Shaka, the skinny mutt, looks at me with her kind, hazel eyes. She’s starving, but she never begs. She sleeps on the step in front of my rondavel, trying to grab some warmth from the gap under my door. When I’m ready for my sunrise walk, Shaka, clings to my heels. I don’t want her to follow me. I want to be alone, in my own thoughts as I Continue Reading
Archives for 2016
Is The Internet Preventing Community Integration?
One of the objectives of the Peace Corps is to have volunteers integrate into their communities, but I started to question whether the Internet is actually having an adverse effect on my ability to fully integrate within my community. I arrived in Lesotho in October 2015, and have tried to be flexible, share and learn new skills, but I admit Continue Reading
Lineo is one of the Vulnerable Children at My School
Lineo and Sonia On the first day back to school, after a public holiday, Sister B. decides to send the vulnerable children home to collect money for a field trip to Katse Dam next month. Many students have a one and a half hour trek over the mountains to school, and now she orders them to go back home and collect the money. They’ve Continue Reading
Children Debate Major Cultural Differences-Gutsy Living
As a Peace Corps volunteer teacher in Lesotho, I'm discovering major cultural differences, even in the classroom. What may seem, "normal" in a school in Lesotho, would be cause for jail, in the U.S. I'm helping grade 7 prepare a debate on, “Are teachers to be blamed for the poor performance of students?” While brainstorming points on the Continue Reading
Luxury in Ladybrand-Gutsy Living
After six months in Lesotho, I was finally allowed to leave the country, and spend a luxury day in Ladybrand, South Africa. I took one vacation day to cross the border for a haircut, a massage a pedicure, and some good food. Thanks to another Peace Corps friend, I booked a room at Cranberry Cottage, a serene, boutique-style hotel, with beautiful Continue Reading