Last Friday Mpilonhle Finally took part in the hype that has gripped South African workplaces. We have shown our support to Bafana Bafana by wearing their jerseys.
The educators are also wearing their Bafana bafana jerseys. No matter what happens during the World cup, one thing is certain we are behind our team.
Mpilonhle Mobile Unit One at Madwaleni High School this is what was happening through out the 1st week, our compulab is always packed, more classwork/ homework and assignment programs, more office programs, more typing programs, more computer quizzes and more fun through out learning.
2nd week at Nkosana High School, pictures were taken from grade 11 learners “you cant miss the IT Training Session” every learner at the school they want to be a part of this. some of the learners they even book the break time so that they can do their research or assignments even at after school you will be amazed that I’m always the last person to close my class because of these learners doing their daily homework’s and assignments.
This 1st week we are at Nomathiya High School. I have got a chance to work with the Skillz team for the 1st time in the field. There is still IT, Health ed and VCT but now there is Skillz added.
It has given all of us a freshness feel about work as there has been a few adjustments made to the way we work.
The rest of the unit has gotten a chance to shout YEBO! In the skills way.
Excitement from learners, another thousand of shoes give away from Tom Shoes
Great commitment from Mpilonhle staff, each day was a challenge at this stage we have successfully completed at least six big schools. What you see here on these photos is what we were doing last week.
Another schools follows…
Another day at Nomathiya High School all three units from Mpilonhle doing school registration each day by day
Photographers at their best
Free shoe gifts from Tom Shoes
One grade at a time, learners from different grades at the schools, waiting in lines for registration, some of the staff members were responsible in traffic controlling, capturing or updating learner’s information in the administration system, photographers taking photos, IT Guys ensuring that each and every learners once was registered he or she appear on the server
by Mpilonhle Mobile Unit One “ISIQALO”
A learner at Nkosana High School in grade 12, he was referred to the Social Worker for being an orphan (lives with mother), through the interview it was discovered that he has never met with his father since birth. It was than agreed that searching for his father was the main self mission he has set for himself. He often gave a lot of thoughts as to how it feels to have and grow up in the presence of a father.
The Social Worker did the best he could for the client, the mother of the client was invited for an interviewed at school, for further information on the father, the mother did respond well and cooperated through out the process of the interview, the major problem in the course of the search, was that the father of the client had retired and his’ where abouts were unknown.
A media program for missing persons was utilized, the father’s profile was sent and the father did respond and this lead to the meeting arrangement, in Durban. The client currently lives with his father and hold temporal jobs and was well received by the step mother.
This has truly brought joy to the client’s life and the need for Social Workers to intervene and change lives of those that need help was truly realized. All this happened during the year 2009.
The first week of electronic registration went well. We visited 3 schools. It has been very enjoyable cause we have been just updating learners from last year and registration of new learners for this year.
We also have been giving out shoes to learners each day. Big thanks to Tom Shoes for the donation.
Unit 3 went to visit a Womens centre at eNgwavuma for a week. For the first time we were actually living on site. It took us about 5 hours drive to get there. We went past Jozini dam on our way there. What a sight!
The community welcomed us with open arms and were very excited about the arrival of Mpilonhle. The weather has been raining most of the time but this did not stop people from turning up to get our services.
Most of the people here remember us from our time with the OneSight clinic. I still cannot believe they came from this far to have their eyes checked.
On World Aids day we went out just to mingle with some of the locals and to get a feel of the place. It was interesting week away from home. Swaziland border is very close from where we are. It was very tempting to go over for a visit. Oh well maybe next year.
This picture was taken over the dam.
Looking at Swaziland border.Health Education session with Community
Mtuba Primary School
The past 4 weeks have been quite an experience for Unit 3. We have been taken back to primary school. This is the first time that we are giving the Mpilonhle Service to the learners in Primary school. The most impressive part of the days have been assembly time in the morning. Listening to those young girls and boys singing has been an eye opener. Although we were only there for the Grade 5 to 7, it has been the learners in Grade R to 1 that have stole the show in the entertainment category.
1st week : Phuzudele Primary School
This school only has 3 grades. That means only 3 classes to work with for us. It is situated close to Nhliziyo high school and is one of their feeder schools in terms of grade 8 learners. We were welcomed with open arms in this school and were allowed to do our job without interruptions.
