Meerkats, an Ostrich, and Elephants, Oh My!

We started Friday hearing about an adult literacy program called Adult Literacy Program called Kha Ri Gude.  (Check it out- http://www.kharigude.co.za)  It is an amazing program that was created to close the tackle the issue of adult illiteracy in South Africa.  After years of ineffective schooling for the black and colored populations due to apartheid, the government had a lot of work to do with regard to literacy come 1994 and the transition to democracy.  According to the organization, a huge percentage of adults couldn't read/write their own name, let alone fill out forms, calculate change, etc.  In short, it was hard to be a functional member of society without those basic skills.  The program sought to make 4.5 of the 9 million illiterate adults literate.  They've already had some great success.  They operate where the need is--some classes are in fields in the KZN region of SA., some are in churches, some are even in prisons.  Definitely want to check it out if possible while I'm here.

Afterwards we had a panel with student leaders at the University of South Africa (UNISA).  They were really inspiring but the chat was cut short due to another scheduled talk back at the conference room in our hotel.  We invited them to the hotel on Wednesday evening for our night session where we can start a dialogue about our experiences here and abroad.  Will be nice!

Got a local phone and managed to get in touch with my friend's cousin.  We are putting plans in the works to do Johannesburg for our free weekend.  Seems crazy to come to S.A., be so close, (it's only 45 minutes away by commuter rail), and not see Jo-burg itself.

This morning we woke up at 4:55am to head for our Adventures with Elephants trip.  The hotel manager we've become friends with, Frans, packed breakfast bags for us and sent us on our way.  We hired a van to take all of us there.  Got there just before 7:30am and had the whole place to ourselves.  There were meerkats and an ostrich too!  We drank hot chocolate and fought the cold until the sun was fully up and the elephants made their way to us.  From what we learned, S.A. has a huge elephant population, and many reserves cull (spelling?) their elephants as they become to hard to manage or take care of.  The ones at this reserve were bought for a considerably low amount because they had caused significant damage at their previous reserves, stomping trees and hurting other livestock.  These 6 were saved by this company and trained to respond to 120 english commands.  Because they switch the trainers up for each elephant daily (to avoid attachment problems if someone misses work) they responded to our commands too.  It was an amazing experience.

They are so smart that upon smelling our two friends and teaching them their names, they were able to later find them when they changed spots simply by recalling the scent memory!  Blew my mind.

My new friend

Group shot! With Jessica, Gaby, Crystal, and Dan

We had a sleepy drive back and are enjoying a lazy free afternoon and evening.

Tomorrow morning we head to a lion interaction where we get to hold baby lions!  Then it's on to a safari for two nights.

Won't be back at our hotel here until sometime Tuesday evening, so stay tuned until then,

Maur