Beach

So as Mum mentioned, March saw another trip out of Thembelihle for the kids. They hadn’t had one since the funfair back in September/October time so it was great to see all their smiling faces as they ran and splashed in the water, running and jumping over the waves, and stuffing their trunks/cozzies with disguisting amounts of sand…eurgh! We had a Braii, drew pictures in the sand and generally enjoyed a day out of the classroom and Mthatha (although I think I may have come down with mild sunstroke from the long day)! I’m hoping that when I return home to the UK I will be able to fundraise not only for the general running of the home, but also for days out like these as it really does mean a lot to the kids!

A visit from home

At the end of March my Mum and friend Sam came out to visit me and the children here in South Africa. Here’s what mum had to say for her visit:

“Arriving at Thembelihle Home on a short visit I was greeted by a group of shy faced children curious to see the mother and friend of their Volunteer teacher/carer.  Thembelihle is a home of safety with an ever changing family of children who spend almost their whole time within a compound consisting of a small classroom, living accommodation and limited play area, supported by several Mamas, Social Workers and a Director.  We were given a tour of the children’s shared bedrooms and living accommodation before seeing the classroom where they spend most of their day.

The children were wonderful to meet, and seem to adapt and on the surface accept their surroundings and situation. It’s great to see how they support and look after each other on a daily basis. Children, whose backgrounds have been hard and testing in a culture where local village women are still subservient to men.

Before their bedtime at 7.30pm, we joined all the children to listen to their songs and prayers.  A delight to hear as they harmonised with each other and the sound was very uplifting - something they do every night!

We experienced a VERY rare day out at the beach which all the children loved with a Braai, (BBQ), cooked by the bus driver and a day at the school helping the children with their lessons.
The trip gave me a real insight into Maya’s life over the past 7 months.  Being woken at the crack of dawn by children singing, chatting and playing games outside her bedroom door every morning to facing a full day of work planning, teaching and entertaining a group of little people with big demands. A very challenging experience for a young person not much older than some of the children she helps. She is also living in a very uninspiring town that has a long way to go to overcome struggles of crime, poverty, unemployment, AIDS and many other issues.  I can only say I am very proud of her.

Nawwhhhh, thanks Mum! Hope you and Sam both enjoyed your visit! Thank you for coming! :D <3 xxx

Responsibility

With the half way mark now passed, it was time for Project Trust to come out and visit us in South Africa. This was a good chance to reflect on the past 6 months and discuss how things have gone. For reasons that we won’t go into, my project partner has been repatriated, leaving me with even more responsibility than I already had! Not only am I now in the classroom looking after and teaching all 3 classes at the same time on several of the days the week when the teaching assistant is absent, but I’m also the most constant person in these children’s lives…quite a daunting position to be in but I’m actually really enjoying it and like the freedom which being alone has given me. I have also realised now how much the past 6 months have changed me, although I don’t think I will fully understand until I arrive back in the UK in August...

Anyone who is thinking of taking a gap year with Project Trust but are not sure of it….seriously just go for it - it really does change who you are for the better :)