100th Team Celebration in the Cook Islands!

Kia Orana!

With over 100 teams of volunteers supporting the Cook Islands over the last ten years, we can truly say we've had something to celebrate.

Over 100 people joined together at Takitumu School last Friday evening to celebrate this wonderful milestone. The night was a brilliant success with community partners such as Takitumu School teacher, pupils and PTA, Te Kainga Mental Health, Cook Islands National Council of Women, the Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation, Immanuela Aketemia School, Tereora College Learning Support Unit, the Red Cross, the Ministry of Health, the Disability Action Team, the Virtues Project, the Cook Islands Library and Museum Society, the Takitumu Conservation Area, St Josephs School, the Whale Research Centre, and Te Uki Ou School all sharing interesting stories of how Global Volunteers has supported their organisations in differing ways over such a long time.

We heard stories from painting the whole of the Tupapa Medical clinic, through to teaching reading in schools, to helping eradicate the Crown of Thorns starfish. Stories were told of doctors, dentists, psychiatrists, teachers, physiotherapists, mental health workers, speech language therapists, painters, plumbers, electricians, builders, journalists, magicians, students, children, elderly, librarians - you name it - people with those skills have probably been to help with one project or another!Photos were displayed on powerpoint reminding those present of the different teams who have contributed their time, energy, wisdom and service to the Cook Islands. The Global Volunteers goals of waging peace and promoting justice in the world were certainly met with the fun way Cook Islanders, Americans and Canadians all enjoyed each others company and celebrated the friendships made during the time that Global Volunteers has had the honour of supporting so many different partners in the Cook Islands.

The current team of 18 was thoroughly entertained with dancing from the Takitumu School cultural group, with parents supplying a string band and singing during the enormous kaikai. Global Volunteers wishes to thank all of the community partners who made the evening such a wonderful night, without you it would not have been possible. We look forward to continuing our work together in the future. Special thanks must go to Takitumu School and PTA for hosting the event and the Ministry of Health for their generous support for the kaikai!

Meitaki maata e kia manuia!

-Debi Futter-Puati, Global Volunteers Country Manager

As We Say "Good Bye"

Friday, July 25:
Final Day in
Malungeni








As if we aren’t already on “emotional overload” as the service program winds down, we all attended a “farewell” celebration at the primary school this morning. The children sat by grade outside and were already in a chorus of song as Nkuli, Danice, Michael, Erin and I joined the rest of the team in front of the assembly.

Solomsi announced the agenda and led the prayer. Each class then presented hand-made cards to the team – many with personal notes to “their” teachers. Mr. Qwaka spoke of the numerous contributions the team made, and how he hoped many (if not all) of us would return on future teams. I heard a few sniffles….and not just from among the volunteers.

But, most of us were brought to tears as each team member reflected on the many ways the students and teachers touched their hearts…and souls. I wasn’t certain either Ryan or Molly would be able to complete their remarks. We all recognized how fast the time had gone, and how deeply we were affected by the children’s accomplishments…and needs.

After a birthday song to Linda, we moved on to the “picnic” portion of the event: Steak, sausage, bread and coke for the adults, and oranges for the children. The food was so good, we hardly realized how hot the sun was!

The 1:30 “talent” show was delayed as students gathered slowly at the community center. But, as none of us were anxious to end this final day, we waited patiently, chatting with parents and playing with the children. When the cast arrived, Chan announced the acts, and we were treated to a lively play about HIV/AIDS in Xhosa introduced by a number of songs, and followed by a short scene written by Olga and acted out by Chan, Erin and Ryan. What fun!

We reflected on the significant contribution we worked together on with our local friends....solidly in five areas of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals:

Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty: 29 volunteer hours in capacity-building
Achieve universal primary education: 416 volunteer hours teaching in the primary school
Promote gender equality and empower woman: 204 hours assisting women with sewing and crafts projects
Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases: 12 hours helping to restore HIV/AIDs library
Develop a global partnership for development: 792 hours working hand-in-hand on critical community development projects

We packed and planned our early departure tomorrow morning. All evaluations were completed! The roundevalles were buzzing as suitcases were stuffed with memories…and souvenirs…and return flights were compared. The atmosphere was more of a large, happy family than 12 individuals from cities spread across North America. Yes, we’ve formed a very special team!

