Bye Bye Bulugha School

Hi All
I'm now back in Cape Town staying in Aviva Volunteer House, and missing Bulugha school and my fellow teachers!!
Had a nice last day at Bulugha but it was sad! Katie and Laura the 2 other volunteer teachers are staying for another month so it was just me leaving. I spent the evening before making tons of pop corn to take for the children as a leaving treat - and they loved it, there was lots of smiles and grabbing hands!!

My last class was with Grade 1's so I was glad we were doing something fun - we had made 'instruments' out of rubbish (plastic bottles, yoghurt pots, tin cans, shells, rice, raisins etc) and too them in for the grade 1's to make a 'band'. It was so funy, they were so excited as I came out with a black bin liner and then laughed and laughed when they saw their 'instruments'!!! But they seemed to like playing with them (see the pic of Linden on Flickr), but after the class wanted to eat the edible bits of each instruments, what a shame!

Because it was a Thursday the school concert happened in the afternoon, I knew I would find it hard, but Matthew the teacher made me really upset - The children alwasys sing a song called 'We love Bulugha', but Matthew made them sing 'We love Hannah'! I know it sounds really cheesy but showing emotion doesn't bother the Xhosa people (the boys walk around holding hands and hugging etc) So when I had 80 kids all looking at me and singing 'We love Hannah', I admit I did have tears rolling down my face. I think it was because I was overwhelmed by my whole experience at Bulugha School. The children have nothing, most are uncared for and have tough lives yet they love coming to school and performing in the concert, always with huge smiles and enthusiasm - Not something you see in English schools a lot.

I really enjoyed my time at Bulugha, hopefully I have taught the children something and I have definately learnt lots from them. So I leave with a open invitation to return, great memories and a handful of love letters from some of the girls!!

Went on a game drive to Inkwenkwesi Private Game Reserve on Saturday morning, was very good, I saw impala, giraffe, lion, wilderbeast, zebra, a huge water monitor lizard, a white rhino and baby (gorgeous)!!!

Sunday I left for Cape Town. Was sad leaving the teachers house too, had such a good time, miss all my other teachers, Nomakwesi, Cintsa, Buccs Backpackers and being a 'teacher'!!! Katie was naughty and started crying as I was driving away so I did too - Miss ya!

Its now Thursday 3 Nov and I haven't done much in my week in Cape Town because I've spent loads of time trying to sort out my visa (nightmare) and I'm ill now, with another cold. But it has been nice to have a rest and look round the markets and shops.

Did manage to get to Robben Island yesterday, it was a good trip. Learnt a lot about the history of South Africa and how people were treated because of their race. Saw Nelson Mandela's cell and had a guided tour by a former prisoner.

Was supposed to be going to help out at the penguin sanctuary today but miss out because of my Visa trouble and being ill. Shame because they have 650 chicks so are very busy at the moment.

Hopefully going to go out tonight, if I feel better because my friends Diana and Marlous are leaving tomorrow. We've booked into a African restaurant, not sure if I should try Ostrich or Kudu or Warthog meat, apparently they are very nice!

Hope you are all ok, thanks for all your emails!
Love H
xxxx

P.s. Might not be able to get on the net next week (6-10 Nov) beacuse travelling the Garden route and hopefully doing lots of exciting things on the way!
x