The six weeks I've been in Oudtshoorn went so fast.
At the Drop in Centre I organised, via Franzu (the boss), some material that I and the rest of the leaders could use for the programs with the children. Now they have pencils, paint, brushes, pens, scissors, and paper.
I went to the library many times to borrow some books to read with the children: Donald Duck in Holland and the USA, Mickey Mouse and Goofy in Australia, Italy, Mexico and Japan.
The children had to show me the countries on a map and in the books they read a lot of information about the country. They read about Holland where I come from and saw windmills, tulips and klompen (wooden shoes) and the best cheese ever.
They read about Australia and learnt about kangaroos, koalas and dingos and they enjoyed to draw the animals.
The children are good in maths and I wanted to challenge them so I made Sudokus for them and also showed them a maths game where you have to do different calculations to reach 24 every time. That was a difficult task for them.
This week I taught them more about Africa. They had to find countries and maps of the different countries. They had to paint the flags and find the countries in an atlas.
I also taught them to cut 'Sneeuwvlokken' (snow flakes) from white paper and some water lilies from coloured paper. They had to fold the paper and then cut different shapes. Some children drew the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen.
Even drugs and sex are important subjects to talk to the children about. I did two lessons about these subjects to warn them of the risks.
To warn them what can happen with your body and mind. We showed them pictures and a documentary about people who have messed up their lives by using drugs and having sex without protection.
I hope that the information will help the children enough to watch out on the streets, especially at night and over weekends. I can see that it is not safe for them and it is difficult to see what is happening in a country where the difference between rich and poor is so big.
It's not safe, they've to be careful in this world.
Last weekend I had a 'braai' in Bongolethu with my Dutch friend, Thari de Kleuver (also from Alphen aan den Rijn) who stayed there for three weeks. Last year she did an internship and now she's back for a holiday. I met new people and we have a great time together. This weekend is my last weekend and I'm gonna ride on an ostrich. I have never done that and I will have a birthday.
I brought a lot of clothes from Holland which I gave to children at the drop in centre and Wednesday I also gave some clothes to Helpende Hand. They took me to a house where a girl lives who really needs the clothes.
Today is my last day at the drop in centre and it is going to be fun. We are making cookies and playing games together. I'll miss the children and will never forget them! On Monday I'm flying back to the Netherlands. Thanks for reading my stories in the newspaper and thank you to all the people of Oudtshoorn who helped me and who I've met.
Some of the great kids I got to know at the drop-in centre.
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