Branching out
Yesterday proved to be an emotional day. Laura and I have begun volunteering at a children's home in the city. Laura has been assigned to a group of either 4-6 or 7-10 year olds, but to whom she hasn't yet been introduced (there was a scheduling mishap). Meanwhile, my afternoon was incredible. I've fallen in love with all 12 or 13 of the little tots I've been assigned, the "tweenies" as they are called (the 2-4 year olds). The mistress to this bunch seems pretty cold thus far, though it may be a "chicken and the egg" sort of thing, I don't know .... But as soon as I arrived, welcomed by their smiles and eager waves, and one boy pumelling/hugging me, I knew it was going to be really hard to go wrong with these kids. After introducing myself (I've been branded "Auntie Allison"), I was treated to a never-ending rendition of "Teensey Weensey Spider, Old Macdonald, Johnny Appleseed, Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Twinkle, Twinkle ...." Just my smiles, eye-contact, and general interest (including my sad attempts to mimic their hand dances) were enough to delight them.
After this, I was pretty much left to my own devices, which normally would make me nervous (my experience with kids, as most of you know, is very limited - hi Ceili!!). But the reality is (and I quickly caught on to this) that all these kids want is some individual attention, usually in the form of hugs and snuggles. And WOW, do these kids ever know how to hug! They latch on and don't want to let go, though it can be a struggle, as they often have to contend with the others pulling at their ankles, eager for a turn. I would be lying if I said I didn't think it was darling. I've already mastered balancing one toddler on one hip, and a second on the other. They are remarkably light! I even had to overcome my irrational disgust of bathrooms, finding myself during bathtime on the tile floor entertaining 7 or more kids on my lap (some freshly washed, some still grubby), all wanting to touch my face and play with my hair (they are fascinated by the jewellry in my nose and ears, and one boy looked like he could stroke my hair for days). Normally this would be a nightmare for me, but ... well, it just wasn't.
On a sadder note, they of course all have tragic stories, which I'm sure you can gather - it's probably fortunate that we aren't given the details of the individual kids. It's fairly obvious once you've interacted with them, however, that a few have experienced more than their share of the darker side of life. One little kid has to drag herself around with her upper body to get anywhere, as there's no mobility in the lower extremities (due to what, I'm not sure). Yet there was no wheelchair or crutches to be seen. As long as you wait, though, she's happy (she just hates being the last one in/out from playtime).
After arriving home, I couldn't stop thinking about the tweenies. I missed them. This morning I still miss them - I wish I were with them this very second. *Sigh* And their toys ... their sad little toys - everything (not that there's much) is falling apart. Usually they play with something that once was a piece of some unidentifiable toy, but now is just a piece of plastic. I realize I can't show up every week with a shiny new toy, but I'm going to do what I can, whether it's just bringing some sidewalk chalk or dresses for their dolls. I don't doubt it will help at least a little.
Laura and I will keep you posted on this new aspect of our lives here in Durban. I think we are both relieved to at last be making some sort of contribution to this place, being as lucky to be here as we are. Christina too may enlist herself to tutor some of the older girls, as there is a real need for that as well. She'll happily leave playtime to Laura and me, and we'll happily leave the homework to her!
Peace and love,
Allison
After this, I was pretty much left to my own devices, which normally would make me nervous (my experience with kids, as most of you know, is very limited - hi Ceili!!). But the reality is (and I quickly caught on to this) that all these kids want is some individual attention, usually in the form of hugs and snuggles. And WOW, do these kids ever know how to hug! They latch on and don't want to let go, though it can be a struggle, as they often have to contend with the others pulling at their ankles, eager for a turn. I would be lying if I said I didn't think it was darling. I've already mastered balancing one toddler on one hip, and a second on the other. They are remarkably light! I even had to overcome my irrational disgust of bathrooms, finding myself during bathtime on the tile floor entertaining 7 or more kids on my lap (some freshly washed, some still grubby), all wanting to touch my face and play with my hair (they are fascinated by the jewellry in my nose and ears, and one boy looked like he could stroke my hair for days). Normally this would be a nightmare for me, but ... well, it just wasn't.
On a sadder note, they of course all have tragic stories, which I'm sure you can gather - it's probably fortunate that we aren't given the details of the individual kids. It's fairly obvious once you've interacted with them, however, that a few have experienced more than their share of the darker side of life. One little kid has to drag herself around with her upper body to get anywhere, as there's no mobility in the lower extremities (due to what, I'm not sure). Yet there was no wheelchair or crutches to be seen. As long as you wait, though, she's happy (she just hates being the last one in/out from playtime).
After arriving home, I couldn't stop thinking about the tweenies. I missed them. This morning I still miss them - I wish I were with them this very second. *Sigh* And their toys ... their sad little toys - everything (not that there's much) is falling apart. Usually they play with something that once was a piece of some unidentifiable toy, but now is just a piece of plastic. I realize I can't show up every week with a shiny new toy, but I'm going to do what I can, whether it's just bringing some sidewalk chalk or dresses for their dolls. I don't doubt it will help at least a little.
Laura and I will keep you posted on this new aspect of our lives here in Durban. I think we are both relieved to at last be making some sort of contribution to this place, being as lucky to be here as we are. Christina too may enlist herself to tutor some of the older girls, as there is a real need for that as well. She'll happily leave playtime to Laura and me, and we'll happily leave the homework to her!
Peace and love,
Allison
posted by AXL in Africa at
10:17 AM
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