I have been fortunate to be part of this project since the beginning. It has been a roller-coaster ride but a very fulfilling and eye opening roller coaster ride. The ups were some of the best ups of my life and the downs some of the most enlightening downs of my life. The life’s we strive to improve everyday by being part of the KILT project has taught me the importance of being mindful. I get to work with some of the most incredible little people every day. I get to see their faces light up when the light bulbs finally starts to go on. I get to comfort the little ones when their day does not go according to plan or give a word of encouragement when bullies interrupt a perfect day at school.

I am truly grateful to be part of this project. I have seen the youth in my community struggle to stay in school. The chance of dropping out of school in my community is worryingly high. Most learner’s dropout the first quarter of their grade 8 year. The gap between primary school and high school for them is just too much to handle. It would be naïve to think that the gap between primary school and high school is the only reason for this fact. The lack of employment opportunities are at their lowest in my community. This has had a very big impact on some of the learner’s life, as the parents of my learners are not educated themselves. Thus resulting in a very high unemployment rate. Some families only rely on the social grants they receive from government.

To be able to part of the education of my community has been nothing short of a blessing. I believe that by developing skills especially basic computer literacy, coding and critical thinking early we can help create a better future. We might think what we do is small and has no impact. No, we are planting seeds. We are encouraging personal and professional growth. I wanted to be in my community again this year because we must start at home.

So my journey so far: From being an ITE to Facilitator. I have seen the bad days and I have seen the good days. My school is very small and learners enjoy the lab. The letters from learners on my desk and the one on the wall is a testimony of that. On my wall, the famous poem from Marianne Williamson Our deepest fear is my morning prayer. In 2020 when we had our ITE training with Mrs. Khosi and Miss Zippy we did this poem and the part that lives freely in my mind ever since is “ and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously  give other people permission to do the same”. I trust my learners see my light and that they will shine on their own. Own their spaces and be a light to the next person. I do not do what I do every day because I want to be seen or for some reward. I do it because I was handed the opportunity to be part of the development of young people. I was handed the opportunity to help shape their future. Therefore, I am thankful, grateful and most of all blessed. This journey has shaped me. Boosted my confidence and opened my mind to endless desires. This journey has challenged me to the point of emotional exhaustion but then I pray and remind myself why I am here. I am here because somewhere a child is looking for a sign that their lives will get better. I am here to equip their future and teach them the responsibility of taking every available opportunity and where there is no opportunity, you create one.