Farewell Function

So, it's time to play catch up and finally post about some of our final events here in South Africa. With only 2 weeks remaining here in the village, it has hit me just this week that we really are finishing our service and saying goodbye to the home and family we've lived with now for over 2 years. It's not easy. Not only are we leaving our home, village, host family, cats (this is sure to make me cry), schools, clubs, friends (both here and in town), and fellow PCVs (particularly Jess and Paul)...we are also leaving behind familiarity and a unique freedom that comes with being Peace Corps volunteers.



Earlier this month we held the annual PGC and PBC awards ceremonies in conjunction with our farewell function. It was a very special day with many memories that we will bring home with us. The event was suppose to begin at 10, but as time in Africa goes, it was roughly 11 when things really got under way. The morning events prior to the commencement of the ceremony included setting up the meeting hall, preparing speeches (Jess and I both had to practice saying our speeches in Sotho and Tswana) and finally getting Salim's speakers set up for our DJ (Paul).



As 10 got nearer, no one was showing up. I think a few parents trickled in, but otherwise, the meeting hall remain empty. Then, closer to 11, the attendance started to pick up slightly more with the arrival of our Chief Seleka and his entourage. Also, we had the two circuit managers of Palala North and South show up in addition to a "guest speaker" from the FET college in town. By 12, after the event was well underway, the meeting hall was finally full as the parents began really showing up.



There were 27 items on the program, so you can imagine how long this day was going to be. It began with the courtesy speeches made by people that really have no attachment to the schools but are seen as VIPs. Once these were finished, the celebration began and we watched the boys and girls clubs sing and dance to several songs for the audience. Mr. Dibetso (a PBC leader) lead the music and we watched the kids get really into it...even if they did all hardly fit in the front of the room together.



This was followed by several smaller groups of children singing. My PGC council girls formed a trio and sang a special song for us and later came in and did one hip-hop dance and then one Kwaito cultural dance for everyone.



One kid from each of our clubs gave a short speech and then one leader from each club gave a speech also. The highlight of this was actually seeing the children stand in front of a large audience for the first times in their lives and have to give a public speech. While both Vovo and Charlie did an excellent job, there was a moment when we all thought Charlie would melt, pass-out or burst into tears on stage.



We had some more memorable moments from the ceremony as we were pulled into the front and awarded gifts from numerous people all wrapped in the only paper they could find in town, Christmas. We received some very unique and heartfelt items as people tried to say goodbye in the best way they new how. We also experienced a speech by our kindergarten teacher which was filled with animation and her booming, growling voice. It was hilarious even if we didn't understand all that she said to us.



While there is so much I could tell about the day, I think it will just let the photos we've posted tell the story. After the event, there was food served that the women in the community had been collecting donations for over a month prior to the event. There was also women playing drums and dancing as is tradition and many photos were taken.



On this day, we went home and felt the love of this community and our schools and know that we are satisfied with our service.