Journey back to PA

My journey back to the states will begin on Wednesday morning when I fly to Jo'berg at 6 am. I leave the following day in the PM to fly to Atlanta and from there to Philly. I am scheduled to arrive in Philly Friday at 11 am.

Summing up my trip

I'm sad to say that my last teaching day was yesterday. It was going to be on Monday, but I found out that there is a national holiday here, Women's Day, so there is no school. On Tuesday, Vicky has something planned for me and I'm not sure what that is. She says it's a surprise!

The teachers and students were all so wonderful during my teaching time. The kids were trying there best to speak English and I was helping them every day with their communication skills. The teachers had so many questions about what we do in the states and I would continuously give "mini" workshops to them sharing information about how our teachers plan their lessons, manage the classroom, and assess the students. Everyone at the school was very appreciative and thankful. Additionally, I've collected many letters and drawings from students at Vuzamanzi Primary School and will share these with students back home. I'm very excited to make a connection between the students.

It also appears that there will be a room at the school that will be dedicated to a school library! There is a small room off of the computer lab that will be turned into a library. They will start putting in shelves as they can. This room is the most secure since it's next to the lab and hopefully no one will be able to break in and take the books. The first shipment of books also arrived when I did! It was really cool to pick them up at the post office and take them to the school. So, the library is underway!

During my stay at Vicky's B & B, I've met so many incredible people from around the world. They were all quite interested in the foundation and I told them all about it. I think we may have some new donors! I also realized that we'll need to make a pamphlet or brochure or business cards with the foundation information. Everyone wanted the information so I just wrote it down for them. A few journalists from the UK were there one night having dinner and may be in touch to do a story about the foundation.

Vicky has also arranged for the local press to interview me before I leave regarding my experience. Hopefully I'll be able to get a copy of the paper to bring back home.

Overall, I've had just the best experience. I've also become much more educated about the struggles of Khayelitsha. It's a place to visit not to see the poverty, but to learn about the culture and daily lives of the people who live there. Education seems to be the key and the pass the children will need to make a better life for themselves.

Living in the township

Working with the children has been great so far! My life in the township has also been a very wonderful experience. Vicky and her family are so gracious and kind and have made me feel welcome from the beginning. I didn't know exactly what to expect and when I first arrived in the township, I was taken back by all of the shacks. Despite the poverty stricken area, I have learned the people are kind hearted and very community oriented. They share their time with each other as family, friends, and neighbors.

I have been treated quite nicely and people are curious about what I'm doing. When they find out that I'm working in the school, they are truly grateful and thank me. I do not feel unsafe and have gone on many walking tours around the township. The conditions vary. Some people have water and electricity while others do not. Many do not have bathrooms or plumbing. It's hard to imagine how a child can focus on education when their basic needs are barely met.

Despite the hardships, individuals seem to be happy. They laugh, sing, dance, spend time together and make the best of what they do have. There are local shops and craft markets and a lot of people travel to the city for work. I really feel as though I'm learning more about their culture and history and feel blessed to have such a warm environment to stay while I'm here. Vicky's children are adorable and I help tutor the younger ones at night. I feel like I'm part of their family. Life in the township has been quite positive so far!

School update

I've been working in Vuzamanzi Primary School now for several days. I have managed to teach in all sections of grades 4-7 (they have 4 or 5 sections in each grade level). The Principal felt that I could serve them best by rotating each day throughout their English classes. I'm not working with one class, but rather all of the English classes in 4th-7th grades. The school does not begin to teach English until 4th grade so the children have a very difficult time communicating with me. Grades 1-3 are taught in their mother language, Xhosa.

My main goals are helping them with their fluency and also vocabulary. They don't recognize a lot of words, so I clarify the words for them and then explain their meaning. Unfortunately, the kids don't have much paper to write on or pencils to use, so the information i'm teaching is not written down. The children are quite curious though and try their best to talk to me in English. I am learning a bit of Xhosa as well, which they get a kick out of!

