Day 11 As fun as it gets:-)
Mia here! Hi! This trip has been filled with numerous activities that I could spend hours writing about, but I wanted to highlight an experience I had earlier in the week that ties into some notable reoccuring themes. Since the first day we arrived in Langa, I have noticed the overwhelming kindness shown to our group and throughout the community. Whether it was a friendly smile or even a cute moment when kids ran to give us all hugs, the Langa community has a unique ability to spread joy. One moment that has constantly replayed in my head throughout this week was when Siviwe, the head of the iThuba program and our new friend, gave us a tour around his community, and during this tour, a countless number of people were rolling down their windows to greet him. As we continued to roam the streets of Langa, smiling children would run up to say hello to Siviwe, which in return made us all laugh too. This moment was my first introduction to the Langa community, and I have spent a lot of time since reflecting on the contrast between our communities, Pasadena and Langa. The environment in Langa is much more lively and interconnected, which is something I don’t normally see at home. I hope I can take inspiration and embody the same positivity I experienced.
Fast forward to today- our last full day in Cape Town. The beginning of this morning was more on the calm end in contrast to some of our other days, but I enjoyed it equally. Today was our first day shopping for our loved ones. We started off haggling in a beautiful street market, filled with items ranging from handmade tapestries to carved wooden spoons. I found some cute souvenirs and knickknacks to bring back, so if my parents are reading this, be ready for some gifts! After our shopping, we ate and headed back to Langa (our 7th day there in the past 8 days)! As opposed to our more serious and critical thinking sessions we have spent with the Leap High School students, today's activities involved soccer, basketball, rugby, and fun! I had a wonderful time bonding with all of the kids especially during soccer, where even though we had a language barrier at some times, we were able to communicate and connect through sports. Today was our LAST full afternoon with the Langa students, but I think we made the best of the bittersweet moment. I look forward to our safari adventures we have ahead of us, and I am even more excited to bring more stories home!
Julia- Today was especially meaningful for me because I seized the opportunity to gift four preschool boys at the Langa township with a scooter that I purchased earlier in the week. I love the young kids but specifically these four boys due to their everlasting vibrance and curiosity. I wanted to give them something that could match their energized spirit, so a child-like, self-propelled (and environmentally friendly :-) motorcycle/scooter was the only option. Watching them take turns running around the basketball court with the scooter is an image forever engraved into my mind, and I’m so happy I could paint a smile across their faces.
During this time that I had with the little boys, I was also able to teach them how to take photos on my digital camera and this was so adorable to me because photography is something I’m very passionate about. Bunono in particular loved taking pictures and flipping the camera around quickly to showcase his masterpieces to everyone. I am beyond grateful to have connected with the preschoolers in so many different ways, and it’ll make our bitter-sweet goodbye even more bitter.
(she was simultaneously playing a game in which her eyes could not be open)
