An Average Week

The last two weeks here in Swaziland have been a lot of orientation.  It was very important to learn our way to all of the different care points, learn about the Swaziland culture, and figure out our role here with Timbali crafts.  As we begin our third week I am pretty eager to dive in and get started.

Here is what an average week will look like.

Sunday

Of course Sunday means church.  Our first Sunday here we went to the Timbutini church along with a team that was here and a world race team.  This is a very traditional Swazi church.  The service was in a small, hot, crowded building.  The service pushed 2.5 hours…woof.  Because of our late arrival we sat in the back and I had a hard time hearing the man that was translating the message into English. 

This Sunday we went to a church called Potter’s Wheel.  This church is located near Mbane and is very different than our experience the previous Sunday.  This service was completely in English and most of the congregation were missionaries from all over the world.  The microphones ensured that I heard everything,  the seats provided much personal space for everyone, and the air conditioning was so cold that I had goose bumps the entire time.  Like I said, very different than the previous week.

Despite their differences, both were great experiences!

Monday

Monday is our day off!  Today will be pretty quite.  Titi, our Swazi friend and translator, will be braiding Bailey’s hair. I will post pictures as soon as she finishes!  I plan to spend the day reading in the Hammock that is in Julie’s back yard.  I also plan on organizing the garage were Timbali sells their products to the different teams that come through (I can’t sit still too long).

Tuesday

Jane

Right now I am most excited for Tuesdays.  Bailey and I are going to start doing an interview of sorts with all of the ladies that participate in Timbali.  The purpose of these interviews will be to update the information that Timbali has on the women.  I am excited for this because it means that Bailey and I will get to spend time with each lady, getting to know her.  It is hard being the new face around and I cannot wait to build relationships with these women.  Last week we did our first interview with a lady named Jane.  Jane is a kind hearted 66 year old.  Her family seems to always be growing and it took her a minute to count her 8 children, 20 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.  She is currently caring for 6 of her grandchildren after one of her daughters passed away.  Jane has had some health problems over the past few years but that has not stopped her from cooking at the Timbutini Care Point every other week.  In fact, she has been preparing meals at this care point for the last ten years.  If you ever have the great blessing to meet Jane you will soon learn that she will talk your ear off whether or not you speak SiSwati. 

Wednesday

 Wednesdays have been pretty quite so far.  On these days we will be going to the market to buy fabric for this week’s projects.  Going to the market is always a fun experience; you never know what you will stumble upon.  Last week I found a pair of underwear with my name on the elastic…pretty awesome.

Thursday

Every Thursday Bailey and I will be at a care point as the ladies cut fabric and turn in the purses from the previous week.  As the ladies cut, we do a quality control and take inventory on all of the incoming projects.  The last Thursday of every month is pay day.  The women get paid a certain amount of money for each piece that they turn in.  This month was a short month because of their summer vacation so pay checks were smaller than normal.  Every pay day Julie buys some fresh fruit and veg so that the women can buy food for themselves and their family.  Whenever there is down time with the care point we also can go outside and play with the kids at the care point.

Friday

There are no definite things on the schedule for Fridays.  We might do more home visits, hang out at a care point down the road from our apartment, deliver paychecks and fabric to the ladies in Nsoko, or help out Titi and Julie with logistical stuff.  We will also have some Fridays off, which means adventures.  So far on our days off Bailey and I hiked and drove around Mlilwane Game Reserve and relaxed at a hotel pool.  We are both looking forward to trips to the Indian ocean and Kruger national park!

Saturday

Saturdays we are going to start working with some of the older girls at one of the care points.  We are going to do some sort of project with the girls to help them save money for school fees.  We have not started this project yet.  Hopefully things will get organized for this coming Saturday…I will fill you in later!