Update from the Field: Project Njabulo in Ingwavuma, KZN

Ingwavuma, KZN - February 23rd, 2008 - Bongekile Mabuya:

Clowns Without Borders South Africa started this year of 2008 with a Project Njabulo residency at Ingwavuma Orphan Care (IOC). This place, near the border of Swaziland and Mozambique is dry and hot. The IOC works with orphaned children whose parent or parents have died from HIV/AIDS and other diseases including malaria. They give the children counseling, food, school uniforms, and other forms of support.

Four clowns – Sibongile (Gogo), Gavin (uGavini), Busisiwe (Strawberry), and myself (Boss) – arrived in the afternoon on Sunday the 10th in Ingwavuma after a long drive. Out IOC contact, Nathi welcomed us to the centre where we had a place to cook and sleep.

On Monday the 12th, we started our school shows. We woke-up early in the morning to meet the IOC staff, Hlengiwe, Bongani and Sphephile who led us to the fhirst school, Nyathini Primary. Mr. Fakude, the principle, welcomed us with warm hands as Sibongile met him to discuss where we should perform in the yard. The performance went well for our first time with the children very happy (even the teachers enjoying it!). Although we were in a hurry to get to the next school, we stayed for some drinks as a gesture of hospitality, thanking the principal who asked us to “please come again.”

Our second show, at Mponthshini Primary is the same school where we will be teaching the children in the afternoon workshop. There were over 700 children here who were so excited and happy to have us in residence. That afternoon, we taught our first workshop for 28 children who have recently lost a parent to HIV/AIDS. As rural children generally are, the kids were very respectful. They listen to everything we teach and play with focus as they grab the concepts easily. Very different from the children in KwaMashu, the township outside Durban where I live!

The next day, we started our caregiver workshops in a hall at Mpontshini. The Gogos were a mixture of aunts, uncles, and grandparents who now care for the children. One of our exercises asks the Gogos to tell their stories about when they were young. Gogo Thembislie Nyawo told us one that was very scary putting movement and actions into as she remembered very well!

We also teach the caregivers games that they can play with their children. We also add new things to each game. The Gogos were very creative with their ideas. It was so funny! They also learn partner acrobatics and juggling to get an idea of what their children are doing each afternoon.

As the days pass, the children learn how to juggle 3 balls and make human pyramids working together. On Day 9, they performed a show in front of their parents and caregivers. This show was an adaptation of a Southern African traditional story that deals with death, hope, and dreams. The storytellers were very good! They spoke loud and made Ngwabe’s story clear to the audience. Their mothers were very happy and thaned us afterwards. Gogo Lethiwe said, “you out a smile on our children. You help them through the classes and now our kids have hope, trust, and the opportunity to build a strong relationship with us and our children.”

I am glad because I think we achieved what we were there for – making and seeing children having a great time and laughing. Siyabonga!