Camping Out On a Work Day!

In preparation for my Wild Coast trip in late September, my hiking buddy Shane and I camped out under the stars on a Monday evening. This is a photo from my sleeping bag at sunrise before packing up and walking home to get ready for another amazing work day. It reminded me of the days at University in Bellingham sleeping on the couch on front porch before student teaching.

Quick update

Just a quick update for y'all. I am back in Grahamstown, picking up where I left off. My new job is exciting and is a big part of what motivates me every day. Being able to use privileges to support others is an amazing thing. Having a car has been an incredible opportunity to support the lives of this community, giving rides to Narcotics Anonymous, offering rides too and from the townships, and being able to invite people over for dinner from the township who otherwise would not be caught dead walking in the townships at night.

I came back to Grahamstown in fire season and fire nearly took out the monastery I work at. Seeing the regrowth has been pretty amazing to watch though.

I feel like I came back from my month away and my students from the Monastry had grown up. At the beginning of last year it was a struggle to get the kids to do any work, and I had to bribe them practically to stay busy. Now they know how to get to work and want to do well.

THE BROWN BREAD BOYS

Classic Photo

Above is a photo of Nomamysi,caretaker of several kids from the monastery, June Walters, the head of the after school program, and myself. We are enjoying the entertainment of the kids putting on their end of term show, including gum boot dancing (kind of like STOMP)but very rich in cultural context, and a re-enactment of the 3 little pigs.

My Partner in Crime

Sarah Jackson is an amazing friend that I have worked and lived and played with over the last 6 months. It is great when you live through an experience and know at the end a lasting friendship has been formed. Cheers to more adventures ahead Sarah Jackson.

Photos By Sarah Schafer of the After School Program

Sarah Schafer came to the after school program for her photo journalism class and took some amazing photos. Above are two of over a hundred photos taken.

Family in South Africa

Well hello to anyone still reading my blog. My parents and sister have been here in South Africa for about 3 weeks give or take. I have been a tour guide and they have taken many pictures thankfully, because my camera is broken. I can tell you that all are safe here and we have had our adventures. Adventures include tours of my work places, an arts festival in Grahamstown, a trip around the southern most tip of Africa. We took a boat out and watched the Southern Right whales out of Cape Aghulus. My father and I climbed up to the top of Table Mountain in Capetown hoping to catch a gondola ride down, however the gondola was closed for the day so had to take the long way down. We are glad to be together as the nuclear family once again.