End of Camp
Yesterday was our fourth and final day of camp. As with every other day, the children far exceeded any of our expectations. We combined music and dance class as well as playwriting and acting. This was great for the teachers because they were able to witness how the children communicated and responded with other teachers and great for the kids because they were able to not only work with other children but also integrate concepts learned in other classes.
However, before we started the day, we did a “show and tell” session. The children are all so willing to perform and share. We witnessed traditional African dancing with one of the girls drumming the djembe, tons of singing, and performed poetry. It’s hard to explain the kind of support the kids give each other. When one child or group starts singing, the rest of the kids join in, not only with words but perfect harmony. If one person starts clapping a rhythm, the rest of the group follows in. Before we know it, we are watching the entire group dancing and singing as one. We also always have to remind ourselves that these are kids from different townships, many who didn’t know anyone at camp before they arrived.
We finished the day with a huge performance for all the childrens friends and families. The Broadway in South Africa artists performed songs and dances for the children and then an African music group called Ciyaya performed. While Ciyaya was performing, all the children (both students at camp and their brothers, sisters, and friends) and the BSA staff were dancing together. You could see a sea of people in small groups teaching each other different dance moves and just having a blast. After Ciyaya performed, it was time for the children to perform for their parents. It’s hard to explain just how wonderful they were and how proud we were of them. You could also see how proud they were of themselves; they actually learned everything we taught them and were then performing it for their parents and friends.
We ended the day with giving each child a certificate of completion, a picture of the entire group (teachers and students) and a BSA pin. It was then time to say good-bye which was not easy. The hardest part was leaving children and not having an answer to the question, “When will we see you again?” Many parents came up to teachers to thank them for their work and also to ask when their children would get to experience this again.
We don’t have an answer yet as to when we will be back but we know our work has just begun and that we now have a responsibility to these children. We also know that we have changed these kids lives forever, taught them that they can accomplish anything, that they can be who they are and express themselves with confidence. I also know that these kids have changed all of our lives forever, teaching us love, honesty, compassion and strength.
Today we go to Camps Bay to perform at Theatre at the Bay. We have a show at 5 and 8:30, and then tomorrow it’s off to Johanessberg for more performances and cultural immersion activities.
Rachel Frankenthal
Co-Founder, Administrative Director of BSA
3 years ago