Doug and Paisley in SWAZILAND: September 2010

My primary role as a consultant for the European Union is to ‘build capacity.’ This is currently a ‘buzz word’ in the developing world (and quite an abstract concept), so I have attempted to give it personal meaning. Within the context of my role in the In-Service Education and Training Department, I ‘build capacity’ by training the trainers – that’s my job. Every quarter, I host a 5-day residential workshop during which time I train the trainers on a variety of topics, concepts, and strategies. Most of the time, I allow the trainers to create the agenda for the week, but once in a while I politely request (read, ‘demand’) that a topic appear in the agenda. Last week, during my 3^rd Capacity Building Workshop, I organized a full day of ‘teambuilding’ for INSET with an adventure company called, Swazi Trails. The reason that I persisted in securing such a day is because last month our team of 10 lost 4 members when they were promoted to work as ‘inspectors’ of schools. As a team of 10, we were severely understaffed – considering there are 580 primary schools in Swaziland and our team of 10 was responsible for providing the ongoing training for all teachers, we were overwhelmed. Couple that with the devastation of losing (about) half of your colleagues, and we were a meager group of 6 demoralized folks. No kidding. But, at the same time that 4 were promoted, the Ministry miraculously approved postings for 13 new hires to our department. Our Director had been actively recruiting and swiftly carried out the interview and selection process so that in a short period of time we went from 10 down to 6 all the way up to 19! Not only were we no longer understaffed, but we also had an influx of new, positive energy that comes with new hires. Phew. So, to kick-off our first Capacity Building Workshop with our whole, new team we ventured to Swazi Trails for a day of teambuilding. It was truly a splendid day of getting to know our new teammates, strengthening old relationships, problem solving and communicating. The highlight for me was actually the laughter. There was lots of it.

Our Teams [by color – we won, I’m just sayin’]

Red: Mpendulo, Nkosinathi, Paisley, Ivy and Dortia

Yellow: Peter, Graham, Bheki and Bongiwe

Green: Jabulani, Charles, Mandla, Maria and Nomsa

Blue: Boy, Zodwa, Mary and Njabulo

Our facilitator, Darron

Warm-up activity: word scramble = the phrase, 'Anything I can do we can do better.'

‘Crossing the River’ required all teammates and materials to reach the other side without putting a foot down…There were multiple strategies to start, and the Yellow Team really tried to make it happen in one crossing and as a group

Making shapes out of rope while blindfolded

Memory Game

Crossing the Mine Field…Blindfolded!

Even lunch was a competition. Each team was given the same starting materials and was awarded points for ‘presentation’ since the objective for everyone was to make themselves a tasty meal.

Before

After

And the smiles…Jabulani (coincidentally, his name means, 'happy' in siSwati)

Over the long weekend of September 4-6, 2010 (Swaziland’s Independence Day), thirteen of us were supposed to go to the beach in Xai Xai, Mozambique. Since I was already in Maputo for the OSISA Colloquium, Doug and a group of our friends were going to collect me on the way to the beach after work on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, earlier during the week, riots had erupted in Maputo due to the currency’s drop in value and the subsequent increase in the cost of food. Local police were having difficulty controlling the community riots; therefore, the military was brought in force to restore order to the capital city. Meanwhile, we were on lockdown in our hotel and the city was boarded up. Because my hotel was on the same street as the Presidential Palace, our street was heavily militarized and I was never in any danger. Additionally, military escorts were provided for transport to the airport. So, to make a long story short, I had to be evacuated and we had to cancel our trip to the beach in Mozambique. Drama.

