This week we have been working with the 4 to 11 year olds who are on school holiday for the next 2 weeks. There are 7-8 kids that we work with, 2 of them go to the public school while the rest of them attend the special needs school that Home of Hope created. Since all of the teachers are on holiday as well, it is just Amy, Laura and I in charge of everyone. While a couple of the children are required to do some school work each day, our only other job is to keep them entertained and occupied. I promise you that this is much more difficult than it sounds.
When the sun comes out, we've been able to pass the time playing at the park. The rainy days when we are all crowded in the house can be a little more difficult since everybody has way too much energy to sit in one room all morning. There isn’t an overabundance of art supplies or games at the house, so it takes a little bit of creativity to entertain these kids. We’ve been doing a lot of drawing, and some of these children are very gifted artists so it is fun to see what they come up with. The best news of the week – we got a space heater for the house. And while it doesn’t get warm enough to heat up an entire room, if you sit right in front of it, you just might get warm enough to take off your jacket.
The children refer to us as “the volunteers,” and only a few have learned our individual names. But, with so many people casually passing through their lives, I cannot blame them. If one of us is missing they will ask, “Where is the other volunteer?” I don’t think that I knew what a volunteer was when I was 5 years old, but I suppose it’s good to be introduced to the philanthropic world at such a young age. And afterall, that's exactly what we are...volunteers.
We were told by the director of the program that the main objective for these children is to develop them enough that they will be able to attain jobs at grocery stores or gas stations when they’re older. Hearing this information enraged all of us, and we wanted to yell “That’s it?! That’s what you’re shooting for? Aim higher!” But I guess that’s the reality here. Eventually the schooling will subside and the focus will switch to vocational training as they will be placed in stores or shops and learn how to work to support themselves. It is sad because all of these children have the potential to be so much more given the proper attention and opportunity to explore their talents and desires. Today I asked one of the boys what he wants to be when he grows up, a question it seems none of them are asked a lot. After a little encouragement, he replied, “An artist, because then I can be rich and drive a Lamborghini.” I’m glad that he’s still dreaming big!
Tomorrow we are heading out of town for the weekend to visit a few places along the coast, including the southwestern most tip of Africa. We are renting a car, and with the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle and traffic driving in the opposite direction, things should get interesting. With a little driving experience in Australia, it looks like I have been designated as the driver here, but I think it will be a 3 person job to make sure the car stays on the left side of the road. Hopefully we'll have some good stories and pictures to share when we get back next week. Look out, South Africa!
Playing at the house
More play time
Amy playing board games with the girls
The heater!
The kids trying to stay warm, drawing by the heater
Bible time
Laura leading the kids to the park
The 3 of us supervising at the park
Amy and Laura on the teeter-totter
Playing soccer
Amy and I at the park
Lunch time - usually consisting of butter sandwhiches and tea
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