Save Our Souls

June 1st already and time is flyyyyiiinng by! I am so sad that this is our last week here in Botswana and can't believe it crept up so fast :( This past Sunday at approximately midnight, my Uncle Richard interviewed me on his radio show, AM740 Toronto. Unfourtunately, I could not get to the internet to notify everyone about the interview before hand; however, the interview was about the volunteerism involved in the trip, the SOS Children's Village and the house build. I was also able to thank everyone who donated to the house build from the girls, the family, Stepping Stones International and myself - we couldn't have done it without you, so thank you again. The group went out to Mochudi again this weekend to continue with the build and were amazed to see that the walls were up. We mixed the cement again and helped the builders plaster the walls. It took a lot of practice to get the cement to stay on the wall, but once we did we got quite a bit done. Tinny (an employee of Stepping Stones) was able to get some paint donated and they are working on digging a hole for the pit latrine. The electrical and the roof still need to be put in place, but it's really starting to look like a house. Lerato and her family are so excited to move in and we are very happy to be able to get them out of the welfare housing they currently reside in. We had a great weekend bonding with the kids and captured lots of photos.
Last week was an amazing week at SOS. It's really sad to think that we are leaving soon - our last day at the Kindergarden is Thursday. Last week we worked on a colour project with the kids. We got them to mix the primary colours to make secondary colours and taught them what each of them were called. Alex and I also painted two large colour wheels on the walls of the main room so that the children could see them and learn what they looked like. We got each of the kids to help paint and had such a great time doing it. The project was a huge success and a great way for the kids to get involved in something that they can now see up on the wall every day. Last week was also an awesome week because we have really gotten to know each of the teachers and staff at SOS. We are now starting to build such great relationships with not only the teachers and staff, but the children as well. Six weeks seems like a long time, but it isn't even close! I feel like now that I am getting comfortable with everything and really starting to make friends I have to leave. It has been such an amazing experience that I could never have even imagined I would get the opportunity to have. I've learned so much here that I will bring back home with me and carry with me for a long time. The children here are phenomenal and it's going to be a very sad day on June 5th when we have to fly home. This week will mostly consist of handing out the donations we brought with us and giving thank you cards and gifts to the staff and our friends at SOS. Yesterday, Alex and I gave out soccer balls and t-shirts and tomorrow we will be bringing things for more of the children. Although Thursday is our last day at the Kindergarden, I hope to go back Saturday before we fly out to spend the final day with the kids. I have so much to learn from them and I can only hope they have learned at least one thing from me.
I will try to post once more before we leave, but am unsure if I will get the chance to come back to the internet cafe. If you don't hear from me before I leave, I can't wait to see everyone when I get home!
Love you all, xo