SPRING

The day is melting into the same apple-blossom pink that dots our Springy trees here at Bethel. The small agricultural/technical college which I rapidly became a teacher at, is in full bloom, announcing a much anticipated spring. I am falling in love with each of my students as everyday we cross language and cultural barriers and begin to understand one another more as people than as teacher/student. My students range in age from 18 to 40 and just like the U.S. range from bright-eyed and motivated to needs-a-swift-kick-in-the-britches.
The other day as I made my usual trek down to the river to retrieve our little pump, I realized what I was wearing. I looked like a cross between Princess Leia and a plumber. I donned white gum-boots, shin-high, with a flowing skirt I had to hitch up every time I crossed the barb-wire fence. I carried two excessively large pipe wrenches and half of my crazy hair was blowing in the afternoon gale and the other half was confined to a messy braid. Sometimes I’ll stop, mid-pipe wrench twist and think: “Huh, I’m in Africa.”
I’ve spent the last month here at Bethel daily scrambling to plan lessons for my Agro-ecology 1 & 2, Environmental Education and a more impromptu Computer class. I hit the ground running because planting season is upon us so I am dragging my classes around building new compost piles, planting food security gardens, working in the Greenhouse, moving sprinklers and drip lines etc. All the while they say “Me’ Kjessie, we are tired, why do you walk so fast.” Apparently Americans are known for their speedy walk.
I have to remind myself I’ve only been here a month when I get frustrated because I cannot speak the language yet or because the village children still faithfully line up outside my window to watch my daily routine. I have ups and downs, but I figure, it’s the same in the States, some sheer joy moments and some dumpy moments.
If you have some free time or are merely procrastinating work: Bethel Business College and Development Centre can be found on You Tube for what I imagine is a little insight to my world. My parents tell me it’s rather informative. Khotso Mokhotsi (Peace Friends).