My Last Week

My current class (We took like 20 pictures and this
was the best one)

There are days I thought this time would never come, but today I am shocked at how quickly this year went! Tomorrow (by the time I post this it will be today) is my last day at school teaching my little kids. I know they are not my kids but they are. I asked one of the girls today if I could take her home to Canada with me and she gladly said “Yes!”  I then had about 3 or 4 others who over heard me asking said, “Can I come too?” “Miss, I want to see Canada!”

My class from last year! Watching them grow has been
wonderful!

As I sit here reflecting on what tomorrow will bring it makes me quite sad. Not only am I leaving my students, but at the moment the school still has not organized a new teacher for them to take over… It’s even harder for me to leaving knowing they don’t have someone who will make sure these guys succeed.  I know the new SALTer, Alison, will come and do a great job. But she does not come until September and I am worried my kids will be left in limbo for too long. My fellow teachers who I am close with have promised me they will try to take care of them, but I know they all have their own classes to take care of and love too.

But I am keeping strong because I know I will be back in a short amount of time to see how much they have grown and learned! Which I am so excited to see.

I still have 3 more sleeps (will be 2 by the time this is posted) at the farm.  I am going to be spending these days with the people I have grown to cherish over these last 10 months.  Their friendships have meant a lot to me and I am going to miss hearing them laugh and joke about silly things, watching soapies together, visiting over a cup of coffee or tea, sitting in the sun on a Sunday afternoon to warm up or going on walks through the sugar cane.

From our picnic

This week started outwit two days of holidays. There was no school on Monday or Tuesday because Tuesday was Youth Day here in South Africa.  So I spend my time here on the farm with the Philile, Skhumbuzo, Esnath and Siyabona.  These will be times that I remember and will hold dear to my heart. 

They all got balloons to take home

Today with the grade Rs and grade ones, Ms. Zondi and I had a picnic.  The kids had lots of fun.  Just playing and being outside.  They played a few games but mostly just ran around and jumped on the trampoline.  This was really great.  We fed them hot dogs, chips, soda, and ice cream! I had bought fruit but totally forgot to had it out so tomorrow they will get something healthy! :) We also blew up a balloon for each of them and they seemed to love that. I was thinking we would play a game where they stomped on each other balloons, but then thought about all the crying that might happen if we did that. So instead they just took them home. 

I am going to miss them!

Once I have started what will seem like a long journey home I will post another blog, as I reflect on my year and the time that is to come.  I also plan on continuing on writing on my blog while in Canada and then into my two years back here in South Africa. So hold on to this address because just because I am coming home does not mean that my adventures end there!

Until next time…imagine feeling happy, sad, confused, frustrated, excited, anxious, disappointed, grateful, and I am sure there are other various feelings in there and you will get about how I am feeling this past week.