Platt and Chat

One of my favorite parts about volunteering at Aurora occurs during their break and lunchtime when I have over an hour to just hang out with the students. Tuesday, I spent the break sitting on the grass with 6 students circling me and platting (that’s what they call braiding here) my hair and three others cuddling next to me! I love to hear about their daily lives and I am so lucky they don’t mind my incessant questions. We talked all about Easter (yes, they do get Easter baskets with chocolate and some of them hunt for eggs) about their birthday’s (cake and presents), what they did over their holiday break, and what they want to be when they grow up (doctor, nurse, lawyer, manager and policeman where the most common responses). As I listen to them talk about playing hide and seek, going to McDonald’s for a burger and their future jobs, I am reminded how similar we all really are!

These are some of the happiest children I have ever met. My perception on a blessed life has changed so much since I initially moved to South Africa. I have since come to terms with the fact that just because they don’t have my life doesn’t mean it’s not a good life! I have to admit I spent so much time trying to figure out why I was so lucky to be born in America into a strong Christian family, with all the comforts one may need and then these beautiful children are born into what appears to be a less fortunate situation, only to find that it’s not necessarily bad it’s just different. I was talking to one of my local friends and she reminded me that this is the only life they know and therefore their mentality is not the same as mine as they aren't making a comparison. They are happy and I could learn a thing or two about finding happiness in simplicity! Although, I would still love to give them all the riches in the world, I have learned that the only thing that truly matters is that they continue to have the opportunity to receive a proper education, both temporally and spiritually. I am comforted to know that they are being given that chance at Aurora. I am grateful I have a relationship with this school so that even when I am 10,000 miles away I can still be involved and get updates on their progress. I am going to miss these sweet little faces...