Day 3-The Coffee Can

Today I went out to a garden and preschool out in a township called, Claremont. Claremont is one of the oldest townships in the Kwa Zulu Natal Region and a place where many political leaders went to hide during the struggle.

I went to Claremont to help lead a group of Americans from Atlanta see the work of Phakamisa (which means to lift up in Zulu). You can go to their website, www.phakamisa.org, and check out their amazing work! When we arrived at the garden I was overwhelmed with hope and joy as I met, Isaac, one of the newer employees of Phakamisa whose main job is to teach and help grandmothers in townships plant gardens. Isaac showed us the spinach and carrot plants, the mango and papaya trees, and introduced us to the faithful women who make it all happen. All will filled with pride and hope.

Next we went to a preschool started by a women who had her formal training as a preschool teacher four years ago at Phakamisa training center. She is a natural teacher and leader. The children all listened and laughed at the appropriate times. The children sang and were silly in their free time. Again, I was filled with hope and brought to tears as I watched the teacher who was my age give her life to teaching the poorest of the poor kids. I dreamt how life might be different for each kid there because of her care and instruction. She helps them to dream with the fantasy center she set up. She gives them a step ahead as she teaches them lessons that they will be taught when they reach primary school.
While the kids were eating their snack, one little girl who looked a bit scared the whole time asked the teacher to use the bathroom. The teacher led her outside while trying to manage snack time, so I offered to take the girl to the bathroom. I didn't realize when I offered to take her I was taking her to the coffee can outside the small wooden one room school house. I finally realized why she had looked so scared and preoccupied. She needed to use the restroom but didn't want to while all the kids and guest were gathered outside. I am still filled with hope, but I was reminded by the coffee can, how much work still can be done here in South Africa. The financial crisis is just hitting South Africa and like the US the non-profits here are being hit the hardest. This is a time where we can be a part of the hope. I wonder how each of us can live with less so others can simply live.

Before I left Branches collected Pennies for Phakamisa and in a few short weeks we collected $40 in pennies. When I get back we will continue this effort, but maybe we will collect them in a coffee can instead of a milk jug.