Im currently sat in the Lungisani Indlela office having just completed writing a 'Technical training manual', I have that 'just finished writing my dissertation' feeling (not that it is something I have ever experienced but I guess this is what it feels like!)

Life in Amaoti (a township outside of Durban) is nothing short of crazy. Im staying with the Browns, the family we were with last year and there is never a quiet moment! There are currently 13 of us in the house, I say currently because its an ever fluctuating number! Included in this number are 2 toddlers and Chris who just talks talks and then talks some more! Its a long way from my house in Newcastle where 4 of us live and I have my own bedroom. But despite all the differences, a major one being that I am the only white person for miles, it feels like home! Living in such a different environment has taught me a lot- 1) that my hair falls out a lot- I see it everywhere and cant blame anyone else because nobody else has long fair hair 2) it might be crazy but it all works out- we can get 9 of us through the bathroom in the morning (after each individually boiling water) and still get out the house on time (well most of the time), everyone gets fed, and even with load shedding meaning there is hours without power candle light saves the day. and then 3) family doesnt just have to be the people you are related to, although a year later they are still trying to find a way to marry me into the family (sorry Sam!!). Its a hectic house but everyone is welcome! I love having the chance to just do normal life with these guys- the trips to visit relatives in hospital, the morning madness and the collapsing on the sofa at the end of the day to watch idols (again!). So although its weird thinking that we need bread but I probably shouldn't go buy it on my own, and I get woken up every morning by chickens and taxis beeping their horns and there is never a moments peace- I wouldnt change it! Its easy to look at Amaoti and just see the problems- the abuse and neglect, the terrible conditions people live in and the kids not getting a decent education, but as you drive past at night and look over the community stretching for miles with just little spots of light everywhere its beautiful. Its nothing like the home I was brought up in in Newcastle, or the home I knew in Nottingham but, and this is a message specially for my SA girls- its the home we built! 

I dont know what Im doing this afternoon, what I will eat tonight (though I guess it includes beans) or even how many people will be in the house tonight, but thats life! and I love it!! 

(Im aware that a lot more punctuation needs adding to this but Im sure you can work out what I mean!)