Because I am a teacher I started to help the current teachers. Sometimes I take over the class and sometimes I just assist the teacher. I also take my time to observe the children and their behaviour. Teacher Nita is studying now to become an Early Childhood Educator. She is open to learn, so I work mostly with her.
The children that come to the project now, are from 2 years old to 4 years old. This is younger than I am used to work with. My expertise is more with the older children.
The children that come to the project now, are from 2 years old to 4 years old. This is younger than I am used to work with. My expertise is more with the older children.
I found out that a lot of older children are at the plakkerskamp during the day. They don’t go to school. And they don’t come to the project anymore, because that is not allowed. This is very heartbreaking, because I want to help them.
One example is Maggie. She is 13 years old and she stays with her father, mother, pregnant sister (16) and two little ones in a small house. The last two months she didn’t go to school anymore, she sleeps in the bush and she breaks into houses at the plakkerskamp to steal their food. One day Jurie found her in the plakkerskamp with all the angry women around her, because they caught her in a house. Maggie got spanked by the ladies and everybody was very upset with her. Jurie took her to the project and Lee helped her to get clean and to make her talk.
After that I worked with her. She didn’t want to feel ‘special’, so I also invited her friends Kathy, Jason and Bonisile to come to the project. I make art and play outside games with them. Maggie loves to make jewellery with beads, so I help her a lot with that. They love the new computer. We dance on music and video ourselves with the webcam. On these moments you can see a happy smile on Maggies face. But the next moment she can turn around all the way and she can be very difficult. So it is really important that she gets help and love, because she really needs it.
One example is Maggie. She is 13 years old and she stays with her father, mother, pregnant sister (16) and two little ones in a small house. The last two months she didn’t go to school anymore, she sleeps in the bush and she breaks into houses at the plakkerskamp to steal their food. One day Jurie found her in the plakkerskamp with all the angry women around her, because they caught her in a house. Maggie got spanked by the ladies and everybody was very upset with her. Jurie took her to the project and Lee helped her to get clean and to make her talk.
After that I worked with her. She didn’t want to feel ‘special’, so I also invited her friends Kathy, Jason and Bonisile to come to the project. I make art and play outside games with them. Maggie loves to make jewellery with beads, so I help her a lot with that. They love the new computer. We dance on music and video ourselves with the webcam. On these moments you can see a happy smile on Maggies face. But the next moment she can turn around all the way and she can be very difficult. So it is really important that she gets help and love, because she really needs it.
For next year I am brainstorming what we can do with these older children.
When I am back next year I want to work with these older children after school time. I want to do workshops with the help of volunteers. We have also people in this area who would like to help at the project. So I want to find out who has which talent and how we can use that.
When it is all organized I want it to be a busy, fun time. One group is playing soccer, while another group is making art. The next day somebody makes wire cars with a group and the other group is dancing in their hip-hop group. I personally have a background in art, so I would help them in art classes like painting and making sculptures.
It would be nice if we can make things to sell, so the children learn how to make money with simple things.
When I am back next year I want to work with these older children after school time. I want to do workshops with the help of volunteers. We have also people in this area who would like to help at the project. So I want to find out who has which talent and how we can use that.
When it is all organized I want it to be a busy, fun time. One group is playing soccer, while another group is making art. The next day somebody makes wire cars with a group and the other group is dancing in their hip-hop group. I personally have a background in art, so I would help them in art classes like painting and making sculptures.
It would be nice if we can make things to sell, so the children learn how to make money with simple things.
In the mornings, or early afternoons, I want to give kids remedial teaching. There are a lot of children who need extra help. Also the children that are going to government schools. If I can give them extra help, they can maybe stay on the level of the other children in their class.
I hope I can realize my ideas next year and I am going to work hard to make it happen.
Thank you for being interested in my story and I want to thank everybody that helps the project. I will write again when I am back in South Africa.
Marloes
Marloes
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