This time to Swazi: July 2012

Firstly, I just realized it's been more than a month since I've last written so sorrrryy! Exactly one month to go until I pack up and try to imagine life back at home...The transistion of reverse-culture shock is something I'm starting to fear..

The month of June and July have been as busy as ever and as rewarding as you can imagine. Let me give you a few updates:

Our athletes are already in the UK -in Devon, at a pre-Games training camp enjoying themselves aside from the rainy and cool weather (I don't think it's rained here since middle of May). They'll be joining the rest of the delegation later this week at the Olympic village. Phumlile will be running on August 3rd in the 400m, though she is managing a bit of an injury. Sibusiso (Swazibolt) will be running on August 7th in the 200m, while we have a swimmer Luke competing on August 2nd in the 50m Freestyle heat.
In June over 2 days we celebrated the annual Olympic Day Run in 6 different communities. We tallied a total of 2150 participants of which 2011 were under the age of 12 years!! My community of Lobamba at the Olympicafrica Sports Development Centre reached somewhere around 700! It was my first time co-ordinating such an event, particularly organising the volunteers, sponsors, activities and providing (making) food for hundreds of children! I was also able to run the 10km race which was a bit of a shock to the system - - only because I was trying to keep up with the African runners ;)
At Olympafrica I'm continuing to provide some training and management support, working on scheduling and organisation of the activities. I held the second coaching course, Sport 4 All, as we are aiming to turn the centre into a sports club, working closely with a group of highly enthusiastic volunteers and coaches. We've been working closely on a program known as Asidlale (Let's Play) which emphasizes fundamental movement patterns and teaching games for understanding for 5 -12 year olds.
A few weeks ago I was part of a group of very talented rope skippers going to their first ever competition across the border in Durban, SA. The excitement of getting their passports for the first time, travelling for over 6 hours and spending quality time with the boys is something I'll never forget. After their successful competition, sweeping up 8 medals between the 4 boys we drove to the coast where they saw and swam in the ocean for the first time! Speaking to one of the boys' mom's the other day was heartwarming, as they are still speaking about their trip on a daily basis..
Otherwise, life in Swaziland is calm and beautiful. Though I'm still hoping winter will come to an end any day now so that I can come back with at least a bit of tan! I'm dreading the day I have to leave this place and all the friends I've come to love...but for now, we have the Olympics right around the corner and as we've installed the TV at the centre (wohoooo) we'll be glued to watch the best athletes in the world competing for Olympic glory!

Some pics...