tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291857010699620782024-03-13T08:08:36.204-07:00Nova Peris - My African Journey...Well the time has come to embark on another journey in my life, this time into Africa to work in some townships with the Youth in their Schools. It's all very exciting and I hope to be able to bring back to Australia a wealth of knowledge and programs to share and inspire other young women to live their dreams.Nova Perishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658750478573762579noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329185701069962078.post-56919609240873408342012-04-01T12:36:00.001-07:002012-04-11T23:59:26.657-07:00All's well that ends well!<style>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Well my time here in Cape Town has come to
an end. So much has happened, wisdom taught and lessons leant. Each day I must say that I sit and breathe in
and exhale whilst I take up the breathtaking view of the mountains that
surround this beautiful city.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">We were confronted with a bit of a business
set back, but I look back on it now and think it was a blessing in
disguise. A whole document needed to be redone.
Instead of whining about it, we got to work on it. Now I look at it and think wow! This is a masterpiece,
a true reflection of what it is I am envisaging to achieve and to leave behind
my legacy. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">People over the years; have come into my
life for various reasons, and I have come into theirs. The ones here in the Cape Town have come into
mine for significant reasons, all that I am truly grateful for and for all that
my life’s journey which has been paved before me.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">There is Tim and Ramon both Kiwis’. Scott and I were sitting having lunch at a
coffee shop and they both walked past and came back to say hi. Neither knew I was back, I had met them both
before whilst here, and if it weren’t for that moment in time I would not be
leaving this magnificent country with a smile on my face. Tim is an ex-minister of the New Zealand
parliament and a genius in almost all areas of… well everything really. His time, effort and contribution into
helping me with my documents was priceless, and worth its weight in gold. Then there’s Ramon, a very influential and
connected Kiwi in South Africa. What a gem he is, his amazing hospitality and
genuine friendship was the perfect balance that kept things on track and
moving.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Both Tim and Ramon held a dinner party and introduced
us to the very famous Father Michael Lapsley.
</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The Rev. Michael Lapsley was born in New Zealand and
ordained in Australia. In 1973 he went to South Africa as a young Anglican
priest where he became chaplain to both black and white students at the very
height of apartheid oppression. He was elected National University Chaplain in
Durban in 1976, the year of the Soweto uprising in which many black school
children were shot and killed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Fr. Michael
began using his public platform to speak out on behalf of students who had been
shot, detained, and tortured, and was soon was expelled from South Africa. He
spent the next 16 years in Zimbabwe as chaplain to the liberation movement in
exile and in April 1990, three months after Nelson Mandela’s release from
prison, he was sent a letter bomb from agents of the South African apartheid
regime, disguised as religious literature. In the blast, he lost both hands,
the sight of one eye, and was severely burned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">In 1993, after
returning to South Africa, Fr. Michael became chaplain of the Trauma Centre for
Victims of Violence and Torture in Cape Town and in 1998 he formed the
Institute for Healing of Memories. The Institute offered crucial support to
address the emotional and spiritual needs of survivors of apartheid and has
since worked with victims of war, violence, and genocide in places like Rwanda,
Burundi, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, and East Timor. In South Africa, the
Institute now works with people with HIV/AIDS, prisoners, victims of
gender-based violence, and refugees. Recently, it has begun training the staff
of an agency in East Harlem, New York City, which operates a shelter for
abused, disabled women.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Fr. Michael’s
own experience of inner healing has helped him connect with people in countless
cultures who experience systemic violence and personal pain. He challenges
individuals and communities to move through a journey of healing towards
forgiveness and reconciliation. He has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by
the University of KwaZulu Natal in recognition of his work in South Africa and
around the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">Father Michael says of his own experiences, <i>"I have travelled the journey from
being a freedom fighter, to being a healer. And in some small measure, my
journey reflects the journey of South Africa. There was a time to slay the
monster of apartheid. But now that we have democracy, it is time to heal, to
reconcile, to rebuild</i>.”<br />
<br />
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">Through his own experience of living in
exile, losing both hands and an eye in a letter bomb attack in 1990, and after
listening to the stories of the survivors whom he counselled at the Trauma
Centre, Fr Michael realised the importance of giving people a space in which
their experiences could be shared and acknowledged.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">Father Michael has conducted many workshops.
