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.