Yesterday's volunteer work was uneventful and more of the same. The kids were great and I love them more each day. After we were through, the drivers picked everyone up and took us to the waterfront. We took a ferry over to Robben Island.
It was very interesting. The ferry ride took about an hour and once we got to the island we were herded onto a bus, with a driver and a tour guide. We drove all around the island and he was pointing out the school, the church, the cemeteries, lime quarry...he talked about how it was a leper colony until 1931, then during the Second World War they installed bug huge guns and as part of Cape Towns defense. Then in 1959 it became a Maximum Security Prison...I won't give the history lesson here, but if you aren't familiar with it, please do a little research...better yet, read Nelson Mandela's autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom." I highly recommend it. Anyway, I got sidetracked....my point was, as this guy was touring us around the island he was asking for a show of hands as to who was from where and so on, and then he said, well now that I know you all, let me introduce myself I am prisoner number xxxx. The bus fell silent. He was a colored man, who was a political prisoner on Robben Island at the same time Mandela was there. The guy was incredible. He was so nice, and sincere and so positive, he really moved me. After the bus tour of the island, we took a tour inside the prison. Apartheid....I still just can't grasp it....it was just horrendous.
Today...we got tied up in traffic on the way to the creche due to an accident and we were about 40 minutes later than usual. I guess the children thought we weren't coming, because when Susie and I walked into the door, the all started cheering and jumping up and down and then they all ran to us, hugging, grabbing, kissing....they almost knocked us down. It felt so good!
I also realized today that I have become very attached to the sweetest little boy in the daycare room. They one lady I asked said he was a year old (I think he's a little younger) and his name sounds like M-C-C (not sure of the spelling). But he is wonderfully adorable. I'm not even sure if he is orphaned or if he has parents. I figured it was best I didn't know for sure. He seems like an orphan only because he is one of the little babies who just cries all the time unless he is held. I'm not sure if he is HIV+ or not either. But, when I'm outside with our classroom kids and he is out there milling around crying, I always pick him up. Today he fell asleep in my arms and I laid him across my body and held him so I could see his precious face. He has those front four little teeth and he has cute little dimples. He is just too precious. I've held him numerous times before and fed him lunch before....but something clicked with me today. He totally melted my heart. I couldn't take my eyes off of his face, and I couldn't look at him without tears filling my eyes. It's going to be hardest to tell him goodbye in a week.
Anyway, today was more shopping after work. I managed to find the Harley Davidson dealer, so I'll be on Rick's good list when I come home! :) And I'm still on the search for a batter charger for my camera battery. Once I get that, I can start taking and uploading pics again.
Glad tomorrow is Saturday, I'm tired and getting sick, so a day to sleep in will be wonderful.
Till tomorrow....
It was very interesting. The ferry ride took about an hour and once we got to the island we were herded onto a bus, with a driver and a tour guide. We drove all around the island and he was pointing out the school, the church, the cemeteries, lime quarry...he talked about how it was a leper colony until 1931, then during the Second World War they installed bug huge guns and as part of Cape Towns defense. Then in 1959 it became a Maximum Security Prison...I won't give the history lesson here, but if you aren't familiar with it, please do a little research...better yet, read Nelson Mandela's autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom." I highly recommend it. Anyway, I got sidetracked....my point was, as this guy was touring us around the island he was asking for a show of hands as to who was from where and so on, and then he said, well now that I know you all, let me introduce myself I am prisoner number xxxx. The bus fell silent. He was a colored man, who was a political prisoner on Robben Island at the same time Mandela was there. The guy was incredible. He was so nice, and sincere and so positive, he really moved me. After the bus tour of the island, we took a tour inside the prison. Apartheid....I still just can't grasp it....it was just horrendous.
Today...we got tied up in traffic on the way to the creche due to an accident and we were about 40 minutes later than usual. I guess the children thought we weren't coming, because when Susie and I walked into the door, the all started cheering and jumping up and down and then they all ran to us, hugging, grabbing, kissing....they almost knocked us down. It felt so good!
I also realized today that I have become very attached to the sweetest little boy in the daycare room. They one lady I asked said he was a year old (I think he's a little younger) and his name sounds like M-C-C (not sure of the spelling). But he is wonderfully adorable. I'm not even sure if he is orphaned or if he has parents. I figured it was best I didn't know for sure. He seems like an orphan only because he is one of the little babies who just cries all the time unless he is held. I'm not sure if he is HIV+ or not either. But, when I'm outside with our classroom kids and he is out there milling around crying, I always pick him up. Today he fell asleep in my arms and I laid him across my body and held him so I could see his precious face. He has those front four little teeth and he has cute little dimples. He is just too precious. I've held him numerous times before and fed him lunch before....but something clicked with me today. He totally melted my heart. I couldn't take my eyes off of his face, and I couldn't look at him without tears filling my eyes. It's going to be hardest to tell him goodbye in a week.
Anyway, today was more shopping after work. I managed to find the Harley Davidson dealer, so I'll be on Rick's good list when I come home! :) And I'm still on the search for a batter charger for my camera battery. Once I get that, I can start taking and uploading pics again.
Glad tomorrow is Saturday, I'm tired and getting sick, so a day to sleep in will be wonderful.
Till tomorrow....
1 comment:
Hi, Rhonda - I finally had the chance to catch up on your blog from South Africa. What an incredible experience you are having - life changing, I'm sure. I'm sure you are making a difference in the children's lives even though you may not be able to see it. You are giving them a sense of what it is to be valued and to have hope---those are wonderful gifts.
I am just so impressed by your committment and willingness to take on this project. I look forward to reading more.
Take care, Beth
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