Upon arriving to Welcome Primary School, where we at Balwearie have been communicating with for over a year and have raised money for, we were greeted with a full school assembly at which the kids performed various dances and songs for us. Tears were flowing all around, particularly when we presented the school with sports equipment and a new computer and printer. You couldn't imagine how grateful they were and how it felt to give them something that you know they would value so much.
After the assembly we were split into pairs into various grade classes (grades in South Africa go from 1 to 7, just like in Scottish Primary schools, but the kids are a year or two older than our kids in those respective years) where we watched the lessons and helped them wherever we could- not just with their work, but with their understanding of Scottish slang! (That part was pure barry likes).
At break time the pupils swarmed around us to give us hugs and little bracelets or sweets; they asked our names and what we wanted to be and they seemed genuinely interested and it was so lovely to watch them get so excited about our arrivals and what our culture was like compared to their own.
Though we were there to help them and teach them, it can't go without being said that they weren't the only ones to learn something today. In only one day we've all learned a lot about their lives and their educations, and we're excited to learn more!
After finishing at the school for the first day, we dropped in at the GCU sports center. There was skipping, dancing, drama, gymnastics, football, softball- it's safe to say you couldn't be bored. The kids were, like at Welcome, absolutely lovely and so enthusiastic to get to know us. It always seems like no matter how long we spend at each place it's never long enough. Africa is going to be sorely missed.
Rachel and Jodie
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