I was coupled with Morgan and in our second classroom we read to the students and played "Simon Says" with them until our time ran out. In our last class we sat quietly and watched the teacher capture the children's attention and minds with a book and activity. As I sat there I looked at one of the boys who was standing up and smiling at me. I smiled back and he bashfully looked away with a slight smirk on his face. I looked him over ... a hole in his pants ... a large hole in one of his shoes. And it hit me. Tears swelled in my eyes and I fought hard not to let them show.
Most often children don't know they are poor or poorer than others around them. They just live and get by and love and share and engage in daily life. That's how I grew up. My family was not wealthy by any means and we certainty were not middle class, but we were not extremely poor. We just did not have much. So I never thought I was poor and it didn't bother me much that we never went out to restaurants or went shopping for new clothes. I was a child and my mother worked hard as a social worker to provide us with the essentials and sometimes a bit extra. I was happy, comfortable and I did not want for much.
Rheenendal is a community struck hard by the closing of the timber industry. Most of the residents of this settlement (miles away from town) are unemployed. Local farmers have tried other income generating businesses such as growing citrus fruits, but they have largely failed. Leslie explained that pensions from the government for the elderly and children are what sustain them. They pinch wherever they can, but she doesn't know how they are still able to make it. School is primarily where the children are able to get a full meal. School is were I, myself, received a free lunch. Looking at the contrast: the bright classroom, posters, the learning games, the teacher's personality and the children's enthusiasm ... and then the holes, the dirty jackets and pants. They are happy in that classroom and our short visit will never capture their hardships. I find hope in the way that little boy smiled at me. But as children grow and become painfully aware of their environment that hope seems to fade.
I write this because the school is doing well in my opinion. Compared to schools in northern Uganda, where I've conducted research, Rheenendal is outstanding. But only recently has this been so according to you Knysna hosts. Rotary should be proud of their work with the school. If one has the means, there will always be improvements to be made and gains unsupported will be gains lost. I have a feeling that Rotary of Knysna and Knoxville will keep pushing and for that I am grateful.
Lastly, I wish to note that the community is just not on the receiving end of help and assistance, but has founded innovative ways to support themselves. Next to the Cycling Program is the 7 Passes Swop Shop that was started by a local man named Garreth (see the trailer behind bikes).
It has been the most beautiful and exciting thing I had seen yet. The work I do in Knoxville is centered on community building and empowerment and I was so delighted to see such a project. The Rheenendal community donates blankets, toys, clothing, pencils, books and more to the Swop Shop. Children from the community then collect as much recyclable material such as glass, paper and cardboard or plastic and bring it to the shop. Garreth then weighs the bounty and writes the child a voucher. Depending on how many vouchers they have, they can choose certain items in the shop! It's worked very well, is sustainable and gets everyone involved. Community Solutions to Community Problems. They even have a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/7-Passes-Swop-Shop/203673663026596. Litter does not crowd the streets, children are trained as active agents and people everywhere come to donate unwanted items.
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