Swearing In-Bond's are now Volunteers!

Sept. 25, 2006

Swearing In – It’s Official-Bondo is a Peace Corps Volunteer!!! Yipeee!

On Sept. 21st Brendon and I were officially sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers in South Africa, finally shedding our Trainee status. The week was full of ups and downs with Isizulu language testing, shopping trips to a Pretoria mall to purchase equipment for “Settling In”, a family farewell picnic and thank you program for the 80 gracious families that hosted trainees for 8 weeks, packing and one final round of vaccinations. Although our language proficiency is inadequate for the task ahead, we are now settled in our gorgeous mountain site and ready to begin service at this historic hospital.
Our 33rd wedding anniversary fell on the shopping day at the Pretoria (Sept. 16) so instead of investing in can openers, bath towels, wash tubs, and mountain gear we broke away from the group and had a leisurely lunch at a fine Italian restaurant with calamari, veal and real coffee. South Africa is somewhat jarring to Peace Corps volunteers as they switch between 1st and 3rd world at the flip of a coin. The last two months have been a lesson in the effects of poverty and HIV/AIDS on this country which has great potential as the democratic leader of Africa but has been handicapped by Apartheid. And now the onslaught of the AIDS pandemic and fear of crime. The quality of life is hampered by the grinding poverty of households solely supported by the Gogo’s (grandmother) pension, months with no access to water except for a distant pond and buckets hauled via wheelbarrow, electricity blackouts and little variety in diet or recreation activities. However, the people are very social and practice Ubuntu, the spirit of community and oneness. Brendon and I cooked many dinners at our Mama’s house and were often surprised by neighboring children and adults who were fed and cared for when they dropped by. Our attempts at pizza were a big hit. However, not even the hungriest soccer player would eat our tuna noodle casserole heavy on the curry powder. Likewise, we tried many new foods (including beef lung and mealie meal Pap) but the Pap is challenging as it is used as a spoon to scoop up sauces and vegetable and takes some practice to get the technique down.
We arrived at Mountain High late after the swearing in ceremony and are glad to be settled into our home for the next two years. The setting is stunning and we are enjoying the beautiful trees, mountain views, fabulous birds, wildlife and peace. Brendon managed to get an internet card so we are now wired, howbeit very slow service from our mountain hideaway. Our supervisor surprised us on Saturday by taking us to a ladies annual church conference in a neighboring Zulu town. Events included sewn basket competitions, fundraising conducted by participants dancing to the church altar with their offerings in time to music from a live band, banner competitions, sermons pertaining to prayer and women’s rights, and wonderful meals cooked by the local church women. Although my appreciation of the events was hindered by my limited understanding of Zulu, I was visually thrilled by the variety of Zulu outfits and beading worn by the women. They are fine seamstresses as well as talented artists who express themselves in the colorful, imaginative dresses and headdresses with interesting motifs including pineapples, shields and swords. Sunday brought a more sober mood with 100 women marching down the block in their red and blue uniforms and a brass band. The women of Africa have a difficult role as they are required to keep their families together while suffering from a lack of confidence in a male dominant society. Dynamics between husband and wife are strained as many men leave home to find work and end up infecting their wives with HIV.
Today was a holiday, Heritage Day, so Brendon and I spent our first workday at Mountain High having fun and getting our living space fixed up so that it seems like home. We went on a four hour hike through the mountains and forests to a lumber camp and tea plantation. Although we didn’t spot any game, the road was full of stunning green and brown four inch long crickets and lovely butterflies. The wildflowers are starting to bloom. The day was warm and we enjoyed the beauty of this special place. Tomorrow is our first real day of work so we hope it goes well and we make some friends. We are missing you all but think of you every day. We have hung a wall map of California and have posted pictures of Palos Verdes, our children, our church and some of our travels. The wind is whistling through our home but we feel safe and privileged to be here.