The purpose of the workshops was to facilitate reconciliation between different
racial groups and to heal emotional wounds, in order so that individuals might
contribute positively towards the reconstruction of South Africa. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">Requests for healing of memories workshops are
continually received from a range of groups who highlighted the fact that the
workshops had the potential for much wider application than the initial focus
on healing apartheid wounds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">Father Michael also developed a Youth
Development Program, dedicated to enabling young people to learn about and from
South Africa’s history. The special ‘Facing the Past, Facing Ourselves’
workshops seek to motivate young people to actively participate in shaping a
society where the rights and freedoms of each individual are respected and
upheld.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">Fr Michael has become a much loved and
respected international advocate for reconciliation, forgiveness and
restorative justice, and is frequently in demand overseas to run workshops and
deliver talks and sermons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">The workshop has grown out of South Africa’s
unique history and the need remains attentive to how the divided past can
impact on us both individually and as communities and a nation. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">I personally believe that <b><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-weight: normal;">when personal stories
are heard and acknowledged, individuals feel healed and empowered</span></b>.
Through deep listening and meaningful sharing, human relationships can be
transformed and restored. This is one
thing I have always believed and having met Father Michael and hearing his
stories and where he is now and what he is doing is absolutely amazing, and I
am ever so grateful to have met him and he come into my life. The methodology in which he delivers his
workshops is something I wish to learn and to implement back home as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">18<sup>th</sup> March 2012. This was to be a very special day, the most
romantic for me to say the least….ever! My
partner Scott had woken up literally bouncing off the walls and excited about
the trip to the very famous Robben Island.
The once home to Nelson Mandela for many of his 27 years of
imprisonment. Scott had packed a picnic
lunch and we headed off to the waterfront for breakie and then boarded the
ferry over to the island. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">Once we arrived there I thought I would have
had the same feelings when I entered the slave museum, that ghastly sickly
feeling. But no, it was far from that, the
island to me had a nice feeling, one that could be defined as a sense of hope
and victory, and it had awe about it. We
boarded the bus that took us around the island, our tour guide was quite a
character, the immediate feeling I had from all the locals we met on the island
was that Robben Island represented and signified “Victory”, the victory of
human spirit and triumph over the struggle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">The history of the Island is just amazing; we
stopped at this one place called the ‘Limestone Quarry’ where prisoners of the
Island, including Mandela came every day from sunrise to sunset. Although they were told that they were
digging the quarry for limestone for the roads, this was not true. There was no purpose to anything, but was
simply meaningless digging! And so they did this for many, many years to try
and break a man’s spirit. This it did
not do to some!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">The limestone quarry was also where Mandela
and so many prisoners exchanged a lot of ideas, and they continued to educate each
other. There was a cave in the wall of the quarry, which they </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">affectionately
called "The University." It is where newly arrived political
prisoners worked side-by-side with the "old-timers" to mine stone,
but at the same time, they were schooled in ANC and South Africa history,
political ideologies and tactics, and it is where they planned for the future,
for a free South Africa.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
We stopped for a while at a place directly overlooking Cape Town, a magnificent
view of the city with Table Mountain and Lion’s Head Mountain forming the
backdrop, while the sky took on a nice hue as the day came closer to evening.
What a torment for the prisoners on this little piece of rock, to be able to
gaze at such a fine scene every day and be so close. Some daring, or rather
desperate, souls tried to swim and escape, but only a handful ever made it across
to land; the rest having fallen victim to sharks or the cold waters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">During the whole tour, our guide gave us a
superb, running commentary on all the sights. At the end, we were treated to a
speech about the island, and “Mr Mandela” and the hopes for his country, which
still faces numerous problems in this day, including the effects of apartheid. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">The last part of the tour was the maximum
security prison, where we got off the bus, said our goodbyes to our guide, and
walked inside, passing the empty guard towers and signs showing happy pictures
of joyful ex-prisoners, leaving the prison for good, and then coming back to
the jail for a reunion. Inside, our new guide was there and ushered us into a
long cell room, which was quite roomy. Of course it had to be because it held
60 prisoners. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">Our guide was an ex-prisoner, having served
14 years in Robben for sabotage and being involved in the ANC militant wing.
