Leaving my internship this past Wednesday was
really tough for me. It kind of sank in that I barely have any time left at
Christel House (and here in South Africa), and that soon I’m not going to be
going into work each week. Before I left, I told a couple students I was
working with that this next week was going to be my last one. Their
disappointed reactions and bummed looks on their faces were hard to swallow. It’s
really sad for me to think about how I won’t be there every day anymore to chat
and ask how their day is going, how their weekend was, and just be supportive
and a friendly face.
I really didn’t expect to be so
emotionally impacted by my work, especially because I was originally
anticipating working exclusively in the marketing office. I am going to miss
many things at Christel House, but I will probably miss the library the most. I
have really loved working there with Ms. Celeste and having the opportunity to
get to know so many great students. Once I’m back home, I’ll wonder about
how the library is running, how the kids are doing, and if they’re doing
alright at home. There has been a lot of gang violence in the townships these
past two weeks, especially in Manenberg and Hanover Park, two areas where many
of students come from. It’s going to be tough to leave and not know what’s
going on. I kind of feel guilty that I’m going home and leaving all the
students, who have to deal with so much in their home lives.
I’ve gotten close to a couple
students that I’m really going to miss. I wish I could be able to see their
continued success and I hope I can find a way to stay in touch with some of
them, especially the older ones. One girl, Lauren, is a grade 11 student
and top of her class this year. I know after Christel House she is going to go
on to do really great things. I hope we stay in touch! Hopefully I can get some
contact information from her; maybe she will have a Facebook account.
Saying goodbye to Christel House
next week is going to be really sad. It’s become my home in South Africa. I
love seeing the staff and kids everyday, and its such a warm and welcoming
environment. I know if/when I come back to South Africa I will visit the school.
Hopefully it will be in the near enough future to where I will recognize some
of the students. In the meantime, I plan on corresponding with the staff
via email and exchanging stories and photos.
Yesterday we went to a book launch
at this really awesome book store and I saw a copy of The Sword of Summer,
the newest book by one of my favorite authors Rick Riordan. I’ve been reading
his books since I was in middle school, and I still read each new book he
publishes the instant it comes out. So I decided to buy it and on Monday I’m
going to give to the library. The kids absolutely love new books, and I hope
that they will love this one. I hope that by giving this book to the library I
can inspire a passion for reading and great stories in someone, and also leave
a small little mark on a school that has left such a big one on me.
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