Adjusting to Canadian way of life was more difficult than I had expected - the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto, the fast-paced, consumer driven world was a shock to my system. Though as one does, you adjust and you live day in day out, setting goals, finding work, catching up with friends and family and living a life that you were once contempt with. I thankfully found work after several months of applying anywhere from 'the Dollar store to the UN', from dreading spending $3 for a one-way ride on the subway to regretfully spending $4.50 on a latte one day....to constantly checking websites, making contacts, hoping, waiting, that somehow I could return to the Kingdom. I loved coming home, sharing my stories and photos to those who wanted to learn more - sharing about cultures and customs that are worlds a part from our upbringings or our traditions. (Particularly the 'cow' story with my Dad!) Every day I felt and do feel so lucky to know that I have family and friends around me to support me, laugh with me, and keep pushing forward...finding that way to return to Africa.
To make a long story short - I'm going back! Initially, (until a few days ago) I booked a ticket for only a few weeks - pursuing my own ambition to return and catch up with the projects, the friends, and way of life that I have grown to love. The sports centre in Lobamba is still something I think about almost every day - are the programs still running, are they getting the support they should be, how are they progressing.... I have so many boxes and donations to bring to the centre, I think I'll need at least a few extra enormous bags to bring what I want to...
My new work however encompasses a much different capacity. I'll be working for Crossroads International, an organization partly funded by CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency), acting as a Liaison Officer. While the position is new and tailored specifically for someone like myself that has lived and experienced the way of life and cultural adaptation in Swaziland, I'll be mentoring current volunteers and working specifically for an organization known as SWAGAA (Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse) with the Girls Empowerment Program in schools - focusing on preventing girls abuse and education pertaining to HIV/AIDS (Swaziland currently having the highest prevalence in the world....)
Wow, can I say that I'm thrilled, terrified, scared..or just so incredibly optimistic and excited to continue my quest to live and empower women and children in a place that I've grown to love...
So, stay tuned - thanks for all your support and can't wait to share my continuation of "thistimetoswazi"
~ Nomsa :)
Ps. VISITORS WELCOME!
Thanks to my sister, family and friends for all that you do for me!