They do not have any computers in this school but all the learners were able to grasp the basic concepts quickly. I was shocked at how well they did in my computer class. The principal concluded that the reason could be most of the learners use cellphones at home.
This was my first time working with 11 year olds and 12 year olds but I enjoyed it. In the middle of my 1st computer lesson to the Grade 5s one of the 12 year olds asked “So how do we save our work?” That is how fast they were moving in their knowledge.
Their teacher trains them on how to sing properly after school. The results of these lessons are unbelievable at assembly. I wanted to call the people from the show “SA’s got talent” after hearing them sing.
They were very happy that we came. For a small school in terms of numbers, we felt it is one of the most well run primary school around.
2nd Week : Mchakwini Primary School
This school is situated at Mfekayi area. Masibonisane High school & Mdungandlovu High school are the two schools that are very nearby. Its a big school in terms of classes and enrolment.
Now the tricky part was that primary school kids have an even shorter attention span than high school kids. After 50 minutes in a lesson they start being restless. They want to go out or they just cannot sit still for more than an hour. We had to cover the bulk of the lesson within the 1st 45 minutes while we had their undivided attention. After a few days I got a good hang of this. I could show them some funny video clips just to get them interested again in the lesson.
Mchakwini goes from Grade R to Grade 7. Guess where my computer class was placed…….Right next to the very noisy Grade R learners. I had to use my use some of my skills to get them to keep quiet a few times.
3rd & 4th Week : Mtuba Primary School
This is the school we are currently working from this week. It is also a big school and everything has gone well so far. We are in the second week of our two-week stay there.
Our journey back to primary school life has been interesting up to now. It has reminded us of a time when everything around us was so big and intimidating. This has certainly brought back some memories.
If you disagree with the following report feel free to write your own. I also welcome all comments (Negative and Positive).
At the end of a term or any program there has to be some kind of a report on the performances of everyone. I hope someone writes a report card on the guys from Unit 2.
The general feeling is that Unit 2 was more “organized” than Unit 1. I think they were always going to be more organized anyway.
These are the reasons why:
1. Unit 1 had to pack & unpack eye glasses everyday. This is at least 100 large boxes(maybe 20) every morning and afternoon. Unit 2 did not have to do this. Why? They had NO GLASSES!
2. Unit 1 went to Mkhaliphi , Inkosibonga and Ezifundeni the first 3 days. Can anyone from Unit 2 give me just one place that came close in distance & gravel road travel to the 3 places we went to?
3. The age difference was also a factor. Is there anyone from Unit 2 that is in the same age group as +- 50? Just mention 1 from Unit 2. They were younger and fitter than us! e.g. Khethiwe, Swazi, Andile, Thuli, Swazi, Delly, Sakho, Mpi did I mention Swazi! Oh they also had Swazi!
4. We had 4 Units to move and setup everyday, the other unit only had 2 units to move. I do not have to elaborate further.
5. Unit 2 had Nathi Xhakaza. Any unit that has this guy is bound to do well. He is calm under pressure & talks a lot of sense. When in trouble I always say “What would Nathi do?.” Tip: Management should listen to this guy when he speaks. He is MVP Most Valuable Player(Person)
Lets Analyze each persons contribution and performances over the 8 days:
Quinton and Sbusiso : 10/10
These two guys get a perfect score. They were the first ones at work and the last ones to leave. Making sure that all the glasses were packed away and that nothing is lost or left behind. Moving 4 units with only 2 landrovers is hard work enough. They also had to deliver the staff to the different homes at night.
Day 3 : Ezifundeni. The learners in this school will never forget Quinton. They were trying to steal the t-shirts from community members. I just said “Quinton I need you to clear out these learners.” He only talked once and they ran out the gate.
Siyabonga Mavuso and Sfiso Zulu : 10/10
These are just some of the duties Siyabonga and Sfiso did everyday:
1. Electricians : They had to make sure all the rooms that needed power got power.
2. Registrations : Siya would then go to register learners in the different classes. Day 1 Mkhaliphi : Grade 9 & 10, Day 4 Masibonisane : Grade 9
3. Interpreter & Zulu Teacher : They had to help doctors communicating with the community members and learners. They also taught some of the OneSight doctors a few Zulu words to help them when they were not around.
4. IT : They had to print prescriptions for the other team.
5. Deputy Team Leader : When Gugu and Christine were not around Siyabonga had to take charge of the team. Make sure everything was going well.
