Orphan Summer Camp

By Katrina

Introduction

I arrived at Ingwavuma Orphan Care as a volunteer on the 21st November 2005. I had just completed my third year in my Bachelor of Primary Teaching (Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia) and wanted very much to spend some of my final semester break volunteering in a rural community and working with the children. I was fortunate enough to find my way here to Ingwavuma, South Africa, and have since been able to take part in a number of projects that have been aimed towards helping the large number of orphans affected by the HIV epidemic.

It was my third week here at Orphan Care, when the opportunity arose to take thirty orphans from three of the nearby schools on summer camp. I was thrilled and jumped at the chance. What an amazing experience it was to say the least. The camp gave the children the chance to experience happiness, laughter, hope and fun! Just to see the growing smiles on the children's faces day by day was just something else. It only confirmed for me just how special and important these camps are for the children. I hope you all enjoy reading my day by day overview of the camp just as much as I have enjoyed writing it up. It has brought a smile to my face just thinking back to it now. Thanks to everyone at Ingwavuma Orphan Care for all of the wonderful experiences and memories you have provided me with by having me here as a volunteer (they will last a lifetime!) and thank you to Dave and the Dare to Dream team for the amazing camp you gave the children. It was just wonderful!

Day One

The day started off nice and early for the thirty children who were attending camp on the Monday. A number of Orphan Care staff helped pick up the children from their respective areas and drove them to the nearby town of Jozini where we all gathered to meet the bus. After a few unexpected delays, a bus full of children and the sun shinning brightly, we started on our way to camp. I have to admit; once we had taken off I was amazed at how quiet the children were. They were just taking every little bit of it in. As we made our way down the mountain and as we started along the N2, the children's eyes very rarely strayed from the outside views passing them by, all the way to our first unexpected stop off at Mtubatuba.

On being informed that there was a taxi strike, we ended up taking an unscheduled afternoon stop off at a park in Mtubatuba where we gave the children an early lunch and drinks. After lunch and once we had collected some extra supplies for the children (an extra 15L of water & some icy poles) it was time to plan some activities for the kids. I taught the children a number of different activities and games to play using the dice, cards, 'connect four', bubbles, play dough and last but not least, the bouncy balls. Before I knew it though, I had thirty very enthusiastic children teaching me how to play these games in so many new and interesting ways that I myself had never seen before! It was wonderful! The afternoon play really gave the children a good chance to get to know us and each other, and it also gave them the time to have some fun outdoors before making a start on the long journey ahead.

Once back on the bus, the children continued to watch intently out the window to ensure that they didn't miss a thing. This continued until the darkness crept up on us and then the children slowly settled down to sleep. After one long and adventurous bus trip, a flat tyre and multiple toilet stops along the way, we arrived in Richmond and shortly after into the Roseland's Camp.

On arrival into Roselands, the children were welcomed by Dave and his team from 'Dare to Dream' with happy smiles and a lovely big supper and pudding. The children were still quite tired as we got them off the bus; therefore they were a little wary at first of their new surroundings. It made me smile though; to see how quickly their tiredness disappeared as they saw the wonderful big meals in front of them. For many of the children this was their first time using a knife and fork, however, there were still those few children who still weren't quite comfortable with this new eating arrangement and reverted back to using their hands. As the team arranged the children into their dorm groups shortly after supper, we gave them their special backpacks that had been prepared for them by Orphan Care, set with a toothbrush, toothpaste, clothes, socks, shoes and a jacket. For many of the children, these few things were the only things they then had with them on camp, apart from the clothes they had on them. After quick introductions to the team and one long day, the children were put to bed and told to sleep well, because they had one big day ahead!

Day Two

Wake up call for the children was at 7am. With both apprehension and excitement, we got the children showered (again this was another new first experience for most of the children) and then got them ready for breakfast in the eating hall. Awaiting them was a big breakfast of maize meal, toast, egg, beans etc, which the children feasted on. After breakfast we took the children into the hall for singing and dancing. The 'Dare to Dream' team lead the songs with their lively beats on the bongos, guitar, and clapping. It didn't take long before the children were singing along too. Once they had finished and the children were excited and energetic, it was then time for the day's first big adventure. The Big Hike.

We headed off in a long trail, as we guided the children up and around the lush green mountainous areas surrounding the camp. The children were very keen and enthusiastic and hurried along quickly, until they reached the waterfall. The children loved seeing the running water and a few even went as far as to splash into the small pools of water. It was quite a steep climb alongside the waterfall but the children seemed to climb up it so effortlessly and without shoes too! These had all been taken off quickly by the children earlier on in the hike, for added comfort I was informed!

After approximately two and a half hours of hiking, we returned to the camp. After being given a big lunch on arrival, we then gave the children an hour of free play time. It was amazing how much energy they still had! There was no stopping these kids from running around and playing. Once gathered all back together, we took the children into the hall for a few games of 'fruit salad', musical chairs, musical statues and 'Simon says'....or as we played 'this and that'. The children loved the challenge of these games and there was a lot of laughter as each game reached its winner.

