HASANI - Six primary schools and the community of Hasani Mbhalati in Malamulele bid farewell to a young woman from America, who did voluntary work in the area, during a ceremony on Tuesday.

Kimberly Lynn Van Etten (25), who owns a Masters Degree in School and Community Resources, decided to come to South Africa as part of the voluntary programme of the US government in April 2002.

The main purpose for Lynn to volunteer for South Africa was to teach Outcomes Based Education to six primary schools and to inform young girls about abuse and HIV/Aids.

During her stay, Lynn adopted the name "Miyelani", which means quiet. The Shivhambu family in Mbhalati, welcomed and accommodated Lynn free of charge. The villagers and six schools were delighted after Lynn had selected that area to empower them with different life skills.

Ms Margret Shivhambu told Mirror that she was overwhelmed when a young white woman decided to stay with her, and she took her as her own child. She also taught her to speak Shangaan.

"I learned a lot of things from the teachers and communities as the whole, and I'm going to show my friends and parents what I learnt from the Shangaan people. It was a wonderful experience to stay in a rural area like Mbhalati," said Lynn.