South Africa, Cape Town end of Arts Camp

Joy.

South Africa, Cape Town Days 3-5

We had three more days of "arts camp" with the kids.

These kids were awesome. They had auditioned to be a part of the camp - though they were picked mainly based on enthusiasm.

HIGHLIGHT: Courtney and I were in charge of teaching an acting class. On the 2nd or 3rd day we decided to introduce "improv" ... so we had each kid perform an "everyday activity" in front of the rest of the group. Courtney and I had written a variety of these activities on pieces of paper (it was like a simplified version of charades) such as... "tying your shoes," "making your bed," "brushing your teeth," "playing cricket," "riding a bicycle." They loved it - and they got the idea right away. (By the third and fourth day they were eagerly volunteering to improv entire scenes!) But my favorite moment had to be when Bukelwa got up in front of the class, picked his piece of paper, read it... and then did the following.

He drew a big rectangle in the air... then drew two circles at each end of the rectangle... then he squatted... and put his arms out underneath this imaginary rectangular object with circles and grunted as he attempted to pick up this very heavy imaginary object...

Puzzled, I looked to Courtney ... neither one of us could figure out what the hell he was acting out! He did it again... drew the big rectangle... the circles... squatted down... and picked up this ...thing...

Finally, I leaned in to him and said, "what are you doing?"

"I'm taking the bus."

Some things were lost in translation.

HIGHLIGHT: On the final day of the arts camp we began the day with show and tell. Many of the kids loved the opportunity to just get up and sing or dance in front of a group. But the most amazing moment came when Thulie (in the photo she is standing in the group of girls all the way to the left) and Lusanda came up to sing. Together they sang,

"The holy spirit come down on us and Africa will be saved. If you believe in God above then Africa will be saved." Then Lusanda recited a sermon or poem...

"I have a pain..."

Slowly our group of class leaders noticed that Thulie, still humming, was crying.

We all applauded their performance, although I think some of us were applauding their strength.