All about the kids!

Knowing that I have just a few short monhs left in Botswana, I've been doing a lot of reflecting on my experiences here and realizing just how much of an impact working with the kids in my program has had on my life. Before coming to Botswana I'd had very little experience working with youth, especially adolescents, and when taking into consideration the differences in cultural backgrounds between the kids and myself, I was intimidated by them and the idea of trying to do anything to help them lead better lives. The first time I met the original 30 kids involved with Stepping Stones, they were completely shy and reserved, making me all the more uncertain about what to say to them and how to act around them. But as time passed and I participated in activities with the kids, they began to open up. Even getting them to answer any questions or participate in activities in the beginning was a huge challenge, but slowly the kids became more bold, especially after I allowed them many opportunities to laugh at me. I used to go on trips to go horseback riding with them- always entertaining with hip hop and house music blasting through the combi as the kids danced and chatted away- and one day I just started trying to mimic their dance moves. There was an uproar of laughter which made my day. Ever since I started making a fool of myself the kids have realized that I'm not that much different than they are- I'm not sure I'll ever forget how to be a kid- and they're more comfortable letting me in to their infinitely complex and interesting lives.
I'm amazed at all the unique personalities in our program (and I've changed the names for confidentiality purposes)- there's Odirile, the class clown who happens to be utterly brilliant and loves inventing secret handshakes; there's Tumelo, the hyperactive boy who likes to pick fights with the others but loves reading Sesame Street books; there's Rapebana, the drama queen who loves to preach the word of Jesus; "Small Boy" as the kids call him, who is brilliant and meticulous in arts and crafts; and who could forget Fortune, one of my favorite guys, who has a funny habit of smiling and then trying to hide it and always is the first to say hi when I arrive. I'm continuously impressed at how many new things these kids are willing to try- for example, we just started a sewing program which I assumed would only be popular among the girls, but when we asked for volunteers almost all the boys seemed interested. Almost all the kids have learned horseback riding, jewelry making, many different types of art, and journal writing. They're eager to learn English, and so excited when I break out a book and read to them (I recently started Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which I'm just as excited about).
Needless to say, long after I've returned to the states, I will remember all the names (which took me sooo long to learn) and faces of the now 60 kids I've worked with- it will break my heart to leave, but it will be great to keep in touch with them and see where their lives lead.