Ex-inmates always lead this part of the tour. It seems weird that they’d want
to work in the very place they were locked up. It appeared though that those leading
these tours serves as a form of pride or solace, to help turn their former
prison into a place to educate tourists and visitors. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">One thing that stayed with me that day were
the words from our ex-prisoner guide, “<i>Thank
you for coming to acknowledge and respect our past. Please diagnose the history and take it with
you. We have had to build new bridges to
reflect on the past and do this so our children can walk over for a better
future. Please pay your respect to the survivors, and please spread the message
of Good Will”.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
I can’t deny that the touristy aspect of the tour didn’t take away from fully
appreciating the historical significance of the prison. We finally saw the cell Mandela was kept,
which was nondescript, small (about 2.5 metres wide), and had no toilet. It was
so cold, but it was amazing to think an amazing man, resided here and to only
enter into freedom with no feeling of hatred.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">So now as we were exiting the island and
walking towards the boat for our departure, Scott whisked me away to a near by
table located under a beautiful big tree.
He knelt down on one knee. Looked
me in my eyes and said “<i>It’s been one
year to the day since I laid eyes on you, you have made me very happy and I
love you. Will you marry me”? </i>My eyes welled up with tears; it was one
of the happiest days of my life. It was
perfect. He then took a ring box out of his pocket and opened the box. There before my eyes one whole carrot
diamond. The ring has 13 diamonds. 13 being the number that comes so often that
brings me luck. Olympic gold, day 13 of
the Olympics. I wore number 13, Commonwealth gold September 13<sup>th</sup>; my
number was 1075, which adds up to 13.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">A couple walked past and yelled out
‘congratulations’. People might think
it’s a little odd to have been proposed to on a prisoner’s island. But to the people of South Africa the
signifance of Robben Island was this; “<i>While
we will not forget the brutality of apartheid we would not want Robben Island
to be a monument of our hardship and suffering. We would want it to be a
triumph of the human spirit against the forces of evil. A triumph of wisdom and
largeness of spirit against small minds and pettiness. A triumph of courage and
determination over human frailty and weakness”. -</i> Ahmed Kathrada 1993</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">For me to have been proposed to was just
amazing. There was an island that people
were sent to because of the supremacy of white South Africa, and here was a
white man, getting down on one knee to propose his love and devote his life to
a black woman. There are so many synergies that I became the happiest person I
believe that day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">On our return back to Cape Town we both had a
chuckle as we reflected upon the day and recalled what our tour guide said as
we passed the Anglican Church on the Island to which he said “Many people come
to the Island and get married or redo their vows, as Robben Island is
acknowledged as a place where you are committing to a LIFE sentence! So men, is
this truly what you want? You should think about it!” a wise crack I think, I
guess that was what Scott was getting himself into! A place of true significance.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">What
a trip it has been. I walk away now with knowledge and friendships as
well as 5 programs to implement back into my girls
academies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;"> All these programs have been designed
exclusively for my academy. I have come
across and met so</span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;"> a many</span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;"> people that have influenced me in such a way that I have
now a completely different perspective a and appreciation of life, with
reconciliation and forgiveness, I have been shown ways to move forward d and to bring others along at the same time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">I wish to thank all my South African sisters
and brothers that have had a major influence in my life thus far and have
helped me become a better person, and given me a greater outlook in life. My journey would not have been a success
without my fiancé Scott who has been the rock here for me. There have been
countless times I have cried and missed my children, but it has been fantastic
that they have all been kept well and I know one thing I am looking forward to
seeing the ‘big red kangaroo’. Take me
home! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">Not only have I come to this magnificent
country to have my programs developed for the girls academy, this has been a
journey that has enlightened me in so many ways. It is a part of my life that
is so significant and one that I am very grateful for.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Nova Perishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658750478573762579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329185701069962078.post-16483515256788652202012-03-14T16:03:00.003-07:002012-03-15T00:50:38.924-07:00Optimism - 'The Rainbow Nation'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well a day does not go by in Cape Town when I'm not blown away by people who enjoy life and display such enthusiasm and have such optimistic values and morals. </div>
