Our First Week in South Africa

July 17, 2008
It's interesting for me to sit down and think about all that we did as a team today. I’ve always tried to keep a journal, but usually what I write seems insignificant and repetitive when I read it later. Interestingly enough, I have confidence that to sit down and write about a day in Malungeni will bring nothing but reflection upon challenges that have been faced, memories that have been made, lives that have been impacted and countless laughs in between.

After the now routine breakfast and morning gathering around the coffee pot like it is a watering hole, Erin and I embark on an adventure that we would have had no way for which to prepare. Providing day care was our team’s idea for the smaller children of the community and we knew it could have literally gone in any direction. Olga assured us that the mamas were all coming and that it would be a success. Armed with the plethora of supplies and goodies from Elsa, Mary Juan and Wendy, we head over to the community center with Michael to set up for the day. When the first two children arrive we try to encourage hopscotch but it seems that the only person interested in that game is our old and friendly toothless friend who came in from the road to see what was going on inside the center. Although we got a lot of blank stares and tears at first, it seemed that once more kids came and they warmed up to us a little bit, both the mamas and their children were really enjoying this break from their regimented lives. We used paint, crayons, chalk, colored pencils, little spiky balls, stickers and songs to entertain the children and when it was time, Michael saved the day and relieved the kids with a snack of PB sandwich-quarters and water. Ryan and Elsa also made cameo appearances to film, attempt the hokey-pokey and hold babies. It looks as if we will be doing this again with the children and I am definitely confident that it will be a lot easier the second or even third time around.

The work on the community center, in other news, looks truly incredible. After a little more than two days of work, it seems that a little motivation and cement was all it took for some of the “soccer boys” to get working on the bleachers of the center. I was truly amazed to see this progress.

After a little break back at the guest house, Ryan, Erin and I went back for the “extra-mural” activities at school. Chan flaked on the drama class, so Erin would be joining us to help with “the sport.” From the start, Ryan made clear I was the coach and it was pretty funny to see the expression on the boys’ faces when they discovered that a girl would be the one directing them. Ryan led a quick warm-up and we divided up the 30-or-so young boys into teams and just started to play. I was so pleased to see the skill that they have and sincerely hope that someday it can be channeled and they can go as far as they want in the sport. With a little refinement and direction, these boys all seem to have the talent to go very far in the game. As Rebecca was explaining to me, they all wish so deeply for a coach to provide this for them in their after-school activities. It was incredible to even see the conditions that they played on: the field was scattered with huge rocks and at some points the grass was knee high. Most of the kids didn’t even have proper cleats and just played in their school uniforms and bare feet. It is clear that they all have a clear and unrelenting passion for the “greatest game.”

After a little sun shower experiment, Danice treated us all to another brilliant (but lamb-less) dinner and we were all able to recount our experiences from the day and unwind. Olga and Nkulie definitely got a kick out of seeing Ryan’s footage from the day care.

Everyday here is such an opportunity to learn more and more, not only about myself but also a culture so different from what I am used to. It will not be the showers, the school’s questionable teaching methods or what kind of ride we got into town that truly matter in the long run. I can only continue to hope that the work that I am doing with these children that I am so enjoying, is truly something that will leave a lasting and positive impact for them as well.

-Cara Daley