“There is chaos. Kids are not coming to school"

The community had a very different atmosphere this week...schools are closed as one of the teachers unions, SADTU, have embarked upon a "chalk-down"...which has resulted in no lessons being taught in some schools across the country. When there is no school, the children don't have anywhere to go, so many of them spend their time playing on the side of the road, sliding down banks on cardboard boxes and following us to our prac venues.

Perfect day for sliding down the hill on cardboard boxes!

An online newspaper reports: "A Mariannhill primary school principal said his staff were “just sitting” in their classrooms. “There is chaos. Kids are not coming to school" (News24).

It really is sad, as there is talk that this may continue for at least 3 weeks, and may even become aggressive. What I was most concerned about was that the children were just wandering the streets without supervision. This area is known for drugs, crime and abuse, yet there is no-one checking up on the children! 

This little girl wanted to know why we were 'running away from her' while she followed us to our prac.

On a happier note, we walked past Mariannridge Cafe to say a quick hello to the ladies who sit and knit at the cafe each week. They knit teddy bears for children who have been abused, that are given out at R. K. Khan Hospital. This week the UKZN nursing students were busy setting up for their antenatal program by the cafe. Everyone was in such a good mood, and the ladies were so proud of their massive pile of knitted teddy's that were on display!

Setting up for the Antenatal Program

The pile of hand-knitted Teddy's that will be given out to abused children at R.K. Khan Hospital

 

I am learning more and more about what it means to be part of this community. I LOVE the interactions that I have with people while walking between prac venues, and seeing the difference that people are making in Mariannridge. It is extremely different to the community that I come from- I am used to living behind high walls, fences and security, and driving to the shops, where you may bump into someone you know...if something happens in my community, you hear about it in the newspaper or Facebook! In Mariannridge, there are no walls or fences surrounding the houses, you walk everywhere and meet people on the way who will update you on any news!

Candy Floss Pre-school was also chaotic this week, but I still loved it! We arrived during their break time...the children had so much energy and just loved the attention that they got from us. 

Tyre racing at Candy Floss!

When their break time ended, we began screening hearing, which is proving to be slightly difficult in the noisy environment. Hopefully next week we will be able to make arrangements with the teachers to move their class to the other side of the room so we can decrease the noise level. As expected, many of the children present with impacted wax...I am holding thumbs that their parents will take our referral letters and advice seriously!