Today I had an email from one of the other volunteers asking for phrases we use at the clinic, as she is trying to make a Xhosa phrasebook for volunteers that come and go, which I thought was such a good idea! When we got here we floundered around and got laughed at a lot, and knowing just a few basic words and phrases would have helped.

I'm sure emily has already given you the first lesson, but here's a little more isiXhosa, mostly words that I've found really important. (Spelling is my own personal phonetics)

1. Ndilambile - I'm hungry! Yes that is number one on my list, as food is a large part of my life. And as I'm waiting for dinner to cook right now, it's even more on my mind than usual.
2. Hamba eh festile ni amayheza - go to the pharmacy. The number of people that come to us when they should be at the pharmacy is crazy! Wednesdays and thursdays (Zithulele clinic days) we get flooded with patients in the wrong place.
3. Upambeni wena - you crazy! A particularly important phrase when talking to Asanda, one of the best councillors and translators you will ever meet. She is so funny, but also really nice and will always help you expand your vocab.
4. Kushushu namhlanje - it's hot today. It's rained for the past week and everything is muddy, so that's more of an optimistic phrase now than it normally is.
5. Zimbini gabini ingamini - take 2 twice a day. Only applies when your dispencing medicine, but I love saying it. IsiXhosa is quite a fun language at times.
6. Mgcomgcomi - mosquito! Often accompanied by swear words, but I don't need to teach you those now. A mosquito net is essential down here.

I actually know a lot more, which surprises me, but that's it for now. People here are always so impressed when you know a little isiXhosa; they smile and often laugh at you, but it's good fun. Today I said bless you in isiXhosa and everyone in the room laughed at me, but then I was told I have a good brain (they needed sign language for that one) so I'm certain I said the right words.

I've only made one real mistake, and that was misusing 'wamkelekile' - welcome. I used it as a reply to thankyou, as we do in english, but here it's only used in the context of 'welcome to my home/office etc'. I was laughed, more than usual, and now only use it when appropriate. 

It's a learning experience, but one I'm enjoying.

Hi :) I’m Catherine, a volunteer for Jabulani. I know you’ve already had a post very similar to this from Emily (which is why I’m not starting mine with isiXhosa) but I feel I should introduce myself too. I work at the ARV clinic in the hospital, doing a lot of admin for patients that receive their treatment at clinics around the hospital. The Transkei is a poor area of South Africa, and transport is…hectic at the best of times, so by giving patients their ARVs at clinics instead of the hospital they are much more likely to stick with it, and therefore it will work a lot better.

I’m from England, and out here for a year before I go back for university. I was sent here by a charity that works in the UK, called Project Trust, who send gap year students all over the world to work at different teaching and social projects. Zithulele is a special project – both because it is the only medical project they do, and also because it’s just an amazing project. Living here you get to see a whole new culture; I see and speak to (often in very broken English/Xhosa) loads of new people, and the community just welcomes new people with open arms. I think I’ve lucked out this year – I’ve been here less than six weeks, but already I feel at home; I can’t imagine being anywhere else.