Last year I didn't know what to expect going into service week. As we entered into Sir Lowry's Pass, a township on the outskirts of Cape Town, I was uneasy about going into a third world community as a group of 50 privileged white Americans. When we got there I couldn't believe how welcomed we were by the community. Dozens of kids chased the bus in and out of the elementary school entrance, the families we visited were thrilled to have us, and never once did I feel unsafe. Our daily schedule was playing with kids for an hour and a half, then breaking into groups and visiting the family's home that we were assigned to for the week. It was a great experience getting to know Mrs. Honne's family for the week, but at the end of the five days I found myself questioning if we had accomplished anything. Questioning if we had benefited the community at all.
It took me coming back to Sir Lowry's a second time to see the impact that Global LEAD has here. As we came in on Monday it was like Deja Vu. Kids chasing the bus, being greeted by the community with the song "Making Melodies in My Heart", and kids grabbing the first hands they could as we came off the bus. My role during service week was different this year though. Instead of playing with the kids my job was to take pictures of the students playing with kids. Instead of connecting with a certain family my job was to bounce around the community to make sure that everyone was safe and comfortable. However, this role quickly let me see the big picture. I saw and heard so many things that made me realize we do make an impact in Sir Lowry's Pass, and its a big one.
As I walked into Mrs. Avirl's home one day to check on the group, she was standing in her kitchen holding a letter that a student and a really good friend of mine from last year had written. She was going on and on about how much she loved Vic and how great she was. When I told her that Vic was my friend she got so excited she was basically screaming at me. Then she showed me a stack of pictures she had of students from last year and I would point and say their names, "Olivia." "Nikitta." Her reaction was the same every time. "YOU KNOW OLIVIA. OHHHH I LOVE HER. SHE SO GREAT." That's when it hit me that we aren't just sitting in these homes having meaningless conversation. Our presence here means so much to them.
A ten year old boy Liten came up and grabbed my hand everyday. He was always the first one to greet me off the bus. I couldn't get him to speak much, but his face was always kind of puffy. I am not sure from some sort of illness or abuse, but for a ten year old boy to seek out the one guy over 40 beautiful American girls for a hand to grab is saying something big. I just don't know what.
A girl told one of our students, "I Iove it when you guys come because it's the only time I get hugs."
The notes that these children wrote our students were incredible. Telling them that they are beautiful. Telling them they are the nicest person they've ever met. Telling them that they loved them. These kids were constantly trying to show us their gratitude, in whatever way they could.
These are just a few of the things that made me realize the impact we have here. Just our attention towards these kids and telling them we loved them gave them a sense of self worth that they might only get once a year. Giving these families an opportunity to share their homes and stories with us is something they never forget or take for granted.
This week once again grew my love for this job, Cape Town, Global LEAD, and for service.
If you guys want to see more pictures from my week then you can check out my album on Facebook or take a look at the Global LEAD Springbok Service Week album. They are all my pictures as well!
https://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.10151510055397428.1073741833.144296202427&type=1
Thank you guys for the constant prayer and support!
