long overdue...

Hey guys, So sorry for going soo long without posting anything. As many of you know we have moved sites. We are now living in an area called Venda, it is still in Limpopo, just now we are in the northern most area. We live in a village called Dovho, about 2.5 hours outside of our new shopping town called Thohoyandou (toh-yahn-doe.) We are really happy with our new site. We fee like we are finally where we belong and where we really were meant to serve. The people here are so appreciative and welcoming. We have a true family atmosphere and true peace at our new home. It is so relaxing out here. We finally have that "quintessential" placement that we were hoping for from the beginning. We are much more rural and its perfect. We are staying with an old woman named Masindi and her grandchildren. Her son (the father of her grandchildren that live with us) named Calvin lives next door with his wife. Jeffery our other host brother stays here with us as well. The only person in the family to speak English is Calvin, so its nice when he comes around and chats with us. We are not only in a new area but also submersed in a completely new language. The language that we were speaking at our old site was called Sepedi (aka northern sotho or Sesuthu) and now we are living in an area that speaks TshiVenda (aka Venda.) The transition is awkward since we automatically lose all our street cred. now that we don't speak the language, however we are comfortable enough as pcv's to know we can make a difference in any language! Our family has been soo wonderful to us, and we are loving our new schools. Eric is currently working on getting his school cleaned from the rat infestations and my school is happy to have a 4th teacher for the 140 learners. Eric and I both teach combined classrooms, meaning we have 4th & 5th grade learners together and 6th & 7th grade learners together in another class. This provides a whole new set of challenges but after having such large classroom numbers before, the smaller numbers are a welcome change. I have 46 learners in my 6/7 class and 32 in my 4/5 class. Eric's classes are 21 in his 4/5 class and 23 in his 6/7 class. Overall, we couldn't be happier. Now, we have what we feel to be, a rewarding community and equally rewarding work environment. Obviously we do not have the cell coverage that we had before, so we will be even more cut off from the land of the internet magic. We seem to have ok data coverage and receive whatsapp's well as well as e-mail, however voice coverage is sparse. If you wanna keep up with us and chat, whatsapp is the best way to reach us (a messaging app that is free to message internationally) Just add us to your contacts and you can chat at us anytime! As some of you know, we've had a hard month for electronics. We have a new laptop (thanks mom & dad!!!) but we are still sharing one phone, so for now, reach us both using the following number:
 +2711846780

 Also, our mailing address changed as well. you can send all future correspondence to the following address:

Lindsey & Eric Johnson
P.O. Box 253
Masisi
0989
South Africa

Loves to all! keep up with facebook to see photos since I can upload there from our phone!

Vacation Update!

