Mashobeni South!

I’m going to be spending the next two years in a town called Mashobeni South. It’s in the high veld so it won’t be too hot which is what I wanted. I told the staff I was from Buffalo and I think they got the message. I also get electricity! I don’t think I’ll have a fridge but who knows. My counterpart (working partner’s) name is Comfort Zwane. When I asked who my counterpart was, a big group of Swazis starting laughing and said “he is big and loud just like you.” But really, I think it was meant as a compliment. Everyone says he’s a perfect match for me!! He’s a very tall guy and he’s funny, well loved, and respected. In fact he is nick named ‘awesome’ because of his size and personality, occasionally shortened to “some.” He is a bucopho which literally translates to the “brain.” It’s an elected position in the community with a lot of decision making power. He works closely with the chief in Mashobeni. Not everybody is as lucky to have a counterpart with a position like bucopho. I really hope it works out. I already know that there is a clinic, a high school, a teenage girl’s club, two primary schools and two preschools where I’ll be able to work. There are also umphakatsi. I have been spending a lot of time with Maggie and Josh (Figso na Sipho.) We usually cook dinner together a few days a week. They’re great friends. I’m going to miss being able to spend evenings with them after swear in. Swear in is August 16th and then we spend three months in “lock down” aka integration period. During this time we are suppose to focus completely on learning about our community and making contacts. We have to sleep at our own site every night. However, I will be meeting up with other volunteers for lunch in Manzini every now and then. Also I’ll be going to Nhlangano at least once a week and using the internet. There is an NGO there called NATTIC (Nhlangano Aids Training and Information Counseling Centre) that I want to work with. If I haven’t set you a letter yet, I’m sorry dude. But as soon as integration begins I’ll have much more time to write letters, training is so busy. I’m worried my SiSwati is coming along too slow, but I keep working at it. Language classes are like torture. I am going to miss my training family (especially the baby) so much but luckily I’ll be less than an hour away from them and they have promised to visit me and I have promised to visit them. Please drop me a letter it’s really encouraging to hear news from home.