Next Village Experience - January 2010

Hi Guys
Here are the village experience logistics for January 2010.
Essentially I will be in the village from the 4th january, so you are welcome to arrive on that same day with me, or soon thereafter, but not pref not much later then the 5th. Of course, you can arrive later if the dates are better for you, but then you will have less time with me there as teacher as I leave between the 9th and 11th Jan. This is not the end of the world, as there will be other tutors who I would have selected and given some training to and the experience is far less about me being there, and you will be well looked after.

TRANSPORT:

So you would need to get there yourself, by flight or by bus or however, but let me know. I will attach some info on this, but Greyhound bus is prob better. With greyhound (www.greyhound.co.za) its R425 one way max (i.e. there are various discounts available)and is an overnight trip. Then you will meet a shuttle in EL to go to Hamburg (R100 one way). So thats about R1050 total for travel expenses. Flights to EL are also an option and shuttle from airport.

INVESTMENT:

In the village, for mud hut accommodation, Xhosa food and Xhosa lessons, daily opportunities to volunteer, the investment is R250 per night (R200 for students/scholars/special cases). You are investing in a sustainable initiative that benefits the whole village and yourself. The prices are also open to fluctuation based on how long you want to go for and the nature of the experience you wish to have. Just send me a mail. I will make you a deal.

INCLUDES:

- accommodation with a host family in a stunning village close to the coast and opportunities to live and experience different parts of the traditional culture.
- 3 Xhosa meals daily (you may wish to bring some snacks - see attached info doc - you may have to email me for this)
- Xhosa tuition every day. make sure to bring some materials with you or enquire from me - I have materials for different levels.
- opportunities to volunteer in the community, at the clinic/treatment centre/heritage site, or art and craft centre, which has provided murals and altar pieces of South African history that have been taken around the world. This may be a small fee extra to cover the volunteer co-ordinator and guide. It also may not be.

YOU NEED TO:

Let me know how many nights you wish to stay and what dates you wish to arrive and leave, then book your bus tickets asap. School holidays coincide closely (School goes back 13th Jan 2010).

Please let me know any queries, but do first read over the attached info pack. It has all info, booking forms and indemnity forms. Please email me for this.

Many thanks,

Do let me know if you have any further queries.
Craig
info@learnxhosa.co.za
072 6090 666

Audio Cd Content

CD 1: (Covered in the Level 1 Course).

Lesson 1: Pronunciation, reading the language and Greetingse
Lesson 2: Introduction to Verbs and Prefixes
Lesson 3: Sentence Building Blocks and NB 1st Sentences
Lesson 4: Greetings, Names and Appropriate Titles
Lesson 5: Introductions and Pleasantries
Lesson 6: Integration Orals and extra lessons

CD 2: (Covered in the Level 2 Course).

Lesson 7: Negatives
Lesson 8: Past Tense and Negative Past Tense)
Lesson 9: Asking questions
Lesson 10: Na as and / with / have
Lesson 11: Conversational Application for daily usage
Lesson 12: Integration Conversation Orals

Phrase CD 1:
- The Phrase CD is really just a convenient collection of all the phrases found in CD 1 and 2 without all the explanations and teachings in between. It is really just an effective tool for touching up and revising your Xhosa skills, specifically in preparation for CDs 3 and 4.

CD 3: (Covered in the Level 3 Course). More Verb-based Constructs, giving immediate oomph to your conversational ability. Each lesson has clear grammatical explanations, with exercises, sample conversations or comprehensions.

Lesson 13: Using Nga- to say by means of, about, for, and some locative
Lesson 14: Object Concords (OC)
Lesson 15: The Subjunctive, the potential and some useful constructs
Lesson 16: The Recent past continuous tense and the Remote past tense
Lesson 17: The Locative
Lesson 18: The Locative 2 - Positional Words

CD 4: (Covered in the Level 4 Course). The Noun groups. This course is quite academic (i.e. requires commitment and dedicated learning, as do all the others), but it still focusses on immediate and practical conversational application. It gives the Xhosa learner a thorough overview of the noun groups and a good practical understanding of the many ways in which they can be used.

