Happy Birthday Sisi!

It's my little sisters 2nd birthday today. I can't lie I've been homesick today, wishing I could be at home. I can't believe she's 2 already, I'm still remembering her at about 1, before the talking back started. She's a feisty one. So I dedicate this post to her so we can look back on it one day together.

Cleaner's Strike

We had talked about the cleaner's strike one day in my organizational management class, but it didn't really hit me until we got a e-mail from one of the senior managers at the school.

It reads:
"Update National Strike:

 

Unfortunately the National Cleaning Industry Strike is in full force, with no immediate signs of a resolution.

 

The majority of the full time contract staff have not been at work over the past week.

 

Where possible, casual labour has been supplied by the Contract Service Providers – however these casuals are often intimidated and do not return to work, making it almost impossible to skill and equip these staff.

 

I realize that the situation is very frustrating to all users, staff and students. My team is just as frustrated and as a support department we are trying to ensure that a basic service is being provided, but as the provision of Cleaning Services across all campuses is totally outsourced our hands are tied.

 

If there are essential areas that are receiving no service at all (this does not include your tea cups not being washed) please feel free to email me the details, but please be reasonable and bare the above in mind."

So this strike has been going on for quite awhile now, but it is getting more serious. So the average cleaner gets about R2400 (approx $375) a month. They are asking for an increase to R4200 (approx $656) a month. It is hard to live off of the what they get paid now, and the article I was reading was saying how many take out loans to pay for basic things because they cannot afford it. We were talking in class about how it seems to make perfect sense to increase the wage for the employers. We talked about it from different angles though, and mostly about how they can increase the wage for the employers but many people will get laid off. But also how at the same time, no one can live off of what they get paid now. I have attached a link below for further infomation. 

So this is not only affecting the university but many other places, since cleanliness is desired almost everywhere.

Contract Workers: We've had Enough

Offline?

I have been trying to get a library card to the public library here in PE, but its a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. First when I went they told me that I needed to  bring my passport and my proof and residence. Now normally I just don't walk around with those two things. So I went back today and had everything they needed, ready to check out some books...BUT they were "offline." I asked her what that meant because the bank told me that same thing once but I never understood it. Basically it means their internet is down, something with the server. So I was thinking okay I'll come back in a few hours, or maybe the next day....NO, she told me to come back in 12 day...12 business days! She said they had to order a new port or something like that and have it shipped. I think I seriously gave her a staleface look --> -___- (for those who don't know what that is). So for the next two weeks no one can check out books from the public library. But she said it may be sooner than that, I just have to keep calling and checking.

So by the time I make it back to the library to get books, I'll be super geeked :]

Sabbath

I was finally able to find a contact person who could provide me with church information of SDA services (Seventh Day Adventist). I went to the service today and it was quite an experience. I would say that there was about 80 of us total, give or take. Today was also YWA, with a Serving Women theme. The service was set to last the whole day, basically 9-1230 then 3-about 5 p.m. I only stayed for the first half. They did praise time, then Sabbath school for the whole group, then we split up into two different Sabbath school teachings. Then we got back together as a group for a presentation on what ‘Serving Women’ meant. They sang the hymns in Xhosa, but they did have the English translation on the screen. The English translation was British English so it was still somewhat different. SO everyone in that place could sing--like REALLY sing. I felt like I was sitting in a room with professional gospel singers lol, but seriously. And then when they made announcements the lady was saying when and where people who are part of the choir should meet. And I was thinking to myself “Everyone must be in the choir then.” They sang with ease and even harmonized. I bet I was the only one who couldn’t sing in there. I will not be going to any choir practices just an FYI. But it was really nice and everyone was really welcoming though and I enjoyed myself and the message was nice. Another things I noticed--I was the only girl wearing dress pants in there. All the other girls were wearing skirts and dresses. I definitely stood out. And it didn't help that they made me stand up and introduce myself. 

I use to work with a lady at JD who was from PE, and although I knew I wanted to go to SA for my study abroad, my interest was definitely increased when she talked about it. Anyway I got to finally meet her mom here. We went out for lunch and it was very lovely. She talked to me about the city and growing up here and places to go (and not go). So the day was really nice. 

I’m still trying to fight this cold I have, but I can’t seem to kick it. Hopefully the weather improves soon. 

15 Things Everyone Needs You To Do

Found this today. Thought I would share.

• Notice without critiquing.
• Appreciate without comparing.
• Listen without interruption.
• Question without objection.
• Challenge without mocking.
• Consider without doubting.
• Discuss without criticizing.
• Smile without hesitation.
• Give without expectation.
• Comfort without lying.
• Guide without misleading.
• Forgive without resentment.
• Rest without judgment.

Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness,
to pull another hand into the light.
-Norman B. Rice

Women's Day-SA

The turbulent 1950s- Women as defiant activists   <~~ Read some of this if you have a chance

"We were singing the song, which says 'Verwoerd the black people will kill you and we do not want Bantu Education' (Verwoerd, batho ba bantsho ba tlo go bolaya and gape ga re batle Bantu Education). And the song was saying: "If you strike a woman, you strike a rock' (Wathint'zBafazi, waThint'IMbokodo')"--Dorothy Masenya, parcipated in the 1956 March to Pretoria

Having never been exposed to South African history except for parts of the Apartheird Movement and Nelson Mandela, I was surprised at how much women in South Africa have done for the country and for the world. Taking this day to really educate myself on what I can get from reading, and talking to those I come in counter with. I think this day is just so lovely.

Happy Women's Day :]

Purpose

My purpose in SA? I’ve been thinking about this for awhile now. There are so many things that come to mind. Am I here to change one persons life? A group? Help someone out? Learn a skill or lesson that will help me in the future? I guess it could be all that and more or none of the above. But really I don’t think I’m here to affect or do anything for SA parse. I think I’m suppose to let SA do something for me. Follow me for a little bit. 

I think i am suppose to let SA, everything from the people,the culture, the beautiful outdoors work its way through me--do what it wants with me.  To learn how to let go and embrace. Not meant to impose anything on anybody or anything. Somewhat like a spong--to be able to take everything in, marinate on it, let it soak in, not rush anything. Possibly prepare me for something--something here in SA maybe, something back at home, something 10 years from now. This season in my life is meant for something. Something I may see in my lifetime, or maybe not. It’s kind of overwhelming to think about...to try and grasp the ideas of purpose...the concept of why I’m here. I can’t give a concrete answer to my purpose but all I know is that I will make the most of it while I am here. I won’t look back on this experience with any “shoulda, coulda, wouldas.” Maybe I’m being to vague, maybe I’m suppose to give a clear cut answer. Maybe I’m looking at the question from the wrong angle? Maybe I’ve said too much, or too little. But with all that put aside I will just ‘let it be’ and live, and allow myself to grow in a this new direction. 

“To thoroughly understand the world, to explain it, to despise it, may be the thing great thinkers do. But I'm only interested in being able to love the world, not to despise it, not to hate it and me, to be able to look upon it and me and all beings with love and admiration and great respect." Siddartha