First Day of Kayamandi

Today was our first actual day at Kayamandi Primary. We have already went on a walk through and toured both the town and the school, but today was our first real interaction day. I am pretty sure that this will be the most rewarding experience I get while I am here. We started off with a greeting game just to get to know one another, and then went into homework help, and then finishing the day with snacks and physical activities. The girls at my table all had the same electricity homework. I was so confused at how that was one of the things they were taught, but sure enough we went all the way from things not to do with electricity to the different types of currents ect.

Most of, if not all, of the student's mother tongue is Xhosa. This is the African language where for the x,c,and q are all different types of clicks. So we will be doing the homework in english, but when they interact with each other or do not understand particular english phrases yet they start speaking to each other in this very native African language. Its quite surreal. This is especially so when right outside our door the dance team is practicing their chants and sooo awesome dance moves.

I can see that this volunteer program will not be easy, there will be struggles. Whether it be with kids just being kids, or just understanding the language or cultural barriers that sometimes exist. Regardless of all that I feel like I will grow so much from just the 3 hours a week I spend with these kids. They will teach me just as much, if not more, than whatever I manage to impress on them.