Lesson 19: Noun Groups and Verb Links 1-4
Lesson 20: Verb Links to noun groups 5-8
Lesson 21: Verb Links to noun groups 9-15
Lesson 22: Summary of Noun groups and Verb Links - All, the whole and every
Lesson 23: Concordance and the Power of the noun Groups
Lesson 24: Conversational Application

Wed 16th December is Reconciliation Day

Mandiseli, Ben and me are inviting volunteers to come and help at the (informal) “community centre” in Makhaza, Khayelitsha
It’s the place we are running the home-gardens project from, and where we are encouraging other community focused activities
We are helping the community to make it a beautiful place and need lots of hands and love to help

You are invited J and please invite your friends and family

Wed 16th December 2009 10:30 – 2:30

An indication of who is coming would be very helpful - and we should share lifts where possible so please let me know who can offer and who needs a lift. thanks

Please bring: Your wonderful self and a smile is all that is required

optional
A bit of money to buy fruit from the neighbouring fruit vendor if you want a snack or want to share with local volunteers (support local business)
- A water bottle or cup to drink from – there is a tap there
- Gardening gloves / hat / suntan lotion …
- Some black bags for rubbish
- If you have some tools … we are putting up a lapa, there is a fence to fix – few big holes in it! …
- (we would like to use locally recovered/recycled materials – scrounge for discarded wood etc and be innovative .. but some nails, wire, hammers, … really help a LOT)
- If you have some gardening tools (we do have a few – depends how many come. if you wish to donate an indigenous shrub / tree, or fruit tree please contact me re what will be suitable and bring compost and mulch for it too

Directions:
N2 towards Somerset West. Take the R310 Baden Powell off ramp and turn right towards Muizenberg – cross over the freeway. You’ll pass a collection of sculptures on your right; soon after that. 1st turn right into Landsdowne Rd (the sign left says Macassar and the sign right I think says Khayelitsha, but don’t worry its 1st right after the sculptures!)
1st left opposite a taxi rank / open space
Pass Nkzimlo school on your right
Next left at the end of the school yard
You’ll pass a play park on your right, bit further on a church under construction
Where the road makes a sharp right turn – the “centre” is on the corner on your left
We’ll be there
From Muizenberg coming along Baden Powell drive – it’s the last left turn before the N2 – rest as above

Love and blessings
Elizabeth Meiring
Art of Living Teacher
elizabeth@artofliving.org.za
+27 82 497 6428

Attention Volunteer Organisations

Volunteer organisations, please just post your details to this page, if you are seeking volunteers or email me. I will also try add it to my monthly Volunteer Newsletter. The following is an ideal structure:

Name of organisation:
Description of Day’s Activities:
Need volunteers who can:
Venue/Directions:
Email:
Phone:
Website:

Sharpsharp

How to Toyi-Toyi on You Tube

Stressed? Life getting you down? Or is your bum in the butter? Either way, living in SA, it is vital that you learn how to Toyi-toyi.

As part of my passion for using the medium of film as an educational tool (or edutainment), I recently made this short instructional video on an element of African culture. Please enjoy and practice at appropriate opportunities.

Visit Sosebenza this Sunday

Ben Jochanan Getz sent a message to the members of Sosebenza Centre for Peace (MASI).
(facebook Group)

--------------------
Subject: Sunday Vibes - Visit Sosebenza this Sunday

Beautiful Sosebenza Volunteers...
Christoph and Lucy will be heading a visit to MASI this Sunday 5th Sept!
Give them a shout and bring our kids loads of joy & lunch:):):)
Get them on 082 491 9124 (Christoph) Or 079 438 3555 (Lucy)

Ill be spending the whole day there tomorrow with a team of guys - getting the garden onto new levels of goodness! Anyone is welcome to join if you can. call me on 072 475 2977.
Wont see you Sunday, but ill catch you next time.... Enjoy!

