Kayamandi weekend

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Slightly different weekend so far to the Cape Town trips I've become used to! Am staying in Kayamandi this weekend. Last night was spent in one of the township bars...its a buzzing atmosphere. It's predominantly male, and pretty overwhelming when you walk in, but again host bro and friends look after us like royalty...if anyone tries their luck that they don't approve of, they get rid of them very sharpish. Very bizarre African dancing which made me giggle. Some wonderful conversations, the older kids who are studying are so passionate about politics, other countries etc, they all talk about wanting to travel and visit other countries, but taking a holiday is almost unheard of. It was difficult trying to come up with an idea for some creative writing in the week as the children's experiences are so narrow.

Today was a a 'party' at the creche! A group of Afrikaans uni students from Stellenbosch had come to clean the creche as part of a project and a few of the volunteers around this weekend went along to help...not quite a party but got to meet some decent people who have offered to show us round Stellenbosch Uni night life next week.

Going into the class alone yesterday to fifty children was a big hurdle. Teacher Pam had to go and see a pyschologist as her own daughter is having problems and I offered to take the class, so brought it on myself...I just cant stand the idea that some of the keen and very clever children who come to our computer class at the end of the day have not had one teacher all day, and this happens to the same child more than once a week. The lovely girl that came to fetch me said 'o I'm so sorry Miss but they will be really naughty for you'...fantastic! Corporal punishment was only recently made illegal. As the children see that as the only form of discipline, most of the teachers still walk around with a stick or piece of rubber...fortunately not seen it used, but have seen a few kids being pinched under the arm til they wince with pain. It was not easy. As any class back at home that has had no teacher in it for an hour, they were running riot. It actually worked in my favour that two kids were beating the crap out of each other with parts of the desk as it made me shout and it quietened down the rest. It made me see just how respectful the children are and the fact that they all want to work, jus need someone there to tell them to do it. Really enjoyed being with them in the end.

Had a few problems with the lack of electricity in the school this week (its really intermittent, disappears now and again...nobody knows why or how to fix it). Been resorting to playing hangman.

Tomorrow the creche are having a fashion show...the lil ones are parading in front of the parents that are coming to watch. Lilltle Lulutho has been practising and he has been brought a new top, which he gets out the bag to show me every half an hour...then folds so carefully before putting it back in its bag ready to take in another half an hour!

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Photos

Class 7A, Ikaya Primary School
These are such a lovely group, a mixture of very advanced, and those who are massively struggling

Abonga
She's one of the stars who's awesome at English, and top on the computer and has been desperate for me to take a pic of her to show James, who she's has been emailing!

New hair do
The girls are always doing something new to my hair. The result is not usually a good look! Also made me realise the pain lil Kate felt when I used to get the brush stuck in her hair then try and yank it out!

Enathi and co
This task took two hours..taking out all of Enathi's plaits. The girls were singing the whole time!

Pre-dinner boogie
The girls having a random dance in the kitchen with Mama Zoleka..the African women tend to just burst randomly into song and dance

Trip to Stellenbosch
Phumza (lives down the road), Anathi (Aimee and Fenja's host sis, who has also been adopted after her mother died of aids), Fenja, Aimee, (two German volunteers) Enathi (host sis), Silge (housemate from Norway), me

Comments

[Shirty]

Trouble
Em, Thank you for the latest blog entry. Once again, it was interesting to read of your recent experiences in South Africa. Here, on this wet but mild Sunday morning, routine continues to dictate proceedings with the masses trying desperately to cling on to what is left of their weekends. We still haven't gripped your readers by the balls where this comment facility is concerned, have we? You must take the blame for that. Warmest wishes, as always, Shirty.

[Jim]

Campaign for open debate
Shirt, I am in complete agreement with your comments on the previous journal, the potential for open debate is rife and I am pleased to see that the clacton-on-sea contingent are also keen for such a forum. Em, give the people what they want, set us free....we implore you! Jimx

[Mitch Bundy]

"Give her a break Shirty!"
Em, I don't know how you have the energy to keep us as up to date as you do, some of those Class 7 lads look a handful! Am enjoying your brother and James's anecdotes, even if they are a little harsh - they both have far too much time on their hands!!!! Hope you got my e-mail and that your tummy troubs are over - keep safe, love The Bundy's

[Howesy]

Thank you!
Thank you heaps for all yor messages and emails, very much appreciated! The address for those that want it is: Emma Howes c/o Zoleka and Philip Mpemnyama D145 Monde Crescent Kayamandi Stellenbosch Cape Town South Africa There will be a place in Kayamandi that would be able to make use of anything: pens; toys; clothes etc. Thank you for the thought. Let me know if anything is sent and I'll keep checking at the post office... Keep me posted! Love love love, Em x