This week I taught my first Art lesson at the school we work in in Inanada, a townsip 40-minute drive from Durban. After my partner and I prepared everything at the volunteer center we split up, I was in charge of teaching the lesson with the help of the other volunteers
I was very nervous, the number of students per class surprised me, we were not planning to have so many students! I was very excited when the kids walked in. Because it was my lesson I was the one to greet them at the door. They stand in a line outside the door and they choose how I will greet them when they walk in. Each kid can choose a hug, a high five, or a dance. Most of them chose a hug even though it was the first time we met them, that broke the ice cause once the lesson started I already had a few personal seconds with each one of my students!
It was so great to see the rest of the volunteer’s team up and make such an effort to make the lesson awesome. We had a few challenges we did not expect but the volunteers made an effort and the lesson was a success. The kids enjoyed it, they got to know us a little and they learned new techniques of art! Each student created an upcycled animal made of reusable materials, they named the animal and all got a chance to show off their work.
I was moved to see that even though we are so far from home the kids in Inanda remind me of the kids I know from Israel. The same kind of excitement!
When we packed up the equipment I could see all the kids running around with their new art and showing it to the other children in school
Even though its just the beginning, I can’t wait for the rest of my art lessons
