Handwashing 101

There were more children at Masi today but still only 12 in total. If all the children are here next week Lulu says there should be a total of 38. Having so many children around will be a shock. There has been hardly any structure to the days this week, despite there being a schedule. Because of all the holidays, the children and carers seem very relaxed.

Shirley was away today but a lady named Winnie, and affectionately called Mama Winnie, came to help Lulu and the other carers. Thankfully Mama Winnie is fluent in English and Xhosa making it just as easy as having Shirley around. Mama Winnie originally owned the building and land the educare is on, using it as her family home, but she turned it into an educare for the children in Masiphumelele township to have a safe place to learn.

After Morning Ring today, Holly and I lead exercises with the children. We did basic moves like jumping jacks, arm circles and hopping on each foot to help them with their balance. The children had lots of fun getting out their energy since it was raining outside and we couldn't use other rooms than the office because of all the painting.  The carers did the exercises too and they all said their arms were hurting after the arm circles. Guess it means we did something right!

Holly and I read English books to the children and then we helped them practice recognizing colours. I traced all the childrens' hands and they loved it. Each one only coloured in the fingers first and then asked permission to colour in the palms of their hands. When colouring time was over they were going to have a snack so I showed them how to properly wash their hands. I saw some of them washing their hands after toilet time and they were doing it properly so hopefully it will stick. The children went to sleep after they had their lunchtime snack. When they went down for a nap I gave the lesson for the day.

Mama Winnie was my translator for our lesson which was about food poisoning and the benefits of exercise. Today's lesson was relatively short and there weren't too many questions.

Remi picked up Holly and I at 1:00pm since Friday's are half days for schools and businesses in South Africa. On the radio in the van they were talking about William and Kate being on their way to Buckingham Palace because their wedding ceremony had just ended. Holly is from Manchester and she said hearing about the Royal Wedding made her miss home. I agree that it feels like we just missed a major event but I may never be volunteering in a township in South Africa again so teaching children how to wash their hands properly instead of watching the Wedding was a good way to spend that time. A little perspective never hurts.