Day 4: Unveiling the crèche and revamping Wellani community library

Today we returned to the crèche to complete our makeover. While the more artistic amongst us put the final touches on the murals, the more spacially gifted in the group assembled brightly coloured mats to cover the bare cement floors. Now the children can play, read and nap on a soft and appealing surface. We also outfitted the classrooms educational toy and art supplies.

The big hits of the day were the teddy bears, Pride ‘n Purpose t-shirts and personalised colouring in books brought by Robin Lane, who rounded up her vendors to donate various items. Each child immediately took to hugging their very own teddy—for many of them the first toy they could call their own.

The looks on the faces of the little ones and their teachers when they entered the new classrooms was priceless and it was an amazing feeling to make such a tangible impact.

The scene looked like Christmas morning as we played with all of the children and their new toys. Many were unaccustomed to playing with toys and it was a great experience for us to teach them—many of us certainly felt like kids ourselves. We were particularly touched to watch one little boy show his teddy bear how to play the xylophone, holding the mallet in his bear’s hand as they made music together.

Before leaving, we had a spot of football madness with about 6 simultaneous matches thanks to footballs aka soccer balls brought by Baltazar Nuñez, Rob Green and Mark Laiolo, who were quick to show off their footwork to the amazement of the local boys. Nonetheless, this being Africa, the little ones ran circles around our boys but it was in good fun (we think).

Next, we had a short but emotional visit at one of the local orphan houses to drop off some toys, books, clothes and art supplies. The family is comprised of 16 children whose parents have died of AIDS. They live in 3 houses constructed by Pride ‘n Purpose and are looked after by community women who live there with them. Before these houses were built, they got by living in a small mud house which did not offer much protection from the elements and they had no adult to care for them.

Next, we headed to Wellani primary school to get started on sprucing up the community library which was to be opened that afternoon.

On the way, as with all of our drives through Dumphries, we were greeted with waves, smiles and hellos. Everyone was touched by the friendly welcome we were given. Baltazar even commented that with so many people waving he felt like he was in a parade! This warmth only made us want to give back more.

We spent the next few hours sorting books, cleaning, and painting shelves and signs. We then attended a formal ceremony to celebrate the library’s opening, which was presided over by the Nduna (the chief’s headman in the village) and various members of the local tribal authority. Certainly a big honour for our paint spattered crew.

Later that evening we were treated to a lesson in local cuisine, in which Lindsay taught us to cook a traditional Afrikaans stew called a potjiekos, cooked over several hours on an open fire. Then we were off to bed, exhausted but proud of a day well spent.