6. VCT : No I am joking Siya wanted to also do VCT, thankfully someone stopped him.
Siyabonga did shout at people on day 4 maybe the stress just got to him. Plus half the time he was sick. A good combination that worked. They understand each other.
Sne, Mam Lungi and Mam Dudu : 7/10
Community Registrations and Health Education. Great job under terrible conditions. Most of the time they were short staffed as they lost Sthe Miya after Day 1. I had to minus a point as they did not contribute much after registrations for the day were done (Ushering or just packing away things).
Gugu and Christine : 7/10
They had to make sure everything went well. The leadership of the team. They did a wonderful job throughout. The amount of pressure they were under was just unbearable. I did not think they would last 2 days in the field BUT THEY DID. Even when sick with flu they were there with us.
Memorable moments 1 : Christine doing the Zulu dance at Bonga High School. She was keeping the people entertained while waiting for the t-shirts.
Memorable moment 2 : Gugu sprinting towards Mayor, Principal of Masibonisane, Melissa. They were taking a picture and she wanted to also be in it. She broke some sprint record! Watch out Usain Bolt here comes Gugu.
I had to take away 2 points for some mistakes. People wait in the sun for long periods of time. Not having enough volunteers present. But all in all a great job.
Sbahle and Mbhekeni : 7/10
The number of clients they had to see was tripled each day. They did not have enough medication to work with.
PS : These two worked well together. I would not pick a fight with the “Terrible Twosome” anyday.
Anna Ngidi : 8/10
LOC : Local Organising Committee
The reason community members came was because of her. She did a great job of mobilizing the community, informing the tribal authority. Some people did not like the closing ceremony in the end, this was where t-shirts were handed out including oranges. They felt it wasted time. I differ. This helped keep them occupied sometimes when the t-shirts arrived late. She kept the people entertained and calm.
Overall a job well done.
Sthe Miya : 5/10
He is a good friend of mine and I love him to bits. He was there on Day 1 and then went missing for a few days. Reason : He had flu. Well guess what WE ALL GOT FLU. Imagine what could have happened if all the people with flu stayed home eg. Christine, Siyabonga, Quinton, Sbahle etc. When he was sick it meant Sne was short-staffed. Guess I wont be getting Christmas card from Sthe this year.
Themba, Sabelo, Sma, Khanya, Vanessa, Slie 1, Slie 2 and Rebecca : 8/10
They were part of the “Smelling chart”(snelling) and VCT. We did not always get a room for them to work in. This meant standing in the sun for long hours. You cannot do this job sitting down. Everyone went through these guys. I never had them complain even once. Everyday they came to work & did their job. The conditions were tough and the hours were long.
Great job guys!
Guest Appearances: Rajesh and Glenn : 8/10
The system written by Glenn for the iPods during OneSight visit is phenomenal. I am also a programmer but what Glenn did is unbelievable at such short notice. This kind of application takes months and weeks to develop, implement and test. Only a few programmers in the world could have done this. Rajesh made sure that the printer would connect with the server out in the field and the two servers worked well. Although it worked well in the last day!
Bheki, Mngomezulu and Mthembu: 8/10
No matter how fast they drove the Corsa, people kept saying “Where are you, drive faster?”. I hope you will help them pay for all the tickets they got for speeding during these 2 weeks. Their job was particularly difficult as they had to deliver t-shirts and fetch people from the airport. Sometimes going home at 01h30 am and having to wake up at 05h00 am to be at work by 07h00. They were also part of the “shuttle”. This was moving eye glasses and prescription forms between the 2 sites.
I would not change places with these guys anytime.
Anele Mkhwanazi : 6/10
When the team was down on morale he should have picked us up with his humour and jokes but he did not. Why? Not a good performance from this guy. I expected a lot from him in terms of leadership. He has all the right leadership qualities and potential but he lacks confidence to display them. I am still waiting for Anele The Great to show up. I believe in this guy.
Overall Team Score : 8/10
Next time I would like to see Slie and Andrea in the field with us, away from the air-conditioned office and the takeaway lunches. The good thing about these 2 weeks is that everyone knows how tough it is out there now. You are lucky if you get a toilet that flushes and a sink that has running water. There are no comfortable seats in the field or blinds for the sun.
This is why when field workers get back to the office in the afternoon they just want to go straight home!
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