Hey guys, I know its been a while since I've been able to post. As many of you know, we have to pay for our internet by the mb that we use, so uploading pictures can often be a spendy habit. I'll try to make up for it by giving you all the wonderful details of our trip. I'll upload some photos that didn't make it onto facebook, however for the sake of saving data I won't double upload. We had plans to spend our vacation with our good friend Serban from Romania, however at the last second, his visa didn't work out, so we ended up re-planning our vacation and decided to spend our time camping in Nelspruit. Nelspruit is located in Mpumalanga Province about 4 hours away from our site. We made our new reservation at the campsite and headed out for our site immediately after getting our rental car in Pretoria, where we then packed up and left for Nelspruit the next day. Our campsite was small and cozy next to a river about 6 km outside of Nelspruit CBD. Keep in mind our main goal for this vacation was to unwind and relax away from site, so our game plan was to relax one day for every day we had busy tourist like activities planned. We met a really nice guy named Dirk, on our first night at the campsite. Dirk is an Afrikaaner, however he is married to an English woman and lived in England for over 10 years. So he's pretty accustomed to how foreigners interact and we got along great! Our first adventure day was to see a round of waterfalls located around Sabie. We saw 5 different waterfalls in one day! It was really nice, relaxing and beautiful! Dirk's company is busy installing fiber for a local community that happens to have live game living on the estate. So on our third day Dirk invited us to visit him at work to see the game. We followed him out and got to walk around right next to giraffe, zebra, wildebeests, and antelope. Then the game keeper of the estate (who was a ranger in Kruger for many years) invited us to go and feed the animals with them. It was such an amazing experience for our first safari! we rode around in the truck and helped feed all the different game. It was basically a private game reserve tour for free! What an awesome opportunity! Eric and I truly had a blast! After Shandon Estates we relaxed for a bit, doing some well needed shopping in the city and enjoying our beautiful campsite. Then we drove to Hazyview to see the reptile park. I won't post pictures in honor of my sister, however we did see a lot of really interesting reptiles! We saw crocodiles, slithery friends and a few cool frogs! The following day was our big adventure to kruger. We had been told by the game head at Shandon to enter at Crocodile bridge and follow his recommended path to see the most, so of course we listened. And of course he was right! We also heard from many people that the most important thing is to show up at the gate no later than when it opens (at 6) to make sure we get to see all the animals while they are active in the morning. We woke up at 4 am and left our campsite at 4:30 to arrive at the gate by six. We arrived in just the perfect amount of time and were one of the first cars in line. (which was a long long line.) We even got lucky and got the resident price at the entrance gate! (saved us about R200 each!) so that immediately put things off to a great start! Then almost immediately we saw giraffe right by the car. The animals are quite skiddish of people, however they are really used to cars so they don't even react to you while your in the car (which is the whole time, since you're not allowed to get out haha!) We started our drive down the dirt roads and followed the path our friend had recommended. We saw everything! it was sooo wonderful! we saw all of the big 5 and at least 3000 antelope! They are everywhere! We were getting concerned we weren't going to see any elephant as we hadn't seen any and were only 10 km away from our exit gate, however just in time, we saw a beautiful elephant grazing in the field off to the right, we were so excited and got our final celebratory high five that we gave each time we saw one of the big 5. Then just a few moments later, down the road, we saw an entire herd of beautiful elephant! It was the perfect day! We saw everything we wanted! Elephant, Rhino, Zebra, Giraffe, Buffalo etc... It was the perfect safari day! we had our delicious packed sandwiches and enjoyed every minute of it! After Kruger we had one more adventure on the list. We wanted to go to the Moholoholo Endangered Species Park. We had been told by a scouts friend that this was really worth the visit! And let me tell you... it was! We were able to see a cheetah run (where they have the cheetah chase a rag from one end of a field to the other... so fast!) and so many other amazing species! They are not all endangered, however they are all in need of a safe habitat. Some were poisoned, trapped, injured or just raised by humans and unable to return to the wild. We saw so many amazing creatures including, leopard, a baby rhino, a baby giraffe, eagles, vultures, lion, lynx, honey badgers and so much more! Eric even got to pet an eagle! Which for most of you who know, Eric loves eagles!! He was so excited! We also got to pet a cheetah and spend personal time with the baby rhino in its field. It was such a wonderful experience and well worth the 3 hour drive each way! After Moholoholo we returned to our campsite once more to pack up and head home the next day. Eric then returned the rental car to Pretoria the following morning. It was an amazingly perfect vacation and gave us every bit of winding down that we needed after a long term at school. Enjoy the photos!

Dirk

You know you're in Peace Corps South Africa When...

Hello! We have been on a long week-end for Easter so I actually have time to sit down and think. Here’s my idea… You know you are in Peace Corps South Africa when… Hope this gives you a quick idea of things we face and see in our daily lives. Enjoy and Happy Easter! (Some are contributions from friends)

You know you are in Peace Corps South Africa when…

A handshake lasts 10 minutes

You meet 4 new best friends every day

“That side” with a wave of the hand is sufficient directions to get somewhere

You finally feel a cold shiver run through your body for the first time in months… and then the sun has to rise and ruin it all

Sitting under a tree watching the goats, sheep, cattle, and chickens seems like a productive day.

The time it takes you to walk somewhere is solely dependent on how many people are in their yards along the way.

You spend a large amount of time angry at the American school system for not teaching you the metric system.

You take a two hour taxi ride just to buy a jar of American mayonnaise

There is a rooster you would like to kill, if only he wasn’t dangerously close to your size.