Love
Ben
--------

Volunteer Organisations

Some of the fabulous volunteer organisations we hope to support.


IkamvaYouth

Name of organisation: IkamvaYouth (officially Ikamva Lisezandleni Zethu)
Description: A South African non-profit organization focussed on the empowerment of youth through education, e-literacy training and career guidance.
Need volunteers who can: Tutor subjects to students in grades 10 - 12; help with mentoring, career guidance, computer literacy training, HIV/AIDS awareness, and organisational administration.
Venue: Nazeema Isaacs library, Makhaza, Khayelitsha; and Nyanga library. Times: Saturdays: 9:00 - 12:00 (Nyanga), 9:30 - 12:00 (Makhaza).
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 15:00 - 17:00 (Makhaza)
Email: volunteer@ikamvayouth.org
Phone: 021 362 6799
Website: www.ikamvayouth.org
IkamvaYouth are glad people want to be involved in the Equal Education "movement". We have a document setting as an application form. It permit us to know more about skills, and aspirations of our future volunteers.
For more information, please contact me.
nicolasc@ikamvayouth.org


The Earthchild Project

is launching the REACH OUT campaign at our school in Khayelitsha next week... and you are invited to get involved! For the next 3 Wednesdays we are giving you the opportunity to join us in this exciting initiative. The REACH OUT campaign is a 3 week program whereby we aim to uplift, energise, inspire and encourage children to take action for themselves, the earth and their greater community. There will be programs in the classrooms and at assemblies run by our Earthchild facilitators and guest speakers.

Where do YOU fit in??
You can join us on a Wednesday during break times and at our Earthchild extra mural activities... we need lots of funky, crazy, energetic, smiling volunteers to promote the campaign and get the children inspired and excited!

If you're available on Wednesday
2nd September (NEXT WEEK) and/or
9th September and/or
16 September
between 12:30pm and 4:30pm
then please contact:
Email: lisa@earthchildproject.org
Cell: 083 644 4980
Please RSVP by Thursday 27th August.


Sosebenza Centre for Peace (MASIPHUMELELE, near Kommetjie).

Dear Friends...
Our Sosebenza vegetable Garden is VERY ready for a BIG PLANTING of seeds and seedlings so that we will be able to make ABUNDANT HARVESTS into 2010:) We will be planting Beetroot, Lettuce, Spinach, Turnips, Carrots, Potatoes, leeks, onions, broccoli and cabbage.
Join us for a fun in the garden session and lunch THIS SUNDAY 9th August - 12 - 4pm
(These happen every or every other Sunday. Contact Ben for details.)
Love Ben
(sms or call me on 072 475 2977)


UBUNTU YOUTH PROJECT.

hey, these is what i have bee looking for i am so interested in welcoming the volunteers and they ca learn xhosa at my project with the kids .i would like to have a community day on the 10th of july . the name of the project is UBUNTU YOUTH PROJECT. we do arts and craft , the ages are from 6 to 18 i think it will be a good thing for them to meet new people . also there is a preschool so for those who are interested can come during the week days and play with the kids.
the venue is in Khayelitsha Harare you take N2 from town then turn off at Spine road drive 2km then turn left at Bonjour Garage drive again for 2km pass the bridge then turn right by the Cell c container then right again you will see a yellow preschool .
thanks
juma.
0734004064

Xhosa dinner outing

Join my level 2 students.
email for the phrase lists related to eating out.

Date: Wednesday 29th July
Time: 19h15 - 20h45
Venue: Dijo restaurant, Palmer Rd. Muizenberg. enter muizenberg, at main robots with Shoprite on your left, turn left and go under the dangerous railway bridge. first left into killarney, slight left and straight into palmer. Dijo is about the 2nd place on the right after the pub (on the corner).

