Takalani Street

Molweni!

Today at the creche we taught the children how to play musical chairs. It took them a few rounds to get it....but then....the competition was on! They were so funny. They have one TV in the classroom that gets marginal reception, but guess what was on TV today? Takalami Sesame. It's a South African Sesame Street. It was very cute.

I've been seeing days where the kids come to school and there is no structure, and they don't really do anything educational. When I say no structure, I mean the kids just run around the room, yelling and playing with each other. They stop to do whatever activity we bring each day, but somedays, it's only our activity and then nothing really planned until lunch and nap. The teachers are there and they love the children and the children have a good time, but I just feel like the kids are missing out on the opportunity to learn. I clearly remember my children at the age and their progression in pre-school and they were definitely more advanced at that age. On the way to the school, as we drive thru the townships, there are lots of school aged children that are out wandering the streets, not even going to school. It just bothers me to say that I don't think the cycle will ever change. These people will never get out of these poverty stricken townships. And I'm not sure that it is strictly a lack of resources as much as it's just a mind-set now. What is heartbreaking for me is that I'm bonding with these kids and they truly matter to me. I want a better life for them and I can't do a thing about it. All I can do, I guess, is love them and bring them a little joy for the short time that I'm here.

I do know that during the days of structure, the teachers have the kids in a circle and they have this little mantra the kids repeat, "No school, no education....no education, no job....no job, no money.....no money, no future.....go back to school, go back go school, go back to school." Now most of the kids speak very very little English....so do the really understand what they are saying, probably not, but I guess it's a start.

We did walk over to a couple of the orphan homes today. I met the house mothers. They were genuinely warm and there house was very adequate. Each home has 6 children. They are three bedroom cinderblock structures. Two toilets (basically a full bath and a 1/2 bath), a kitchen, family room, washer and dryer. There is a boys room and a girls room, each with bunkbeds. The furniture was old and worn, but it was furniture. I felt very at home and each place was very cozy. There was nothing spectacular or fancy, but you could feel the love when you walked in the door. One of the houses had a lot of the kids art work taped to the walls. The Mama proudly showed us the pictures of her kids. One of the kids in my class, Bono lives in one of the houses we toured. Bono I think is 5 years old and has been with this woman since he was 11 months old. I felt much better seeing where he lived. I'm quite sure it feels like home to him there, with a mother and the other orphans are his siblings. Bono lost both of his parents to AIDS. I'm not quite sure whether or not he is positive, but I would say it's highly likely. Aside for the fact that both of his parents were infected, he always has a horrible runny nose and cough, but like all the kids in the class, he always seems to have lots of energy. I'm not sure if that's because he is not infected or if it's due to his ARV treatments.

Elton John has been here are toured all of these places, and each of the "Home from Home" homes and the creche, he has autographed the walls. "Hakuna Mattata. With much love, Elton John." Very cool. When the rich and famous are involved, these places are more recognized and maybe will get more help.

After our placement we went on a little field trip to a place called Sibanye. The word Sibanye in Xhosa means "working together." This is an economic empowerment organzation. It is a township-based, non-profit, craft marketing organzation. Their mission is to provide market access for HIV-infected and affected communities producing handmade crafts. We learned all about their organization and the types of things they make and sell and had time to do a little shopping. It's really a neat place. If you are interested in knowing more please check out their website: http://www.sibanye.org.za/.

Well, that's it till tomorrow. Tomorrow is our Robbens Island tour after our volunteer work.