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When I first went t to the classroom, I have to say my impression was akin to heartbreak. I felt deeply sad; it was so different to what I am used to, so empty, so grey and cold. Of course I was not expecting any kind of luxury, but directly facing that reality hit me very hard.
Some chairs and desks, beautifully painted in different colours, gave the impression of being in a children’s classroom. There was also a small bookcase with some torn up books, a few old toys at one of the corners, a table with lots of coloured pencils and crayons and some posters on the big walls.
But the return from holidays arrived and immediately my impression changed. It was 7 a.m. and I started to see some kids opening the gates and coming into the school’s playground. Swane was the first teacher to come and when Ncoblie and Londi arrived, we started to prepare the classroom by sweeping and mopping the floor.
At around 8 a.m. about 25 kids got into the classroom. Swane called them and then started to sing a few songs all together. In one of the songs, to which were clapping along, Swane would say something and each kid would say their name when asked. That’s how I introduced myself.
They also prayed standing up and trying to keep their eyes closed. Afterwards they sat on a mat and, when asked to, would stand up and say “I am (name). I am a boy/girl. I live in Ndabeni area. I go to Matjana preschool. I am 5 years old”. Then Ncobile came to introduce the new theme, winter clothes, and used the opportunity to revise the words of colours.
Once this was finished, kids went to play in small groups in corners: puzzles, toys, play dough and blocks. This was their daily routine: singing, dancing, playing, drawing, laughing, going to the playground, learning new words in English, and sharing experiences under the same roof.
I was delighted seeing how bubbly the kids were, moving around loudly and with endless energy. Some of them were cheeky, others were shy. I remember a tall boy displaying in many situations a very diplomatic behaviour for his age; another boy with a strong character who seemed to have low tolerance for frustration; a girl who was sad because she badly wanted to be with her mum, who was just a few meters away outside the school and after a while we realised she had slipped away to be with her mum. I remember not understanding a word of what they were saying, but comprehending their nature just by observing them.
After this first day my point of view of the pre-school totally changed and I came to know that what matters in a school has absolutely nothing to do with how it looks like and what there is in it, but with the people in it and what they do. On the other hand, I also realised that what we have around us determines to a large extent our possibilities, our way of living, and in a certain way even our personality.
The pre-school also represents a support to the community. That’s why they are hoping to enlarge the preschool to increase the number of pupils they can accept. They built the school themselves, I think mostly mothers and grandmothers. I saw them working on the ground with the shovels, even while carrying their babies on their backs. Thus, more kids will enjoy the opportunity to learn at such a lovely preschool.
I would like to thank all the people I met at Swaziland that made my unique experience all the more fantastic for being there. I would love to go back someday to see the progress of the preschool and the warm and friendly smiles of the locals.
I want to finish by saying to those who can afford and are willing to help others, that any amount of money they donate makes a real and direct difference at Matjana Preschool. Charities can often have their funds diluted due to their size, scale and unfortunately at times corruption which results in many of us being wary to donate. I can assure you that every cent you donate for this cause goes directly to the pre-school to enlarge it and educate the rural children of the Kaphunga Province of Swaziland.
Please see the bank details below if you want to make a donation
Read the full version of Silvia’s visit from our Volunteer Stories page
SWAZILAND BANK ACCOUNT
To donate to the Swaziland account use the following details:
- Bank: Standard Bank Manzini
- Account name: Matjana Preschool
- Account number: 9110001038268
- BSB number: 66056441
- Bank SWIFT Code: SBICSZMX
Your bank may also require some or all of the following details to facilitate a transfer to Swaziland:
- Beneficiary name: Matjana Community Preschool
- Beneficiary physical address: Ndabeni area next to Matjana Primary School, Kaphunga Chiefdom, Shiselweni region, Swaziland
- Postal address: PO Box 3713, Manzini M200, Swaziland
- Standard Bank address: Cnr Nkosehlusaza and Louw Streets Manzini
AUSTRALIAN BANK ACCOUNT
To donate to the Australian account send a cheque (payee: Friends of Matjana Preschool) to PO Box 1542, Armidale, NSW 2350, or use the following details to make a direct deposit:
- Bank: The Community Mutual Group
- Account name: Friends of Matjana Preschool Inc
- BSB: 932000
- Account: 719585