Naloni and I

On Thursday afternoon of Education Week I visited a local AIDS orphanage with the Global L.E.A.D. group. Upon arriving, we were greeted by a man named Solomon who showed us a video illustrating what goes on at the orphanage throughout the year. After watching the video, we were given a tour of the facilities, and we had the opportunity to spend time with the kids, young or old. 

I decided to spend my time with the younger children because I have always loved the interaction you can have with a young child so full of innocence and imagination. When we entered the classrooms and began meeting the kids, I immediately made a connection with a boy named Naloni. For the next couple hours or so, Naloni and I spent time together reading books and discussing what took place in each of them. I was humbled in the presence of Naloni's passion for learning. It excites me that a child like Naloni can overcome the hardships of his circumstances to experience the sweet joys that come with childhood and growing up. 

I brought along with me a few glow sticks to pass out, and the kids went absolutely crazy for them. Wearing them as bracelets, they were fascinated with their illuminating glow and walked around showing their friends and teachers; bliss in their eyes and laughter in their voices. 

Before leaving the orphanage, I also left behind a baseball glove and ball for all of the children to enjoy. Although baseball is not a popular sport in South Africa, the kids knew the game and had a blast throwing the ball to one another and taking turns using the glove. I plan to provide the orphanage with another glove before I return home. 

Visiting the orphanage was a fitting way to close education week and helped reinforce the reasons we are really here - to reach out to others, build relationships, help where we can, and hopefully change lives for the better.

*Photo Credit - Amanda Abbott