development limbo

Hello everyone

I am in Pretoria, South Africa and winter is approaching quickly. That means it is beautiful and sunny almost all of the time, but chilly in the morning and evening. I have been here going on two weeks but haven't started working much as I wait for clearance from USAID, easily the most organized and progressive of all U.S. government agencies (please note sarcasm). In the meantime I'll be volunteering with RTI, one of their partner organizations, to do audits of South African government rape crisis centers. Should be really great work. Rape and violence against women are a terrible problem here.

This country, from what I've seen so far, is really a study in contrasts. Everyone who can afford it lives in rather nice homes guarded by gates, fences, and security systems (often big, scary dogs, too). Those who can't afford it fend for themselves. There are lots of homeless people, most of whom are probably immigrants from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and other countries. The current social climate is fairly tense because of the recent xenophobic violence.

Two things everyone seem to rally around, however, are the national soccer team, called Bafana Bafana, which means 'our boys' who are getting ready for the Africa Cup, and the national rugby team, the Springboks. They just beat Wales in a big match last weekend.

I am enjoying reading your posts. Keep them coming.

Jessica W