Theme: Eating Out. The idea is to just meet and eat, but order in Xhosa and have a chance to ask me questions.
Sobonana.

Earthchild Volunteer Opportunity THIS week!!!

Earthchild Project is running an exciting holiday program for 100 children at each of our schools in Khayelitsha and Lavender Hill.

HOW CAN YOU BE INVOLVED?

• Donation of money for healthy snacks and lunch
• Run arts & crafts, drama, dance, music, yoga or any other fun and uplifting activities with the kids
• Join in and assist activities mentioned above, as well as gardening, worm farming and story telling workshops
• Help with preparation of food

Dates: 29th June - 3rd July (first week school holidays)
Time: 09:00am – 1:00pm
Venue: Sakumlandela, Site B, Khayelitsha & Zerilda Park Primary, Lavender Hill
For more information contact: Lisa on 021 462 2218 or 083 644 4980

Please Be Patient

Thank you.
You will receive an email shortly, with payment details.

Thank you.

Dijo - African Restaurant

This place rocks - Dijo meaning food in Sesotho.
On Palmer Rd in Muizenberg. Delicious African food, real good value.
Plenty of variety.
Wonderful people. Practice your Xhosa.

021 7884912 for info and bookings.

ps. we will be having food lesson outings here

Weekend Xhosa practice

Hi Guys
a beautiful opportunity for you to practice your Xhosa this weekend, experience ubuntu, give some of your energy back to the poorer communities (they love having you there) and having heartfelt fun.....

Some of the things we'll do on Sunday in Khayelitsha in no particular order..

Work in the garden and prepare it for planting (almost ready, as they've been working on it since the last community day.)

Paint a basic mural

Actiivities with kids: happy mobiles (arts and crafts), african drumming, drama (both acting as well as confidence and team-building stuff), tile painting, face-painting

watch the kids do their dance and drama performances

eat and drink

chill

play soccer against firefighters fc (could definitely use you as a midfielder)

wow that's sounds like a lot, but will be well-organised and chilled. there's also space for other stuff if you keen to lead something.

we'll meet at uct at 9 and be back by 5 at the very latest

If interested,
contact
mich
082 4503950
micheljoffe@gmail.com

Xhosa-English/English-Xhosa Translation and Transcription Services

I'm very pleased to announce that we now offer professional translation and transcription services at competitive rates.
Good translation is hard to come by and we wish to see more investment in nurturing this important part of our multilingual society. Our translator is well qualified and has plenty of experience.
70c a word.

email info@learnxhosa.co.za with your request.

Video Promo - A Basic Xhosa Greeting

Learn vocab for a basic Xhosa greeting and then practice on screen with the teachers.

The African Handshake: How to

This is a temporary promo version. The fully scripted version has yet to be edited.

Recent Student Feedback - Silwood Feb 2009

"The course was different than what I expected. The course was informal enough to make you comfortable and not to let you feel embarrassed to try and speak Xhosa in front of other people. It was wonderful to meet such a lot of people that also want to learn to speak Xhosa and use the language with people in their own environment. Craig, thank you for the experience and the opportunity you gave me to start with a new language that will grow daily for me."
- Petrie le Roux

"With Xhosa, the mountain we need to climb is massive. As you so correctly said, you cannot carry us, we must walk ! Its very difficult to learn a language from scratch as an adult as you well know. We can only motivate ourselves. It will be years before the fruit off the Xhosa tree tastes really good. But even now we can experience the reward of of taking our first steps over that bridge of uBuntu. Your course brings like minded, conscious people together and that in itself is great. So thank you Titshala, Siyathanda ukuthetha isiXhosa, Siyazama !!" (We love to talk Xhosa. We'll keep trying) - Stephen Praetorius

"I think the classes went really well. It was also really nice to meet you. These classes are great for people who are learning Xhosa as a second or third language with specific focus on functional and conversational use. I really enjoyed the experience of trying out all the new phrases I learnt with people I met and the response you get for trying to speak their language is really affirming!" - Carly Abramovitz

