimes we have mosquitoes sleeping with us. We have what Marianna calls burglar bars. These bars are on our windows so basically if someone wants in, it is quite difficult. What a wonderful preventative!!
*I have also found out there are no mandated reporters here in SA. YIKES!
*I have also had the chance to have some corn on the cob from a village! I was going to pass but Tando said, “Amber you need to explore and experience this” so I bought one! It was delicious and I would have another one at some point. Tando and Timbakazz showed me how they were cooked, as there is a few dozen that is cooked in a big barrel and then sold to individuals!
My experiences have been wonderful here in SA. I hope everyone is doing well in the states. Take care!!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Hello
OUCH! We had a laid back weekend and spent our Saturday afternoon at the beach, hence to beginning my blog with ouch. I have this amazing sun screen that doesn’t even allow me tan, but I happened to miss a few spots on my body and look like a spotted leopard. I believe I will be asking for Katie’s help next time!
We did not get to go kayaking as all the kayaks were all owned privately. Sunday Katie and I checked out the Esplanade which was beautiful and we walked up and down the beach way, as well as looking at some of the items that locals were selling. We also tried to investigate transportation for this upcoming weekend but had no luck. We would like to go to Cintsa but there are no busses that stop there. We could take a taxi but that is about 480 rand both ways, equaling $70 American dollars. Transportation is probably the biggest draw back for us Americans as there is no set transportation here; our only options are taxis or mini buses, and the mini buses both pick up and drop off at certain locations.
Work has been going well this week; this week and next week are filled with orientation workshops for all staff, what fun!! I have also had the chance to get together with Colette, my supervisor and discuss what I will be doing the next few months! After our meeting I was very excited learning that I will have five cases, two dealing with preventative issues, two dealing with foster care, and one with reunification with the biological family. I am excited about these cases as I believe it will be a wonderful experience. I will also be putting together a focus group with teenagers that have behavioral problems. This program is the one that scares me the most. But I know once I get it started it will be ok and I have a wonderful team I can ask for advice. I will also be doing intake once a week (these are the cases that are new to the CW Society). I will be working on a research project with Boomie, this is something I did not have the opportunity to discuss with him yet this week, as he is assisting on the orientations and wants to finish that up. I do know I will be assisting him in research with his home health type project. It will be an educational and eventful 4 months.
While talking to Colette I have learned that the CPU (Police) here are not as active in assisting the Child Welfare Society as necessary. For instance, there have been two instances where the CPU have removed the children from the home and have not told anyone. We had a mother come in this week and wonder where we placed her children, the agency was unaware of this placement. Come to find out the CPU have removed the children from the home and have not told the CW Society about this. There have been a few times the Society has requested the CPU to assist them in a removal of a child and the CPU will not show up. The week I arrived here one of the ladies at the agency was mugged right outside of the agency (no worries we have taken precautions and have followed them!) and it took two hours for the police to show up. Colette has told me, “My dear” it’s the way CPU works. Colette has also informed me that she is putting together networking meetings to work on the CPU and the CW Society’s relationship!
All for now! Hope everyone is well!
We did not get to go kayaking as all the kayaks were all owned privately. Sunday Katie and I checked out the Esplanade which was beautiful and we walked up and down the beach way, as well as looking at some of the items that locals were selling. We also tried to investigate transportation for this upcoming weekend but had no luck. We would like to go to Cintsa but there are no busses that stop there. We could take a taxi but that is about 480 rand both ways, equaling $70 American dollars. Transportation is probably the biggest draw back for us Americans as there is no set transportation here; our only options are taxis or mini buses, and the mini buses both pick up and drop off at certain locations.
Work has been going well this week; this week and next week are filled with orientation workshops for all staff, what fun!! I have also had the chance to get together with Colette, my supervisor and discuss what I will be doing the next few months! After our meeting I was very excited learning that I will have five cases, two dealing with preventative issues, two dealing with foster care, and one with reunification with the biological family. I am excited about these cases as I believe it will be a wonderful experience. I will also be putting together a focus group with teenagers that have behavioral problems. This program is the one that scares me the most. But I know once I get it started it will be ok and I have a wonderful team I can ask for advice. I will also be doing intake once a week (these are the cases that are new to the CW Society). I will be working on a research project with Boomie, this is something I did not have the opportunity to discuss with him yet this week, as he is assisting on the orientations and wants to finish that up. I do know I will be assisting him in research with his home health type project. It will be an educational and eventful 4 months.
