Till Friday 8 May 2009 - National Bird Week - with plans to erect two owl boxes in Suurbraak and encourage these predators to nest, the P&C department concentrate on a lesson plan to teach the local children the benefits of having owls inhabiting the area. With many old myths and superstitions surrounding these nocturnal birds, the owl being associated with death and bad luck in SA, it is important to reeducate these young minds.Visiting three schools during the course of the week, I nervously give the owl lesson in Engels (English!) with a klein bietjie (tiny) amount of Afrikaans, asking questions throughout the lesson, I am met with glazed expressions from a room full of faces. Can they understand me? Finishing with a test on the subject matter, many of the kids receive top marks, I conclude that they can understand me perfectly well, they are just a little shy to answer in English. Completing the lesson for four classes in total, I educate 254 children over the week, the largest group being 110 children with the added pressure of Swellendam TV filming the proceeds, yet I still manage to get a couple of laughs out of the audience!
Asanda thankfully has the sense to speak to Bulelwa on Monday, and confess about the damage to the bakkie.
Thinking forward for our World Environment Week recycling project, Aldo and I visit Magpie in Barrydale on Wednesday. This art studio concentrates on lighting and recycling http://www.magpiehomefineware.mfbiz.com/ the firm produces the most amazing chandeliers and light fittings made from recyclables and is heavily involved within the community of Barrydale providing employment, obvious recycling facilities and HIV awareness, together with annually providing and decorating the village Christmas tree. On our return to Bontebok, we pop in to Jam Tart Cafe for tea and cake, the owner of which, recognising my accent, informs me she lived in Yorkshire (Leeds and South Milford!) for 15 years.
Friday brings ten more children to the Park for Plant Monitoring with Flora (see photo). Ben takes me for pizza and the most amazing chocolate pudding at the local deli coincidentally called 'Woodpecker'.
