Week 5

This trip has been such a fantastic experience. I have learned so much about teaching, the people and their culture, and myself. Most people here have little compared to what people have back home, but to them they have more than enough. The children value everything that they have and take pride in everything, even the little things. When they come home from school they immediately change out of their uniforms so that they do not get them dirty while playing. The group of girls that I was working with received a few different card games from a volunteer, they loved to play with them but they made sure to take care of them. They were careful to not bend the cards and always put them carefully away in the box and in their Auntie’s closet when they were finished with them. I think that we can learn from the way that the children and people in Bulembu live, by taking pride in and valuing everything that we have, even the little things. The people here not only value their belongings, but they value the people around them. Everyone stops to say hello and to have a conversation with you when you see them. When you say hello in SiSwati, you aren’t just saying hello you are asking how they are and having a small conversation. Everyone cares about each other they show it. We can also learn from this. Since we are so busy back home we let some things go and most of the time that’s stopping to spend time with the people around us and showing that we care about them. The people in Bulembu taught me and reminded me about so many important life lessons that I can bring back home with me.