While talking to Colette I have learned that the CPU (Police) here are not as active in assisting the Child Welfare Society as necessary. For instance, there have been two instances where the CPU have removed the children from the home and have not told anyone. We had a mother come in this week and wonder where we placed her children, the agency was unaware of this placement. Come to find out the CPU have removed the children from the home and have not told the CW Society about this. There have been a few times the Society has requested the CPU to assist them in a removal of a child and the CPU will not show up. The week I arrived here one of the ladies at the agency was mugged right outside of the agency (no worries we have taken precautions and have followed them!) and it took two hours for the police to show up. Colette has told me, “My dear” it’s the way CPU works. Colette has also informed me that she is putting together networking meetings to work on the CPU and the CW Society’s relationship!
All for now! Hope everyone is well!
Hello
OUCH! We had a laid back weekend and spent our Saturday afternoon at the beach, hence to beginning my blog with ouch. I have this amazing sun screen that doesn’t even allow me tan, but I happened to miss a few spots on my body and look like a spotted leopard. I believe I will be asking for Katie’s help next time!
We did not get to go kayaking as all the kayaks were all owned privately. Sunday Katie and I checked out the Esplanade which was beautiful and we walked up and down the beach way, as well as looking at some of the items that locals were selling. We also tried to investigate transportation for this upcoming weekend but had no luck. We would like to go to Cintsa but there are no busses that stop there. We could take a taxi but that is about 480 rand both ways, equaling $70 American dollars. Transportation is probably the biggest draw back for us Americans as there is no set transportation here; our only options are taxis or mini buses, and the mini buses both pick up and drop off at certain locations.
Work has been going well this week; this week and next week are filled with orientation workshops for all staff, what fun!! I have also had the chance to get together with Colette, my supervisor and discuss what I will be doing the next few months! After our meeting I was very excited learning that I will have five cases, two dealing with preventative issues, two dealing with foster care, and one with reunification with the biological family. I am excited about these cases as I believe it will be a wonderful experience. I will also be putting together a focus group with teenagers that have behavioral problems. This program is the one that scares me the most. But I know once I get it started it will be ok and I have a wonderful team I can ask for advice. I will also be doing intake once a week (these are the cases that are new to the CW Society). I will be working on a research project with Boomie, this is something I did not have the opportunity to discuss with him yet this week, as he is assisting on the orientations and wants to finish that up. I do know I will be assisting him in research with his home health type project. It will be an educational and eventful 4 months.
While talking to Colette I have learned that the CPU (Police) here are not as active in assisting the Child Welfare Society as necessary. For instance, there have been two instances where the CPU have removed the children from the home and have not told anyone. We had a mother come in this week and wonder where we placed her children, the agency was unaware of this placement. Come to find out the CPU have removed the children from the home and have not told the CW Society about this. There have been a few times the Society has requested the CPU to assist them in a removal of a child and the CPU will not show up. The week I arrived here one of the ladies at the agency was mugged right outside of the agency (no worries we have taken precautions and have followed them!) and it took two hours for the police to show up. Colette has told me, “My dear” it’s the way CPU works. Colette has also informed me that she is putting together networking meetings to work on the CPU and the CW Society’s relationship!
All for now! Hope everyone is well!
We did not get to go kayaking as all the kayaks were all owned privately. Sunday Katie and I checked out the Esplanade which was beautiful and we walked up and down the beach way, as well as looking at some of the items that locals were selling. We also tried to investigate transportation for this upcoming weekend but had no luck. We would like to go to Cintsa but there are no busses that stop there. We could take a taxi but that is about 480 rand both ways, equaling $70 American dollars. Transportation is probably the biggest draw back for us Americans as there is no set transportation here; our only options are taxis or mini buses, and the mini buses both pick up and drop off at certain locations.
Work has been going well this week; this week and next week are filled with orientation workshops for all staff, what fun!! I have also had the chance to get together with Colette, my supervisor and discuss what I will be doing the next few months! After our meeting I was very excited learning that I will have five cases, two dealing with preventative issues, two dealing with foster care, and one with reunification with the biological family. I am excited about these cases as I believe it will be a wonderful experience. I will also be putting together a focus group with teenagers that have behavioral problems. This program is the one that scares me the most. But I know once I get it started it will be ok and I have a wonderful team I can ask for advice. I will also be doing intake once a week (these are the cases that are new to the CW Society). I will be working on a research project with Boomie, this is something I did not have the opportunity to discuss with him yet this week, as he is assisting on the orientations and wants to finish that up. I do know I will be assisting him in research with his home health type project. It will be an educational and eventful 4 months.
