It is well, with my soul.

I apologize for the lack of updates; this past month has been extremely crazy!

 Rewinding to January, my parents arrived on the 1^st of the month. We had a wonderful time together as we traveled all over this beautiful country. We started our trip out in the bush of Kruger National Park with the Big 5. To our surprise, we were able to see all 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo, rhino) on our first safari day. On our second safari day, we were fortunate enough to witness a pride of lion bring down a cape buffalo! It was such an exciting and eventful experience. Our next destination was Cape Town. From Cape Town, we traveled to the rolling Winelands of Stellenbosch. After Stellenbosch, we continued to drive up the Garden Route along the coast making stops at Hermanus, Knysna, and Jeffreys Bay. We then flew from Port Elizabeth to Durban were we spent the last two nights of our trip on the farm of which I live. I was able to show my parents what life is like here and what I experience on a daily basis. I was able to show them to school and they even met some of my students! It was truly a trip I will never forget.

On January 18^th, I returned to school and began teaching the Grade R class again. This was a crazy and exhausting week to say the least. I went from having 9 students in my class last year, to having 17 this year! We nearly doubled in size which is amazing. It’s so great to see all these underprivileged children receiving education! Since most of my students were new to school and weren’t sure how it worked, we had a lot of work to do. Another trial that I stumbled upon was the language barrier; such a challenge! More than half of my students couldn’t even greet me in English or ask how to go to the bathroom. Since then, we have come SO FAR, and I am so excited to see how much they grow until I leave here in June.

Unfortunately, this past Wednesday I received some heartbreaking news. One of my little students would no longer be able to attend school due to financial reasons. Sinokhule was new to my class this year & is only 4 years old. Since she is only 4, she will be too young to move to first grade next year and will need to remain in Grade R for another year. Her mother contacted me Wednesday morning informing me that she could not pay for Sino to attend Grade R for two years. Let me mind you: it cost these students R200 a month to attend HVFS (that's equivalent to approx $13.00/month). Although I wish I could lay the money down and keep this little smile around, it's not that easy. On Friday, we said our last goodbyes & a little piece of my heart left with her as she boarded her taxi to go home. 

For me personally, I feel as if I am JUST NOW, finally, at a spot in this journey where I am content and comfortable. I feel as if I am finally settled and am content in the moment. I’m not looking back to the past or ahead to the future. I am happy and gratified with the present. Each day, my students bring the biggest smile to my face and together, we work through the day.

This Sunday (February 28^th, 2016) I will be running my first full marathon. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to run a race like this while being in South Africa. Before leaving the States, I actually didn’t even pack my good running shoes/apparel because everyone told me it wouldn’t be “safe” to run here. Once I arrived, I found out that one of my Reps is actually really into running and competes in several races each year. My host parents and I planned out a route on the farm that would be “semi-safe” for me to run on solo, as long as I am cautious and aware. Ever since then, I have been running and training nonstop for this event! Although I am very anxious and nervous, I am also SUPER excited. The race will start at 5:30am and I am hoping to be finished by the time the sun is scorching! Stay tuned for results and pictures.

I would just like to take a second to also say thank you to everyone who supported me with my fundraiser for Lily of The Valley Children’s Village this Christmas.  Whether it was monetary donation, or a simple prayer, I will never be able to express how much it meant to me and the children.

(I sent out thank you cards to those who I had addresses for. PLEASE send me your address if you would like a copy :) I also attached the card below for all to enjoy!)

THE HORIZON 

Looking ahead to the next few months, I cant believe how fast time is moving. My time left here in South Africa is so limited and its beginning to hit me. 

As mentioned above, I will be running my first marathon on Sunday February 28th, 2016 in Pietermaritzburg, South Afrcia. I will then return to Hope Valley Farm School to continue teaching until March 18th, 2016. This will end the first term of our school year and will also be the beginning of our three week Easter holiday. 

While my students are away for holiday, I plan to spend two of the weeks working alongside with a partner organization known as El Olam. El Olam is a Christian camp that works with children of all ages.

The last week of Easter Holiday, I will be traveling to Swaziland with the rest of my team. I am very excited to see and visit another country in Africa!

Peace and love to all ♡

Allison Shade