As I sit here and
reflect on my experiences so far, I can’t believe that it has already been almost
two months since my arrival. I feel as if it was just yesterday that I said my
final goodbyes and boarded the plane to come here. My time is simply flying and
I can’t help but think that is because I am truly having the experience of a
lifetime. And although not every second of this journey has been “ideal”, it is
shaping me into the person that I am today.
During the week, I
have been focusing all my energy on my Grade R class. We are continuing to work
through our alphabet, letter sounds, numbers, counting and colors. I have been
preaching the importance of LOVE and friendship.
I have also been
tutoring several older students every Tuesday and Thursday in Reading/English.
The newest project
that I have kicked off in my class is called “PB&J Friday!” Knowing that
half of my students walk home approximately 3-4 miles each day from school and
do not get much food once they arrive home, I wanted to start a simple yet
meaningful program within my classroom where my students can eat something
before leaving for the weekend. Each Friday before my students leave, they make
a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to enjoy! I then give them the option to eat
at right away, or pack it to take home with them for later in the weekend!
(Most of them eat it RIGHT AWAY because they never had a PB&J before and
they think it’s the BEST THING EVER)
Things on the sugar
cane plantation can get very quiet on the weekends, so I have been going just
down the road a bit to a children’s orphanage called Lily of the Valley. LOV is
an orphanage designed for mostly HIV positive children from the age of newborn
- seniors in high school. Due to the HUGE gap in age differences, Lily of the
Valley is welcoming to all the extra help they can get! This is also where I
will be spending my holiday season this year since Hope Valley Farm School will
be closed for break. Stay tuned for upcoming information involving Lily of the
Valley and Christmas. YOU can be a “Santa Claus” for a child in need!
So, here’s the deal. I
know most of you are just dying to know more about “What life is REALLY like in
Africa”, so without any hesitation, I give you:
THE NITTY GRITTY
TRUTHS
1.
Showers do not exist around here. I share a
bathtub with 4 other women. A gas flame that is placed next to the tub heats
the water. When the gas runs out, so does the hot water!
2.
I only get meat once a week, and that is on
Sundays. Most of our hot dishes throughout the week consist of rice and beans.
3.
Most Zulus do not use silverware while eating.
Although I usually still use silverware, I try to make it a point to use my
fingers every once and awhile!
4.
The South African sun is unlike any I have ever
witnessed. Sunscreen is a must on a daily basis!
5.
It gets dark here around 6:00pm, which means bed
by 8:00pm at the latest! It is not recommended to go out anywhere after
sundown.
6.
The electricity usually goes out approximately 3
days a week, with no given schedule. Most of the time, this is due to load
shedding - leaving me reading by candlelight most nights!
7.
Monkeys run this place. Literally. They knock on
my bedroom window each morning to wake me up!
8.
You never realize how far away home is until you
are living on the other side of the world.
9.
You find that the SMALLEST things will remind
you of home.
10. Eating bugs tends to be a delicacy for
most, but I haven’t found a sweet tooth for them yet.
Even though these may
be some of the things that I struggle with the most while being here, I also am
aware that I will have a newfound appreciation for things like this once I
return home.
THE HORIZON
1.
Although I will be missing Thanksgiving at home
with my family for the first time ever, I am very much looking forward to
spending this holiday in a different country with people from all around the
world!
2.
Looking ahead, my parents will be arriving here
in South Africa on January 1st, 2016 and I couldn’t be anymore
excited.
3.
The 4th term of this school year will
be ending on December 9th, 2015 and I will be sending 4 of my Grade
R students onto 1st grade! Although I will miss them dearly, it is
such an accomplishing feeling inside.
4.
I will be getting a handful of new students when
the new school year begins in January of 2016.
5.
Even though I am already having a hard time
imagining not being home for the Christmas holidays, I will be spending this holiday
season at Lily of the Valley Children’s orphanage with 120 children who do not
have families.
6.
On February 28th 2016, I will be
completing my 3rd half marathon here in Pietermaritzburg, South
Africa! (Thoughts about signing up for the FULL marathon may have crossed my
mind – stay tuned!)
Again, thank you EVERYONE for the endless support on this journey of mine.
I know many of you
have been in touch with me regarding my mailing address:
Allison Shade
C/O Nigel and Trisha
Stainbank
Buckhaw Brow Farm
R603 Umlaas Road
P.O. Box 71
Eston, 3740
KZN South Africa
Love and peace to all ♡
Allison Shade
"Know that your kindness has a ripple effect in the universe"
