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Since arriving here on monday afternoon i have already gained a broad insight into the people, place and cultural customs here in Botlokwa. Botlokwa is an amazing place and actually very big. If I could sum the place up in 2 words it would be hot and dusty. And the dust gets everywhere!
Toady was actually very interesting- I ate a cow's hoof and in case I need to state the obvious it was disgusting! It was basically a round blob of fat with the odd bone and ligament in it. Nadine- my project partner- actually ate a ligament and was nearly sick. Ew. Something else that is different here compared to back in the UK is the lack of use of cutlery. Here in South Africa it's strange to eat with a knife and fork they say the eat with their 'natural forks' (their hands) which can get pretty messy in a disabled school.
It's easy to say we as white people (the only white people in Botlokwa) attract a lot of attention at school and when we go into the centre of the township. We can't walk more than 50m without someone stopping us asking why we are here. We have even had groups of people give us their number and beg us to be their friends. It has even gone as far as teenage girls hugging us, taking pictures and young children stroke our hair and rub our skin. Children often shout "Lekhooa" at us two meaning white people, some really are fascinated by us which is nice... I think. It's fair to say going to the market and shopping complex is quite a task!
It's needless to say that learning Sepedi is a working progress all I can really say is dumela, ee and O kae (meaning helo, yes and how are you) but ill get there!
NB: Some of you reading this may notice that I previously said disabled school. That's because I had a last minute project change so I am no longer attached to the HIV+ charity Cotlands in Johannesburg for a year. Something ill explain in my next blog entry.
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