Bring On The Kids

Since our big game park weekend, the latest adventure that Simone and I have been dealing with has sadly been illness. Simone has been battling the flu for the last three days so that has left us a bit sidelined. But to help us from getting cabin fever, we have been trying to take little trips to new places. I’m still not a huge fan of city living but one perk is that every place of social interest is typically only ten to fifteen minutes away. As a starter, we have been visiting many of the numerous shopping plazas and trying out the different South African restaurants. This has been very hopefully at making me feel more at home in Johannesburg.

With a bit of the week behind us, today was a day that I was both looking extremely forward to and very scared of at the first time. After several much needed flu recovery days we were finally ready to start working with the kids at Sparrow Village. Thankfully, our skills with the manual transmission have improved to the point where we can navigate the highway and traffic well enough to get us back and forth to volunteering. Having the driving obstacle overcome relieves a lot of stress for me but I was still nervous about how I might find myself working around the kids at Sparrow. Little did I know, I was about to jump in head first to the experience

As Simone and I made our way to the study center (pictured below) we were informed that most of the children did not have school today due to a recent teachers’ strike so rather than working with the average dozen kids at a time, the study center was packed with almost all of the children of the Sparrow Community. We made our way in and were introduced to Stacey, another American volunteer. Stacey was quick to introduce us to the children and give us the simple overview of the situation. The room head children of every age and grade and if they were in need of help; all we needed to do was look for a raised hand. Doesn’t sound too bad… Of course as soon as we were introduced as new tutors from American, hands began shooting up all over the room seeking our help.
At first sight of all the kids, I thought that I was in way over my head. Simone was heading off in one direction to help a group with her much sought after Afrikaans knowledge, but what was I good for. Thankfully, I had the kids on my side. Bright-eyed and smiling, several young students lead me over to their desks to assist with their assignment. Before I had enough time to question my abilities to help, two young girls, Jackie and Lunga were talking through their assignments and I was helping them to unravel where they were stuck. It felt so good to see their happiness when I was able to push them along to solving a problem or answering a question. It was a great achievement for them, but I don’t think they knew how much of they had done for me.

Soon enough, the kids were finishing up most of their assignments and leaving for the day. The once filled study hall was emptying out and Simone and I were straightening things up when we noticed a little shy boy who had wandered in nervously clutching his notebook. Little Simon, was there to practice his counting and writing his letters. The innocence of Simon (pictured below) and the smile on his face as we helped him to write his own name melted my heart. It was this moment—this little boy—that made me recall what this trip was all about. All I can say now is bring on the kids. :)
Hoop julle almal is goed! (Hope you all are well in Afrikaans)