Concordia Township Volunteer Work

Well I finally arrived down the garden route and made it to Knysna and was greeted by a stunning sunset view from the  balcony by my room at the volunteer house...always a good sign of things to come:-) 

Below is the front of our house just off Mount Joy (so positive...another sign perhaps haha). Its just 10 minutes from the waterfront and based at the bottom of the township in concordia, talk about poles apart within the space walking a few km. 

Took a stroll down the waterfront the first morning we arrived and had the pleasure of a local guy singing ...in the jungle (I thought if I sang along people may throw him a few more coins to stop me hehe!)

Then come Monday morning let the fun begin...meeting members of my new pre-school class at concordia creche. When you walk into a room of smiling children how could you want to be anywhere else?!

 We had a busy morning getting to know each other...the children are Afrikanns or Xhosa influenced by the theri heritage and there are no white children at the township pre-school. The children mix well here which also shows how things are moving in the right direction in this country after a chequered past.

This is Miche showing off her drawing based on the topic...my family:-)

Amy and Chloe play on the tyres outside  with a classmate...

 

I spend Tuesday mornings working with different groups of children learning them sounds and assessing their understanding in fun ways with Sharon the project co-ordinator who also volunteers there one day a week.

Look at these cheeky ladies shying away whilst eating lunch after a busy morning learning!!!

Infact it's that tough...later in the afternoon they are encouraged to have a little sleep... (although everyday so far I see a few cheeky waves, smiles and wriggly children!)

 It has been even more fun as we can learn and play outside in the sunshine, the children learn and remember things best through repetition and singsongs, so unfortunately for them they hear my singing voice daily...factor 2014 here I come!

 I am also having to do my homework and trying to learn Afrikaans and Xhosa which is sometimes difficult sussing which child speaks which language and the pronunciation is comical as you can imagine, made even harder by the fact that in Xhosa the children speak with 'clicks' which is a skill in itself!!

 

There is definitely lots to learn about this country and its many cultures... check it out

 http://www.sahistory.org.za/people-south-africa/xhosa

 Below is the routine for the young ones in the class next door to my little angels, from aged 2. The routine in my class looks a little different as it's more educationally challenging for the older children aged upto 6 and is also written in Afrikaans.

Again the children are challenged as they are learning to pronounce things in Xhosa, Afrikaans and English, which is incredible considering the 2 teachers in the school only speak either Xhosa or Afrikaans and sometimes can't understand each others language...least its gives me a chance to learn from both!

The teachers are able to make a few resource copies for the children to share at the library next to the school, as you can imagine they are on an incredible small budget and can rarely print, with extra copies often being paid for from their own small wages.

 The school often has upto 100 children split between two classrooms with 1 teacher in each, each room is about 6m length by 4m wide (makes me wonder how we ever complained about lack of space and resources at college!).  Tiny space for so many children, all of which do activities inside when its cold wrapped up in their well worn oversized coats and jumpers oh and of course woolly hats  (cold is anything below 12 degrees! )

The teachers are very dedicated and try hard to create a positive learning environment whilst facing challenging circumstances themselves particularly regarding trying to fund their studies to learn to teach. They also face problems when parents do not pay the small school fee asked of them which is used for food and resources for the children, and to fund the 2 teachers.

After a busy week learning spellings, numbers, 3 languages and general social skills, on fridays the children get to go to the local soccer field down the road, 100 children masses of space and to top it off its all made of sand...what a fun day. 

They climb and run around lots...mostly where they shouldn't be:-)

The mottley crew.... Iminathi, Siphelile, Sbabalo and Dodo are incrediblly loveable rogues who are always dancing inbetween causing chaos:-) 

  

Iman found some piping in the sand and was pretending to be a cowboy...erm watch out kids!!!!!

How can you not feel happy seeing a smile like this little lady in my class:-)

 One of the things that has struck me most is the love and affection that these children radiate and want to share, and although they have very little within the township environment, they have the biggest hearts and are incredibly resilient.

( Two boys from the class next door looking out onto the soccer field, I love this picture...if only I could read their minds...)

Some of my little cherubs sat back in the classroom having lunch....

 Before spending a little time outside during play time...

 .....and again, I get showered with cuddles!! One of the children said on the way back from the field today that today has been 'Lekker!' which means good and gave me the thumbs up...yep they make my heart melt!  They really do appreciate the time spent with them and despite the hardships that many of them face, you don't hear them complain and that is incredibly refreshing to see children wanting to make the most of any situation and get involved :-)

 The townships are huge and cannot be captured on camera, its a mix of wooden shacks and newer builds that are being developed as a result of initiatives and charity work to help provide safer, cleaner living environments....much needed for warmth through the winter and striving to provide families with toilet facilities within their own homes rather than several metres up/down the hill.

 

As I leave the children for another day, sent of with waves, smiles and kisses being blown my way, I am also blessed to hear a few cheeky voices singing a new song they have learnt and repeat to me daily...haha xxx

I must be honest, I am so lucky to have this opportunity to not only try to enhance the children's personal and social development during my time here, but I am also learning so much about them and their way of life and I appreciate and look forward to each day I can spend with them and see them grow.

I will post again with more updates on the activities within the township and the events myself and another volunteer in my house Rachel are wanting to do, to use some of the monies donated to gather and feed children within the wider community within a fun day setting to support that township spirit:-) 

PS. Any posts on activity suggestions, songs etc would all be greatly appreciated and i'll give them a try with the lil ones:-) xxx