Saturday, January 19, 2008
First update
First little update!
We’ve arrived safe and sound in Maseru.
At the moment we are staying in the Scripture Union Centre where we’ve had 3 days of training. We’re now fluent in Sesotho, saying “Good day, madam. How are you?” and “I’m fine, thank you.” to everyone we meet, receiving mostly giggles and great smiles. We’ve also learnt about Lesotho’s history, culture, customs, HIV/AIDS and the socio economic challenges of the country.
Yesterday we had a day off and went to see the Mohale Dam in the mountains. Water is gathered here to make electricity for the country and are later sold and transported in underground pipes to South Africa. Our Basotho mums, Me Chabalala and Me Flora had brought lovely lunch for us (as well as a little stop at Nando’sJ)
The four hours car journey took us through the breathtaking nature of Lesotho “The Mountain Kingdom”. High mountains rising up from the green fields of crops, deep ridges and rivers, little villages scattered around in the valleys and hills. Absolutely beautiful! We drove up to 3000 m above sea level and still the mountains stretched higher!
On Friday we met our principals to discuss what classes and subjects we will be responsible for. So far I’m the English teacher for Standard 1 (Class1-Y ish 7), 95 pupils!!! Apparently we’ll split them into two groups, I’m having my fingers crossed! Also I’ll be teaching Art in ALL the classes, yeahh, and support other teachers in science and SEN (special needs) teaching. I’m very happy with that!
We are departing tomorrow (Sunday) to our new homes in Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek, so today we have been shopping our essentials in the capital and even had time to be interviewed on Lesotho National TV evening news! So, we’re NOT succeeding in hiding very well. Monday we are scheduled to meet the Chief of the town and the police AND a plead was sent out by our Lesotho representative on the news to people of the village to look after us, so I think security is as high as we can get it!
I’ve heard that our house has a large garden with crops, running water and electricity, so I’m looking forward to getting there now and settling in to my new “normal” life. My school is only 200m from our house and our next door neighbor will be my principal, so if you need to get hold of me here are the alternative phone numbers. School address for parcels:
My mobile: 00266 (country code) 63 25 35 87.
From Britain you can call 0871 343 1616 before this number and it will be much cheaper.
My principal, Me Anna Moroahae, home number: 00266 22 78 08 58
School address:
Mohale’s Hoek English Medium School
PO Box 393
Mohale’s Hoek
800, Lesotho
Tel: 00266 22 78 53 66
We’ve arrived safe and sound in Maseru.
At the moment we are staying in the Scripture Union Centre where we’ve had 3 days of training. We’re now fluent in Sesotho, saying “Good day, madam. How are you?” and “I’m fine, thank you.” to everyone we meet, receiving mostly giggles and great smiles. We’ve also learnt about Lesotho’s history, culture, customs, HIV/AIDS and the socio economic challenges of the country.
Yesterday we had a day off and went to see the Mohale Dam in the mountains. Water is gathered here to make electricity for the country and are later sold and transported in underground pipes to South Africa. Our Basotho mums, Me Chabalala and Me Flora had brought lovely lunch for us (as well as a little stop at Nando’sJ)
The four hours car journey took us through the breathtaking nature of Lesotho “The Mountain Kingdom”. High mountains rising up from the green fields of crops, deep ridges and rivers, little villages scattered around in the valleys and hills. Absolutely beautiful! We drove up to 3000 m above sea level and still the mountains stretched higher!
On Friday we met our principals to discuss what classes and subjects we will be responsible for. So far I’m the English teacher for Standard 1 (Class1-Y ish 7), 95 pupils!!! Apparently we’ll split them into two groups, I’m having my fingers crossed! Also I’ll be teaching Art in ALL the classes, yeahh, and support other teachers in science and SEN (special needs) teaching. I’m very happy with that!
We are departing tomorrow (Sunday) to our new homes in Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek, so today we have been shopping our essentials in the capital and even had time to be interviewed on Lesotho National TV evening news! So, we’re NOT succeeding in hiding very well. Monday we are scheduled to meet the Chief of the town and the police AND a plead was sent out by our Lesotho representative on the news to people of the village to look after us, so I think security is as high as we can get it!
I’ve heard that our house has a large garden with crops, running water and electricity, so I’m looking forward to getting there now and settling in to my new “normal” life. My school is only 200m from our house and our next door neighbor will be my principal, so if you need to get hold of me here are the alternative phone numbers. School address for parcels:
My mobile: 00266 (country code) 63 25 35 87.
From Britain you can call 0871 343 1616 before this number and it will be much cheaper.
My principal, Me Anna Moroahae, home number: 00266 22 78 08 58
School address:
Mohale’s Hoek English Medium School
PO Box 393
Mohale’s Hoek
800, Lesotho
Tel: 00266 22 78 53 66
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