With Grape Power...

Sorry about the length and confusion in that last post. This should be much shorter.

I think I am starting to get over my “jet lag”—a term I view as bullcrap because in reality, I am just tired. “Jet lag” is like “alcoholic”, it’s a nonsensical term that means nothing. But, anyway, along with getting on a good sleeping schedule (hard ‘k’ sound, not ‘sh’. Get it right, Brits.), I am also starting to feel more comfortable here. Today, I had my face-to-face interview with Teshome Damte from the Refugee Advice and Support Centre (RASC). That was at 11:00, but I was there at quarter til, so we started then. RASC is a 241 King Street, in a building that is surely over 150 years old. I mean to say that it is noticeably older than most structures I come across. There are a few other organizations that share the building, but I am not yet sure what they are. Immediately, Teshome began discussing my responsibilities. He expressed the need to overload me with information today, as he will be gone until the 28^th. This will leave me in charge…co-charge. Temomi is a Japanese girl of about my age who is also volunteering with RASC; she started yesterday. Until Teshome’s manager returns, Temomi and I will be answering the phones, dealing directly with drop-in clients, and interacting with the students that stop by to use the three or four computers available to them. We will also be teaching an English class in the upstairs “classroom”. ESOL books and my incredible grasp of the English language will be our main tools, as Temomi speaks English as a second language herself. Underlying all of this is the need for more resources. That is, RASC is constantly seeking funding. In the way of volunteerism and charity-giving, the UK is far behind the US, so suck, UK. We would be you again because with a few bake sales and a Sycamore Storm Dance, we'd have enough funds to shoot before seeing the whites of your eyes. Drafts for grants from various groups are constantly being written up by RASC. Temomi (this has to be spelled wrong) and I will work with Teshome and the manager to write up several of these in my time with the centre. Obviously, expect to hear more about my adventures at RASC in the coming weeks.