The President, is it?

Hello all,
 
What a week it has been!! In some ways I feel like I've been in Pretoria forever, as the transition has been so incredibly smooth settling in here. This is mainly to do with the wonderful people I've met who have helped me out over the past 7 days and also having my friend, Emma, still with me. In other ways, however, my mind is being expanded tremendously and so every, single moment feels unique and new. I guess this one of the many blessings of travel.
 
I survived my first week of practicum! You'll find me most days on the 6th floor of a large, curvy, pink and green office tower in downtown Pretoria - where taxis honk (or 'hoot' as they say here), people bustle and drivers whistle out their windows on the busy streets below. The core  is definitely dirtier and more chaotic than my neighborhood. I have spent this week getting used to my new set up (slooooooooow internet and LOTS of security as I enter the building) and attending meetings in order to be 'briefed' on things happening in the Department. It's a bit overwhelming right now but I'm sure things will improve as time goes on. I am slowly getting a picture painted for me as to what my specific role will be and it sounds like I will be conducting some baseline research with child protection social workers in all of the 9 provinces. This means travel throughout South Africa and I couldn't be more chuffed about this. 

Aside: I can't quite get used to the noises here. During both the days and the nights.  At night time it is more obvious, when the world is quiet and loud car engines, gun shots (according to Emma), alarms, sirens, dogs, and crickets (I think) keep me wide awake. Even when I walk out of my house in the morning and take a pause, the sounds are so very intruding.
 
There was a big event in our Department yesterday and it's quite comical that I was a part of it. It was the Official Launch of Child Protection Week and the proclamation of the Children's Act which was done in an address by the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma (or Jay-Z as the locals call him). I attended a planning meeting for it during the week and my mind was cataloguing all of the different preparations necessary to pull such a thing off. There were also many, many departments involved in pulling this together. Talk about cross-sectoral collaboration. The event itself was held in a township community hall just outside of Pretoria, with 1500 children and carers present along with the necessary dignitaries. It was pretty cool to see the President and hear him speak. However, I was more moved by the children who were there, all in their South African Fifa jerseys and waving their South African flags. When the national anthem was being played the children were, in unison, singing at the top of their lungs, I was really emotional and had to really take a moment to think and notice where I was standing. (I also learned that the Sesame Street characters in this country have HIV. Very interesting.) Read the story here: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=105&art_id=nw20100521163308251C377799

It was also "Football Friday" whereby all government staff wear their Bafana Bafana (Boys, Boys) jerseys. Bafana Bafana is the name of the South African football team. They are in the World Cup and obviously the local favourite. Apparently it's like this for all Fridays from now on leading up to the kick off. It's kinda like causal Fridays' at home I guess, with a twist. My colleague, Carmen, was kind enough to get me a jersey so I won't stick out like a sore thumb (although, regardless of that, I sorta already do!) I also found out the country's winter school holidays are being extended because of the World Cup.  If only Canada had given us all a vacation during the Olympics! :)

Anyway, that's all I'll say for right this moment. I was in Soweto today and at a Rugby match but that deserves another blog altogether. Thanks for reading.
 
Brianna