Things are on the up and up!

Well this girl has been majorly slacking on her blog updates! Fortunately, things have been very busy for me! In late July, I made the official switch to Crossroads Teen Centre for my organization. I have been nothing but happy with my decision and am so excited for the next very busy 6 months. Yes, only 6 months, can you believe it! “Crossroads Teen Centre offers Christian-based recreational, social and educational programmes, projects and activities in a safe and stable environment. We equip high school learners to better meet the challenges of the world so that they can maximize their potential and confidently lead the way for their peers to experience the same.” Each day of the week we try and have a different activity. For example: Monday’s, I have continued to do my girls club; Tuesday’s I just started a computer class which teaches Microsoft Word; Wednesdays Bennie and Nici offer KFC which is essentially bible study; Thursdays is fitness and health day, and Friday’s I do my Grassroots Soccer HIV Program. 

After a session of Grassroots Soccer HIV Program

On top of these activities, there are also several other programs: Gr8-Gr8ter for 8th graders, Matrics Uploaded which focuses on the needs of the Grade 12 learners, and Reshape which is made up of a variety of programs focused on the holistic growth of the members. The teens are also able to come each day and do their homework and research on the computers, get help with homework, play pool or chess, chill in the “chill room,” get assistance on their University applications or bursaries, and all kinds of other stuff. It really is a great centre and I am so excited to be with them. Check out the website if you get a chance: http://www.crossroadsteencentre.co.za/
In July, I was invited to assist with a “Me and My Team” camp that was composed of the teen committee members. We spent 2 days at the Heatonville Adventure Park and had a blast! Since I was just coming into the org, it was a great chance to take a step back and see how the teens interacted with each other.

"Me and My Team" Campers

The focus of the camp was on team building, self-esteem, and devotion. We had plenty of fun team building activities and lots of singing and dancing around the campfire. I had activities planned for the campfire, but I was blown away the way the teens got around the campfire and sang, danced, and laughed. All of the teens were involved and they did it for hours. I also taught them how to make s’mores! They loved them! It was such a fun few days and really got me excited to be working with them! 

Beauty and Zandile enjoying s'mores

Shortly after camp, Nici invited me along to an AGM (annual general meeting) for Uthungulu Community Foundation. The cool thing about it, was that we got to listen to King Goodwill Zwelithini speak. He is the King of Zululand and it was neat to listen to him.  He also did a handover of funds to Crossroads and several other organizations. 

Nici also invited me to tagalong with her family to go to her cousins wedding. The wedding was in a small German community about 3 hours from Empangeni. It was really fascinating to see the wedding in the German culture.   Nici’s other cousin Ingrid is one of my good friends went to her family farm for a braai. They braaied up some sheep intestines and also had beef tongue! I can say it was the first and only time I will be eating that! Most definitely not my flavor!

No comment!

I ended up staying a few nights at Ingrid’s family’s farm and it was such a blast. I think I annoyed them with all of the questions I had about the farm. It was so interesting to me and it was such a beautiful place. It was a perfect weekend and a well needed getaway!

On our way home, we hit up the uMfolozi Hluhluwe Game Park. We actually saw a lot and I saw my first cheetah in the wild. It was so fascinating. We also saw elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, buck, wildebeest, and buffalo. I have not got the pictures yet sorry!

Besides keeping busy with Crossroads activities and having fun with my friends, I am still involved with my girls club from Richem Secondary School.

Thanks mommy! We loved the Pop Tarts and Cinnamon red hots!

I am also still teaching just not as often because of the school schedule. I also have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Books For Africa books that many of you helped support. We will have 3 libraries total and I can’t wait for them to come. When the books come and the libraries are setup, I will do a separate blog post. Touch Rugby practice has started and games start in a few weeks. That is always a blast. I have been very lucky to meet so many friends. That will be all for now. Watch for a post coming in early October! Good things are coming!