In the beginning of July, a little boy named Manqoba came into our class at 1000 Hills. Fikile carried him in and said he was paralyzed but I found out that he has cerebral palsy that affects his right leg and right arm. Fikile had no clue what to do with him and had to go to a workshop so she just handed him to me. The first week or two he was in our classroom, he was so nervous, didn't speak, and clenched onto whoever was holding him's clothes. For the month of July, there were two girls from England, Mel and Hannah, who came to 1000 Hills to volunteer for the month. They were in my classroom for most of the time and were a huge help with all of the kids. Mel's brother has cerebral palsy so as soon as she saw Manqoba and learned about him, she instantly smiled and took him as her mission. She knew exercises and stretches for his legs, arms, and hands that really helped him stretch out and be able to move more easily. It was a challenge at first to get him used to the classroom because he had never been at school before or around that many kids. With a little love in encouragement, he fit right in to the class. By the second week, Manqoba was making friends, playing on the bikes with the other kids, and eating on his own. One of the biggest struggles was getting him home in the afternoon. His father arranged for him to go home on the 1000 Hills transport kombi (a taxi van which are crazy and unsafe on the roads but this one is obviously safe since it is from the center). After spending all day with Mel and getting to know her, leaving at the end of the day was really hard and scary for our little Manqoba. The first week we didn't know anything was wrong so he just went back and forth to school in the kombi with what we thought was with ease but after one of the adults that goes with them said that he cries the whole time, we had to change our plan. So one day Mel and I went with the transport to bring all of the kids home. It was quite the experience riding in the kombi with all of the kids and seeing where they lived. Luleka and Andsiwa, two of my favorite girls, were on the bus and they live right near each other which is really cute because they are great friends in school. Of course there couldn't be a normal, no problem transport with us there because when there were 4 kids left, we had to switch to the ambulance that came to meet us in the middle of our route because the van was running low on petrol. It was quite the bumpy ride in the back of the ambulance but thankfully Manqoba sat up front with Mel. When we got to his house, we were hoping to talk to his dad but there was only an older sibling so we dropped him off and told the kid that there was a note for the dad in Manqoba's bag.
Throughout the whole month of July, Manqoba made lots of new friends, especially Reabetsoe and Olwethu, and has fit in very well with our class. He is starting to talk and count and loves playing with a small ball and throwing it. Mel was a great help to Manqoba and a perfect fit for him to help get adjusted into our classroom. Unfortunately Mel and Hannah were only here for the month of July but we thank them tremendously for their support and help throughout the month. Manqoba and the rest of the kids miss you both but are doing well thanks to your help! In addition to Manqoba being a great addition to our class, he is going to physiotherapy on Wednesdays at St. Mary's Hospital and Friday afternoons at Ethembeni School which is right behind the 1000 Hills center. I have had the opportunity to go with him and Mthi, a Zulu teacher in our room, to the sessions on Friday afternoons and it is amazing to see what they can do. They usually start by stretching him out and making sure his muscles are nice and loose. For the first couple of weeks, the therapists were working on his right hand that is constantly in a fist and his right arm that is always bent. The therapists showed Mthi and I exercises we can do to help stretch it out which has been great. Manqoba's physiotherapy sessions on Fridays are always a great way to end the week because they inspire me that kids can do anything no matter what their physical or emotional disability are. After only two sessions with the therapists and our stretching throughout the week, Manqoba was able to open his right hand with both our help and him opening it himself with his left hand. It was truly amazing to see this transformation and to continue to see him stop what he's doing to open his right hand before continuing on crawling or playing. Sometimes he does get distracted with something he is doing with his left hand that the right hand closes again but most of the time you just have to say "Manqoba, open your hand" and show him your hand before he stops and opens his own hand. I had never been to physiotherapy sessions before but I'm glad Manqoba has given me the opportunity because the work the therapists and Manqoba are doing are simply amazing! Manqoba is a perfect example of how much life and energy toddlers have and the joy they experience everyday. Manqoba has a dad who loves him and did a great job of bringing him to school and getting him enrolled in physiotherapy. I am excited to see how Manqoba improves throughout the rest of the year both in school and with his therapy.
South African Fact: "Established in 1984, Ethembeni School serves 300 physically disabled and visually impaired children from all over Kwazulu-Natal, Kingdom of the Zulu (South Africa), educating them to reach their highest potential and to become independent and responsible citizens of the community. The name Ethembeni means “Place of Hope” and the motto Phila Ufunde – Live and Learn. At Ethembeni 300 beautiful children live, learn, and give us joy and hope."
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