TWO MONTHS

As I sit here and reflect on my experiences so far, I can’t believe that it has already been almost two months since my arrival. I feel as if it was just yesterday that I said my final goodbyes and boarded the plane to come here. My time is simply flying and I can’t help but think that is because I am truly having the experience of a lifetime. And although not every second of this journey has been “ideal”, it is shaping me into the person that I am today.

During the week, I have been focusing all my energy on my Grade R class. We are continuing to work through our alphabet, letter sounds, numbers, counting and colors. I have been preaching the importance of LOVE and friendship.

I have also been tutoring several older students every Tuesday and Thursday in Reading/English.

The newest project that I have kicked off in my class is called “PB&J Friday!” Knowing that half of my students walk home approximately 3-4 miles each day from school and do not get much food once they arrive home, I wanted to start a simple yet meaningful program within my classroom where my students can eat something before leaving for the weekend. Each Friday before my students leave, they make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to enjoy! I then give them the option to eat at right away, or pack it to take home with them for later in the weekend! (Most of them eat it RIGHT AWAY because they never had a PB&J before and they think it’s the BEST THING EVER)

Things on the sugar cane plantation can get very quiet on the weekends, so I have been going just down the road a bit to a children’s orphanage called Lily of the Valley. LOV is an orphanage designed for mostly HIV positive children from the age of newborn - seniors in high school. Due to the HUGE gap in age differences, Lily of the Valley is welcoming to all the extra help they can get! This is also where I will be spending my holiday season this year since Hope Valley Farm School will be closed for break. Stay tuned for upcoming information involving Lily of the Valley and Christmas. YOU can be a “Santa Claus” for a child in need!

So, here’s the deal. I know most of you are just dying to know more about “What life is REALLY like in Africa”, so without any hesitation, I give you:

THE NITTY GRITTY TRUTHS

1.     Showers do not exist around here. I share a bathtub with 4 other women. A gas flame that is placed next to the tub heats the water. When the gas runs out, so does the hot water!

2.     I only get meat once a week, and that is on Sundays. Most of our hot dishes throughout the week consist of rice and beans.

3.     Most Zulus do not use silverware while eating. Although I usually still use silverware, I try to make it a point to use my fingers every once and awhile!

4.     The South African sun is unlike any I have ever witnessed. Sunscreen is a must on a daily basis!

5.     It gets dark here around 6:00pm, which means bed by 8:00pm at the latest! It is not recommended to go out anywhere after sundown.

6.     The electricity usually goes out approximately 3 days a week, with no given schedule. Most of the time, this is due to load shedding - leaving me reading by candlelight most nights!

7.     Monkeys run this place. Literally. They knock on my bedroom window each morning to wake me up!

8.     You never realize how far away home is until you are living on the other side of the world.

9.     You find that the SMALLEST things will remind you of home.

10.  Eating bugs tends to be a delicacy for most, but I haven’t found a sweet tooth for them yet.

Even though these may be some of the things that I struggle with the most while being here, I also am aware that I will have a newfound appreciation for things like this once I return home. 

THE HORIZON

1.     Although I will be missing Thanksgiving at home with my family for the first time ever, I am very much looking forward to spending this holiday in a different country with people from all around the world!

2.     Looking ahead, my parents will be arriving here in South Africa on January 1^st, 2016 and I couldn’t be anymore excited.

3.     The 4^th term of this school year will be ending on December 9^th, 2015 and I will be sending 4 of my Grade R students onto 1^st grade! Although I will miss them dearly, it is such an accomplishing feeling inside.

4.     I will be getting a handful of new students when the new school year begins in January of 2016.

5.     Even though I am already having a hard time imagining not being home for the Christmas holidays, I will be spending this holiday season at Lily of the Valley Children’s orphanage with 120 children who do not have families.

6.     On February 28^th 2016, I will be completing my 3^rd half marathon here in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa! (Thoughts about signing up for the FULL marathon may have crossed my mind – stay tuned!)

Again, thank you EVERYONE for the endless support on this journey of mine. 

I know many of you have been in touch with me regarding my mailing address:

Allison Shade

C/O Nigel and Trisha Stainbank

Buckhaw Brow Farm

R603 Umlaas Road

P.O. Box 71

Eston, 3740

KZN South Africa

Love and peace to all ♡
Allison Shade

"Know that your kindness has a ripple effect in the universe"