(23.9.2003)
 Ingrid Maurstad was recruited and sent by NIF (Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sports), project: Idrettens Fredskorps. Ingrid Maurstad went to South Africa on the 5th of July 2003. She will work for 12 months, using sport as a tool…
For the moment…
At the time I'm in Uganda at Fredskorpset prepatory course. We’ve stayed here for almost two weeks now, and I'm already missing South Africa (SA).
Arrival
I came to Cape Town on the 5th of July (2003) and spent a few weeks in Paarl at General orientation for SCORE (Sports Coaches’ OutReach).
NIF and SCORE
SCORE is an NGO, which NIF (Norwegian Olympic Committee and confederation of Sports) is cooperating with, within sports development co-operation and sport as vehicle in ex. The fight against HIV/AIDS in South Africa. NIF is also co-operating with more countries in the Southern Africa.
 Fredskorpset
Fredskorpset does not send any participants – only in the past. Fredskorpset is an umbrella organisation, which are having prepatory courses for all participants who are linked to Fredskorpset through their partners. Fredskorpset gives funds to the their partner organisations. In my case: Fredskorpset gives funds to NIF, and through NIF I got the opportunity to work with sports development and sport as a tool in the South.
Thomo – the community I stay and work in
I am placed in Thomo, Limpopo; which is in the north east of SA (border to Zimbabwe).
I'm starting to get used to life in South - Africa now.
It is indeed very different from life in Norway, but I think it will be a great experience. In Thomo I live with a very nice host family. I've got 14-years old trilling - sisters, twin brother, sisters and another three sisters. My host mom is a principle at a primary school outside Thomo. We're a Big, happy family!! Four of my sister’s are working or studying in different towns, so it's just the trillings and my brother who live at home.
My room
My sleeping room is in a small, cosy, African cottage in the garden. I've always dreamed about living in a round house, and that's what I'm doing now!!
Less stress is healthy, but…
Life is very different in SA. Everything takes time, and that's something I've started to get used to. The time and time - management is very important in Norway, but it’s totally different here where I am staying. I just have to deal with life as it is here. I actually think it's healthier. Less stress, but still it can be frustrating...
From 06H30 – 21H00
There is a facility in my community so I'm very happy. There are basketball teams for boys and girls. Other sports they play here are; volleyball, handball, netball, cricket, touch rugby and soccer. Some more organized than other. But still I have a lot to do. A normal day for me start at 06:30 and ends at 21. It's incredible how tired I am in the evenings. During a week I work with PE (Physical Education) at two primary schools in Thomo and also school sports in these two and a high school. I also work at the facility with club sports. This has been my favourite so far.
Both my sisters and my brother are involved as participants in different club sports.
 Climate in Thomo
The climate here is very different from the Norway. We were told to bring warm clothes to SA, and happily I did!! SA is actually cold in the winter. Where I stay now it's starting to get warmer. We've already had some days with more than 30'c. I guess it will be even warmer in December. Hopefully I will survive...
“Xalati”
People are very friendly here. As other Norwegians I'm used to greet people, but a "hello" is usually more than enough at home. Here it's important to greet and also ask how the person is doing and so on. Even though you don't know them.
I've had a African nick name, so now everybody shouts "Xalati" (pronounced Shalati) where ever I go. It was really a process to get the name. There was a meeting in my community, and I was asked to come and introduce myself. When I did, they found my name very difficult to pronounce, so they decided to give me a new name. After a long discussion between the 150 persons at the meeting, they came up with two names and I could choose one. Usually the names mean something here, but I chose a traditional name without any further meaning.
Good and bad things I have experienced so far:
Met a lot of great people:o)
Got new friends all over the world:o)
Seen a snake :o(
Experienced lazy teachers:o(
Have had many challenges :o)
Been to Kruger national park :o)
Am in Uganda at the moment:o)
Have a lot of mosqitobites:o(
Been rafting at the Nile :o)
Been food poisoned :o(
-Feel great now!!!
Big hugs from Ingrid
skrevet av - Ingrid Maurstad
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