Today we went to Upper Mhlathuze and Sogodi Primary Schools in Zululand. At Sogodi, they have 144 learners in 4 classrooms, but it’s very difficult to have two classes simultaneously when two grades (like first and third) share a room. But the teacher in the blue headband, Mrs. Nokuthula, was inspiring. She introduced me to [...]
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5 Sep
from Johannesburg to Eshowe
We spent a day in Johannesburg learning about the apartheid era with a tour of Soweto, which used to be a teeming slum but is rapidly being redeveloped, and a morning at the Apartheid Museum. Hard to believe 20 years ago black South Africans couldn’t come to our hotel for dinner without permission. Today we [...]
3 Sep
Malawi: in Mangochi, Zomba, and Mua
Four great days in rural Malawi, in Mangochi, Zomba, and Mua. Schools in Mangochi celebrated in anticipation of thousands of Books for Africa books coming in a few weeks, and the Dean of Chancellor College School of Law showed us where the new library will be. Friends Trywell and Mwaona and Henry Solomon (my Malawi [...]
29 Aug
Malawi from Law School to Community Schools
A few days out of Internet range, but in a different range of spirit and emotion and experience. We spent a day at Lake Malawi, and a wonderful afternoon at Chancellor College in Zomba, Malawi. Yesterday we visited schools and libraries near Balaka who have been recipients of Books for Africa books. They were so [...]
21 Aug
Hluhluwe Park animals don’t make appointments
We’ve been in Hilltop Camp for a couple days. Unfortunately the weather turned cold and wet Thursday afternoon, so we went for a game drive in the Landrover in windy rainy weather. That’s not a very pleasant way to view animals, but it didn’t matter much because during the three hour drive we didn’t really [...]
19 Aug
Gezahlace Primary School
Tuesday we visited Gezahlace Primary School. In Zulu, “Gezahlace” means “wash up and stay a while” which at first blush has a funny image and insinuates we need to clean up, but the deeper meaning is one of hospitality and welcome. We are so welcome here. Gezahlace is a rural school with 250 learners in [...]
14 Aug
From Cape Town Townships to Eshowe
In Group 1, ten out of twelve travelers missed or were delayed in their flights. The most challenged are Barbara, Peter, and Kathy who ended up in Frankfurt Germany for a day! I feel bad that they’ll be arriving for our most full schedule without a hotel overnight or rest. We’ll need to pamper them [...]
12 Aug
Cape Town arrivals, sort of
I’m in Cape Town now, I’m supposed to travel with our 8 other folks that work on our school-building projects but the five Brennans are stuck in Washington DC, Robynwas rerouted through Amsterdam, and Tammie was delayed tonight. Only one, Bob, is arriving when and where he was supposed to. I hope this doesn’t set a [...]
7 Aug
video from last year
Maybe I should explain what we’re doing! Africa Classroom Connection and Books for Africa are taking two groups of people to South Africa and Malawi to visit school building projects and Books for Africa recipients. In about two weeks we see a lot of rural Africa, while saving a bit of time for game safaris [...]
7 Aug
Bon Voyage Party
This week ten of our travelers will pack up the last of their bags and head to the airport to go to South Africa and Malawi. So last night we had a going away party, nearly everyone was able to attend (except Bob from Chicago and Georganne and George from New Jersey). We had lots [...]
Henry Bromelkamp
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Tammie Follett
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