My placement (Day 3-4-5)

     I haven't had a chance to write about my placement but after finishing up my first week (3 days) I thought i should.  I work at a school in the township of khayelitsha; the largest in South Africa. 5 volunteers work in this area so as we're making our 25 minute drive over to our placements we pass throughout the entire neighborhood. The Xhosa people are known to eat "Smiley's" which are the heads of either goats or cows. They are called Smiley's because they eat everything but the teeth/mouth so after they're finished all that's left is a smile :).  So, we were driving through khayelitsha and we passed stands which are just placed on the street with people skinning dead goats. Literally--these goats we're just passed out on the cement floor and there were men ripping them open on the street-- at 8 in the morning to be clear. It was intense.
    I arrived the first day nervous and was placed in a class with 4-5 year olds assisting the teacher. The next day I was placed in another classroom with 5-6 year olds. At times i was left alone and had to lead/entertain the class. I've been told though that it takes time to get used to things and for people(the teachers) to warm up to you. One of the other teachers--the only one that speaks fluent english--made me feel better and said that I should not try to learn Xhosa and just speak in English to the kids. She made me feel a lot more welcome there. The third day was a half day since a lot of people are on holiday and there were two classrooms with 25 kids each alone without a teacher. Ed (the other volunteer) and I took a classroom each. It would have been nicer if we had been notified the day before that we would be alone since we were completely unprepared. It was a really hard day. Kids went wild and started bossing me around! I came home, ate and slept for an hour and a half to recover from the day. 
     I should tell you that schools in these townships are completely different from the States. Some children come to school without shoes, some have snot running down their noses all day, the sanitation is generally not so good- there is limited toilet paper, limited supplies.  For snacks most kids have a yogurt and chips; few have actual healthy things in their lunch bags. I've noticed that the children in South Africa are taught to be tough, if they're crying they're left alone and not "babied." It makes sense in a way- I mean, just look at the dangerous environment they live in. They have to be able to survive the future they are growing into-still very sad though.
     My placement is definitely very challenging in various aspects: the language barrier, the necessity to be creative in activities, and the constant burst of energy, and just being in a completely foreign environment. However, I'd like to say that there is this little boy there that I have officially chosen as my favorite. He really likes me, and I absolutely adore him. He's probably around 6. Awww I just want to take him with me! He always hugs me and holds my hand. :) I hope I get a chance to take a photo of him or with him so you all can see! Well that's all for now. It's the weekend now and I'm really happy about it--first week at the placement was tough and extremely exhausting. I really appreciate the opportunity I am getting to work with the children of South Africa...Hope you all are well. I'm taking all my vitamins so the kids don't get me sick!-they like to wipe their noses and touch my hand after. "gross" ;)