Staff Interview with Marina Grobler

What inspired you to work for Tshega?

I am inspired firstly by God, who makes the Basadi Program what it is. Where we come from and where we are today and the pace we took in achieving it can only have his hand in it. Secondly, I am inspired by my team of artisans who, with no frame of reference, are achieving excellence. Thirdly, from our CEO, Ellanie van Rooyen, all the managers and staff and the effort they take to make the program great and successful - They all have great passion and drive.

Describe a typical day at work.

Sharing love! We are creating awesome products that you as a volunteer can take back home as gifts for your families. In 2019, we achieved something great by being accepted by Tourvest, so now our products are also available in the shops of the Kruger National Park. A typical day consists of creating an awesome product, such as small purses, pencil cases, handbags, tote bags, table-runners and placemats, and Africa Doeks. Training and inspiring women to achieve great things.

Why do you do what you do?

I have a passion for women and children. If I can do a little bit every day to make this world a better place for others then I am happy. Every bit counts.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Women Empowerment - To be part of the process is amazing. To see the women transform and become amazed at what they create with their own hand is amazing.

What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?

Language barrier - by training the ladies to speak and write English. Production speed - by encouraging them with my famous saying, “Quick plus fast minus slow.”

What are some current projects you are working on?

We have developed a range of products. It took us a while to perfect it and it still needs refinement but I am proud of the achievement as I stated. We want to develop a children’s african clothing range from age four up to 14.

What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?

Be flexible. Change starts with you! Only you can make yourself happy, so I choose joy! I also believe freely I have received so freely I should give. A smile costs nothing. A simple thing as a hug can change the world.

What makes Tshega special?

Wow! This is easy. Definitely the women and children whose lives are being transformed. I also think that we care about people. We are in the business of transformation. You think you transform someone else but in the end you are the one that is being transformed.

Why should someone choose Tshega over competitors?

It offers so many opportunities - there are a lot of programs that run daily so you never get bored by doing the same thing from day to day. This volunteer opportunity at Tshega will teach you a lot about yourself and about people. It is mind-blowing to see people with so little in life can still smile from ear to ear. We mostly complain with a white bread under our arms but there are people out there who do not even have a single meal. You as a volunteer can be part of a transformation process here in the villages surrounding by the mountains of Bolubedu. Take the chance, it will be worth your while. Besides that, we offer super weekend excursions.

What hopes do you have for the future for Tshega?

To reach more people, bring love, hope, and joy into their worlds. Life is hard in the surrounding villages. Do you know what 95-percent unemployment looks like? It's not pretty.

Are there any developments with Tshega that you would like to share with us?

We are trying to build a community hall. The framework is up, 2019 - a floor happened. Maybe in 2020 we will get the walls up. At Basadi - we need partnership with a courier service so that we can ship our products to other countries. Shipping is very expensive and is killing us. We would like to establish partnerships all over the world to sell our products so that we can train and employ more women.

What makes Tshega easy to market to potential participants?

Our diversity - we offer something for every age group and taste. There is primary school, the preschool, admin, marketing, the women's empowerment program, you can join the missionaries on an outing in the village where they just go and spread some love , a kind word and care.

What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?

To transform lives through social impact. We have goals, and all the programs do extensive strategic planning at each end of the year for the following year.  We work strictly on budgets and on our strategic planning thus ensuring success.

How do you help support participants?

We have orientation on arrival and hold a volunteer meeting once a week. Every night around the dinner table we discuss life lessons for the day and we ask our volley (volunteers) how the day went and if they are still happy.

If you could participate in one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?

The Lighthouse academy primary school and preschool Lambs Haven. It is the main program where you assist teachers in the classrooms. Basadi skills program, empowering vulnerable women. Here you can teach the ladies life skills, English, computer skills, how to become entrepreneurs, and so much more.

What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?

So Africa has insects right - but the volunteers call them animals. Because I stay on the premises with the volunteers, I get called a lot about the "animals." Most of the time, these insects are totally harmless. But for some girls it is a huge thing, so we have to remove them. It is usually just moths, nothing more. The volunteer guys end up laughing at the girls. I think it is a girl thing.

Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?

It broadens your horizons and it prepares you for life, and if you are older you can share your life skills and experiences with people. One is also never too old to learn. It works both ways.  You are receiving and giving at the same time.

Why do you think learning a new language is important?

We had one volunteer, Thorben from Germany, who learned Afrikaans and Sepedi in record time, and it is still nice to communicate with him.

What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?

Just do it and try to be flexible, programs change and situations change. Life is like that. Be prepared to be challenged. Strive to give the best of you. It should never be about you but about what you are willing to bring to the table. A positive attitude always goes a long way. Inspire people surrounding you. Make the footprint you leave in another country count!

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

–  Ralph Waldo Emerson. Yes, to leave your footsteps and, just as important, to take a suitcase full of good memories home with you.

What does ethical global engagement mean to you?

Global service-learning experiences can be transformative experiences that strengthen volunteers’ global self-awareness, identity formation, and understanding of diverse cultures. These immersive experiences also strengthen an array of skills that are essential to be really aware of the moral hazards involved, particularly around environments where there are vulnerable persons, including children. We encourage feedback as measurement and assessment of what we offer. What you see on our website and in this reflection is what you will get. We are true to what we serve.

What hopes do you have for the future of international education?

Education used to be a one-shot game, now it has to be a lifelong game. You don’t just get educated once. You need to go in-between learning and work. You have to bring professionals into the classroom to teach. You have to go out into the environment, into communities. You have to understand the real problems that people are facing so you can shape your learning around those problems rather than just look at a textbook. So yes international education is key as long as the community benefits.