“I think your approach to teach beginners the basics of a new language is very effective. Most other courses start off by trying to teach the boring difficult stuff first. Most of the students then get confused and despondent. Your approach, as far as I understand it, is to get students first to construct simple sentences and to teach them the bare basic grammar to do so. I think it is an excellent way, because the understanding of the language grows with the understanding of the grammar. Doing it your way the student has a sense of achievement instead of a feeling that the task of learning the language is too difficult and too much effort” - Giel du Toit

“There are many barriers that separate people. They vary from believes to personality to race to... Language is the most important barrier in the sense that it has a lot to teach us about the other barriers and is the easiest most powerful tool to overcome these barriers and build bridges between people.I work with teenage Xhosa boys in the Pollsmoor prison and Craig's course has equipped me to cross the barriers between me and these boys in a more powerful way. Speaking a little Xhosa allows me to help them build a bridge between them and a brighter future in the community” -Francois Esterhuizen

“I think the course was most enjoyable and just the right balance for the strugglers and time challenged people like me as well as the more diligent/language-boff students.
I really liked the fun way you presented the course with a great love and respect for the Xhosa people, their culture and language. Having previously been moderately conversant in easy fanigalo/chilapalapa, Xhosa was a totally closed book to me. Your course quickly unlocked the main elements and was very practical in getting me going in simple conversation. I feel I have a great skeleton to continue building on. Another thing I liked was your care and encouragement for each and every student, which I think, helped everyone to make good progress.
Craig you are definitely an articulator of the new and wonderful cross cultural South African experience that combines the best of all our history and people – I feel the awesome vibe in this country is just going to keep growing – who knows where it is going to take us? - Kevin Creasey

“Having been immersed in the Xhosa culture through my work, I thought it would be quite easy to pick up the language as I went along. I was mistaken there, I really needed someone to put me on the right track, teach me the basics and the way the language fits together. I feel that the beginner’s course has done just that, it gives you enough grammar and vocab to string a whole lot of sentences together and to start making up sentences. I liked the way that we were taught useful escape phrases so that you can, at least, start a conversation and bow out when it all gets too much! I will certainly continue practicing and hopefully, in time, become more fluent. Thank you to Craig, who taught us in a very clear and methodical manner, which was easy to follow.” - Marion Gready

“The course was great because not only did we learn the basics of the Xhosa languages but we also learned about the culture. It deepened my understanding of the Xhosa people on many levels. The course is structured so that we learn the basics quickly and efficiently. We get a comprehensive learning experience through lecture and practice in class, the CDs, the manual, and the homework assignments.” - Joanna Cicchon

“What I appreciated (although I dreaded it) was you forcing us to speak in front of the whole class, if you hadn't I wouldn't have the confidence to speak to strangers.” - Sieggy Cooke

Upcoming Village Experience - April 2009

Feedback on December 2008 village experience:
"It was amazing! All went very well, I have no complaints. Kath & Sibongile are great teachers, thank you guys. I loved staying with the Matsoboyi family, they were really sweet and made me feel part of their family. Mdumbi is beautiful - kumnandi kakhulu ezilalini! The village experience has really inspired me to learn more isiXhosa. Enkosi kakhulu for a great experience."
- Inge van Reenen -

With Kath, my cousin permanently up at Mdumbi (where there is great surfing), Village experiences are now available at your convenience, almost all of the time, so merely contact us.

I am considering hosting a journey to a Sangoma graduation ceremony in Mpondoland, followed by a coastal walk and then a short village stay. If you are interested, let me know. Dates will be around the 23rd April - 3rd May, 2009. More info in the next newsletter.

