Well it looks as though I'm going to have to work backwards to explain all. We finished our first week with Manda as official photographer for the day and me helping out at a mixed Gender football tournament where Oscar winning Hollywood actress and native South African Charlize Theron spent 4 hours visiting the charity to see it at work as she donates through her charitable foundation. See pics below being just 2 of the 3-400 Manda took and NOT ONE of me with the lovely Charlize.
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| Kids in action |
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| Charlize and the kids |
Well we are well and truly into work and the South African way of life. If anyone tells you the word manana is Spanish don't believe them. Nothing happens on time here except of course us arriving spot on time tired but happy at Durban Airport last Thursday. The phrases used when you want to throw up your hands and scream are TIA- This Is Africa and my favourite 'You've got the watches and we've got the time'
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Our accommodation is extremely pleasant. Skype guided tours can be arranged. We are in a suburb of Durban and contrary to expectations can walk around freely both day and night. Yes we have electric fencing and bars on the windows and doors but it seems everybody does wherever they live. We have a small cottage attached to the main house (pics next time) where there are 5 other volunteers all of whom are really lovely (and young enough to be our kids). We also have a lady who washes and cleans. Her name is Angel and she is truly heaven sent. As an example Manda saw a sparkling clean backpack hanging up in the house and commented that someone had the same one as me. Of course it was mine cleaned after who knows how many years of filth being embedded from rides through the forest.I try to keep moving in the day or I am sure I will end up in the washing machine. Yes my friends before you ask I am the happiest man in the world. No not a hug or kiss from Charlize. I HAVE A BATH!!!!
Currently the office is a 5 minute walk steeply downhill (10 minutes up) but it is an hour drive to the Health Academy in the township of Edendale. We have visited the township several times to see the work being carried out and the office will be moving to the township when a brand new building funded by FIFA with an artificial grass pitch is hopefully completed in a few months time. Then it will be a long day leaving home before 7.00 and getting back at 6.00. Just winding you all up. I know that you all work long hours (not you of course Jack) and that for Manda it will be like part time working but please remember that for poor old me I had forgotten what a 5 day working week is. No tears please.
You may now breath a sigh of relief as I skip details of my thrilling work as the accountant and instead focus on the work of the charity. We were thrown straight into action on our first Saturday. Overtime straight away and TOIL. Impressed?
We ie the charity were asked to set up a gazebo at a local football tournament so that players and spectators could be counselled and tested for HIV/AIDS and TB. The setting was amazing and Manda started to learn to be a sports photographer and I am sure she watched her first ever football matches. The most comical moment apart from me being linesman and a cow stopping play was the moment when a game couldn't start because the lady who owned the whistle wanted it for the netball competition and so took it. Luckily another whistle was obtained. The final went to penalties and England lost as usual. Sorry wrong competition.
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| Cow stops play!!!!! |
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| Could goal line technology deal with this? |
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| A great setting |
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| Your intrepid correspondent as linesman complete with branch and plastic bag provided as flag |
I'll leave you on that note.
Missing you all but hoping that some of you can get to see us here and if not then Skype us at Orientspencer or Mandaandolly or e-mail notspencersimmons@gmail.com or mandasimmons@hotmail.com
Love to all
Spencer and Manda
