Ubunono (Literally - Hygiene)

Hygiene is not the most important thing in the world in this part of the world. Even though it is important to bathe every day to look presentable, every other aspect of healthy living is - for the most part - ignored. Take for example, today. We had a huge party at our school, where we were celebrating the graduation of the kindergarden students. Everyone and their mother was there (quite literally, I might add) and we had to feed everyone who attended (part of the culture). Well, as it turns out, trying to plan to feed 1000 mouths is not an easy feat, especially in a culture where planning isn't really that important. In America, we would be obligated to make sure that everyone had their own fork/knife/spoon combo, everyone had their own plate/cup, enough tables/chairs were at the venue so that people could sit down comfortably and the food service company had to be licensed through the proper channels. Here, it is a completely different story.

No one except the esteemed guests gets their own plate/cup, let alone silverware (which is just a spoon here). Instead, the cooks (who are just the educators and a few community members) just use large buckets and/or trash cans to serve the food in. No joke, all of the juice today was stored into this huge 50-gallon trash can, labeled "REFUSE ONLY - MAMPUNGA PRIMARY," and then they scooped it into smaller containers from there. I asked if it was a new trash can and the cook looked at me dead in the eye and said, "We washed it, don't worry Mvelo."

Mus'ukungibiza 'uMlungu' (Literally - Stop Calling Me 'White')

Before I get to my post, I wanted to let you know that I've added 2 things at the bottom of my blog. The first is a "Follow By Email" option. All you have to do is submit your email address and then confirm that you want to get an email from my blog every time I update. The second thing is a countdown to the end of my service with the Peace Corps. This was inspired by more than one friend back home, who invariably asked when I would be back State-side. So now you can see (down to the second) how much longer I have left. Also, if you're one of those smart phone users who accesses my blog from your mobile device, you will now be pleased to know that I've launched a mobile version of my site. Please enjoy!

The topic this month that I have chosen to address this month is race in South Africa. If you think that Africa is only filled with black people, you are a very disillusioned soul. While I am the only white person in my deep rural communities, certain areas of South Africa are filled with Afrikaners, British and Coloured people (a socially acceptable term here, meaning light-skinned Indians, mixes and asians). There is just as much diversity here in the larger cities as there is in America. No joke, it's weird transitioning between the fast-paced, diverse first world and the slow-paced, rigidly homogenous third world.

As you have probably noticed (only because you're most likely American, I will assure you of that), I have no problem writing "black," "coloured" or "white." These are all terms that are very commonplace...

Abantwana njengaMadoda (Literally - Children Are Like Men)

One of things that I have come to appreciate more and more since I've been in this country is how lucky I am to be living with a large Zulu family. It's quite amazing to be so intricately connected with my family here at my site. I have learned so much from them and they have been unbelievably kind to me as I continuously struggle to communicate with them in their native tongue. Being so connected with my family, I have had the opportunity to observe how a very traditional Zulu family behaves and reacts to a variety of situations. I have seen some of the most outrageous things I've ever seen in my life while living with my host family and I laugh on an almost daily basis.

Take today, for example. I laughed at one of my host brothers, the toddler Mlondi, because he stood outside my door at 6:45 in the morning and kept screaming my name to try to wake me up. I was laughing because he kind of reminded me of my newborn puppy who whines outside my door in an attempt to get my attention. Although he was successful, I didn't give him the satisfaction or attention - instead, I dug myself deeper beneath my covers in the hopes that the blanket would muffle his screams as held my breath in case he heard the cadence of my breath change haha. One of the most remarkable things to me day-after-day, however, is how children are treated and how they are expected to act in relations to others. That is what I want the rest of this blog entry upon: children in this society.

It is a gross understatement to say that children are treated differently in black South Africa than they are in the States. It is very much night and day. While children are pampered by a host of relatives in a typical, white American family, in my communities they are often considered the lowest rung on the ladder. I have seen babies stumble, topple and cry for their lives and no one pays them the slightest bit of attention. I also have witnessed older siblings purposely trip their toddler brothers just to get a good chuckle. And yes, I did laugh along. In my defense, you can't deny that it is pretty hilarious to watch anyone face-plate, regardless of age. And it's not like I did the tripping, right? AND it's not like they'll remember it…