Having been home for 3 weeks now and settled back into everyday life I feel it important to reflect on my 3 month South African stay. Before my trip started I had many expectations. I expected to meet some new people, cuddle some babies, experience a new culture and maybe learn a little bit about myself along the way. I never expected to find something that had been absent from my life for all my 21 years. Something I didn't even know was missing...a purpose.
Obviously I'd had goals in my life before...passing school exams, getting into university, studying for my degree...but nothing I have ever achieved until this point fulfilled me the way my work in Munsieville did. For the first time in my life I felt true happiness just solely from the work I was doing. I didn't even think that was possible before. To think that something I was doing could potentially change the lives of some of the Munsieville children, something that didn't even feel like work, is an unparalleled feeling and I am so blessed to have had that opportunity.
I may have given the people of Munsieville 3 months of my life but they have given me something that I will continue to cherish for the rest of my years. My experience changed my life in so many ways.
To the inspiring people of Munsieville,
Thank you for letting me into your lives and becoming my South African family,
Thank you for teaching me so much, not just about the township but about life in general,
Thank you for giving me the confidence to be me,
Thank you for showing me that no matter what life throws at you, no matter how big the struggle, anything can be overcome and there are better days ahead.
Thank you for helping me grow and better equipping me for the challenges I will face in the future.
Thank you for the best 3 months of my life.
I am truly blessed to have met you all and you have enriched my life in a way I can't even explain.
It's not goodbye, it's just "see you soon"!
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
One Key Ingredient For A Successful Creche
Over the past 10 weeks I have visited 10 Munsieville creches, all of which have had one very evident thing in common: a shortage of resources. Some had more than others but for the most part these centres seriously lack the basic ingredients that in more developed societies, would be deemed essential for a child's development and welfare. Old, torn and tattered books (if any), a few broken or dirty toys, no flushing toilet, no running water, a shortage of staff, a serious lack of space. These are just a few of the obstacles that the creches of Munsieville face every day. Yet somehow, in the majority of cases, these creches work in a unique and heart-warming way.
Out of the many things I have learnt from the wonderful people of Munsieville over the last couple of months, the thing I admire most is their amazing ability to take what little material things they do have and turn them into something great. One of the creches I visited which took place in a metal "shack" did not have any form of insulation for the cold winter months so Tsingo, the principal, fixed thick cardboard to the walls to keep in the heat (which worked a treat!) and then painted it beautiful bright colours for the children. Another lady showed me how she'd made various toys such as pretend cookers, cars and telephones out of old cereal boxes. She had done a fantastic job and the children loved play time with these toys! In other creches the children were taught to identify colours using everyday objects or things in nature and taught basic maths using the number of children in the class not with fancy posters and books.
I think there is one reason why the lovely ladies that I've been so blessed to meet recently manage to make their creches work so well. No they don't have fancy toys, brand new colouring pencils or shiny books but they have such a passion in their heart for children that it pulls them through the tough times when there just isn't any money or when the neighbouring creche gets jealous so steals all your toys (yes this has happened to one poor lady). This passion enables them to conjure up ideas for activities and for making their environment safer or more exciting using minimal resources and it allows them to forge a bond with the children in their care so strong that even if their is no loving parent figure in their life, these children can come to creche and feel safe and loved.
Munsieville may be a scary and unsafe place for young children, no one can deny that, but having spent time with the children, got to know the staff and listened to the stories of their heartaches and achievements I can tell you that in a lot of cases, Monday-Friday 8am-4pm there is no happier place for these gorgeous babies to be.
Out of the many things I have learnt from the wonderful people of Munsieville over the last couple of months, the thing I admire most is their amazing ability to take what little material things they do have and turn them into something great. One of the creches I visited which took place in a metal "shack" did not have any form of insulation for the cold winter months so Tsingo, the principal, fixed thick cardboard to the walls to keep in the heat (which worked a treat!) and then painted it beautiful bright colours for the children. Another lady showed me how she'd made various toys such as pretend cookers, cars and telephones out of old cereal boxes. She had done a fantastic job and the children loved play time with these toys! In other creches the children were taught to identify colours using everyday objects or things in nature and taught basic maths using the number of children in the class not with fancy posters and books.
I think there is one reason why the lovely ladies that I've been so blessed to meet recently manage to make their creches work so well. No they don't have fancy toys, brand new colouring pencils or shiny books but they have such a passion in their heart for children that it pulls them through the tough times when there just isn't any money or when the neighbouring creche gets jealous so steals all your toys (yes this has happened to one poor lady). This passion enables them to conjure up ideas for activities and for making their environment safer or more exciting using minimal resources and it allows them to forge a bond with the children in their care so strong that even if their is no loving parent figure in their life, these children can come to creche and feel safe and loved.
Munsieville may be a scary and unsafe place for young children, no one can deny that, but having spent time with the children, got to know the staff and listened to the stories of their heartaches and achievements I can tell you that in a lot of cases, Monday-Friday 8am-4pm there is no happier place for these gorgeous babies to be.
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