Later in the afternoon, we took the children up to the field for afternoon outdoor play. The field filled up quickly with children running around everywhere playing an assortment of games from soccer to Frisbee throwing. It was just so wonderful to see the children's energy and smiles. After outdoor play, it was time for supper and then showers.

For the final activity of the day, we got the children all gathered around the big camp fire for songs and marshmallows! The atmosphere was so vibrant! Dave demonstrated to the children the skillful techniques of making marshmallow sandwiches. This is a process whereby the marshmallow is cooked on a stick and then squashing between two biscuits. The children loved every minute of it. This was given away by their smiles all covered in marshmallow! Just before 10pm, it was time for us to put the children to bed. After a quick flurry of excitement as they went and brushed their teeth, it wasn't long before the children were fast asleep ... ready for another big day ahead.

Day Three

The children again had a wake up call of 7am, although this morning, many of them were well and truly up before time and were playing outside the dorm rooms. The apprehension from the morning before seemed to have disappeared. After the children had their showers, breakfast and song and dance in the hall, it was time to get the children ready for the big activity for the day. The dam.

Once we made sure the children had their towels with them and their sunscreen on, we were on our way. Once we arrived at the dam, we had a short staff briefing as to where each of our watch stations would be and the children had everything explained to them also (the water play rules). Included in this though, was an introduction to the 'flying fox'. The children were so excited but also nervous too as they watched Dave give them their first demonstration. Flying across the dam, he finally dropped off into a big rubber tube where he was met by a number of leaders who helped him safely back to the waters edge. It took a couple of demonstrations, but then we had our first volunteers. As we put their life jackets on, their faces grew concerned, BUT once they were off….that was it, there was no stopping them.

For most of the children, this was their first time at a dam and most definitely on a flying fox, so it was a wonderful thing to see, them giving it a go. You should have seen the children on the flying fox though. They stayed so straight and rigid as they hung on with their lives! We even had a few of the littlies that wouldn't let go out of fear of falling, until eventually their arms got too tired and they just dropped down into the tube. The cheers and laughter of the children as they took turns on the flying fox was certainly contagious. The rest of the children who weren't too sure about the flying fox went into the shallow waters of the dam and took part in the water play. It was such a sight to see then all splashing around happily.

After the flying fox rotation had finished, we gave the children had morning tea and then had a game of 'apple bopping'. This was where apples were tied from a piece of string between two trees and were left hanging. They were then dipped in maple syrup whereby the children, who were put into partners with their hands behind their backs, had to together, eat the whole apple. This brought about a whole lot of laughs as the children were covered in maple syrup and bumping heads trying to get the apple. After an eventful morning at the dam, it was time to head back to camp for lunch.

After lunch, we put the children on a group treasure hunt. We started the children off with one scripture clue whereby they had to run about the camp to find the clues that followed. The children ran enthusiastically back and forth across the distance of the camp searching for clues, until eventually one of the children frantically found the last clue and the treasure with it.

After a big braai cook up for supper, the children gathered themselves around the three braai's and cooked bread on a stick for pudding, which they then dipped in home made jams. What a sticky mess it made, the children loved every minute of it! After pudding, we took the children into the hall for singing and a talk and for the first time I saw the children absolutely exhausted! Slowly around the edge of the hall there were a few sleepy eyes starting to close…It was time for bed. What a big day!

Day Four

For one last time, the children had their 7am wake up call, showered, had breakfast and headed to the hall for one last morning for singing and dancing. You should have seen it, it was honestly something else! The hall was filled with children dancing and singing so loudly and happily, you would have been able to hear it a mile away, it was just amazing. The turn around from day one showed instantly. The quiet and hesitant voices had gone. Smiles could be seen everywhere.

After singing, we sent the children back to the dorms to pack their bags to ensure that they had everything packed. Once this had been done, we gathered the children in the hall and gave them each a piece of paper and some paints. Dave explained to them that this was their own time to paint their absolutely favourite thing about the camp. The children did this with great enthusiasm, as pictures of houses, flying foxes, swimming pools and people came up, all splashed with bright colours. With the paintings out to dry, it was time to prepare the children for one last big lunch.

After a lunch of pizza, crisps and fruit and a big goodbye, it was time to get ready for the journey home. After the children sent Dave and the 'Dare to Dream' team off with a big 'SIYABONGA!' (Thank-you!) We started off on the journey home. Within just five minutes of getting on the bus, singing choired from the children as they all sang the songs that they had been singing each day on the camp. It was spectacular!

The bus trip back to Ingwavuma, unlike the one on the way there, was actually rowdy! The children were singing and laughing happily, although I must admit at the same time they still kept their eyes focused out of the window, taking in all of the scenery. After we quickly stopped off to prepare some supper for the children in Mtubatuba, we approached the children's homes slowly but surely.

Sadly the trip had come to an end and it was time to say goodbye. Although it was awfully sad to say goodbye to the children after such a special trip, I am certain though, that the happiness that the children discovered on the camp will never be forgotten by any of them and the memories of fun and laughter that they had, will bring a smile to their faces for a long time to come! It was certainly an amazing experience, and one which I know, I will never ever forget… What an exceptional experience and what a special camp for the children!