The school day begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. for the children. They have 4 classes before their first break, then 3 classes before their second break (lunch), and they finish with 2 classes. Each class is 30 minutes long and the pace is very slow compared to what i'm used to. Today, I shared the letters that my RES kids wrote with the 7th graders. They really enjoyed reading the letters! They are now working on writing letters back to the RES kids.

I should be able to get into each grade 1-2 more times before I leave and will hopefully be able to post another blog at the end of this week.

Hello from South Africa!

I made it safely and I have so much to write and only about 3 minutes. Internet is not what we are used to at home. Today was my first full day here and everyone has been incredibly welcoming. I went to the school today and met the Principal and children. I actually taught all 4 sections of the fourth grade! I'm helping them with their language and communication in English. They don't actually start learning English until the 4th grade so I'll be working in grades 4-7 while i'm here. The school's resources are so minimal. Kids don't even have pencils of their own. They break one pencil in half and then 2 kids share. It's so different from what I'm used to! I'm trying to excite the kids about reading and learning and they are quite curious. I've shared some pictures that were drawn by Richboro 4th graders and the children LOVED them! I will have many more stories to share as well as pictures. The community here doesn't have much, but they do have big hearts and open arms. The children are so sweet and I so look forward to seeing more of them next week!!

First Teacher Safely Arrives in Cape Town!

Hi Debra

Tanya arrived safely and I will be taking her to school tommorrow.Let me thank you very much for all what you have done for our kids and our community,you have put Khayellitsha on the map and I hope that this would be the beginning of many good things.When you mentioned this I did'nt know that it can be possible.We appreciate all what you and all the people who have contributed to this.

I love you all,I will keep you updated

Love

Vicky

From: Debra Lynn Marra
Subject: Books arrive?
To: "Vicky Ntonzini" <vickysbandb@yahoo.com>
Date: Friday, July 17, 2009, 5:13 PM

Dear Vicky:

Did the cartons of books arrive yet? I have a garage full of donated books which I am trying to get shipped over by a company that buys South African wines. If I can get enough books, how can you get a space for a library? Could we build a cinder block building near you?

Regards,

Debra

Ready for travel to South Africa

I'm so excited to be leaving tomorrow for South Africa! I'm truly blessed and grateful to the foundation for allowing me to be part of such a wonderful establishment. A huge thank you to Debra for creating Miss Vicky's Children's Education Fund and for all of those who have worked so hard to make this happen. Thank you also to the generosity of those who have made donations to the foundation.

Prior to volunteering in South Africa, I wanted to contribute to Miss Vicky's Children's Education Fund in some other way. With the help of the 4th graders and teachers at Richboro Elementary School, we were able to collect many books and supplies for the foundation. Saint Bernard Elementary School in Philadelphia also helped out tremendously with their very generous donation of textbooks. Additionally, the staff members at Maureen M. Welch Elementary School helped raise money to ship the books over to South Africa. Thank you to all of these individuals who have shown great support in the efforts of the foundation.

As I'm packing for my trip, I'm feeling very eager and a little nervous. I want to work with the children to the best of my ability and hope to make a difference. I look forward to meeting Miss Vicky and the children and anticipate a wonderful experience!

Traveler's Impression

Vicky's Bed and Breakfast
Submitted by Morgan Keys on Sat, 2007-01-20 09:15.
I am currently staying at the "Tube n' Axe" backpakers resort somewhere on the south eastern coast of South Africa. Last wednesday we spent a night in Township known as a Khayitlisha. A township, for those unfamiliar is semi-temporary housing built by poor blacks moving in toward the cities to find work. The townships are basically shanty-town, where each house is crudely (but creatively) fashioned out of corrugated metal sheets, and any other building materials available. A number of problems are associated with town including lack of healthcare facilities, lack of utilities, and crime/gangsterism. The development of townships is directly related to racist Apartheid policies which kept black people poor and disadvantaged. And even though Apartheid is over, finding housing for the millions of residents of the townships is a long and difficult process. We stayed at a bed and breakfast there--yes, it too was a shack--which goes to show that the people who live there, contrary to stereotypes, are industrious, creative, and kind. It was beautiful community and we had quite a nice time.

