Update: December 2, 2005
2002 East Washington Street
Bloomington, Illinois 61701
2 December 2005
Dear Friends:
I've been "home" in Illinois for more than a week now and have wanted to sum up my impressions and experiences in South Africa, as well as to speculate about the future of the Books for South Africa project.
(Dorothy and Seizwe - image left)
Every day as I greet old friends and renew my acquaintances, I answer questions such as "Have you changed?" "Do you find the comforts and opulence here disgusting after where you've been?" "Did you miss your grandchildren?" I try thoughtfully to answer each of them, remembering in many instances the question was more of a courtesy than a sincere interest in my mission. Something on the order of, "How are you?" with a proper answer of, "I'm Fine!" Or as a great friend in Africa said to me one day, "You know Dorothy, you're thinking way too much about this." And I probably am.
I also find that since I have a thousand little stories to tell, different ones float to the surface on different days. Yesterday for instance, I was remembering the day that Stambiso named me "Banana", and I would walk down through the playground and hear my name called over and over. I'm missing that right now.
(The Children's Party - image left)
Well, to the question, "Will you go back?" my answer is "of course!" Probably not for 6 months -- but here's why. The scope and programming of GGA is enormous. No one can imagine how big it is on first arriving. It's hard to see beyond those 90 residents and their needs. But if you stay long enough and have the interest, many things come into view. Most of these things are connected to the GGA Gcinosapho Outreach projects where an estimated 4000 children live in illness, and poverty and lack educational and social services.
One day I dreamed up a "Mobile Library" for the valley. After all, there was an old bus sitting in the parking lot that could be renovated with sloping bookshelves and bolted down tables. You wouldn't believe the excitement generated from that suggestion. Several German volunteers immediately began a fund raising effort "back home" and as new donations of books arrive at GGA or are salvaged from the warehouse, they are being processed for the bus, and stacked separately for this project. Oh, and I guess you won't be surprised when I tell you the bus needs a little work! So, that is on the burner, ready to go.
(The Pre School at Gael - image left)
We even think a small video library on life skill subjects would be terrific. I want to see lots of magazines for the adults, too, so that even if they can't read English, they would have a window on the world. Another much smaller project developed out of the mobile bus idea. Rosetta, head of Gcinosapho Outreach, said she'd been dreaming of a small library of books concerning "life skills" for the women in the valley. Things like parenting, first aid, nutrition, and business skills. And you know me. I said, "Why not!" This library would be housed in the outreach headquarters, Nansendela. The nice part of both these projects is that the ground work can all be done from here.
And finally, there's the Zulu Warrior tour of the United States to be excited about. The warriors are a group of about 20 young people from Khayelihle and the valley who sing and dance in a music and drama show called, "Seiwze". The show is a historical review of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial area. Some of my very favorite children are performers, Majola, Nompillo, Thombi, and Khanyisile. They are proposing to come here in July (their school holiday) and perform in various cities under the auspices of "The Friends of GGA - USA". So far the cities are New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, LA, and BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL. So, my immediate job is to get a date, sponsorship and a venue for the ZuluWarriors.
Well, I can guess that you are all happy that I'm back home and not resting on my laurels. Business as usual for me. I'm beginning to speak at various groups and functions. I haven't worked out all the bugs in my presentation at this point, but hopefully that will come. Thanks again for your support.
Ngiuabonga and Danke.Dorothy
p.s. Did I ever get around to telling you about the flowering shrub we had in South Africa this spring. Its official name is Brunfelsia but everyone calls it, "Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow." It has small blooms in three colors, purple, lavender and white. They reminded me of orange blossoms but I'm told it is a member of the mint family. They also have the most wonderful fragrance. Is there anything like it in the states?
p.s. I'm still working on putting four computers in the GGA Library\ResourceCenter and need to raise $1000 in order for that to happen. If you can help, please let me know.
