Rainbow Smiles

As the weeks past,  i watch from afar at the planning that goes into each of the differing projects. Some i have already been fortunate to be involved with, other i am still looking forward too. It has been nice to be slowly introduced to each of the projects, as i get used to life in South Africa. Feeling very settled now, i thought it about time to take a sneak peak at another wonderful project. Last friday, when i had regained my strength i helped Jess and Grace to plan some activities for Rainbow Smiles.

Over the past month i have heard the girls talking highly about Rainbow Smilies, and attending planning meetings each week. I have watched and wondered what it was all about. Rainbow Smiles is a support group for teens living with HIV and AIDS. The sessions are run weekly, by a key member of the community, who has experience with living with HIV, and two Thembacare nurses. These three are joined by various volunteers who come and go throughout the year. 

Rainbow Smiles is used to educate the children about HIV, and other health related topics,  provide support, and to teach life skills. Tailoring the life skills to suit the stage of their live, we talk about the importance of friendships, confidence, body image and respecting ones self and others. 

Since the girls have been helping with Rainbow Smiles, they have moved away slightly from a mainly  lesson based session, and are now combining a teaching and games. Rainbow Smiles attendance is voluntree,  therefore trying to entice a child to an 'extra lesson' after a day at school may be a deterring factor ( i know it would be for me at least), in saying that though the children seem to love the group.

Last friday we focused on our appearances, emphasizing the point that its whats on the inside that counts. We explained to the children the importance of loving and respecting ourselves and others, and that by working on ourselves from the inside out,  our beauty will show. We got the children to draw the person next to them, and then to write down some reasons and describing words, as to why they like them. Allowing them to write in English or Africans, at the end of the session we asked if anyone would like to share. The children who did, said some lovely things about one anther. All of the children at Rainbow Smiles are wonderful, and watching them interact and form new friendships is bliss. Being able to interact with them and be part of Rainbow Smiles, is an amazing feeling. 

As we endeavor to break down the divides that separate us, the language barrier continues to act as the main barrier. However this doesn't get in our way as we explain the games in the best way we know how. Last week we played the balloon game. Separating the children into two teams, we demonstrated how to play and then it was free for all as to who would win. Boys vs girls, as  ballons escape and fly around the room as each team endeavors to race the balloon back along the line, passing it without using their hands. 

After playing the balloon game, and drawing with each other we did some face painting before ending the session and driving home, to relax over the weekend.