While talking to Colette I have learned that the CPU (Police) here are not as active in assisting the Child Welfare Society as necessary. For instance, there have been two instances where the CPU have removed the children from the home and have not told anyone. We had a mother come in this week and wonder where we placed her children, the agency was unaware of this placement. Come to find out the CPU have removed the children from the home and have not told the CW Society about this. There have been a few times the Society has requested the CPU to assist them in a removal of a child and the CPU will not show up. The week I arrived here one of the ladies at the agency was mugged right outside of the agency (no worries we have taken precautions and have followed them!) and it took two hours for the police to show up. Colette has told me, “My dear” it’s the way CPU works. Colette has also informed me that she is putting together networking meetings to work on the CPU and the CW Society’s relationship!
All for now! Hope everyone is well!
Friday, January 19, 2007
Life in the Eastern Cape
Hello Everyone,
Thank you for your responses, I have not yet figured out how to respond individually so sorry. I started practicum with my agency (Child Welfare Society) in Southernwood on Monday the 15th and have enjoyed it thus far. When I went in Monday I was told just to follow the social workers around for the week. Fair enough.
Monday and Thursday I went out on home visits with Zide and Timbakazee, Monday, we traveled all over East London (EL) which was nice since I had not yet seen the town. I went to some townships that were middle income as well as some very poor areas. The poorer areas consisted of homes that were possibly the size of 6 x 6, built from anything between cardboard, scrap wood, or metal, with three or four individuals living in them. There is no running water in any of the homes from the township but a communal water pump and it did look like there was electricity in all homes we have been in. Finding addresses in these townships were very difficult, all the homes are not numbered or not in order. So Zide or Timbakazee would ask individuals where number 341 was, ect.
Thursday I had learned much more about the CPS system. Learning that if children are removed from their homes the parents have as much time to solve the issue that had caused their children to be removed. It is very important here in SA that children are reunited with their families. Also if the children lives in a poor township and are removed the SOWKers try to place the children in the same area because they believe leaving the children in the same environment is very important.
Tuesday I went with Taran to the Children’s homes that the agency supports. The Sunshine home is a home with older children, it was fun as I had spent about an hour there with three young boys, one of them asked me if he could come home to America with me! How cute! They also told me how to say hello (mor-low) in xhosa (said – cosa), as I am learning from my co-workers as well. I also went to another children’s home that we support, forgive me because I do not remember the name, this is basically with toddlers and infants, and a few teenagers. Walking into this house was trying as I had three or four toddlers run to me and want held. One of them had a fit as I had to put her down because there was an infant crying and no one came to retrieve her.
Wednesday I had the opportunity to leave the agency with Boomie, the development director to a rural area and see the project he is starting up, which is like a home health service, it seems beneficial to this area, although the workers do not have any training in the health field. They are to be at the homes to assist the individuals in an assistance and take the individuals vitals, it is also interesting to know that these workers are suppose to have ten clients, but they are to find their own clients.
Outside of work it has been an adventure to know the city as well as the people who live in the city. There are opposing views here in E.L. about what and where is safe depending on whom you talk to. No matter what, we are always in at 7pm because of safety reasons.
This weekend Katie, Justin and I plan on going to the beach and taking Kayaking lessons!!! I am so excited as this is something I have always wanted to do.
Thank you for your responses, I have not yet figured out how to respond individually so sorry. I started practicum with my agency (Child Welfare Society) in Southernwood on Monday the 15th and have enjoyed it thus far. When I went in Monday I was told just to follow the social workers around for the week. Fair enough.
Monday and Thursday I went out on home visits with Zide and Timbakazee, Monday, we traveled all over East London (EL) which was nice since I had not yet seen the town. I went to some townships that were middle income as well as some very poor areas. The poorer areas consisted of homes that were possibly the size of 6 x 6, built from anything between cardboard, scrap wood, or metal, with three or four individuals living in them. There is no running water in any of the homes from the township but a communal water pump and it did look like there was electricity in all homes we have been in. Finding addresses in these townships were very difficult, all the homes are not numbered or not in order. So Zide or Timbakazee would ask individuals where number 341 was, ect.
Thursday I had learned much more about the CPS system. Learning that if children are removed from their homes the parents have as much time to solve the issue that had caused their children to be removed. It is very important here in SA that children are reunited with their families. Also if the children lives in a poor township and are removed the SOWKers try to place the children in the same area because they believe leaving the children in the same environment is very important.
