Cultural Opps

Cultural Opps
I was at work this week and was drinking some tea and I heard Sister Somana ask who was using her tea cup. Apparently I was, unaware of it. She had stated, “Amber, in our culture one never uses an elder’s things.” I responded that I was sorry and would not do this again. I was unaware I was using her cup because we have two shelves of cups in the cupboard, the bottom shelf is cups that people brought in to use, and the cups on the top shelf are cups that anyone can use. Well now I know!! And I am glad she has informed me of this.
Work this week as been slow. I had one of my clients come in this week for an office visit. It went well as far as language barriers go…but she defiantly is not happy with the system. She asked me if I feel like a real human being at the end of the day after I am done filling out my reports.
During one of our lunches I was chatting with Tando and Thimbakazi about food and authentic African food. They told me that next time we go out on home visits we can stop where they are cooking lamb, lamb head that is and try some of it. They tell me it is delicious. We will see. Although Smacky who works in the foster care program said some time before May she will show us how to clean the lamb head, cook it and eat it! That may be more of an experience.
I went to go visit one of my clients in the hospital today. He is the four month old I have mentioned earlier. Well I go into the ward he was at last week and they told me they moved him to a different ward. I go to the ward the child is suppose to be at, and he is not there. I asked where this child was because this is what I was told. Both wards were unable to tell me where this child was located at. They had no documentation on where he was located at. I had to call the social worker from the hospital and she told me the ward that the child was in.
So there are three student social workers, working at the agency. And one of them drives me up the wall. No, it is not Justin, although that could be possible at one point in this trip. Hehe. His name is Speech, and I just go crazy. Do not get me wrong he is a very nice guy and a gentleman. So, Monday Speech and I are in our office and I am trying to write some of my progress notes. Speech starts talking to me about confidentially and how important it is, and how to use the internet. He has gone off on other topics as well but any topic he brings up he explains it like I know nothing about it. He treats both Justin and I as if we do not understand ANYTHING. I know I am in a foreign country and there is going to be some things I do not understand. But explaining internet to me like I have no clue what it is. Ridiculous. This is really what drives me up the wall and those of you who really know me will understand. If something falls on the floor or the door needs to be opened he will do it. He always tells me to sit down. The other day I was shutting the shades to our office and he is like, “Amber, why don’t you have me do that.” I told him that was ok I could handle it. Than today they were moving things around the office and I was going to help but Speech stopped me and said, “No, Amber you sit down and relax.” Sorry but I don’t think I can watch people work and just relax. I left the office. Saartjie
(Sar-kee) told me this is how they work in SA, and to relax while I can. We will see about that.
Gotta run. Hope everyone is doing well! Miss you!