Our group is beginning to build some relationships with the
students here. It truly is astounding
how many of the kids, aunties, and administration have started to take an interest
in our lives and build bonds with us.
Apart from the giving of Swazi names, some of the Aunties have begun
calling us Sissi (Sister), or bhuti (brother).
One of my Aunties even asked to hear about my personal childhood and the
challenges I grew up with. I have begun
to bond more with the workers and some of the older boys. Our maintenance project leader, Ivan, reminds
me a lot of my older brother. They both
have the same sense of humor, except Ivan likes to say that we are crazy
Americans and tease us for our painting.
We have begun working with the clubs and even been given the
chance to share dinner with a host family.
My house is a group of older boys, two of which are about to graduate. They enjoy having us as a visitor, and when I
stayed for dinner, were very polite. It
is taking time to get to know my boys, since most of them are new to
Bulembu. Being new comers at their age
they have a lot of troubles they remember and it is obvious they are nervous
about opening up. They are happy to have
help doing homework assignments, or with constructing homemade projects. One of them has built himself an electric fan
for the summer, with a car license plate, computer parts and an adapter. I got to help him wire it and we managed to
get it working. The younger boys in the
house just enjoy having a person to help with their work and love to show off
the good grades they achieve.
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