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A visit last weekend to '<i>Slaves at the Cape</i>' a museum surrounded by a history of oppression, life and legacy. The history of slaves at the Cape has been hidden, silenced and almost forgotten. </div>
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For 180 years the Cape was a slave society, built on labour of imported slaves and their descendants who were born into slavery. Slaves inside the lodge was owned by the biggest single slave-owner. Most of the Company's slaves lived and died in the Lodge. About 9,000 were kept between 1679 - 1811.</div>
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When I first walked in I felt a cold chill down my spine, and quite sick in the stomach. There were shocking images and horrific stories about the inhumane and a series of brutal punishments that were endured over time. The place that holds so much oppression and where brutality entrenched the lives of every single human daily, bears the history, where by-passers and local citizens are constantly reminded of such pain. </div>
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Yet the local Capetonian's believe that they are here because of the surviving instincts of their ancestors and they forever worship their freedom fighters. They are not angry about the past, what can they do about it? I have come across very few people who are angry about the past! One thing I found is most people have what they call an 'Internal Locus of Control', they are empowered by what they are in control of, the things they can't simply accept, they shift their mind-set or remove themselves from that environment.</div>
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It probably has a lot to do with the great man Mr Nelson Mandela. After being imprisoned for 27 years and then finally a 'Free Man' and not an angry bone in his body. <i><span class="body">"There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many
of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again
and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires". </span></i><span class="body">This famous quote of his says it all.</span><br />
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<span class="body">Each day I can't help but to stare out my window when traveling to the schools or to the office and I pass by '<i>Table Mountain</i>' on my right, and then to the left '<i>Robben Island</i>' the place where </span>Indigenous African leaders, anti-apartheid activists,
including South Africa's first democratic President, Nelson Mandela and the founding leader of the Pan Africanist Congress, Robert
Mangaliso Sobukwe, were all imprisoned on the Island. Robben
Island has not only been used as a prison. It was a training and defence
station in World War II and a hospital for people with
leprosy, and the mentally and chronically ill. One side just in awe of such greatness with the mountain and then another ill-fated lesson of history in view of the Island.<br />
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I think that is why the people are the way they are, and why South Africa became the 'Rainbow Nation'. Everyone whom is alive today inherits some of its history, good & bad, but today, together, they breathe the same air, walk the same earth. Mandela was a powerful force for reconciliation and democracy to everyone 'White and Black', he reminded the white, of the injustices and gave hope and optimism to the Black. But in order for a country to strive there was to be no more division. </div>
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Today Scott and I were invited to attend a school, not just an ordinary school, but one for students who have ambition, some as young as 17 up to 28. We participated in a program called Business, Expenses, Savings Training or BEST GAME, it is interactive and experience based. It simulates real business conditions
and life scenarios in the training room. The process gets participants to weigh up information, make decisions and react to the
consequences. Participants see the results of their actions and experience the thrills
and
spills of real life activity.</div>
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It was amazing to take part and make new friends. I sat with this young lady, she was so full of life and enthusiasm. She said she had returned to school to get her degree and wanted to study business. Here in South Africa there is no social welfare. You have to work as an employee, further your studies or become an owner of your own business, and that is what she wanted to do, own her own business. We got talking, she told me she was 26, a mother of 2. One child 10 the other 6. I asked her what her husband did, she replied 'He was shot here', I have been a widow for 3 years. I said I was sorry! She replied, 'It's OK, I have accepted it, I have to be strong and make a good life for my children'.</div>
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Again that moment occurred. Here was a young lady, not angry, but one whom is optimistic about a positive life she chooses to create for her fatherless children.</div>
