First day
Trip Start
Jan 13, 2003
1
4
32
Trip End
Sep 01, 2003
Benoni,
South Africa
Friday, January 17, 2003
At a more sensible time (8.30am) we took a rather uncomfortable ride to the Centre (the collective name for the offices and Bridging School) in the back of a truck, called the Bakkie. The floor was covered in what looked like vegetables, and smelt like rotting vegetables. Avoiding contact involved squatting on open floor or perching on the wheel bumps, neither option being easy in its own right, without the added balance issues caused by the erratic driving. Fortunately, just as we were wondering if there really was enough space for the 5 of us, someone came and put a wooden bed frame in too. This solved the space problem - now there definitely was not enough space for the 5 of us. After 2km of being thrown around (well almost - the driver was trying his best, but the bed frame prevented any serious movement), we hobbled out onto the pavement like a troupe of hunchbacks.
Suzanne seems to be the 'receptionist' in the main office, helping Glenda. Crazy, friendly Glenda. Then there is Terri, a lovely woman, if slightly intimidating in her rushing-around-doing-everything manner. The social workers are Adele and Vandana, both of Indian backgrounds, and Sam and Annie, both African. Val and Lew do the finances. Heidi helps Vandana and does the filing. There is a whole wall of files in a rack: each child has a file and it's updated when the social workers write a report.
Glenda informed us both that we were expected to sing along to 'You Are My Sunshine' and then announced to the world in general that I was "a cheeky one". This caught me by surprise, as I felt rather bewildered and not at all 'cheeky'. Terri, giving me an indulgent look that had me biting down on a giggle, asked Glenda what we could be doing. She mentioned that Suzanne would be leaving soon and so one of us would need to replace her as office assistant. Terri mentioned the library and I spoke of my work in Borders. She pounced, and so we spent the day sorting out the library. Not only is 'library' giving it too much credit, but I felt the need to return to Terri and explain that my Borders training had in no way provided the skills I needed to tackle the sagging shelves of books. Still, at least we are doing something. I get the feeling there isn't anything in particular that we are needed for. It's frustrating and hopefully it won't remain the case. The Bridging school starts on Monday.
At 1.30pm we were lead back to the village on foot. It's about 2km - out of town and along the road, and then through some long grass, across a busy road and round the back of the residential area. Apparently we are not allowed to walk alone, particularly through the field, since it can't really be seen from the road, and if we get into trouble no-one will stop anyway.
It's a bit warm... After a breather, we separated for the homework sessions. The afternoon flew by and Katie spent most of it writing her diary. Mielie meal (maize flour and water - like mashed potato, but less tasty) for dinner. It's called pap - and it's the staple. I think I'm going to sleep well.
