Great day!

From Katherine

Today I was invited to speak at Mdatya Primary School’s prize giving (end of the year awards day). Mdatya is the school where I assist the Grade 3’s with literacy by reading in English each week.It is a very exciting time with lots of important people making long speeches. Lots of grade R (kindergarten) learners were asleep in their chairs. 

When it was time for prize giving the assistant principle started with academic excellence for grade R. a name was called and a little boy came forward followed by his great grandmother and grandmother. Greatgran walked almost completely bent over and using a walking stick (literally a stick). When the threesome made it to the front the child received his framed certificate and posed for a family photo. As soon as the picture was taken Greatgran stood perfectly erect and began to sing and dance. This went on for several minutes with the whole crowd singing and swaying, then Greatgran dances back to her seat standing tall.

The next prize for academic excellence was for a tiny girl in grade 1. Her grandfather walked with her to the front and after their photo was taken granddad smiling from ear to ear planted a big kiss on her cheek. So sweet!

The reason for the story… I rarely see African men show affection to their children or grans. It was a real treat for me to see this elder in the community forget about who was watching and let his girl know how proud he is of her.

Many of the older adults in the Mzamba community (and throughout Africa) were either unable to attend formal schooling or had a leave school at an early age. They are incredibly proud of their children and grandchildren for working hard at school. I am proud of them too. They learn in crowded classrooms with no electricity and very few supplies, and many of them speak 2 languages. Something I am still working on!