Africa
Volunteering abroad is life changing, and makes you feel important and proud. My journey in South Africa made me realise how fragile life can be, and the significance of water, and the countless items more developed countries take for granted.
In Venda, South Africa I had the opportunity to work in a school close to my African home, where each classroom consisted an overwhelming number of children with various age ranges. I specifically chose to work in the preschool, where they lacked help.
The school ground consists of two buildings side by side, with two classrooms in each, which are divided by age difference. And a newly built playground to put a smile on the children's faces.
Everyday Papa (my host father) would drop 60-70 kids off at the school at a time, which saved the parents from the long treks. Watching all of these children exit the waggon was quite the uncommon sight
Before Africa I didn't have much experience with such young children, but entering the program I wanted to see what the life of a child living in Africa was really like, other than what we see and perceive on television.
First day at the school I was taking care of 14 babies all under the age of 1, and became supermom in an instant. As I was feeding one baby I would also be holding another baby who was fast asleep, and have another baby playing with my shiny sandals (which I wore on purpose to amuse them)
South Africa is spoiled with fruits that you can pick directly off of the trees. This nectar (orange) grows with a green layer surrounding it and is enriched with natural sugars, and they taste etremely sweet.
Starting to wonder where I went to the bathroom? well....it was not the greatest experience, and I would have rather gone elsewhere, and they were situated only a few steps from my house, but this shack was horrific. First off, I was not the only one in there half the time, and what I mean by that is I have occasionally seen a rat crawl out of there while approaching "the shack", but little hook locks did exist on the door which gave me some peace at mind. The toilet is a big cement slab with a little square in the middle meaning its going to be quite cold to sit on.
Strong stomach? I hope so...introducing the delicious chicken foot! yes it's true, they will eat every part of a chicken, and the leftovers are very cheap for the Venda people. As for myself I have a pretty strong stomach, but watching a chickens head be decapitated from its body by a butter knife I thought twice about eating that chicken.
This is what you see no matter what direction you turn your head, and it is beautiful. Once in a while a thunderhead will roll in, and echo throughout the village, and after the kids run by you screaming and yelling you can enjoy a magnificant lightning show. My house consisted of a tin roof which is extremely loud when it rains, and you can lay there watching all the geckos gather on the wood holding your roof up sheilding themselves from the rain, but they will fall every so often so heads up!
This is a backview of the building where I resided, and the furthest one is the actual house, the beige house is where the water and car are stored, and the hut furthest to the left is where the cooking happens.
This had to be worn. The Africans absolutely love bright colours, and will ask you if they can have certain items of yours, which will make them extremely happy and gratefull.
Meckadzie was a little girl that I became very attached to as she needed attention constantly, and refused to be put down. She had so much character to her that I wnated to learn more about where she came from so I took a local cab with her and her mother for the day, and we talked for hours. I learned that her mother is struggling to clothe her baby girl so I took a few trips into town to purchase the much needed items.
This picture resembles how fragile life is, and how a helping hand can go so far.
Most Venda people will have only dried out corn to live off of over the duration of their life, and keep large amounts of it close by where they can guard it from the theifs known as pigeons. This corn is thrown into boiling water over a hot open fire where it forms into a white paste known as PAP that can be molded into any shape, and is typically dunked or mixed into food to cover the taste, which you get used to after a while.
While at the gas station I took this photo because this is what you will see everywhere. The Africans use the strength of their neck for everything, and carry their babies on their backs with towels wrapped around their bodies to secure them. I also felt very nervous that they fill up the vehicles while they are still runing!
Typical recess during school hours. Swings made out of tires, chains, and wood. Not the usual Canadian plastic playground.
Baby Meckadzie fast asleep in my arms. This picture does not show the other 15 babies I was caring for all at once....indeed...it was alot of crying and PAP time, but they needed me.
Did I mention how astonishing the plant life is? well its something you will see everythwere, and the lushness is mind blowing.
The radio was playing loud from the garage, and I was happy to finally hear a song in English...."stop right now" by the Spice Girls, and I was one happy Canadian and felt at home. I danced with my two favourite girls and taught them the dance moves, and had some fun!
The Backpacks were hung on nails in the wall, which looked like they could fall out anytime, and was extremely dangerous for the children, but they make do with what little they have. The children will most likely possess these packs until they have graduated from highschool due to the fact that they are hard to come by, and most Africans cannot afford the 11Rand to take a cab downtown and purchase a new one.
I was fortunate enough to wake up to a massive spider creeping along my beroom wall....I had no idea what to do, and I sure wasnt going to kill that thing with my sandal! Africans enjoy the company of such species as they ward off unwanted insects, The spider was gently removed with a big broom.
These were by buddies for the entire month. Ronda on the left was the daughter of our housekeeper, and her best friend on the right. They are extremely energetic and they love to play and attempt to communicate with you. If visiting I would strongly suggest you bring more durable toys as they will use it until its worn out such as baseballs, tennis balls, bouncy balls, skipping ropes, and beads.
PUTTING A SMILE ON THIS BABIES FACE...PRICELESS