Tuesday I went with Taran to the Children’s homes that the agency supports. The Sunshine home is a home with older children, it was fun as I had spent about an hour there with three young boys, one of them asked me if he could come home to America with me! How cute! They also told me how to say hello (mor-low) in xhosa (said – cosa), as I am learning from my co-workers as well. I also went to another children’s home that we support, forgive me because I do not remember the name, this is basically with toddlers and infants, and a few teenagers. Walking into this house was trying as I had three or four toddlers run to me and want held. One of them had a fit as I had to put her down because there was an infant crying and no one came to retrieve her.
Wednesday I had the opportunity to leave the agency with Boomie, the development director to a rural area and see the project he is starting up, which is like a home health service, it seems beneficial to this area, although the workers do not have any training in the health field. They are to be at the homes to assist the individuals in an assistance and take the individuals vitals, it is also interesting to know that these workers are suppose to have ten clients, but they are to find their own clients.
Outside of work it has been an adventure to know the city as well as the people who live in the city. There are opposing views here in E.L. about what and where is safe depending on whom you talk to. No matter what, we are always in at 7pm because of safety reasons.
This weekend Katie, Justin and I plan on going to the beach and taking Kayaking lessons!!! I am so excited as this is something I have always wanted to do.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
We have arrived!
Hello from South Africa!
Justin, Katie, and I finally arrived to SA. It has been a long trip. We arrived a day later than expected because we missed one of our connecting flights due to a plane problem from Minneapolis. Stayed at Lesburg, Virginia for the evening and then flew out on Tuesday at 5pm. The flight from Washington to Joe-burg was miserable, mainly because after 6 hours of flying I felt like I was going to pass out. I managed the rest of the flight well though. We arrived in East London around 7:30 pm. Received a ride to the B and B and unpacked and went to bed. This morning we woke up and had breakfast with Uli and Marianna, found out they have two children and Uli works as a civil engineer and working on a project to provide running water for all communities that don't have one in their area.
Marianna also gave us a tour of EL. Katie and I's agencies are with in a block from each other, which is nice so we can walk together. Marianna also showed us where we can shop for clothes, food, Internet cafe, and movie theater. Again a nice walk from the B and B. Marianna also told us the area we are in is relatively safe. There is also a nice pool right across the street from the B and B that we can swim at...costing about 5 rands all day equaling a little under a U.S. dollar.
The weather here is nice. If my calculations are right than it is 84 degrees F here with humidity. Well I need to wrap this up....I will post pictures hopefully with in the next week!
Always,
Amber Joy!
Justin, Katie, and I finally arrived to SA. It has been a long trip. We arrived a day later than expected because we missed one of our connecting flights due to a plane problem from Minneapolis. Stayed at Lesburg, Virginia for the evening and then flew out on Tuesday at 5pm. The flight from Washington to Joe-burg was miserable, mainly because after 6 hours of flying I felt like I was going to pass out. I managed the rest of the flight well though. We arrived in East London around 7:30 pm. Received a ride to the B and B and unpacked and went to bed. This morning we woke up and had breakfast with Uli and Marianna, found out they have two children and Uli works as a civil engineer and working on a project to provide running water for all communities that don't have one in their area.
Marianna also gave us a tour of EL. Katie and I's agencies are with in a block from each other, which is nice so we can walk together. Marianna also showed us where we can shop for clothes, food, Internet cafe, and movie theater. Again a nice walk from the B and B. Marianna also told us the area we are in is relatively safe. There is also a nice pool right across the street from the B and B that we can swim at...costing about 5 rands all day equaling a little under a U.S. dollar.
The weather here is nice. If my calculations are right than it is 84 degrees F here with humidity. Well I need to wrap this up....I will post pictures hopefully with in the next week!
Always,
Amber Joy!
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Farewell
Hello Everybody,
I will be leaving the U.S. in a few days and am thrilled to begin my new adventure. I wanted to tell everyone thank you for supporting me in my decision or "trying" to support me :P . I will be posting blogs for sure once a week and will also have access to my email as well if you prefer to contact me by that source. Have a wonderful new year and take care.
Always,
Amber
I will be leaving the U.S. in a few days and am thrilled to begin my new adventure. I wanted to tell everyone thank you for supporting me in my decision or "trying" to support me :P . I will be posting blogs for sure once a week and will also have access to my email as well if you prefer to contact me by that source. Have a wonderful new year and take care.
Always,
Amber
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