Meet Tanya F.: Our First Teacher Volunteer!

As previously announced, Tanya F., a teacher from Council Rock School District and resident of Perkasie, PA, has graciously offered to be our first volunteer to travel to Khayelitsha. Below are pictures of Tanya with her first graders. She leaves in three weeks! Tanya, we wish you safe travel and much success!

Visiting Miss Vicky's B&B

Vicky's B&B in Cape Town (see link below to send an accommodation enquiry)

Vicky Ntozini s three-bedroomed B&B is constructed from corrugated iron, tree trunks and hardboard, but her guests lack no comforts inside! Her warmth and hospitality and home-prepared traditional cuisine will delight you on your professionally-organised tour to Khayelitsha. Directly opposite the original" V&A Waterfront shebeen

Like most houses in Khayelitsha, it is built of corrugated iron and wood. It took the owners about two months to finish it - they built it with their own hands! As her guest house has grown in popularity, Vicky has been able to extend her property, it is now double storey. It faces east and gets a lot of sunlight in the morning. There is enough room between the house and the street for cars to park and children to play. On hot Saturday afternoons, we like to put chairs outside and watch the busy world of the township pass by.

SERVICES & FACILITIES

Vicky's husband designed the interior of the house. It's very comfortable, and her visitors are always surprised by how big it seems on the inside when it seems so small from the outside. Her husband decorated the living room and hallway with special tiles and wood; they also like to hang pictures on the walls and display their collections of porcelain animals and special bottles. There are pictures from Vicky's past guests hanging throughout the house. The shared living area has local TV and a DVD player. The kitchen is available to the guests for coffe and tea making facilities and for use of the refrigerator. There is also an honesty bar for guests. There is a shebeen (tavern) with pool tables across the street and braai (BBQ) stands down the road. Vicky or one of her friends can take you on a walking tour of the neighborhood. Full tours of Khayelitsha can also be arranged.

DIRECTIONS

Directions from the airport: * Take the N2 south towards Somerset * Take the Mew Way exit, turn right from offramp towards Khayelitsha * At the first robots (stoplight) turn right * Then turn right into the street just in front of the CalTex Garage * Take the first right after the CalTex * At first intersection, take a left * Pass three roads on your right * Take the 4th right. Vicky's is on your left. There are signs along the way from the CalTex although some are hidden so keep your eye out.

Send an Accommodation Enquiry

Update on Fundraising and Teacher Status

Friends:

I am so proud to announce the official opening of a non-profit to assist Miss Vicky in her endeavors to improve the current 50% literacy rate in her District in Cape Town. As many of you know, I participated in a MGMA (Medical Group Management Association) professional trip to view the medical arena in Johannesburg and Cape Town. A side trip to Miss Vicky's B & B impressed me so much with her efforts to improve the living conditions of District "C." This non-profit was established to assist the township residents gain higher educational levels and thus, occupational avenues to pull their families out of poverty.

Tanya, a Council Rock School District teacher (my home district) will be flying over on July 19th to begin her 3 week teaching experience. Tanya has the support of her fellow district teachers who are collecting school books to facilitate learning. The students will undergo evaluations upon Tanya's arrival and departure. The 2010 teacher will also evaluate to ensure that our efforts have value. These statistics will be posted on the blog site. Tanya will be posting frequently during her stay as well.

Tanya's round trip flight is just under $2000.00 and she will live at Miss Vicky's B & B. The Board would greatly appreciate a donation in whatever amount you can afford in this very difficult economic climate. Your donation is tax deductible.

http://missvickyschildrenseducation.blogspot.com/

In advance, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and prayers for this worthy cause.

Sincerely,
Debra Lynn Marra

UPDATE: Our First Volunteer

Tanya, an elementary school teacher from Pennsylvania, will be our first volunteer educator this coming summer. She plans to teach and tutor the children and mothers of 'C' Township in Khayelitsha. Our thanks and best wishes for a successful experience for Tanya and her South African students!