Learning and Teaching Goes Both Ways

Yesterday Travis and I had our first Skype call with Connie. It was great to be able to see her on the computer screen and interact with a real person, rather than just a voice on the other end of the phone.

We talked for an hour and a half about a variety of things. We learned that "Africa time" is much different than "America time". There people don't worry about being on time or getting things done in a timely manner. They live in the present. It's going to be a learning curve for both of us, because we are both 'planners' and are always thinking about what comes next. It doesn't work that way in Africa.

Connie also told us a little more about the options we have for working/volunteering when we're there. In addition to helping with breakfast and getting the kids at the orphanage off to school each day, we'll have a chance to work in their schools. We'll even help with English as second language for some of the orphanage staff. Basically, anything we can do to help them along each day.

Connie told us that some of the kids are being called 'demons' at school because of their positive HIV status. It's so sad to think of the discrimination that goes on there. It's because of the lack of education - and the witch doctors. So by us simply being there and interacting with the orphans at their schools, we'll be showing the teachers and other kids it's OK to be around people with HIV.

Even women are discriminated against to some extent. Connie told Travis that he'll be setting an example for the boys at the orphanage in the way that he treats me while we're there. Something simple (to us!) as treating me with respect, rather than being domineering will go a long way.

We're going to try our best to lead by example, teach where we can and hope that we're making an impact in some small way...but I have a feeling we're going to learn more from the kids than they will from us.