hey its been AWHILE!

Hey all!
sorry for taking so dso so very long to make a post things have been a bit hectic. in a nutshell i was working with the Displaced and Migrant Peoples Support Program but due to our differences i had to switch plaements and i am now staying with a family in Seweto (well not exactly Soweto but its right next to it in Dobsonville extension 3. i'm still waiting for a new project placement (and to get the rest of my clothes back for that matter...) but i'm having a great time with my new placement i feel like i've finally been submerged in the culture. ITS A GREAT FEELING! thank you all for staying with me and being patient. I have an internet cafe near my house now but it still has some problems so just bear with me in my search for a functioning computer thank you!!!

Pictures

On second thought after realizing how many pictures i have and how long it would take to upload them all to my blog i've decided to just link you to facebook! check them out if your not my friend.. i'll add you.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=452775&id=781490363

Final Days

Well I am reaching the final days before leaving and with this last week of work I'll have just enough skrilla to pay off my tuition!! Whew! I'd like to thank Vanessa Kirkpatrick, Roxanne Kirkpatrick, and Ashley Hoopes for donating! THANK YOU!!!! I'd also like to thank my parents for helping me more than I even know! Of course all my friends for being so supportive and being there when I need them the most. Big thank you to all the AFS staff and my sponsors without which this would never even be fathomable. And to all of you who have taken time to read my blog I thank you for your support so far and I hope you all keep reading because I'm going to keep writing. As for me I've got quite a bit of packing and preparing to do so unfortunately this isn't going to be a very long post but there are going to be pictures following of "my life in SLC". THANK YOU ALL KEEP READING!!

PLACEMENT!

Hi Mackenzie,

Well it looks like South Africa has an alternative placement option available for you. It's called the Displaced and Migrant People Support Programme located in Johannesburg. Check out http://dmpsp.wordpress.com/mission/ for more information.

You will be getting more information on your placement, living situation and visa shortly!

"Displaced and Migrant Persons Support Program offers assistance to people who have been displaced by Conflict, Economic Migration, Natural Disasters and Calamities.

Displaced People, especially children, are those which through the nature of their prevailing situation are sometimes vulnerable to abuse.

DMPSP strives to ensure the protection of the rights of displaced and migrant persons.

We monitor infringements on the rights of such persons, providing support and assistance to any displaced persons which have suffered as a result of such infringements, exposes human rights abuses and identifies failures in their protection."

Also!

If you or anyone you know has any (and i must stress ANY) work at all I am always available no job is too big or small, I do it all. ( that would make a nice slogan..) this is my phone number, feel free to call anytime. 801- 448- 8817

Update

Hello to all!

Sorry I haven't been updating, lately its been pretty busy! Here's the update! Still working hard packing parachutes out at Skydive Utah every Saturday and Wednesday (weather permitting) and I have to say I have never enjoyed working more at any other job my dad paid for me to do my first jump! The next day I went out my boss let me do my tandem two for the price of one pack job! For that they are going to get a little free advertising right here on; Adventure: South Africa! I've just finished painting the inside of a house thats on the market (1940 Hollywood avenue) I'm sure there will be pictures on ESBY Realty relatively soon for those who are interested. I'm going to try to get some before and afters for the blog. Finishing this job has enabled me to send in my first tuition installment! A whopping 1,500 dollars! Which leaves about 5,500 to go! On another note I recently received a call from AFS South Africa telling me to go ahead and start the application process for my visa. Exciting!!!! This led me to discover that my passport needs to be renewed due to the fact that it expires one month before my return... not so exciting. So I have to wait until my passport is renewed until I can even apply for my visa. Oh well.. on the positive side of things PayPal sent me an invoice today!! A huge thanks to Vanessa KIrkpatrick and Ashley Hoopes for their contributions to the cause!! Thank you very much!! Your donations are the kind of things that will make this possible for me. So again, thank you very much! Until next time, Thank you to all of my followers and please, PLEASE!! tell your friends!

