After many years of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC) brought an end to the apartheid in 1994 when Nelson Mandela won the presidential election. While this was a huge step toward achieving racial equality within the country, there were many negative side effects that quickly ensued in this post-apartheid nation. As part of their effort to end discrimination, the ANC promised their followers housing in exchange for their votes. This proposal was, reasonably so, very appealing to many South Africans and helped the ANC gain power in the government during the 90s. The one issue? They never followed through with their promise of providing housing to their supporters. And thus began the formation of squatter camps — settlements with shacks made of wood, cardboard, tin and scrap material — that house many South African families who are still waiting for the fulfillment of the housing promises made to them over two decades ago by the ANC.
This is a brief summary of the cultural briefing I was given by my ministry host just last weekend, in preparation for my new ministry — teaching at a primary school in the middle of a South African squatter camp! I had my first day of school this past Monday! My team and I hopped on a little bus and headed to the school where we will be serving for the remainder of our time in South Africa (approximately 7 weeks). Each of us have our own classroom full of students that we have the opportunity to serve and assist in teaching each day. I walked into my class on the first day and was greeted by the biggest smiles of 20 kindergarteners! If you know me, you know that this was a dream! come! true!
In just the first week of this new ministry, I’ve found myself walking further and further into the abandonment of my selfish desires. On our first morning, we were warned to put up our hair before going to school, in an effort to protect ourselves from lice (which half of our squad has already battled — twice). One thing I learned however, is that my little girls love to play with hair! And I realized that I’d get lice everyday if it meant that they would understand their worth just a little bit more and know just how much love I have for them. So, I left my hair down. On the second day, the little boys in my class kept pushing the buttons on my watch, which would change the time, and I kept having to change it back. I won’t lie, after the 6th time, I was getting a bit annoyed, and decided that I would just leave my watch in my pocket the next day. When I walked in without it on, one of the boys said “Teacher, where is your watch?” with a sad and confused look on his face. And that’s when I decided that I’d rather wear my watch and keep having to fix the time if it means they get to push the watch buttons and hear the little beep they make — because if it’s going to make them smile, I’m here for it.
We spent this week learning about different types of insects. We colored butterflies and caterpillars and hung them up with string around the room. They learned to add to and subtract from 10 using old bottle caps. We ran around and jumped and skipped on the playground for hours. We learned nursery rhymes and read storybooks and did all the things kindergarteners do. Only 2 of the kids in my class speak English, which can be difficult at times. Through this, however, I’m learning that love knows no language. I don’t have to speak Xhosa or Afrikaans to show my love for them, to hug them goodbye, to wink at them when I catch them staring at me, to laugh when they make a funny face, to give them a thumbs up when they complete their work, or to smile back at them when they’re smiling at me.
In order to protect these children from the horrible impacts of human trafficking, we’ve been asked not to post pictures of our students’ faces. But take my word for it — they’re beautiful. They have the biggest smiles, and the brightest, most inquisitive eyes that are yearning for love in such a broken and hurting world. And over these next 7 weeks, I’m hoping to show them that. I have decided that I will do literally whatever it takes to show these kids what true love looks like — even if it means getting lice, breaking my watch, or having bruises from being tackled on the playground every day.
My class will have their kindergarten graduation at the end of next month, and I am so thrilled to be here for it! Until then, I will continue to keep you posted on what my life as a kindergarten teacher is looking like!
Also, I am just $1,477 short of being fully funded! Thank you to everyone who has supported me! I am so thankful for the sacrifices you’ve made to allow me to be here and experience these things!
Much love and many thanks,
Caroline 🙂