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I love life!!! I feel truly blessed with my family, and what I have personally worked hard to earn, and achieve. I feel even more blessed that I am fortunate to come across people who inspire me to do more with what I have to offer!<br />
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<br />Nova Perishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658750478573762579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329185701069962078.post-53977665834433973892012-03-06T00:59:00.000-08:002012-03-06T00:59:23.723-08:00Simply Amazing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVjc7yqEs44Unw3CEbfdjDRDJ7y609yBgf-fM6ctDfY-RcSbSGqZi2Rvhp4yRlO5s6jUshBW7PA3bDFaUxuG4XYhbY2IQwJ2xZs1Qs3vlya4wIaSypzLwyixkd4X0IOtVXZ7CphInxE4/s1600/photo(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVjc7yqEs44Unw3CEbfdjDRDJ7y609yBgf-fM6ctDfY-RcSbSGqZi2Rvhp4yRlO5s6jUshBW7PA3bDFaUxuG4XYhbY2IQwJ2xZs1Qs3vlya4wIaSypzLwyixkd4X0IOtVXZ7CphInxE4/s320/photo(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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1 week down and 4 to go. Wow! What an experience it is...one thing that strikes me here everyday is that 'nothing is too hard or impossible', where there is 'life there is light'. The objective of me being here is to learn how to 'shift the mindset', empower and give capacity to the individual so that their 'locus' of control is always internal. My facilitator here Ernest, is just an amazing human being, full of smiles everyday and in his outlook there is no wrong or right answer...every decision we make is all consequence related, we determine our own destiny and learn from each response. So...i have almost mastered the methodology of the programs, now to get down to business and see the responses and actions of the students in the local schools! The real Journey beings....<br />
<br />
Also a big congratulations to my NPGA girls back in Oz who are undefeated and carving up the U/19 Basketball Comp in Darwin! Well done girls, keep up the good work. Proud of you all :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFon0I1Crz6zRsWPpV6uLZo1a-1tq5FGnS3YCtjE5gUn-zKFISuIzmfQlwbnSIccP8EpOpQhiJJK-yBcMOYmUEOKQH-u9YoK3mnodFuM2S6cIXS8T58Ul-UhItSmuTSKPCCNuDnQakXI/s1600/NPGA+Basketball.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFon0I1Crz6zRsWPpV6uLZo1a-1tq5FGnS3YCtjE5gUn-zKFISuIzmfQlwbnSIccP8EpOpQhiJJK-yBcMOYmUEOKQH-u9YoK3mnodFuM2S6cIXS8T58Ul-UhItSmuTSKPCCNuDnQakXI/s320/NPGA+Basketball.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Nova Perishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658750478573762579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329185701069962078.post-29198495156668671552012-03-01T04:12:00.000-08:002012-03-01T04:12:23.316-08:00Orientation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well it certainly has been a full on experience so far, so much to be learned, and the people here are just amazing, so optimistic and empowering to say the least! I have two brilliant educators here and its' been mind-blowing to see first hand the amazing educational tools they have. Scott and I are now in routine, up at 6.30am, off to the gym, breakfast, our driver picks us up and then the knowledge sharing commences. So the first week is orientation and then its off to the schools for the rest of the time here. Everyday new things are taught and much wisdom is gained. Quote for the day....."A good head and a good heart is a formidable combination".<br />Nova Perishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658750478573762579noreply@blogger.com1Cape Town, South Africa-33.9248685 18.4240553-34.346497500000005 17.7923413 -33.5032395 19.055769299999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329185701069962078.post-16554820838054367692012-02-25T23:43:00.000-08:002012-02-26T01:50:36.839-08:00Nova Peris Girls Academy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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'Educate a boy and you educate an individual. Educate a girl and you educate a community'Nova Perishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658750478573762579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329185701069962078.post-72004632042717497572012-02-25T23:25:00.001-08:002012-02-26T01:51:33.914-08:00Where to now...<link href="file://localhost/Users/novaperis/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link>
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<span lang="EN-US">After turning the big 40 and whilst working in the Kimberley last
year, I reflected on my past achievements and experiences. It had dawned on me and
it seemed just a natural thing to do, and that was to now spend the next decade
of my life using it to give back, pass on the stories that enabled me to pick
myself up time and time again. There is a quote I am now consciously aware of and
live my life by and that is "For as much is given, much is expected".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I have now realised that I have lived my life in decades, 0-10
dreaming as a kid, 10-20 education and realisation that i could live my dreams.
20-30yrs 60 Countries and living my sporting dreams. 30-40 two more kids, a
grandchild and 110 communities around Australia, mentoring and promoting better
health and education to my people. So now i am embarking on a new phase of
life.....Stay Tuned...!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Nova Perishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658750478573762579noreply@blogger.com9