Returning to the Kingdom

When someone said you can leave Africa, but it will always stay in your heart, they were right. I left Swaziland exactly 5 months ago and from the day I left I knew I'd go back. When, how, where, what, were not the deciding factors. Simply knowing that I was going to return was enough motivation.

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!

Memories

"The best things in life come in threes, like friends, dreams and memories.."

Surviving the winter months..

Wooo - Go Canada!

Organic veg

Truly Canadian with that hat!

OAC - office #2

Local attire

Skipping Mountain Top

Classic

Night of Opening Ceremony

Lovin' a good braai

Good times!

Drawing competition

Was looking for Mr. Discount..

Dalton!

Maguga Dam

Donkeys!

Countryside..

So tight, it hurts to smile ;)

The river, Lobamba

View of Lobamba

Blue sky!

Milwane

Love these trees..

Shebeen'

Lobamba

So sweet..

The new look..

Thabile!

Good-bye's @the office..

The boys!

It's not good-bye, it's see you soon!

Preparing for reverse culture shock!

I'm on my last countdown now as I'm leaving in a week, preparing for what I'm naming reverse culture shock! I can't really imagine being back to our fast-paced, technologically advanced and excessive way of life. Life here is quite simple, taking one day at a time, understanding the concept of 'Swazi-time', that being late is not really a concept many people take into consideration. I don't think its' rained here since May and though today I'm seeing the first signs of a cloudy day, the winter is slowly coming to an end. If only I could stay and enjoy the spring and summer and work on this tan just a bit longer - and of course, dive back into mango season!!

Anyways, work is keeping me busy until the final days - just wrapping up lose ends and bits - and finalising the plan for sustainability. Our athletes have had great performances in London including today's 200m men's heat with our 'Swazi bolt' entering with a time of 21.02 and running to 20.93 scoring a personal best and a new national record. He was 0.3 seconds away from qualiying for a spot in the semi's and 0.54 seconds behind the fastest man in the world...so it was a great day for Swaziland today. Phumlile ran well in her 400m though just behind her personal best, while the swimmer Luke broke a national record in the 50m freestyle also just missing out on a spot in the semi's.

The highlight of my experience here has been the night of the Opening Ceremony, where we had the TV ready for the occassion. When the Swazi team paraded out there was an explosion of excitement, whistling and celebrating! It was a great night with all the volunteers and board members who I've been working with. The sports development centre is still going strong and am looking forward to visiting in a few months just to make sure it continues to expand and grow ;) There is tremendous potential with the community's support and the children and coaches/volunteers at the centre.

The perception of sport in this country is a big challenge. It is for example uncommon for a family to push a child into taking part in sport (because sport doesnt pay in this country, why would you invest in the activities). There is little competition amongst the various sporting codes, and while I still see sport as a tool for development and empowerment, I believe it will continue to grow. If I've made an impact (however small or big) it is still my hope that sport will be available to all and provide the positive benefits of development. Other highlights have been being involved in schools and promoting Olympic education to hundreds of children and hearing such positive responses from teachers and parents.

Personal challenges have not been avoided - and while I'm constantly learning about my own characterisitcs one of the major ones is to be more assertive. As I am a very open-minded individual, have good faith in people, trust and respect almost all persons I come across, I'm learning that in different cultures or societies perceptions of people are very different.

So, as I'm starting to think about packing up, trying to get to the markets for souvenirs and maybe one last trip or adventure hiking on the weekend, I can't believe I've been blessed with this opportunity to live and work in such a beautiful country. I'm going to miss the peacefulness, the chaotic trips on the kombis trying to get to work, the beautiful scenery, the monkeys in my garden, the fresh fruits and vegetables, and all the children, friends and people I've worked with.

Thank you for reading my blog (over 1200 of you), thank you for the support and I will be sure to post some final photos in the next few weeks.

Lots of love,

Ready for the Games!

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...

Ngwensini Olympic Day Run

Learning to play netball..

(goal scorer)

En route to Durban

Proud boys! (Bobo, Thabo, Mlungisi, Colani)

Durban coast

Olympic Day in Lobamba

Dalton making pap

Wawa and the kids

Lobamba Volunteers

Teaching how to cook..

..and learning to bake!

Leadership workshop

Olympic athletes arriving in UK