Jenni Red, South African expatriate in Libya

Jenni Red

I am an expatriate.

I am South African, and I am now living in Libya. I am currently in Tripoli.

My path

About me

Hi There! I am a 55 year old female. I lived in Tripoli and worked as an English Language Instructor until the end of February 2011, when my government evacuated me 10 days after the revolution started. I was in Libya for 16 months, and loved every minute of my experience, making many local (Libyan) friends in the process! I went on a humanitarian mission into Benghazi in June 2011, and that was an incredible privilege and experience, too. I then worked for a year in Penang, Malaysia, as head of the English Programme at a language centre. I am now back in Tripoli, working as manager of the English department of a local Primary School, and plan to open a new language centre on the same premises soon. I would love to help new/potential ex-pats settle in/find out more about living in Tripoli/Libya, or advise anyone planning to visit the country on business or on holiday, for best places to go.

I can speak English, Afrikaans, German, French, Libyan Arabic (a little), ASL (a little)

My birthday is on 4 September, I was born in 1957

Interests

birdwatching, camping, food!! (especially trying out different cultural/local dishes!!!), hiking, languages, people, photography, reading, travel

User activity on the board

Title: Contributor

Posts: 121
Last post: 2012-10-16 09:31:58
Registered: 2010-07-28

Libya
Tripoli

I am currently living in Libya since August 2012

My life & projects in this location:

I am BACK!!! YAY!! Living in the Mashru' al Hadba area of Tripoli - just off Treeg al Matar, behind the Brega Oil Refinery. Hoping to be a positive influence in rebuilding Libya, and would like to help out wherever I can, when I am not working. Projects I am interested in: Cleaning up Tripoli / Literacy programme run by FGM / Be Libyan for Libyans with special abilities (Empowering the Handicapped) / Forgiveness and Reconciliation / Trauma Counselling

My occupation:

1) Manager of the English Dept at Kul al Aloom School in Mashru' al Hadba 2) Planning to open Dynamic Language Centre Libya on the same premises - will manage and teach English

What I like about this destination:

I love the atmosphere in Tripoli right now - and that MOST Libyans are wanting to move forward and rebuild their country. I will do anything I can to help that process into a democracy.

What I don't like about this destination:

The "when we's" - i.e. the pro-Gaddafis who are still bewailing the fact of how "wonderful" it was "before" - when it really wasn't!! :-(

Malaysia
Penang

I lived in Malaysia from August 2011 to August 2012

My life & projects in this location:

I lived and worked in Penang, Malaysia.

My occupation:

I was the English Programme Co-ordinator and an English teacher at a private language centre in Penang, Malaysia - teaching adults from all over the Middle and Far East, including many Libyans from North Africa!! :-)

What I liked about this destination:

1) My students - and the fact that I had a virtual "United Nations" right there in my classroom - and could get to know so many people from different nationalities and their cultures, without having to travel anywhere! :-) 2) My colleagues - we had a wonderful team who worked together well. 3) The beauty of the surroundings - and the delicious FOOD!!! :-)

What I didn't like about this destination:

Malaysians are generally speaking just too busy to enjoy life and take time to make friends or spend time together. To make a coffee date with anyone - I had to book 3 to 4 weeks in advance!! :-( And these were friends!! Plus - It wasn't Libya..... ;'(

Libya
Tripoli

I lived in Libya from October 2009 to February 2011

My life & projects in this location:

I lived and worked in Tripoli for 16 months as an ESL Instructor - taught adults, mostly Libyans

My occupation:

I was an ESL Instructor - taught English as a Second/Foreign Language

What I liked about this destination:

The people, the hospitality, the relationships - and now - the absolute passion for FREEDOM!!! I love that Libyans are prepared to stand up for freedom, prepared to die for it - and are so very passionate about their country.

What I didn't like about this destination:

The lack of freedom in the country in all areas of life - even my friends afraid to say anything against the government or anything else... :-(

Denmark
Koege

I lived in Denmark from June 2008 to February 2009

My life & projects in this location:

lived on board a ship in the final stages of being outfitted for service. Helped out twice a week at a "homeless" cafe in Copenhagen - very meaningful and rewarding - and heartbreaking.

My occupation:

Worked as full time Business Services Manager in the Business Centre on board the ship, and as part time ESL teacher, helping newly arrived crew members to be able to communicate better in English.

What I liked about this destination:

1) The directness of the Danish people! 2) LEGOLAND!! 3) Being able to read a book in natural light on the quayside, until 2330 at night in midsummer!!! 4) Hearing the sound of my feet crunching as I walked in the snow! 5) The friends I made - and old friendships renewed! 6) Watching a "friendly" football match in the snow!!

What I didn't like about this destination:

The extREMEly short days in winter....the hardness of heart in Koege :( .... The desperate need in the capital city, Copenhagen... :(

Germany
Mosbach/Bremen/Kiel

I lived in Germany from November 2006 to June 2008

My life & projects in this location:

I lived and worked in Mosbach and then Bremen for a year, then moved to Kiel, where I lived for 6 months on board a ship that was being outfitted. Helped out at a "homeless" cafe once a week. An amazing time of my life!!!

My occupation:

Worked as Travel Co-ordinator waiting for my ship to come in (literally!!!:)), then as Business Services Manager, setting up the Business Centre on board, and later also as part time ESL Instructor, assisting new crew members to improve their English.

What I liked about this destination:

1) The German people! 2) Their amazing (dry!) sense of humour! 3) Being able to speak German almost 24 hours a day! 4) The countryside! 5) The sense of organisation!! 6) Christmas Markets!! 7) The way they REALLY know how to do Christmas!!! :)

What I didn't like about this destination:

1) The VERY short days in winter - going to work in the dark and returning home in the dark. :( 2) The fact that for some, WWII happened only yesterday....

Swaziland
Simunye

I lived in Swaziland from January 1994 to August 1999

My life & projects in this location:

I accompanied my then-husband to Swaziland on a 3-year contract - we stayed 5 1/2 years! I wasnt allowed to work, as an ex-pat wife, so i occupied myself with working with children - dance/drama/creative movement! I also spent a lot of time travelling between my home in Swaziland, and my daughters' high school, in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa!

My occupation:

Fulltime Homemaker, part time Dance teacher and travelling mum!!!

What I liked about this destination:

The people! The amazing beauty, wildlife and scenery! Living in a village surrounded by 4 nature/game reserves! The friends I made - both local and ex-pat!

What I didn't like about this destination:

The colonial attitude/mentality of some of the ex-pats!!! :-( The way Swazi women were treated by their men!!! :-(

South Africa
Pretoria

I lived in South Africa from September 1957 to October 2009

My life & projects in this location:

I was born in South Africa, of South African parents and grandparents - so I am a true-blue South African! Just a little paler than some....! :) Lived in various cities - but Pretoria was the latest...

My occupation:

I was at various times: SAA Ground Staff in Cape Town / Personnel Consultant / Travel & Tourism Co-ordinator & Lecturer at Varsity College / Inbound Manager at a Tour Operator

What I liked about this destination:

I LOVE ZA and its people! We are truly a "Rainbow Nation"!!! :) I also love the scenery, nature, animals - there's simply nothing in the world quite like it!!! As the slogan says, we are "The World in One Country"!!!