What can I say, it’s our last week here at Imbeleko Foundation. Looking back I am proud of what we have achieved during our time here. We have been challenged, had fun and also worked very hard!
High School Assessments
Over the past 2 Mondays we were able to finish all 70 of the High School Neema English Assessments. We were surprised at how hard some of the pupils found it to spell some simple words in English. We are glad that the English sessions at Imbeleko Foundation will be able to help them in the future. Some of the High Schools were very far from the main road so due to the lack of taxis we had to walk. It was yet another opportunity to explore the beautiful Valley of 1000 Hills.
Primary After School Programme
After finishing all of the Primary School Neema Foundation assessments the previous week, we were glad to be able to finally start to teach the English Lessons. We have been working in small groups with 5 or 6 learners teaching mainly phonics based sessions. With a lot of speaking and practise you can imagine it can be very noisy at times. It was also a great opportunity to get to know the children more. Their energy was infectious and even if you had had a tiring day they still managed to cheer you up.
Even though we have only been working in the schools for 4 weeks we have built lots of relationships with the kids and even some of the teachers- it has been difficult for us to say goodbye. It was so touching when one child gave a goodbye speech to us in front of her whole class. She said
“The teachers of Imbeleko, you guys have sacrificed your time to give us a better education and shape us to a brighter future… what you do you do it with passion. I wonder how you manage to put a smile to so many hopeless children.”
They are all so motivated to study and reach for their dreams and I wonder where all of them will be in 10 years’ time.
Church
For the majority of placement we have been attending 1000 Hills Baptist in community. We received the warmest of welcomes from all the members of the church and it has been a real blessing to go each week. The worship and wonderful singing was always a highlight. By the last week even the UK volunteers could even sometimes join in.
Farewells
On Wednesday evening during our final week, Pastor Vika and his wife from 1000 Hills Baptist Church invited us to their lovely home for a goodbye meal and to discuss what we had been doing over our time in KwaNyuswa. It is exciting to have started a partnership with ICS and the Church as they have lots of things that future teams could get involved with.
On the Thursday evening our team leaders host family had the team over for a farewell dinner. We were all very excited to discover it was fried chicken, rice and lots of different salads. The host mum and dad both shared a short speech and thanked the team for their work in the community, sharing how much it had inspired and encouraged them.
On Friday day time Imbeleko Foundation threw a surprise party for us, with wonderful snacks, cake and drinks provided along with a note thanking us for everything we had done. We then presented to them all the work we had done and thanked them for being so welcoming and supportive. It was very sad leaving Imbeleko Foundation after building such special working relationships with their 3 staff members. At least we had lots of cake to comfort us (I held the record eating 4 slices!). On Friday evening everyone then spent time with their host families and for UK volunteers it was time to enjoy their last South African meal with their families.
On Saturday we then say our final farewells to our families and community and headed back to Glenmore Pastoral Centre where we have been having ICS debrief. This is a wonderful time to catch up with other teams, reflect on our experiences and share stories about the incredible people we have met and worked with on our ICS journey. Not one of us leaves ICS unchanged. Each person has taken their own journey of personal development and cannot but help leave inspired and motivated to make a positive impact wherever they go! We may not be able to change the whole world but each of us can make our mark! As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”.
Farewells
On Wednesday evening during our final week, Pastor Vika and his wife from 1000 Hills Baptist Church invited us to their lovely home for a goodbye meal and to discuss what we had been doing over our time in KwaNyuswa. It is exciting to have started a partnership with ICS and the Church as they have lots of things that future teams could get involved with.
On the Thursday evening our team leaders host family had the team over for a farewell dinner. We were all very excited to discover it was fried chicken, rice and lots of different salads. The host mum and dad both shared a short speech and thanked the team for their work in the community, sharing how much it had inspired and encouraged them.
On Friday day time Imbeleko Foundation threw a surprise party for us, with wonderful snacks, cake and drinks provided along with a note thanking us for everything we had done. It was very sad leaving Imbeleko Foundation after building such special working relationships with their 3 staff members. At least we had lots of cake to comfort us (I held the record eating 4 slices!). On Friday evening everyone then spent time with their host families and for UK volunteers it was time to enjoy their last South African meal with their families.
On Saturday we then say our final farewells to our families and community and headed back to Glenmore Pastoral Centre where we have been having ICS debrief. This is a wonderful time to catch up with other teams, reflect on our experiences and share stories about the incredible people we have met and worked with on our ICS journey. Not one of us leaves ICS unchanged. Each person has taken their own journey of personal development and cannot but help leave inspired and motivated to make a positive impact wherever they go! We may not be able to change the whole world but each of us can make our mark! As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”.
ICS SOUTH AFRICA 