I think I mentioned the computers in one of my previous posts? We have a big stack of them in the corner of the classroom covered in about an inch of dust and numerous rat/mice droppings. One afternoon of fiddling around later, and I have successfully managed to set one of them up! I can’t wait to start up an ICT class or teach them some skills in their Technology lessons. Their faces when they saw the screen turn on was priceless…even though all it said was ‘No Signal’!!! Hopefully at least one more of them will be ready to use by next week, but a lot of the wires have been chewed by mice so are a bit useless, but we shall see!
The desks in the classroom were also in bits. They’re a simple metal frame with a wooden platform screwed on, but the screws on half of them had come out and were a nuisance in lessons; slipping off onto people’s toes and trapping little hands and fingers. So our lovely friends Dom and Michaela who are working at Bethany Home on the other side of Mthatha offered to come over with some tools and we helped mend every last one of them! Dom also had to get the grinder in as the screws were too long, so we had sparks flying out of the classroom. But they’re all fixed now and the kids are so pleased with their new desks…surprising the difference a couple of hours makes!
I’ve been spending extra time with the children out of working hours and I feel as though we all get on really well now, which has definitely helped in lessons. I can now remember all of their ridiculously complicated/long names (only took me a month!). I’ve loved sharing my music with them although writing lyrics of every song out 26 times is a bit of a bummer! They’re in the process of teaching me some Xhosa songs which are difficult to learn, but great fun J
I have now officially driven the massive Thembelihle car, which is the most difficult vehicle to drive EVER…well as far as I know ;) Mthatha’s roads are dotted with massive potholes and people walk out in front of you all the time. I don’t think I have come across a single road marking and people tend to make new lanes for themselves whenever and wherever it suits! Oh…and parking in the middle of the road – that’s a new one! But it’s pretty good practice and I actually quite enjoy it although I have nearly died several times…
The children at Thembelihle rarely get out of the home, unless they’re going to the hospital or across the road to play in the field. So it was nice to take one of the older girls out to the supermarket with us…a simple trip put a massive smile on her face and it was a great opportunity to get to know her better! I’m hoping to take the children out more often so they get a change of scenery!
I’ve also started helping out with admin work in the office outside of school hours, and adding to the Thembelihle website which I’m really enjoying. It makes a change from the teaching aspect of the work, and means I am making a difference to the home in a different way!
Basically what I’m trying to say in this post is that every little helps…even the smallest thing will make a big difference to these children’s lives and I’m finding new things every day that will help the home in some way…loving it J
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