©Dorothy Kennett 2005
Bloomington, Illinois 61701
2 December 2005
Dear Friends:
I've been "home" in Illinois for more than a week now and have wanted to sum up my impressions and experiences in South Africa, as well as to speculate about the future of the Books for South Africa project.
(Dorothy and Seizwe - image left)Every day as I greet old friends and renew my acquaintances, I answer questions such as "Have you changed?" "Do you find the comforts and opulence here disgusting after where you've been?" "Did you miss your grandchildren?" I try thoughtfully to answer each of them, remembering in many instances the question was more of a courtesy than a sincere interest in my mission. Something on the order of, "How are you?" with a proper answer of, "I'm Fine!" Or as a great friend in Africa said to me one day, "You know Dorothy, you're thinking way too much about this." And I probably am.
I also find that since I have a thousand little stories to tell, different ones float to the surface on different days. Yesterday for instance, I was remembering the day that Stambiso named me "Banana", and I would walk down through the playground and hear my name called over and over. I'm missing that right now.
(The Children's Party - image left)
Well, to the question, "Will you go back?" my answer is "of course!" Probably not for 6 months -- but here's why. The scope and programming of GGA is enormous. No one can imagine how big it is on first arriving. It's hard to see beyond those 90 residents and their needs. But if you stay long enough and have the interest, many things come into view. Most of these things are connected to the GGA Gcinosapho Outreach projects where an estimated 4000 children live in illness, and poverty and lack educational and social services.
One day I dreamed up a "Mobile Library" for the valley. After all, there was an old bus sitting in the parking lot that could be renovated with sloping bookshelves and bolted down tables. You wouldn't believe the excitement generated from that suggestion. Several German volunteers immediately began a fund raising effort "back home" and as new donations of books arrive at GGA or are salvaged from the warehouse, they are being processed for the bus, and stacked separately for this project. Oh, and I guess you won't be surprised when I tell you the bus needs a little work! So, that is on the burner, ready to go.
(The Pre School at Gael - image left)
We even think a small video library on life skill subjects would be terrific. I want to see lots of magazines for the adults, too, so that even if they can't read English, they would have a window on the world. Another much smaller project developed out of the mobile bus idea. Rosetta, head of Gcinosapho Outreach, said she'd been dreaming of a small library of books concerning "life skills" for the women in the valley. Things like parenting, first aid, nutrition, and business skills. And you know me. I said, "Why not!" This library would be housed in the outreach headquarters, Nansendela. The nice part of both these projects is that the ground work can all be done from here.
And finally, there's the Zulu Warrior tour of the United States to be excited about. The warriors are a group of about 20 young people from Khayelihle and the valley who sing and dance in a music and drama show called, "Seiwze". The show is a historical review of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial area. Some of my very favorite children are performers, Majola, Nompillo, Thombi, and Khanyisile. They are proposing to come here in July (their school holiday) and perform in various cities under the auspices of "The Friends of GGA - USA". So far the cities are New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, LA, and BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL. So, my immediate job is to get a date, sponsorship and a venue for the ZuluWarriors.
Well, I can guess that you are all happy that I'm back home and not resting on my laurels. Business as usual for me. I'm beginning to speak at various groups and functions. I haven't worked out all the bugs in my presentation at this point, but hopefully that will come. Thanks again for your support.
Ngiuabonga and Danke.Dorothy
p.s. Did I ever get around to telling you about the flowering shrub we had in South Africa this spring. Its official name is Brunfelsia but everyone calls it, "Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow." It has small blooms in three colors, purple, lavender and white. They reminded me of orange blossoms but I'm told it is a member of the mint family. They also have the most wonderful fragrance. Is there anything like it in the states?
p.s. I'm still working on putting four computers in the GGA Library\ResourceCenter and need to raise $1000 in order for that to happen. If you can help, please let me know.
©Dorothy Kennett 2005
posted by Dorothy Kennett | 10:08 AM
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