Many teachers have come to me and told me about the changes they have seen in the children.

We have also had parents coming to school and thanking us for the exposure their children had.

To the sponsors, directors of the camp, patrons, counselors and organizations involved

The rest of the report is me recalling some memories I have of the camp, changes I saw in the children and how our lives at E.W.Hobbs Primary School have changed.

“CHILDREN SHOULD BE SEEN AND NOT HEARD”
“A CHILD DOES NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH AN ADULT WHEN SPOKEN TO”
“TALKATIVE CHILDREN ARE RUDE CHILDREN”

This is how our children are reared in our societies. When I first heard about the camp, one of my concerns were, would our parents want this change to take place in their children.
Many times our children are told untruths to make parenting “easier”. We often avoid certain topics because we don’t know how to approach the issues or we don’t have sufficient knowledge to deal with the issues our children face.
We still practice and use barbaric forms of punishment because we don’t know or have alternative forms of punishment.
We seldom tell our children their rights – for if we do, they would revolt against us.

When talking to the children before they went on camp, almost all of them said they were looking forward to go and swim and play games. They had no idea what was going to take place at camp. Children often just want to play. When they have to do serious things at school, they would easily be distracted and not find the lessons interesting.
While at camp one could almost see the changes taking place. Children who wanted to go home during the first three days started saying they never want to go home again.
Children who were usually quite and withdrawn started to express themselves without fear of who is watching them. (Having teachers in their presence normally restricts them).
Watching them overcome their fear for water was memorable.
When the first group returned from camp they were allowed to address the assembly. Awesome.

The rest of the school was dumbstruck as they lead the assembly in song . Telling the school about their experience. New leaders had emerged out of the ranks. Children we never thought or whom we as a school never afforded the opportunity to express themselves had suddenly evolved.

At a retirement function of a teacher a few children presented a play at the assembly. One of the teachers asked the following question during the performance:

” How many of those children were at Camp Sizanani? “
I replied:” Only a few of them.”

The reason he asked this question was, for the first time in a few of the children’s school life he sees them on the stage. How was it possible that after being at school for six years already, we only see the talent now?
Because, Camp Sizanani, has awoken a new sense of pride, artistic skill, self-awareness and freedom to express themselves in most of the children that went to camp.

Meeting with the parents.

After seeing all these changes that took place in our children it became evident that we needed to meet with the parents. I felt that they had a pivotal role to play in the development and the enhancing of what took place at camp. We called a meeting with all the parents two weeks after the last group came back from camp. At the meeting one of the counselors explained to the parents what the programme was like and what happens at camp.
We then allowed parents an opportunity to tell the councilors what they have experienced when the kids returned from camp.

These are some of the responses:

• “What have you done with my child? I want my old child back. He asks questions that I do not have answers for. He has become too independent. He left a baby and came back a young adult. I still want to baby him. He now tells me that he can take care of himself. Thank you.”
• “My child seldom assisted with any chores at home. The other day she asked if she could help with the cooking. She seems to have a structured day. Less playing and more school and homework is being done.”
• “My child would normally be late for school everyday. She would watch TV the minute she wakes and would waste time getting ready for school. Since she is back from camp, she no longer puts on the TV first. She has not been late for school since.”
• “My child was addicted to TV and play station. He now spends less time on any of these pastimes.”
• “My child has come of age. She used to be an introvert. Now she looks you in the face and discusses issues with me. She is no longer shy and has become very confident.”
• “Thank you very much.” This parent could only say those few words and broke down in tears.
• “We have a baby at home and before the camp my daughter never helped with the baby. I now have to tell her to go out and play so that other can also hold the baby.”
• “We have four sons at home. The boys were always fighting and arguing. It has stopped. Thank you Camp Sizanani.”
• “When is the next camp? I have two other children still at school and I would like them to attend the camp as well.”

The school.

During the first assembly we had after the second and third groups of children came from camp I thought a few teachers were going to have heart attacks. The campers spontaneously broke into song and sang all the songs they had learnt at camp. We allowed them to continue and after a half hour I had to ask them to stop so that the assembly could end and we could start with our first period of the day.

One teacher commented:” What are we to do with these children? Every time they have a free minute or while they are changing periods they start singing.”
We responded by telling her that perhaps we should have a bigger school choir and a concert later in the year.

