Creating a safe space for women and children in Port Saint Johns EC, South Africa

Details

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  Description

  My name is Thongo, I am a mother with twin girls and a 4 year old daughter. I've been living in Pondoland for 6years. The dream of my own land has finally become a reality and during the last 3 years, I have slowly been clearing and building what is present. My vision is to create a space for women and children who have no where else to go. A school that empowers children by learning from the environment, building on the proud African tradition of learning under the trees.
  
  I am also a medicine women and am working towards opening sacred medicine ceremony space as part of my vision. I have formed strong relationships with people in my community and earned trust and respect by fully integrating their values and lifestyle.
  It is very important to me that this trust and respect should continue. Whoever is called to come please learn and listen before judgment is passed. I live a radical existence that many struggle to fathom, bridgeing cultures and building a life for my children that i am proud of.
  
  I wrote this 2 years ago,my daughter is now 6 the twins are 3.So much has expanded and I am greatful for every person who has contributed .My home the land has become alot more easier to live,bit more comfortable.I felt like updating with a little more information. The vision remains the same and unfolds everyday.
  I have also had a fire burn 2 of my structures last year .I have rebuilt one and busy rebuilding the other.It was a big loss for me,many sacred items,hard work ,money and resources were lost.In many ways it was a hard hit but some how it also opened up more opportunities and braught me closer to the community around me.I am now fully devoted in building a classroom learning space. I WOULD love help either with creative building,teaching resources but mostly looking for people who have an interest in teaching.My idea is to set a system where the children learn all about where you from,foods,your currency and language and skills.For now teaching is still done in any space or outside space available.I look so forward to having a classroom and creating more structure and routine with the educating.
  Thank you for reading the update.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Events & social

  

  Culture

  

  Plant care

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Gardening

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Beach

  

  Camping
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Where I live is in the heart of the wild coast, it is a place of unspoiled nature. African village living, mud huts and cow dung floors.
  Our lifestyle is the traditional age old Xhosa/African way, simple living off the land. Chop wood, Carry water. Limited, to no electricity, fires , little, to no cellphone reception. Hard work but with lots of peace, quiet and old unspoiled forests- the ocean is a beautiful walk away.
  
  African ceremonies are part of the lifestyle here and if you are interested you could part take insomething profound. African healing ceremonies which can last up to 3 days include dancing, drumming, gathering of community, singing and colourful characters.
  You could learn and experience things here which you cannot find anywhere else in South Africa.

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  Help

  I am creating an off-grid space with the intention of making it a half-way house for mothers and children. A space which manifests into a mystery school as well as being able to hold people for their healing. Reconnecting and relearning self sufficiency.I am a hard worker, energetic and busy, i would like to be met with the same energy.
  
  We are at the building phase:
  Help Needed with:
  Clearing nature and rehabilitating
  Setting up solar
  Laying out gardens and planting
  Building: Adobe making,mudding, painting, plastering.
  Childcare and cooking
  Outside, inside general tasks

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  Languages spoken

  Afrikaans: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Xhosa: Intermediate

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  Accommodation

  Rustic...Generally shared spaces in a round house, sleeping like traditional people on the natural floor, on a reed mat, blankets provided.
  Camping possible. No electricity although small solar to charge devices.
  Water carried on head, water from rain tank for specifics.
  Bathing in river,waterfall or ocean. Private bathing can be done on the land in bucket. I am still in the process of desiging and putting together comfortable wash spaces. If this is important to you come and help me! Beautiful compost toilet.
  Communal kitchen, fire cooking, outside dish washing space.
  We are out in nature there are animals, snakes and bugs. No one has been hurt but it is our reality this is africa. We live and co-exist with nature.
  We will provide food for meals a day but expect helping preparing and cleaning up.
  Keeping it simple.There is a gas stove but limited utensils.Kitchen is small and sweet i am really excited to create a big kitchen.

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  What else ...

  The closest airport is Umthata from Umthata there are mostly taxi services. It would be easier if my partner or I can pick you up , we would need to be compensated for gasoline as its a 3 hour trip there and back. In a taxi it would cost you R70 but you need hair on your teeth for that experience. We are willing to bring you here for R350 one way. The roads are rough but the scenery is wild!
  Details about exactly to get here we can discuss according to where you are and your needs.
  There is much to do like Magwa Falls, sulphur springs, walking the coast line, visitng packbackers for great food. Beach visits, forest walks , village visits, cultural visits, horse rides.
  Most transport is local,either hiring a local chauffeur, local taxi or hopping along with us into town. Possible walking or hitch hiking.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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