THE BED FELT SO MUCH BETTER than the couch that I nearly didn’t hear the alarm rattling against the table. I reached over, slapping and clawing the air in an attempt to get it to stop. Finally, I managed to smack the little plastic clock across the room and let out a low groan.

It wasn’t that I’m not a morning person, I’d just liked to have had one day where I could sleep in. I should have passed on signing up for the Uthando. If I had, I’d be able to stay in bed longer. But like always, duty called.

Stumbling down the stairs, I made my way to...