Alas, we are a resourceful bunch and never a group to waste a 3-day weekend; therefore, we diverted our trip to South Africa and to the beach in St. Lucia. You might recall back in early May when Doug’s sister, Meridith and our good friend, Taryn came to visit. We borrowed a friend’s beach house in St. Lucia following our walking safari in Hluhluwe. Well, Antz saved the day again and loaned us his house. So, instead of everyone collecting me on Friday after work, I was evacuated from Maputo and flown to Johannesburg, SA. Doug took the day off of work and drove the 4 hours to collect me in Johannesburg. Then, we drove another 7 hours in an attempt to join our friend’s caravan enroute to St. Lucia. Unfortunately, there was construction on the two-lane road between Johannesburg and St. Lucia – yes, for like 500km there was construction! Needless to say, we didn’t make it in time to join our friends on Friday evening. It was dark, construction ridden, and we were really tired – so, we elected to stop in the fine (read, ‘dump’) town of Pongola, SA. Miraculously, we found the only non-dodgy accommodation at the Pongola Lodge (this is totally the type of situation that my Dad made me carry an ‘emergency’ credit card for growing up). We enjoyed a nice dinner, watched a couple of movies on the TV, and slept in after a stressful day of escaping riots and driving.

Pongola Lodge

At last, we joined our friends in St. Lucia at noon on Saturday. The beach was a bit windy; therefore, we opted for an afternoon of food/beer at the estuary, instead.

The gang

Erin (PAC Doctor) and Garrett (Clinton Foundation)

Keri (MoET/SpED) and Eric (new PAC Doctor)

I mean, this might be almost like a real pizza

The restaurant was situated next to the estuary, so we had a lovely view from lunch.

We also took a stroll down the boardwalk path alongside of the estuary and were surprised by a large pack of hippos!

We had been warned.

But, it is more common that the hippos are hanging out just below the surface of the water (like below) as opposed to napping on the beach!

There were crocs, too

So, we became very busy trying to see as much as we could see of these hippos. We walked around the backside of them and were reminded again of the danger.

Hippo tracks

We returned to the boardwalk and watched them wake-up, eat, drink, swim and best of all yawn! One hippo gets up

Has a bite to eat

A cool drink

And then goes for a quick dip

Then, 4 wake-up

Daddy yawns

Baby yawns

While the rest continue napping on each other

After a nice lunch and afternoon of hippo watching, we piled back into our Rav-4 caravan and returned to the house.

Saturday night on the town

Joe messing with the classy decorations

Great white shark (scary), Stephanie (PAC Doctor), Paisley and Laura (Clinton Foundation)

On Sunday we went back to the beach, but this time we went to the beach in Cape Vidal. Fortunately, nobody left any car windows open so there wasn't another poop/run incident with the monkeys

Cape Vidal is such a cool place because on the way to the beach there are tons of animals. So, it is like a game drive and beach outing rolled into one.

Pumba

Kudu in the road

Random rhino

We also stopped at Mission Rocks Beach to take see the views.

On the way out, we exited Cape Vidal at exactly sunset so there was lots of activity plus a beautiful sunset!

Rhino mom and baby hiding in the bush

Finally, on Monday morning, Doug rented surfboards with a few members of the group while I went deep sea fishing with our friend Garrett. A few things about deep sea fishing: 1) I’ve now done it and will probably never do it again, 2) Primarily because I am deathly seasick, 3) But also because it was a bit sad for the fish and I’ve come to learn that I really don’t like to see my food alive at any point in the process, and 4) Because I am deathly seasick.

Case in point

Munn, the manager of our friend’s rental property also runs deep sea fishing charters. So, we went fishing with him and his friend, Fran. Since there were only so many fishing poles, straws were drawn to determine the order in which we caught fish. I drew last place and since Munn and Fran were a bit disgruntled at having a woman on the boat as it was, Garrett let me take his place in the fishing queue. Ironically, this ended up meaning that I caught the biggest fish. Ha. Ha. Ha.

Crazy reels

Fran reeling in the first catch of the day. Look at the tip of the fishing pole dive into the water!

Ta Da (a snooker fish)

Garrett also caught a snooker fish

For the record, these have to be the WORST pictures ever taken of me. But, they clearly demonstrate the effort put forth to bring my enormous fish into the boat. So, I have included them. Reluctantly.