Reality

Another day done....and although I can say it was a good day....I also have to say that I'm finding the days emotionally exhausting. The kids, as always, are great. They are always so happy to see us when they arrive in the morning...and when we are up standing in a circle singing or dancing..they all fight to hold our hands. I'm falling in love with all of them. What I'm having trouble with is the constant worry about their safety and health. It's just different here. The township is littered with trash, that blows onto their playground...there are items that just aren't safe for them and I try to pick up what I can, when I'm there. Today when the children went down for a nap, my partner and I were walking around picking up trash....along with some glass, sharp plastic, and scraps of trash, we also picked up a metal tuna can lid and a condom wrapper. My main concern though, is food. The children get rice everyday with a little bit of vegetable and sometimes a very very little bit of meat. Today was mostly rice, with a little bit of chicken liver (ick) and a very little bit of vegetables. They all inhale it. They have no drink during the day and no snacks. The teacher said they give them snacks when they can, but like today..there wasn't any to give. Most of the kids there are orphans..there are no parents to pack them lunch and snack. The creche (preschool) gets their food from a sponsor. So they take what they get, when they get it. These children are in a school with no a/c and then play in the hot South African sun...and don't have a cup of water. In fact...I'm not sure I've really seen any cups around there. As far as lunch...if there is a child that doesn't finish their lunch, it is scraped into another child's bowl, that is still hungry and wants seconds...there is no room for waste.

I am quite clear....and very determined...that my work with these kids will not be done when I leave here. I will sponsor them. I will have fund drives.....take donations, send money and care packages. They need so much. I am committed to do whatever I can for them.

We are told, "Most of the children at the creche are HIV+"......today I found myself looking around and thinking, I wonder how many of these kids will be alive 5 years from now. Will any of these sweet babies every see adulthood? Sure, people can live a long time with HIV....when they have money. The conditions these children live in....the odds are definitely against them. Most of them have terribly runny noses and coughs....I'm not sure of the HIV treatments they get...in fact..I think I'll ask that question tomorrow. I hope...but am not confident in saying that they are getting the medical care they need.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! We are going to have a little party at the creche. I went out this afternoon and bought cookies and apple juice and supplies to make Valentine's. I'm sure it will be a fun day! The teachers have pretty much told us that we can do whatever activities we want and are welcome to bring snack anytime. The kids don't often get sweets...so this will be a real treat for them. Yeah...they think they like me now...wait till they see me pass out cookies! I will be their #1 tomorrow!! :)

I started out saying I was going to bring snack and drink everyday for these kids......but then thought....after I leave....there will be no one here to ensure they get it. It's not fair of me to make them expect it and then be disappointed. It's difficult when you want to do what you think is the right thing...but also not setting anyone up for disappointment and failure. The next volunteer that comes in may not have the money or desire to provide snacks and drinks daily. I don't want the children to rely on always having it, when that may not happen. So I will provide a small snack a couple days per week. I am trying to figure out a way to lightly approach the teacher and ask why they don't at least give the kids a cup of water during the day. If cups are an issue..I'll buy them plastic cups.

On a lighter note...the kids were sitting in a circle on the floor quietly doing the craft we brought in. Both teachers walked out and craziness broke out. As soon as the kids saw the teacher was gone...they took full advantage of Susie and me. They got up...they were yelling, running around, tossing crayons, papers....going outside, going into the other classroom. It was pure pandamonium I tell you. And here we are....two English speakers.....in a classroom full of Xhosa speaking children. They only command word I know is "NO!" I can't remember how it's spelled....but it sounds like "Aye"...so I'm running around the room....shouting Aye...and trying to get the escaping kids back in the room. Two of them getting into a slap fest in the corner...."Aye".......it was crazy. I looked at Susie...and she looked at me and said, "Don't look at me...I don't have any kids of my own...you have more experience than me!" I said quick...let's sing a song....we started singing "Do you ears hang low, do they wobble to and frow............." with the hand motions...all the kids stopped and gathered around...they were doing all the hand movements with us. We had to keep repeating the song until the teachers came back...at which time they totally calmed down and became the obedient children I was bragging about yesterday.....okay...so perhaps they aren't so different from American children after all. :)