More info: www.learnxhosa.co.za (langauge tour link above)
Or email: info@learnxhosa.co.za

Sibanye restaurant excursion

Molweni Nonke (Greetings all)

We are planning a group lunch mission this Saturday 12.00pm to go eat and practice our Xhosa at the Sibanye Restaurant in Imizamo Yethu Informal Settlement, Hout Bay. Bookings must be before Friday eve latest.

We need to book so email me and we can meet at Constantia Nek on Saturday and make our way down together. email info@learnxhosa.co.za

Alternatively, if going individually, let Nathan know numbers by Friday eve latest, so email Nathan direct on: sibanye.restaurant@gmail.com or 082 5687978 for more info and let him know how many people you will be coming with. The restaurant is usually open Mondays to Saturday, at certain hours.

Its going to be a wonderful and unique experience and an opportunity to support entrepreneurship and business in the townships - conscious consumerism is what its all about these days.

The set menu:
1) Starter of mince Mcgwinye and a chackalaka sause,
2) Main: their choice of chicken or beef with a taste of pap and mngqucho(sp?)
3) Desert: 2 home baked koeksisters with a choice of tea or coffee.

The cost of the meal is R60 exlc. soft drinks.

Please put your name on the list ASAP if you are interested. Send your name, number of people and a contact cell phone number to info@learnxhosa.co.za

:)c

Trip to Robben Island

This is a fun, informal day outing to Robben Island. I will be going with a group of Xhosa friends and you are welcome to join. Tickets are R180 per adult, I believe, so just cover your ticket, and if you wish to sponsor fully or partially another Xhosa person, many of whom cannot afford the whole price, we can arrange for them to be your personal translator during the journey. It should be a lot of fun and insightful - I have always wanted to go. Let me know if you are interested. It is likely to be on a Tuesday from 10-1ish in mid January. RSVP!


Hi Guys

It is proving to be a logistical struggle to get this trip happening, what with the Xhosa folk at Montebello (MB) either working 7 days a week, or having alternating days off, or having different shifts each week, etc. However I am determined and excited.

Tickets are R180 per adult, R90 for kids.
I was originally aiming for a Tuesday or Wednesday as it seems to be the most likely date for the MB crew, but this seems to have possibly changed.

So either this week approaching 13th or 14th or the following week 20th or 21st I would like it to happen, but we will see. I will be confirming the actual date as soon as possible.
The 11am ferry seems the most practical, meeting at the Waterfront (more details later). We should be back by 2.30pm.

Please indicate your availability for above suggested dates and the number (if any) of people you are willing to sponsor, even if only partially so.

Thanks for your patience.
Take care.

Xhosa Audio CD Feedback

I dont often ask for feedback for the CDs, unlike my course feedback after every course, but I do get a constant stream of people telling me how great they are, and as a result I am now making 5 more CDs just to contain my ego. Here are a few, I remembered to save. Please add more, if you have the Cds and wish to.

“This is great stuff. As a beginner you gave me the words I could use right away in an easy to understand manner. I enjoyed your sense of humor which kept me listening after I would normally stopped. Thanks so much, this made a big difference in my last trip to the Transkei and I will be recommending it to other travelers. Cheers!”
Tim Stout Date Added: Saturday 29 November, 2008


“THE CDS WERE GREAT! They really help to get the sound, the rhythm and tempo of the language right”
Gene Falk


“Very high quality (have been a writer and publisher, so this is not said lightly!”
Barbara Johanssen


“They are so straightforward and easy to follow, thanks.”
Linda Codron


“Loved them! A great tool—my “security blanket.”
Dianna Crouse


“There is an obvious attention to detail shown in the development and structuring of the CD and notes. I find the detail in both sufficient to cover the areas that you don’t actually mention in class which may cause confusion or digression. I look forward to the future CD’s 3, 4 and 5. The amount of repetition heard on the CD is excellent. I find it very balanced. I did not refer to the notes as much as I did to the CD. An excellent learning tool.”
Beryl-Lyn Cocks

CDs can be ordered via email or on my site on the downloads page.