Thank you all for your extraordinary patience, compassion and dedication on this very important pioneer team. You have been as much a support to me as to the people of Malungeni. Your indefatigable spirit remains as an inspiration to those who’ll follow us in many years to come. Never, ever doubt how important you have been in the history of this resilient, resourceful rural village. I hope to see you all again, and I wish you all the very best in life. Continue to challenge the status quo and to reach beyond your grasp. Together, we can indeed build a world of peace and justice one day at a time.

-Michele Gran (“Mama Mlbuwana”)

Ending a Beautiful Week in Malungeni

“And none of us need feel any shame at all at using help, since we all help each other.”

The reality of time passing is in full force for us all. We’re starting to say our good-bye’s and plan our thank you celebrations. The Community Center bleachers are complete, we’ve practiced our songs for the thank you ceremony and Chan and Erin are getting the drama club ready for tomorrow’s performance. In the middle of the commotion we received another resident to the guest house -- "Happy" -- a flea invested, scruffy, starving puppy.

As the majority of the team headed off to school, Erin and I were on our way to the Community Center when we were summoned by two local ladies – the real Joyce – asked if we were going to go with them to the river to carry water...how could we say no? The women filled the buckets in the pond and set us up with head gear, then placed the buckets on our heads. I had to make an adjustment, placing the bucket closer to the front of my head then set off with both hands on the bucket - there would be no hands free moments from this amateur. With concentration and determination, we made it to the road without drenching ourselves in the valuable resource and happily handed the buckets back to the ladies at the road. Joyce had a baby strapped to her back as she hoisted the bucket on her head and used her hands to carry scraps of sheet metal she had found in the field. The weight and placement of the bucket wrecked my neck, a constant and painful reminder of one of the many hardships the women of Malungeni encounter on a daily basis. Even our hauling in of water for drinking and washing from the storage tanks at the guest house this week pales in comparison to the realities of local life.

This afternoon Global Volunteers hosted a thank you celebration for Malungeni. Wendy opened with a lovely invocation and we led local people in a rendition of “Morning Has Broken”. Not possessing a harmonious voice, I was thankful for the iPod accompaniment. Michele gave a very heartfelt speech to the local community as Solomsi translated in Xhosa, which included reference to Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech where he quoted Marianne Williamson’s poem of “Our Greatest Fear.” “Our greatest fear is not that we are not strong enough, it’s that we’re powerful beyond measure.” The people of Malungeni are just that…powerful beyond measure. As their partners in development, I hope we have, in some small way, reignited that belief and desire in them - we’ve certainly been witness to it time and again during our stay.

After we all took a moment to express our gratitude to the community and heard a touching thank you from a community leader, we closed with South Africa’s National Anthem, the same song Malungeni used to greet us two short weeks ago. The local women then got up and started singing, dancing, and hugging us, telling us the most important thing is love. For the fourth or fifth time today, I was moved to tears.

Dinner was scrumptious once again thanks to Danice. Perhaps Global Volunteers should consider marketing these fine dining experiences for its South African teams. We were “treated” to a drop-in by Nyaniso Magokolo after dinner, who wanted an update on what we did while we were here, and to offer us a safe journey home. He was open and gracious with suggestions on how to get children to read and the importance of childhood development through daycare programs. He left us with the challenge to continue what we started and continue to help Malungeni. From the conversations we’ve all had, I know we’ve all come up with our own ways in meeting that challenge.

