“I feel like a tourist. I want to really
get to know the community and the people.”
(my thoughts after two days in Johannesburg, South Africa)
On Monday we had a great day at the Boys
and Girls Clubs of South Africa in Soweto. I was all ready with my Boys and
Girls Club Staff shirt and so excited to be somewhere familiar and comfortable.
I love the work that the Club does and brining this initiative to South Africa
could not have been more appropriate or necessary. Providing a safe space for
youth in struggling communities doesn’t have a price and the benefits are
endless when each day that a child walks inside the club it’s one more day they
are not on the streets or in danger. Empowering youth to make the choice to get
involved in something great is the best gift anyone could provide.
When we arrived the children were so
happy to see us and even if we were tired I found a sense of energy and
excitement. We all thought we’d be
playing with the kids the whole day but there was work to be done! Once we
heard that we were ready to help in any way possible. It was great to give back and soon we were
painting, gardening, cleaning, creating and constructing alongside the kids at
the club. We went full force intent on leaving a legacy and producing finished
products. I think I had the best job of all. Since I had experience with Boys
and Girls Club I was asked to help our supervising and making sure things were
going well. In reality that meant that I should find odd jobs and just enjoy.
My primary job was to take pictures but when that got tiring I had fun
interacting with some of the kids from the club. Instantly they respected me
and together we worked to water plants and clean some of the outdoor games
while talking and having fun. They didn’t even want to let me help because they
were so intent or doing the work themselves. When I saw the pride they had for
their space I was so moved. Often we talk about how resources are being misused
or that there is not enough. Although this building is small the opportunities
it provides can never be stifled. For once this community wins! The kids win!
It gave me hope where sometimes I’ve felt defeated. 
I
loved this day because it was so fun. It was nice to see our whole group come
together. Often we are all working on individual projects or getting together
in small groups. This was a comfortable feeling. It reminded me of City Year (a
year-long full time service program through Americorps) and all the times that
a day of service changed my life. I loved working with the kids to change their
“home away from home” and to leave my mark. It didn’t have to be big or extravagant
by any means but knowing that our time and energy would help them in some way
made me smile. This familiar feeling was just what I needed. It felt so good to
be back there, even if just in my mind.
Leaving was the hardest part. After
working, dancing, eating, singing and having fun just hanging out we had to get
back on the bus. With our new Boys and Girls Clubs shirts and our hearts filled
with emotion we slowly got on the bus. It was so hard to leave because even
after only one day the kids were attached to us and we loved them so much; I’ll
never forget their smiles even when I get
home. They asked us if we’d return the next day and some of the younger
ones cried. I couldn’t believe that we had made such a big impact but I knew it
felt good although at the same time it was so difficult knowing that this was
only temporary. I guess everything is in some respect. Now that I understand
the difficulties of growing up in the townships I realize how important and
exceptional this day was for the kids. In a world where kids are expected to
grow up so quickly and the boundaries between childhood, adolescence and
adulthood are not always clear, it can mean the so much just to be a kid. I
learned that there is immeasurable value in making a child feel safe, important
and protected. I definitely got my wish and had a chance to be more than a
tourist and I couldn’t be more appreciate of being welcomed into a community as
an equal and made to feel at home. I am so lucky!
No comments:
Post a Comment