Sam's fun Valentine's Day

Sam with kids from Christel House

Valentine’s Day was a very exciting day at Christel House. The kids didn’t have to wear their uniforms and instead got to wear red and pink and white. It was so weird not seeing them in their usual uniforms but it was also really fun because they seemed so much more relaxed. In the morning, a few select students from first, second and third grade got to go on a little trip to Brooklyn Chest Hospital. Brandi and I were allowed to tag along and it was amazing. We went to the school that they have at the hospital for the kids who are very ill and have to stay at the hospital for six months or more. Many of the kids have TB or HIV. They don’t usually get visitors either including family because of the distance. They typically come from poor families and the trip to the hospital could cost up to 50 rand so their families would have to decide if it is worth it to use that money to visit one child or use it to buy food for the rest of the family. Its very sad to hear, but I’m glad we could help make them happy at least for a little while. All the children at the hospital were so happy and loving. Our students brought books and little valentine’s days presents with cards that they made and spent the morning interacting with the children from the hospital and reading them their stories. They also got a chance to play games outside and run around for a while. The children from Brooklyn Chest sang a few songs for us and wonderful voices and I could tell that they truly enjoyed our visit. One of the boys there even gave a short thank you speech to us which made me feel even better about being there. Even though we were only there for a short amount of time, I know all the children involved really enjoyed it. 

When we returned to school the kids had lunch and then it was time for some games and fun. Grades R-3 got together outside and each grade had its own little competition for prizes, and then read out some of their valentine’s to each other. Their notes were adorable and most of them to their friends thanking them for being good friends and saying how much they loved them. There was also a modeling competition which may have been one of the funniest and cutest things I have ever watched. Two boys and two girls from each class got the chance to walk the runway and then the crowd got to pick their favorite to be crowned mr. and ms. Valentine. There was also a talent show afterwards in which some of the girls from my class did a dance and were amazing. There is a lot of talent in that school. It was a really fun day for everyone full of love and friendship.