Our Mission Diary
July 4, 2006
Our travellers, Shamin Mohamed Jr. and Betty Chiu, are still adapting to the South African climate. The days are very warm but the nights are cold. They spent today leading workshops for children at a children’s home affiliated with The Abraham Kriel Maria Kloppers Children’s home in Emdeni, Soweto, Johannesburg. Around 35 children, ranging in age from six to eighteen years old, participated in the first interactive workshop of the day. Because of the wide age range, it was a challenge to keep every child’s concentration.
Some children enjoyed some activities more than others. However, the workshop was a success as it motivated the children to cooperate with each other and use their leadership skills. The children were very excited and especially interested in the HIV/AIDS education portion of the workshop. They were keen to participate by reading myths and facts about HIV/AIDS and by asking questions.
The second workshop of the day was at the location of Shamin and Betty’s current accommodation: the Abraham Kriel Kloppers Children’s Home. Approximately 20 children between the ages of eight and sixteen years old participated. The second workshop was much shorter than the first as Betty and Shamin only had 45 minutes to run it. This made it difficult to cover everything that had initially been planned for each workshop but they did their best. Later on, the pair drove to a local mall to obtain internet access.
Shamin and Betty still have a long journey ahead of them. Already, this mission is proving to be a helpful, enlightening, and educational experience.