Reminder

First off thank you so much for donating! I can't even begin to thank you all enough! Just a reminder, please remember to email me if you help out in any way I want to be able to recognize everyone's help by putting you in my blog! Thanks again!

Packaging Plant

So I recently picked up a part time job packing parachutes at Skydive Utah! At ten dollars a pack this will definitely help put a dent in the Africa fund.. and talk about responsibility! Peoples lives are in my hands.. or so I thought. I went into my first day thinking to be heavily trained and tested before being able to even look at a rig. This was not the case, after about three or four packs with some pros they let me loose! I packed chutes all day and only got one complaint for my chute opening too fast causing what is known as "a real smacker" because it catches your free fall too quickly.. at least everyone is alive!!

ChipIn

Hey all so I sent the email to AFS to request my ChipIn paypal widgit so it should be here as soon as they email me back. Keep checking in!

Acceptance in South Africa!!!

Just got this email thought you guys would like to check it out!!

"Hi Mackenzie,

Congratulations! AFS-South Africa has just accepted your application!

Next, AFS-South Africa will match you with a Community Service Placement. This can be a complex process and may take some time. It is common for placement information to arrive during the month prior to your departure. So, if you don't hear right away, don’t worry, this is normal. Once we have confirmed the details of your assignment, they will be available on your AFS Account, so feel free to check there for updates.

In the meantime, I've included some tips on your next steps:

Secondary Medical Coverage: If your parents have questions about AFS medical coverage, they should review the secondary medical insurance plan information, which is located in your AFS Account under “My Documents”.

Immunizations: Check with your doctor, and refer to the CDC website to see what immunizations are recommended for US residents traveling to South Africa. Decisions about immunizations should be made by you since AFS does not give out medical advice.

Visas: Should your program require any special travel documentation in addition to your valid passport, you will receive notification from the Visa Coordinator approximately 1-3 months prior to your program departure, with directions for accessing your visa instructions online. Occasionally, vaccines are required for the visa. If this applies to your program, you will be notified in your visa instructions. Because your passport and participation may be required to obtain a visa, you should not travel outside of the U.S. during the 2 months prior to your AFS program.

Payment: As a reminder, you can check your balance and make tuition payments in your AFS Account under 'My Program Payment'

We hope you find these next steps helpful. Please let your Student Services Advisor know if you or your parents have any questions.

Warm regards,

Student Services"

Almost forgot to add a picture of myself..

This is me! Visiting my sisters in NYC.

About me and my exchange

Hello! Welcome to my first blog entry! My name is Mackenzie Kirkpatrick I am eighteen years old and I have recently been accepted to participate in an American Field Service (AFS) community service exchange program in South Africa! I decided to do a community service exchange rather than a student exchange because I've been involved in service projects in the past and have found it to be an extremely rewarding experience. To me the opportunity to do community service for not only a year but in South Africa is better than anything I could ever dream up. I feel that doing this will help me to gain a deeper understanding of a foreign culture and also help me feel like I am doing what I should to make this amazing world that much better!

Part of this experience is raising the funds. The tuition cost is around 8,000 dollars and I currently have paid about 1,000 dollars of this tuition. Lucky for me AFS has nifty little programs and suggestions to help me raise funds! I am starting a portable car detailing business as one way of helping me meet my monetary goal. Another is the ChipIn button on this page. This will link you to a Paypal account that is directly linked to my exchange. If you would like to donate using the ChipIn link please send me an email with your name and any message you would like me to post on my blog so I can be sure to give recognition to anyone who helps me reach my goal! If you would like to schedule an appointment for a car detail you can either email me or reach me on my cell phone! Feel free to contact me at anytime! Remember, this is for my exchange so don't hesitate to contact me! My email is Mackenziekirk@gmail.com and my phone number is (801) 448-8817. Thank you all!