“They all look so happy.” That was the most common reaction I received when I sent a picture of the kids from the schools in Khayelitsha back home to Germany. Me standing next to them in the yard, hearing them playing, probably having one kid at each hand and one hugging my waist, being part of this incredible energy and feeling my cheeks starting to ache because the smile had not left my face for hours, I wondered: “Well, why shouldn’t they?”
I am Leonie, 34, from Germany. I was very fortunate that the Earth Child Project accepted my help for a month in Khayelitsha, the biggest township in the Cape Town area. I was so busy being happy to go to South Africa and to get the chance to spend time with these kids, that I honestly didn’t really prepare myself for this time. Kahyelitsha is a township. The rate of people being unemployed and poor is incredibly high. And sadly, so is the number of people being drug-addicted. The cases of people being mugged or worse happen daily.
I also want to tell you why it was good, that I did not prepare myself for volunteering.
In saying that, I did not prepare for my time there, I mean that I did not set any expectations of what I want to do and see. This openness gave me the beautiful freedom of letting all of them decide where I fit the best or what is needed at the time. Them? All the people of the Earthchild Project Team.
Carly and Janna, who manage the Earthchild Project and who gave me the opportunity to volunteer and trusted me to be an enrichment for the team and the kids. Noks, or as I love to call her, Mama Noks, who has a heart like a lioness: kind, patient and ready to fight if and when it is necessary. She has this wonderful energy, so everyone feels comfortable around her. You can be completely yourself, because you know that she will love you this way, no matter what.
Athi, the environmental warrior. Best laughs were had with him. He loves these kids and he loves our earth. So it’s a perfect match for him to teach these kids about global warming, environmental protection and all the things we need to know to respect mother nature appropriately.
Nosi, a beautiful, South African young woman who dedicated her life to teaching these kids. She playfully teaches them yoga, awareness and gratitude. I followed her steps throughout every day. She easily made me a part of her classes, so fast I felt like I am not visiting, yet, I am a true part of their day.
And, of course, and most importantly, these kids. The first day, I arrived, I think they were not sure if they should be curious or scared. All of a sudden, a tall, blonde, white, very tattooed woman stood in their classroom’s threshold, waved at them and greeted them with a smile. After the first kids were brave enough to touch my skin and have a little interaction, it spread like a wildfire that the new lady is indeed really nice and truly just came to play.
And play we did! Hand- and headstands, swing, slide, jump, count in German, dance and Hula-Hoop. No matter what, they had to play with, they played with it. And if there was nothing, they made up a new game, or they got creative. Incredibly, impressively creative that I was in awe with their cleverness to make the best out of what is available.
I cannot count the hugs that I was allowed to share with these kids. When I arrived each morning, I was greeted by a wave of energy. Every day, realizing that I never left feeling empty, yet calm and very blessed, because I got the same energy back.
To be honest, for the last time, I am very aware that I am also one of these, who thought I will go volunteer and give kids a little bit of joy and ease into their lives with me being there. Oh, and I am sure I did. In the end, though, I am the one who learned way more of these kids than I taught them. True gratefulness and awareness – exactly what Nosi and the Earthchild Project teach them every day. So I can say: Mission very well managed. I am incredibly happy to have had the chance and very sure that this was not the last time that I will go and help out with whatever I can. So if you are thinking about volunteering: Yes, do it! Be a little more prepared than I was, and also dive into what you will meet. It is something that will change your life for the better.
Written by Leonie Beinhardt
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