The Salster Returns - Sally goes to South Africa

Welcome to my first ever post! I'm a brand-new blogger and a little nervous about my words being accessible to anyone on the internet... However, I've persuaded myself that as long as my mum appreciates it, that's all the public approval I need, and so I'll write what I like.

 The main purpose of this blog is to tell anyone who wishes to listen about what I get up to in South Africa. I fly out on Thursday 5th August 2010, and return on Sunday 19th September, giving me about six weeks out there and one week afterwards to get ready to go to university. A good four weeks will be spent at Mnyakanya high school in a very rural part of Kwa-Zulu Natal (that's in North-East South Africa, near Durban and Johannesburg and nowhere near Cape Town). I've been out to this school once before for one amazing week, in March 2009. That time I was part of a group of fourteen sixth-formers and four teachers from my old school, St. Mary's. St. Mary's and Mnyakanya high schools have a special link called The Bambisanani Partnership. ('Bambisanani' is a Zulu word which means 'working hand in hand'; it's quite a long and bulky word, but it rolls off the tongue after a bit of practice, and sounds a lot more interesting than the nearest English equivalent, 'The Co-operation Partnership.') The Partnership's main aim is to develop the leadership skills of the young people from both schools, and in its four years of existence has already achieved a lot. Since St. Mary's is a specialist sports college, the initial focus has been on developing sport leadership skills. When I went last time, I worked with a small team of young leaders, specifically the 'Cricket Crew' team of young leaders, to design and run Mnyakanya's first ever school sports' day. (Some people reading this might find it quite ironic for me to have coached others about anything to do with sport. I am not naturally athletic and in fact currently do no exercise. I loathed sports' days as a kid.) This time, things are going to change a lot. I'm going alone, and hopefully I'll be focusing more on my strengths - I'd like to teach about various study skills I've found useful, which could help them to pass their all-important end-of-school exam, become qualified, and therefore have a slightly better chance of finding a job and achieving their dreams.

 I will also be spending one week in Johannesburg, visiting the Melodi Music Project and maybe also the Buskaid Soweto Strings project. Both of these aim to help kids from the poorest townships of Johannesburg to improve their lives by teaching them how to play classical music. I'm taking along my cheap 'n' cheerful 'travelling' violin (£50 from a charity shop) so that I can join in. As I'm going to study Music at university after this whole adventure, I am really keen to see how both these projects work. 

 That'll do for now - at least that's laid the basis for future posts. Have to get the background out of the way! I have tons to do to get ready, but first things first: I am off to the dentist and immediately afterwards to the orthodontist to make sure my teeth and their braces survive six weeks in a foreign country. :o)