Alive and Dancing

We thoroughly enjoyed multiple dancing performance put on by youth who work with an after school program. The dedication of these children is inspiring. As we watched we saw children as young as six sweating away under the African sun as they whole heartedly focused on learning the steps to their gumboot dancing (see center picture). We also enjoyed lively dancing from the girls and extremely unique dancing from a group of teens who had found their way into Kliptown (a section of Soweto) on their from their rural homes into Johannesburg where they were looking for work.

 

A nation of children

As I walk through the townships of South Africa I am greeted with the friendly smiles and eager handshakes of children. Their happiness at seeing us and willingness to walk around with us is an incredible source of joy. Playing with children is a significant part of our experience in Soweto and we are just as eager to make friends with them as they are with us.

I am struck by the reality that a substantial number of these children likely have never held the hand of white person before.

I consider the difference in their upbringing that make them so much more willing then children at home to take the hand of a stranger and go for a walk..

I also wonder what life is like when their is not the excitement of having vistors around...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The eyes of Soweto

 

The first three days

We spent our first couple of days at the Heronbridge Retreat Center. This was a beautiful and restful place where we adjusted to the heat (yes!!!), debriefed Christmas and reconnected with each other.

 

We arrived tired, yet very happy

 

 

Poor Josh had to wait a week for his bag to arrive

 

 

 

 

Heronbridge Retreat Center

 

 

 

 

We tried to spend us much time outside as possible

 

 

Climbing trees and playing with our country partners' kids