Out of Africa

[TJ'S Coins]

I am back from a whirlwind trip to South Africa. We covered nearly 24,000 miles in eight days of flying, driving, walking or whatever. This was almost a circumnavigation of the globe. 16-19 hour days kept me from doing souvenir shopping or coin collecting other than what I picked up in change. Here are some pictures of what we saw.

 

 

These are Zulu children from Dirkiesdorp and a boarding high school called Themba. Many of these children are either orphaned or have lost one parent to AIDS. All are allowed to continue their education through the Themba Trust.

 

What amazed most was how well behaved the children were at all levels. There were 75 creche (preschool) students and only one teacher. This is unheard of by American standards yet these pictures were not posed. Wonderful. I hope to go back in a couple of years.

[WinstonWare]

Wow. Cool trip. Nice pics

[rrantique]

Wow. Cool trip. Nice pics

 

Looks like you had a mind boggling trip with plenty of jet lag. Thanks for the pic.

[Zoins]

Sounds and looks like a very worthwhile trip!

 

What was your primary purpose for going? Are you associated with the Themba Trust?

[123cents]

Great pictures and a very worthwhile trip.

[bsshog40]

Thanks for the trip update TJ. Nice pics. It's great seeing other cultures.

[ibyandsellsmith]

Did you happen to go to Nigeria. I'm thinking about going there to work for two years, and was curious if all the rumors were true.

[rbrown4]

Richard,

 

My folks lived in Lagos Nigeria for three years 1975-1978. I had the opportunity to travel there each Christmas for a few weeks. Very interesting place, quite different now. If you want to know anything about it, just PM me. My folks are still in touch with people there so we keep up with current happenings and such.

 

Rey

[Coinguy19]

Wow that is an amzing trip, I'm sure it was quite an experience.

[TJ'S Coins]

Sounds and looks like a very worthwhile trip!

 

What was your primary purpose for going? Are you associated with the Themba Trust?

 

My primary purpose was to make face to face connections with a partner of the Themba Trust and see the work being done first hand in Gauteng and Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa.