My Favorite SIX!

#1-Kayamandi Township

The minute we turned the corner in Kayamandi this little girl came barreling down the street and ran right into my arms. She knew what we were there for and even though she lives in the township her smile is bigger than anything I have ever seen. It is one of the greatest memories I have of Kayamandi.

#2- Cape Agulhas

It’s just in my blood to love all the educational parts of holiday. And this is one of the coolest things I can say I did. Even though many people don’t think it is, I have to picture myself on a map and realize where I was. Then it makes it even more significant to me.

#3-Simbarashe

Sweet. Quiet. Innocent. This picture shows nothing more than a grade 3 boy working hard. It shows nothing of his economic status or family structure. He is just a young boy in school. That is a big thing that I remembered to take with me each day that I went to school. These children love school and the love that we gave those couple weeks made things a little brighter.

#4-Musa and I

Sweet and super quiet Musa. I never remember her saying anything in class, yet she is a pistol outside. She can put the boys in place but is kind and shares everything. She lives in the township, but that never shows on how she conducts herself at school. Every day as I crossed the students to the other side of the street, she stopped and gave me a hug. She was always my line leader. On my last day she was really sad and as I walked them all out one last time I looked down at her face to see her checks all wet. I told them all I needed one more hug before we left and as she did she quickly went to line up to cross the street. Many students kept telling me Musa was crying, and before this I was not crying but looking at her sweet face wet from tears I couldn’t hold it in. I crossed the street one more time with them, and got down to her level. I told her I loved her and would never forget her and that I would send a friend next year to say hello. As her taxi drove away I screamed one last time a final goodbye and a sweet smile came across her face.

#5-The Saunders

More than I could have ever hoped for a host family. They were so involved with us and wanted to know so much about everything we were learning. On of final day they told us how special we were to them and gave us all South African braclets. The house was going to be much quieter without us, a big change to what it had been like and they made sure we knew the significance we made in their lives. As we said out final goodbyes, the three of us in tears, Lincoln started tearing up. That says a lot.

#6- Elsja and Ida’s Vallei Girls

Never have I ever felt more welcomed and loved by some of the staff at Ida’s Valley. There were many teachers who were so excited to have us in their school, and Elsja took that to a whole new level. She welcomed us with open arms, even though she wasn’t a teacher and just the Community Keeper. This went far beyond what we ever expected; she even took us out one afternoon for wine tasting, ice cream and a walk in the park.