‘We need to do more to listen and act for those whose voices often go unheard’
This week we decided to ask the incredible children we have been spending the last month with about themselves. Hopefully their answers will give you a little bit more of an insight into their lives and the way they think:
What do you want to be when you are older?
“A police. To take robbers to jail so there are no more bad people.” (JJ, 8 years old)
“I want to be a person that cleans people’s houses and works in the garden and if they want a swimming pool I will make them a pool and put a piano and write fabulous on it. I will get lots of money from cleaning, like when I raked up the leaves after the hailstorm and cleaned when the roof was leaking and I got 20 rand and I’m only a kid! I save the money for when I grow up so that I don’t have to be a street person.” (Futhi, 8 years old)
What are some things you remember from when you were little?
“One time we were by the gate and the dog chased us and our pants were too big and so when we run they fell down. When I was a baby I went to Sweetwaters and there were ducks and I tried to hit it on the beak and it bit me on the butt. We had chickens here at Tabitha and me and Siya stole two of their eggs and then Bunny drank a bottle of oil because he thought it was juice.” (Bonga, 12 years old)
“When I was smaller I broke my big toe. We played soccer in Sweetwaters and I saw a big stone and thought it was a ball and kicked it. It was sore and just my big toe was sticking up. We didn’t go to the doctors just put ice and salt.” (Khule, 10 years old)
What is your favourite thing to do in your free time?
Eating chocolate. I like playing soccer, I play with Mandla but can’t play with the big boys because they hurt…and I like cake.” (Emme, 4 years old)
“I like baking. I like to bake pizza. Aunty Bev takes us baking on Thursday. We bake burgers and fried chips and banana split. This week we went to a picnic and saw some dogs. I don’t like dogs, they bite and jump. I like netball too.” (Thobeka, 9 years old)
Do you like living here? Why?
“I don’t really like living here because I want to use my phone but I can’t because the other children don’t have one but I don’t think they are jealous because I still talk to them on the phone while I’m away. Sometimes I have fun with the kids here but sometimes they sit on my head!” (Siya, 11 years old)
“I like living at Tabitha ’cause I like playing sports and playing with the kids. Colouring is my favourite and I love making bracelets.” (Amanda, 7 years old)
“I don’t like living here because we always eat the same food.” (Sihle, 10 years old)
Do you like school?
“I go to a different school not at Tabitha because I passed a test. I like my teachers but I don’t like school because I get too much work. I made new friends there. My favourite subject is life skills. We learn our strengths, mine is gymnastics.” (Lulu, 9 years old)
“I don’t like school because people smacks and the principle shouts and he let me punished. I find the work easy but I did a test before and it was hard.” (Thobeka, 9 years old)
“I’m in Grade R and I like it. I do work with letters and shapes and colours like blue, yellow, green and orange.” (Aya, 5 years old)
Do you believe in God and like church?
“Yes I believe in God. You shouldn’t listen to Satan. I want to be like Pastor Khule when I am older ’cause it’s nice.” (Aya, 5 years old)
Did you like going to the beach?
“I liked going to the beach. I love the shells and the crabs and the waves. I went before but it was long ago.” (Amanda, 7 years old)
“It wasn’t my first time to the beach, I have been many times before, but we went in vehicles. This was my first time on a bus. I was a bit scared of the sea but now it’s OK because we are having swimming lessons.” (Moppie, 9 years old)
Do you have any brothers and sisters here?
“I have one brother here (Cebo) but I have other family in Edendale. I have a big brother somewhere like Johannesburg too. I met them on December, they came here to visit. They said hello and brought me shoes. The other children at Tabitha are my brothers and sisters in Christ.” (Futhi, 8 years old)
“I have a twin brother (Simphiwe). I like it because he shares with me and is my friend.” (Sipho, 7 years old)
“No I don’t have any brothers and sisters here they are just my friends.” (Khule, 10 years old)
Do you speak Zulu?
“Yes I speak Zulu, I practise with the staff and my friends at school who don’t come from here. When I was a baby I was born talking Zulu but Mama Gail taught us English.” (Moppie, 9 years old)
What makes you angry?
“ I don’t get angry. When people are horrible I get sad but not angry.” (Sihle, 10 years old)
So we know you and Cebo get to stay with a family in Johannesburg during the holidays, what is it like?
“I go there to help and save animals and help poor people and for Christmas. We get to go out lots, we went horse riding and to the lion park. Aunty Helen and John live on a farm with dogs and pigs. They never get angry with me, even when I vomited in John’s car. But they shout at the dogs when they are naughty. We got presents at Christmas. I really like going to Joburg.” (Siya, 11 years old)
