Being Patient

Taxi or Kombi, can hold sooo many people

    When I arrived here in August I asked one of the other volunteers "What should I know about Lesotho?"  He said just remember to be patient.  So this week I had my test at being patient.  On Monday I had my week planned out, mostly helping teachers with creating IEPs (Individual Education Programs) for their students and I was going to do a workshop on cognitive disabilities on Wednesday.  Monday went as planned, although instead of helping several teachers I worked with one teacher the entire day on her IEPs.  I think her version of "help" was that I would do each one for her, oh well, we did them together.  Tuesday I was asked if I could go to Maseru (capital 3 hours away) on Wednesday for a meeting.  My principal forgot that she wouldn't be able to attend and needed someone to go. This was fine, except that it meant that I couldn't do my workshop planned for Wednesday, oh well.
     Going to Maseru with public transportation meant that I had to leave town by 6:00 to get there by 9:00.  As I was walking to the taxi rink in the wee hours of the morning, my principal called and asked me if I could go back to the school because she didn't know how to put the new printer cartridge in.  How does a very smart woman who budgets for and manages an entire school not know how to do this?  Not to mention the fact that they have had this printer since before I came, oh well.  After a printer cartridge insert lesson, I was finally on my way.  I squished into the Venture with 9 other people (size of a SUV) and was off.  As I always do I asked the driver to find me a Sprinter (second taxi thing) to transfer to.  Unfortunately I got into the Quantum instead, this looks like a sprinter but makes all the local stops.  Finally I get to Maseru and have to take a "special" taxi to the meeting.  I think it was special because I am foreign and they want to charge me a lot more, oh well.  Finally I get there, over 40 minutes late.  I am never late, I hate being late, but I was late.  Of course this is the day that the heads of the meeting, forum, decide to talk about being professional, on time, etc.
   At the forum I was able to talk to a few people about obtaining services, wheelchairs, etc.  However most of the presentations were done in Sesotho and the translator (who is very helpful) was very busy with other things and I missed a lot, oh well.  I decided to walk to the mall after the meeting and there I got some groceries, REAL CHEESE and wine.  I also had a latte at the coffee shop, first one since NY, yummy.  I decided that I better get going so I could be back to my house before dark.  My taxi to the taxi rink got stuck in traffic, so I got out and walked not knowing it would take over 30 minutes.  Finally reaching the taxi rink I settled on a quantum, too tired to search for the sprinter.  We sat there for at least another 40 minutes waiting to fill up, they won't leave until every possible inch of space is full!  On our way and going fast until TY, town along the way.  Several people get in and out in this town and then the quantum conductor kicks us all out and we have to get into a different quantum, oh well.  In this next one we take forever, but finally reach the midpoint where I sit in another Venture for at least 30 minutes waiting to leave.  This particular Venture is really falling apart, no inspection process here for vehicles.  I think my door might fall off so I spend the whole ride holding onto it and leaning in with my fingers crossed.  FINALLY I was back in BB, after leaving over 12 hours earlier, and I just had another 30 minute walk home.  At least I had a latte!

     Thursday started off with a phone call at 5:30am. MacDonald's mother asking me to go with her to the Social Welfare office with both of her disabled children.  I thought this was a good idea because last time she went they were not so helpful and we decide if we brought the kids they might make something happen.  For those of you in the US, picture going to the DMV.  We sat at the office for over 2 hours just waiting for someone to show up.  Then when they did show up they said that they couldn't help us, it had to be the other person from the last time who couldn't help her before.  This is when I decided to mention that I had met the head of the ministry, their boss, at my meeting in Maseru and she gave me some info about wheelchairs etc. Soon after someone finally came to help us.  They asked me to go with them to the hospital and they would give us a new wheelchair for MacDonald.  At the hospital I was led to a storage room and had move boxes around to reveal brand new wheelchairs!!  Hooray. Unfortunately our ride to the hospital was only one way, so I got a lot of funny comments walking back through town pushing an empty wheelchair.  Back to the office, paperwork filled out, and our 4 hour visit was over.  MacDonald left in his new ride, brand new adult size wheel chair!!!  THANK YOU was all we said, but I wanted to say "How come we were originally told that there were no wheel chairs? How come we had to bring 2 disabled children to the office when you are supposed to go to their house? How come you wouldn't help their mother the first time she came?"  I didn't say any of these things because I am remembering to be patient!!

MacD and his brother with his new wheelchair!!

     Finally it is Friday and I am trying to cram in working with 3 more teachers on their IEPs.  Everything happens here in its own time and I am slowly adjusting.  It is not always easy to be patient and it is exhausting.  This week has reminded me that we have it pretty good at home.  I miss the subway and the organized chaos of NYC.  At least I had a latte!