You’re drinking cocktails at Spur (a restaurant) at 10 am and it doesn’t feel wrong at all

You are stuck in a taxi with 20 other people on a 110’ day and no one is willing to open a window for fear of catching a cold.

You see government employees taking naps in the middle of the work day, on the floor

Showering every day is a luxury

You double use words like its normal…sharp sharp. Now now. Here here.

If you’re taking public transport and your lap is empty, there is always room for more people or animals.

You have absolutely no shame because you couldn’t possibly act crazier than your counterparts already think you are.

When even the cows stare at you while you run

People announce what you’re doing like its news… “You’re running!”  Or “You’re washing clothes!”

You learn never to look through the front windows while in a taxi, for fear of dying

You wake up to children peering through your window

You don’t even notice when a donkey, rooster or cow has made a home outside your window (at least it’s not a giant cricket)

You’re never sure if you are actually getting tanner or just perpetually dirty.

You get jealous when you see someone turn on a sink in a movie

Your learners just use random words from the assignment to fill in the answer spaces… “Complete bag while shoes adjectives she when hat front”

Even you don’t know the “correct” answers to questions from departmental exams

Buckets are a complete and utter necessity in life

Live or frozen is a common question when planning a meal

You are indifferent to electricity and whether you have it or not

Cooking over a fire becomes a preferred way to make certain dishes

A plastic baggie is a sufficient container for prescription pills

Sunglasses are a necessity every single day of the year

Peanut Butter is a staple in your life

Quick pics!

learners adding floor polish to the walkways

I love watching all the white butterfly like bugs fly up as I run by :D

Managed to find sweet corn for a special treat!

Our kids playing in the yard

Avo egg bake>>> :D

Making Different words to decorate reading rooms and library

Pumping water

Scouts cub meeting

So just a quick overview of whats been going on! We went and stayed with a lovely family in Polokwane a few weekends ago that we met through the Scouts program. They tooks us for a wonderful adventure weekend outside polokwane. We went abseiling (rappelling) off of a bridge and hiking down into a bunch of caves. Then we drove to the top of the mountain and had a braii (barbeque) over the fire with delicious steak and pork and lamb! It was a wonderful weekend filled with lots of fun!

I have been running like crazy lately! 45-60 min 4 days a week. however... I did something to my hip and am now in Pretoria for some physical therapy. I was here last week for my first visit as well. Its not a big deal but its been keeping me from running so I'm looking forward to getting back to my routine. I got a gps watch so I will finally be able to track my distance and pace. Hopefully I'll get back to running next week. Thinking about upping my committment for the KLM race to do the half marathon  (21KM) since running 10K now is already pretty easy for me. Hope all are doing well at home! I'll try to update you guys again about my hip and all the fun stuff we're doing!

Information about my Race and how to donate!

So, what is the KLM Foundation?

The KLM foundation is a non-profit organization that was started by two SA11 PCVs. The foundation raises money to send deserving, hardworking learners to one of South Africa’s best high schools, Uplands College in Mpumalanga.

Uplands College and KLM also give the learners an open door to a brighter future. The KLM learners have great aspirations. The learners aspire to study and become professionals in: marketing, law, animation, graphic design, accounting, medicine, architecture, and social work. Recent graduates are already making great strides to achieving their dreams. Currently, Sandile Tshabala is in his third year at UCT studying law on a bursary from Bowman Gilfillan, KLM’s law firm and one of the top firms in Southern Africa. Joy Mashego is starting her first year at Stellenbosch with a full bursary from KPMG, and Nhlanhla Thabethe is in his second year at Univ. of Joburg, also with a full bursary from KPMG. Every Peace Corps volunteer knows some incredibly gifted and talented student from a rural village who deserves a better shot at life: KLM gives this shot to kids.

Here is just one example of these wonderful learners:

JOY MASHEGO
-First year at Stellenbosch University
-Started at Uplands College in 2009
-4th in her class in 2011
-Grade 12 mentor
-Head Girl for Boarding
-Awards in Zulu and Maths
-Both of Joy's parents passed away when she was young. She was orphaned with one of her sisters, living in an unfinished house with no electricity or running water. She was known to be the local tutor for many of the kids in her community. She never let life get her down and now she is following her dreams, studying on a full bursary at university thanks to KLM and Uplands College!

