Community Service Learning

While here in South Africa, most of the international students are required to take a Community Service Learning class, where we become educated on poverty, HIV/AIDS, and different social aspects of South Africa.  We are required to volunteer for a minimum of two hours per week at various locations.  We have several options, but must choose one in specific to volunteer at throughout the semester.  Some of the options were homework clubs, babies homes, childrens homes, pre-schools and a disabled adults assisted living home.  One of the homework clubs, Sinethemba was actually created by a woman, who they would refer to as "mama" who grew up on the streets of a township here in Port Elizabeth, and wanted better for the future of the township kids.  One of the other homework clubs is called Masifunde, which is actually a registered Non-Profit Company and Organization.  Masifunde really centers around attempting to help the children to improve and grow in their education so they can be accepted at one of the better schools in the area, thus giving them a brighter future.
All of the options seem extremely nice and helpful to others, but I have chosen a pre-school called Sinako, which is in a township here in Port Elizabeth called Warmer.  It specifically is in part of the township that is underdeveloped, meaning although the townships are already very, very, very poor and underdeveloped, this part is even more so.  The kids range in age from 3-5 and we are actually required to bring or make our own activity for the kids while we are there.  I chose this location and pre-school for several reasons.  One, because its different from all the others.  Most of the other sign-up sheets for the other places were pretty packed.  Mine was empty.  Secondly, its with an age group of kids that I LOVE.  3-5 years old is an extremely delicate age, where you are first beginning school, and where you first begin to love it or hate it.  I think that these children, especially at this age, NEED to learn to love it right from the get-go, otherwise things will be really hard for them.  I also just love that kids that age are just beginning to really get to know their personality, so they say funny things, so goofy things and are just plain happy most the time.
I am particularly excited to make my own activities and games for these kids, because I think that will really help me to develop a relationship with them, and even get to know their language better.  I also am slightly anxious about going to a part of a township that is specifically "poorer" and underdeveloped.  Last time I was in the townships, it was hard for me to say the least, and I saw little to NO development as far as even running water, electricity or sanitation, so this may be even more of a shock.  BUT, I think that this is supposed to be a challenge, and maybe, who knows, these may be the kids who need it the most, maybe they need someone who is willing to look beyond the overwhelming, emotional turmoil it creates for them, and really help.  It will take time for me at adjust to being in that type of setting and environment, but, I think in the long run it will be a good thing.