All around Cape Town, there are areas that are named “townships”…these areas are back to back to back shacks mostly hand built by the people who live there. These townships were founded because the apartheid government wouldn’t let blacks (and some coloureds) live in cities and areas where they wanted to. They were relocated to the townships so they were all in one area, so to speak. The townships have communal bathrooms and washing areas that are shared generally between 10-20 homes. It’s depressing that they still exist and the government hasn’t really helped changed them all that much.

Every Thursday, I head out with a group of international students and volunteer in the local primary school. We help eighty 7th grade students with homework, arts and crafts, and worksheets. Snack time and physical activity is also involved. There are a few field trips as well (they visited Parliament in Cape Town a few weeks ago). Deahna and I work with a group of 7-8 boys and it’s really fun. There is a bit of a language barrier, as they speak Xhosa as their first language and aren’t quite fluent in English, but it works out. They are in that extremely awkward stage in life and I love working with them because of all the teasing I can do. Ahhh the middle school days!

Here are some photos — enjoy!

Dee and I with our boys!

Playing outside — the background of the school is gorgeous mountains!

Michael, with his gorgeous smile

Their favorite game is 4-square, which brings me back to elementary school

Everybody loves posing for the camera