This is the 10th year in a row that PCVs will be running a race on behalf of KLM. Traditionally, the race provides two-thirds of the cost of the five year education for one learner at Uplands College. KLM relies heavily on the funds raised through the Race Fundraisers and needs the continuing support of PCVs to carry on their important work. Volunteers participating in the marathon are expected to fundraise a minimum of US $100 for the KLM foundation, but don't worry, that can be spread out over 4, 10 or even 20 donations. Each $5 donation helps out! Although $100 is the minimum requirement we expect that many of you will go above and beyond that. To encourage you to do so, the PCV Race Committee has also identified target fundraising goals which are:

·         $100- base

·         $250- bronze

·         $500- silver

·         $750- gold

Individuals meeting these goals will be recognized and rewarded at the pre-race carb-loading dinner held the night before the race, giving the PCVs time to socialize and celebrate together. Those PCVs who do not reach the $100 base will be expected to make up the difference on their own.

How to Donate:

Method 1: Online

1.      Go to the KLM foundation website http://www.klm-foundation.org

2.      Click on the Donate photo in the upper left corner.

3.      This opens up a secure https connection for people to donate.

4.      Make sure you tell people to put your name (not a nickname) on the form so we know the donation was made in your name. (LINDSEY EDENS OR LINDSEY JOHNSON)

Method 2: Check

1.      Make out a check to: Kgwale Le Mollo (US)

2.      Add a post it declaring which PCV the donor is sponsoring

3.      Mail it to:

KLM Foundation (US)
c/o Bowen Hsu
461 So. Bonita Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91107

Mini catch up!

Hey guys, sorry I keep taking these breaks from the blog. It’s hard to keep up! You slip into routine so easily and forget to take pictures of the amazingness that we live in! I will try harder… :D Let’s start. Wow! We have been busy busy lately. We have started our after school programs and secondary projects. My principal and I held a parents meeting where over 120 parents showed up. We talked about my after school programs and even Eric came to talk about his scouts club in the community. We have had a great turn out! I am a bit confused how people are not successful around here with secondary projects as the villagers are so keen and excited to learn and try new things. Eric has over 80 learners in his scout club and I have over 90 learners in each of my after school clubs. I am doing reading club (SOUNS) on Tuesdays, GLOW on Wednesday and Kings Foundation on Thursdays. Souns is a beginning reading program to teach learners who were passed over and need to learn how to read. The GLOW is for girls, we will have a sleep away camp in October for these girls. I am working on my grant for that now. Then the Kings foundation is just outside activities, team working and empowerment. Eric is working hard with his scouts group and is also going to start working with operation Hope soon on helping them make their curriculum more adapted to rural life. They are an organization that focuses on financial literacy so it could help a lot of people out here in the village that are in a lot of debt. Overall everything is amazing. We are really settled in and absolutely could not be happier. Don’t get me wrong… there are hard days. But 99% of the time we are in utter bliss out here! Eric received a late x-mas gift that allowed us to buy a guitar, which we have been wanting for a while. We sit outside for at least one hour every night and teach each other new songs or tricks. We are having a lot of fun! I’ve signed up for a 10K race in Polokwane that will take place on Aug. 23^rd! I’m super excited about this chapter! I have been running for a while, but now I have the motivation from the race to help me step it up to the next level! It is so much fun! If you are interested in donating to the KLM foundation I will post that information next. I need at least $100 in donations (in my name) to run the race and I know we can do even better than that! I had an “ah ha!” moment the other night sitting outside at sunset playing the guitar with Eric and watching the kids play in front of us… This is exactly what I hoped/dreamed it would be like here! It’s so amazing! I know I’m skimming here but at least it’s something! Haha! Hope you are all doing fantastic and enjoy the pictures! Loves to all!

Mother Bear Project Photo Album Link

https://plus.google.com/photos/104673940242513590557/albums/5973276014743926065?authkey=CKXspuubxNH52gE