masiphumelele

On Monday afternoons, we go to a nearby township called Masiphumelele, for short, "Masi". The first time we went in, we recognized how lively the township was. There were tons of people walking around, music playing, storefronts open. There is definitely a more welcoming feel to this township versus some others we've been in. Our purpose for going is to partner with the community library there to help with the tutoring programs they run.

So, the first time we went to help tutor, I was sort of expecting it to be easy. I've always done well in school, and I'm pretty good at teaching and explaining things, so I thought it would come naturally. Little did we know we'd be tutoring 11th and 12th graders, in subjects I haven't thought about for 5 years or never took (they have accounting in high school!). So, it was a rude awakening to realize that they needed help with calculus and physics. Not to mention, they don't have the kind of textbooks we had in school that explain everything in detail - - theirs are more like practice problem books. So, doing the tutoring is actually really difficult. It is humbling to not feel like the smartest kid in the class anymore! And because I don't remember the subjects well, I overthink every problem because I'm nervous. And that would be one thing if it were just me doing my homework, but when I have to drag along a twelfth grader who's coming to me for help into my crazy thought process and probably confuse him more than he was before he came, it doesn't feel so good! However, there have been some good moments too and I think one of the most important parts is actually just being there with these kids and showing them that somebody cares enough to try to help.

Two of the girls from our team didn't want to do tutoring, and luckily the library has a "Girls Group" that meets on Monday afternoons and they were in need of some volunteers for that. I actually joined in last week to help with teaching the girls some dances - the, the electric slide, the cha cha slide, and the cupid shuffle! The girls are anywhere from 7 to 14 years old and it was so much fun! They were really excited about it, and they even macarena had Erin, Elise, and I sing them our national anthem. The girls are very sweet. Next week we're teaching them how to make salsa and guacamole (you can imagine there's not a heavy Mexican influence in South Africa!), and then the week after that I'm teaching the girls how to write their names in pencil calligraphy :)