In the spirit of being in the moment (a personal goal on this journey), the day was filled with flashes I will carry back with me in my heart…Vuyo, Rebecca, Nkuli and Gwen singing “Oh Happy Day” in the kitchen, the livestock rush hour, the magnificent sunset, walking the village with Chan to create a map, the kind well wishes followed by the extra yummy birthday cake, the dishwashing jam session, and Olga and Gwen bringing us our good-as -new laundry. In one day alone, these images captured so much of the complete experience in Malungeni.

We are all now faced with the inevitable farewell. Our Malungeni friends will carry on in the same environment as we head back home to our modern day conveniences. They will continue to be challenged…and hopefully uplifted with possibility. As for us, the volunteers, may we take with us another line from the Greatest Fear poem, “Your playing small does not serve the world.” Just as we’re hoping for big dreams for our new friends, may we continue ourselves to grandly dream, serve on a large scale, and remember we, too, are powerful beyond measure.

- Michael Kithcart

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 in South Africa

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead he puts it on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5

We awoke to another chilly morning in Malungeni which by afternoon evolved into a sunny, lovely day. We all enjoyed the bright, warm weather. Yesterday, Cromwell told me that spring is on the way. This certainly seems to be the case. I so enjoy walking to school and sharing morning greetings with the local community members. We arrived at school to the smiling faces and the cheerful waves of the school children. I wish I could bottle this joyful, hopeful enthusiasm and take it home with me. Linda, Chan and I prepared a reading comprehension lesson on “World Heritage Sites.” Some children did extremely well, while others seemed to struggle. Yesterday, Cromwell “lectured” (for lack of a better word) on the importance of reading and writing. He strongly encouraged the children to read every piece of paper that they could get their hands on. I hope that when the library is up and running it will be a resource for the children and the community at large.

Cromwell told Chan, Linda, Wendy and I about the Premier who was set to resign today. Cromwell shared his fears of a potential civil war. Year 2009 will certainly be an interesting election year for South Africa.

We had a team effort of covering the grade R as the teacher was unable to attend school today. The little ones are such a delight. I think it is fair to say that we all hope for a successful, happy future for each and every child. Wendy enjoyed her morning with the little ones. I on the other hand experienced chaos – not certain what happened…maybe it was just because it was the end of their day or the children decided it would be fun to “play” the substitute. This is the first time I experienced frustration due to the language barrier. But, at the end of the day, the children’s smiles get to you.

Cromwell taught a class today on the changes in South Africa. He noted the change in the government – how it was going to build low income housing, it was assisting with brining a water system into the local community, etc. Cromwell also hopes there will eventually be more resources, such as, additional classrooms and libraries. At Linda’s suggestion, we had a raise of hands of those children who when they grow up wish to move to the city as opposed to remaining in the rural community. There were quite a few who wished to move to the urban areas with aspirations of being doctors, teachers, policemen, lawyers and soldiers….what an inspiration!

Michael and I set off to the Community Center for the “community project workshop” (bakery, poultry and piggery, community garden, beads and crafts). I must preface this summary by saying words cannot express what transpired at the workshop. Per Michael, it was on her “top ten list” of things she has done in her lifetime. I must admit, it was an extremely powerful afternoon. We had 14 attendees (12 women and 2 men). Michael and I were stunned and extremely proud when the community members asked when they could stop calling it a project and begin calling it a business. Ideas were hatched, thoughts were shared, dreams became a possibility in a little over 2 hours. It was truly amazing. Jagged by corporate America, so many people have unlimited resources at their fingertips but no vision. Vision is certainly what the community has. Given the time, I have no doubts that goals will be met, businesses will succeed. I do not think that the community members grasp the power in their hands to forge the community forward. I however, am impressed by their vision and am hopeful for a prosperous future.

Back to the guesthouse for yet another yummy meal. Danice certainly does spoil us…what a disappointment when I go home to frozen meals!

We ended the evening with music practice for our upcoming events. Thank God for Chan. He is such the director. Hopefully, we will be a hit! We are all looking forward to expressing our heartfelt thanks to the community. We will take a little part of each and every community member home with us. What a truly awesome and comforting thought!

- Molly McGuire