Journey back to PA

My journey back to the states will begin on Wednesday morning when I fly to Jo'berg at 6 am. I leave the following day in the PM to fly to Atlanta and from there to Philly. I am scheduled to arrive in Philly Friday at 11 am.

Summing up my trip

I'm sad to say that my last teaching day was yesterday. It was going to be on Monday, but I found out that there is a national holiday here, Women's Day, so there is no school. On Tuesday, Vicky has something planned for me and I'm not sure what that is. She says it's a surprise!

The teachers and students were all so wonderful during my teaching time. The kids were trying there best to speak English and I was helping them every day with their communication skills. The teachers had so many questions about what we do in the states and I would continuously give "mini" workshops to them sharing information about how our teachers plan their lessons, manage the classroom, and assess the students. Everyone at the school was very appreciative and thankful. Additionally, I've collected many letters and drawings from students at Vuzamanzi Primary School and will share these with students back home. I'm very excited to make a connection between the students.

It also appears that there will be a room at the school that will be dedicated to a school library! There is a small room off of the computer lab that will be turned into a library. They will start putting in shelves as they can. This room is the most secure since it's next to the lab and hopefully no one will be able to break in and take the books. The first shipment of books also arrived when I did! It was really cool to pick them up at the post office and take them to the school. So, the library is underway!

During my stay at Vicky's B & B, I've met so many incredible people from around the world. They were all quite interested in the foundation and I told them all about it. I think we may have some new donors! I also realized that we'll need to make a pamphlet or brochure or business cards with the foundation information. Everyone wanted the information so I just wrote it down for them. A few journalists from the UK were there one night having dinner and may be in touch to do a story about the foundation.

Vicky has also arranged for the local press to interview me before I leave regarding my experience. Hopefully I'll be able to get a copy of the paper to bring back home.

Overall, I've had just the best experience. I've also become much more educated about the struggles of Khayelitsha. It's a place to visit not to see the poverty, but to learn about the culture and daily lives of the people who live there. Education seems to be the key and the pass the children will need to make a better life for themselves.

Living in the township

Working with the children has been great so far! My life in the township has also been a very wonderful experience. Vicky and her family are so gracious and kind and have made me feel welcome from the beginning. I didn't know exactly what to expect and when I first arrived in the township, I was taken back by all of the shacks. Despite the poverty stricken area, I have learned the people are kind hearted and very community oriented. They share their time with each other as family, friends, and neighbors.

I have been treated quite nicely and people are curious about what I'm doing. When they find out that I'm working in the school, they are truly grateful and thank me. I do not feel unsafe and have gone on many walking tours around the township. The conditions vary. Some people have water and electricity while others do not. Many do not have bathrooms or plumbing. It's hard to imagine how a child can focus on education when their basic needs are barely met.

Despite the hardships, individuals seem to be happy. They laugh, sing, dance, spend time together and make the best of what they do have. There are local shops and craft markets and a lot of people travel to the city for work. I really feel as though I'm learning more about their culture and history and feel blessed to have such a warm environment to stay while I'm here. Vicky's children are adorable and I help tutor the younger ones at night. I feel like I'm part of their family. Life in the township has been quite positive so far!

School update

I've been working in Vuzamanzi Primary School now for several days. I have managed to teach in all sections of grades 4-7 (they have 4 or 5 sections in each grade level). The Principal felt that I could serve them best by rotating each day throughout their English classes. I'm not working with one class, but rather all of the English classes in 4th-7th grades. The school does not begin to teach English until 4th grade so the children have a very difficult time communicating with me. Grades 1-3 are taught in their mother language, Xhosa.

My main goals are helping them with their fluency and also vocabulary. They don't recognize a lot of words, so I clarify the words for them and then explain their meaning. Unfortunately, the kids don't have much paper to write on or pencils to use, so the information i'm teaching is not written down. The children are quite curious though and try their best to talk to me in English. I am learning a bit of Xhosa as well, which they get a kick out of!

The school day begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. for the children. They have 4 classes before their first break, then 3 classes before their second break (lunch), and they finish with 2 classes. Each class is 30 minutes long and the pace is very slow compared to what i'm used to. Today, I shared the letters that my RES kids wrote with the 7th graders. They really enjoyed reading the letters! They are now working on writing letters back to the RES kids.

I should be able to get into each grade 1-2 more times before I leave and will hopefully be able to post another blog at the end of this week.

Hello from South Africa!

I made it safely and I have so much to write and only about 3 minutes. Internet is not what we are used to at home. Today was my first full day here and everyone has been incredibly welcoming. I went to the school today and met the Principal and children. I actually taught all 4 sections of the fourth grade! I'm helping them with their language and communication in English. They don't actually start learning English until the 4th grade so I'll be working in grades 4-7 while i'm here. The school's resources are so minimal. Kids don't even have pencils of their own. They break one pencil in half and then 2 kids share. It's so different from what I'm used to! I'm trying to excite the kids about reading and learning and they are quite curious. I've shared some pictures that were drawn by Richboro 4th graders and the children LOVED them! I will have many more stories to share as well as pictures. The community here doesn't have much, but they do have big hearts and open arms. The children are so sweet and I so look forward to seeing more of them next week!!

First Teacher Safely Arrives in Cape Town!

Hi Debra

Tanya arrived safely and I will be taking her to school tommorrow.Let me thank you very much for all what you have done for our kids and our community,you have put Khayellitsha on the map and I hope that this would be the beginning of many good things.When you mentioned this I did'nt know that it can be possible.We appreciate all what you and all the people who have contributed to this.

I love you all,I will keep you updated

Love

Vicky

From: Debra Lynn Marra
Subject: Books arrive?
To: "Vicky Ntonzini" <vickysbandb@yahoo.com>
Date: Friday, July 17, 2009, 5:13 PM

Dear Vicky:

Did the cartons of books arrive yet? I have a garage full of donated books which I am trying to get shipped over by a company that buys South African wines. If I can get enough books, how can you get a space for a library? Could we build a cinder block building near you?

Regards,

Debra