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Our Fantabulous Trip Around the Globe
We are back from Thaba-Tseka. Sadly, we are abbreviating our time in Lesotho to embark on the next part of our adventure: exploring the world. On Sunday, we leave for South Africa (actually, if we stood on a tall hill in Maseru, we could see it).
We spent a wonderful, but short 3 weeks in Thaba-Tseka, the location of our first month. It felt like coming home when we arrived since we knew the town and the people in it. The children were elated to see us. We had made some good friends in that first month but sadly our friendships were temporarily put on hold. Luckily, we all picked up where we left off. It was certainly different with Mom with us and we made the most of it.
During our time there, we ran a daycamp for the students at Paray Primary. The first week it was for the 6 & 7s, and the second was for the 4s & 5s. It was mostly games, crafts and songs with the kids although we snuck in some educational stuff. Michaela and Mom worked with the 7s & 5s, and I with the 6s & 4s. In my classes, in 6, there was a 19 year old, and in 4, there was a 20 year old. Because of Free Primary Education, these men and woman are taking advantage of the opportunity to better themselves. Many of the children walked up to an hour each way (up hill both ways....so funny..but seriously) during the cold winter days-during their school break.
The children were wonderful. They made it worthwhile to come despite the difficulties we endured. Our accomodations were more suitable this time although with had a rat friend that we only managed to kick out in our last week. This time, we had a propane heater which saved us. As well, we had electricity. We were living pretty well actually. No phone, or Internet, but come on, this is the developing world here. We became regulars at a local restaurant and with some of the street vendors. We had bought snacks for the kids who came to the daycamp (mostly fruit) in hopes to give them a taste of good nutrition.
As I said, the children are incredible. We became very close to two children: Mofihli, a 14 year-old boy who instead of sitting idle at home or becoming a herdboy decided to redo standard 7 in hopes of getting sponsored or a scholarship because his parents couldn't pay to send him to high school, and Maletsatsi, a sweet, shy 13 year old girl. I'm sure most of you aren't surprised by our decision to sponsor children. They became such wonderful friends of ours that we could not abandon them. I feel like I've given them a new lease of life. Mofihli just floated on air for the 2 weeks after we told him we were going to send him to high school. Maletsatsi was so melancholic our last week in town until she learned of her becoming our sponsor child. The expression of her face was incredible. She went from sad (because we were leaving), to confused(as she wasn't sure if she heard correctly) to overjoyed because she knew that we wouldn't let her down. They both know that they will very positive futures.
I just had to get that off my chest. As for us, Mom leaves for Canada on Friday; we will make our way to Johannesburg but not before visiting Thaba Bosiu, the burial site of the Kings and Queens of Lesotho. We look forward to getting back to the western world. I hope all is well with everyone as everything is well with us.
Take care-sala hantle
j & m
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