Mike Ziegler, USA
Mike has been volunteering with us in July/August 2009. He began to set up the new early learning centre ...
Being a student, I've spent most of my time learning. Though I've spent a large majority of my 21 years of learning in a class room, the two months I spent in Manzamnyama gave me insights far too deep and far too real to be bound in the pages of a book or chalked upon a board. The days I spent there were some of the most beautiful in my life, and there needs to be at least some degree of repayment. So if this reflection counts for anything, I thought I could make known the gratitude I feel for the lessons I learned from Manzamnyama. Though a list of thankyou's might not seem to be the best way to share my own personal reflection, I think what I experienced will come through in the end. Plus, my stay was so great I believe I'm a bit indebted...
- Thank you to everyone in the village, who taught me not to pity
anyone who you serve - instead you must first respect them.
-Thank you to the Elizayo family, who taught me that a simple life
leaves you much freer to be hospitable - that it's easier to reach out
with open hands if you are not holding much.
- Thank you to Babalwa, who taught that a person's circumstance does
not mean so much if they have a good heart and confident feet.
- Thank you to Aidan and Rahel, who taught me that living life the
way it "aught to be" can sometimes close off some really beautiful
paths for the future.
- Thank you to Maputi, who taught me how to catch Crayfish on the
coast and how to bring sheep back to the kraal at night.
- Thank you to Likho, who taught me that much of what you want to say
to someone can be said without words.
- Thank you to Notshatile, who taught me that hospitality is probably
the best virtue in the world.
- Thank you to Nochuka and Maxwell, for teaching me that hard work is
not limited by age.
- Thank you to everyone in Manzamnyama, who taught me how liberating
it feels to not live at the expense of another or the earth.
I could type until my thanks until my fingers fall off, and that wouldn't even begin to share how blessed I feel for my experience. It's good to know that if I ever need to head to a place where life is a bit closer to how it should be lived (minus some inexcusably lacking human entitlements), I have a home in the Transkei.
Mike Ziegler