Another teacher commented:” I was busy with a lesson on HIV/AIDS and thought the discussion part of the lesson would be one-sided. To my surprise, we ran out of time for the free discussion section of the lesson. They knew what they were saying.”

Another teacher came into the staffroom during lunch one day and said: “Today I’ve learnt something new.” They were discussing sex / safe sex / safe sex practices, and he said that some of the things the children mentioned were new to him. “Where did they learn it?”

A few other comments from teachers were: “extrovert, confident, helpful, focused, caring, sharing etc.

Me.

My initial role when contact was made with the Camp Director was to establish what the organization was all about and would our children be safe. I also had to establish if the organization would benefit our children.

History :

• Our school has had a child abducted and killed.
• On more than three occasions children have gone missing on their way to school or from school.
• Children have been put out of parents homes for not conforming to parents rules.
• Girls have slept out without informing parents about any arrangements.
• Children have experimented with drugs and alcohol at school and at home.
• We have children falling pregnant soon after leaving primary school.
• Currently we have an 8yr old missing for more than seven nine months.
• Children are abused by parents and elders at home and in the community.
• Boys and girls have been sexually assaulted.

Would Camp Sizanani benefit our children was the big question!!!!

When I pitched the idea to my Principal he asked me if the organization was legit. I responded by telling him that if they do not meet the Vision and Mission of the camp, at least some of our children would have been away from home for the holiday at no cost to the school.

Would Camp Sizanani benefit our children was the big question!!!!

As a school we decided to send a few teachers to the camp for training and we would stay at the camp with the children so that we could keep an eye on the children and the councilors.

What an experience.!!!

By the end of the second day, I was sure the councilors would be able to meet the requirements of the camp. They were an enthusiastic group of young people. Their enthusiasm soon rubbed off on the old teachers. Before we could open our eyes we were taking part in all activities and even offering our services for future camps already. Being in the teaching environment, dealing with management issues, I lost touch with reality. The reality of the child. While training I discovered that if I open myself to the training, I would be able to change the lives of the children. I eventually felt part of the team of councilors and one of my fears were answered.
It will be safe to bring our children to the camp!!!!

While at camp when children were in their bunks, a colleague and I would often sit and discuss how we would have to change our attitudes when we get back to school. We saw that the children do have potential and that we as educators at times stop children from expressing themselves:

We as parents teach our children how not to swim for example.

• “Don’t do that. Get out. Come closer. You will drown. That is dangerous.
• That game is to rough.
• Don’t play like that in the water”

That’s all we do to discourage our children to swim. Instead we could make them water wise and water safe. If we had the skills to do so.

To often others are spending time with our children, teaching them basic life skills. We are happy with it because there will then be less for us to do. Regardless how good or bad the information is.

We also discovered that we would have to show the children that camp is not an entity on its own and they would have to apply the skills they have learnt, at home. How successful would this be if the parents and teachers are not practicing what the children have been taught?

SUGGESTION: Workshops need to be held with parents and educators.

You might get the feeling that I have bought into the programme. Yes, that is true. True to the extent that I will offer my services to the organization as long as they feel I can make a contribution.

SUGGESTION: One skill that I feel should be added to the camp is teaching campers to practically prepare nutritional dishes for a family, using the least amount of resources.

This will assist children who often have to fend for themselves when parents and away from home, ill or drunk/drugged.

APPEAL: We have touched two thirds of our school population with the camp. I know that the camp will make better citizens of our children. In three years time our grade 1,2,&3 should also be at camp so that we have one cycle of all children having this wonderful experience.

If we can change a school we can change a community. What a wonderful country this will be in 2010 and onwards.

• The money that is spent is money well spent.
• The time sacrificed, is paying off.
• The money donated is money well used.
• It is in giving that we receive.

If this report sounded lob-sided, it is. It has taken me more than four months to get this far. There have been more than three drafts. My feeling change so often as I battle to express how grateful I am for the organization changing the few lives I have come into contact with. How do I put into words the faces that I see daily? Knowing there has been a change. Those eager smiles, laughter and spontaneous songs.

• Yes, it did benefit our children.
• Yes, it was a safe haven.
• What a great experience.
• MORE!!!!!!

Thank you
ALL

A.B.Plaatjes
( School camp co-ordinator)