Shangilia Third Trip

On the 3rd of October I went on my third trip to Shangilia.

We had planned to do some nail painting for the children, and so a few seniors traipsed onto the bus carrying large bags filled with nail polish. Not many people showed up today, there were only around five high school girls (including myself), two high school boys, and a few middle schoolers. When we arrived three of the five girls (two of them part of the art group), and the other went to teach math. This meant that I alone was in charge of around twenty noisy kids in the art room! It was daunting, to say the least.

Ainsley and Emma play with the kids

The children pushed the desks into the small classroom, and I told them that we would be drawing pictures together. Though they are all small kids I was uncomfortable being the centre of attention, and after a few minutes of waiting for paper and pencils I went off to fetch them myself. When I returned with supplies all of the kids began shouting for paper, and thrusting blunt pencils at me to sharpen. I was overwhelmed!

After I had gotten them settled it calmed down a bit, and I even had time to doodle on a piece of paper in the corner of the room (I did a swirly pattern). A few kids saw what I had done, and though it was far from brilliant they were entranced. Soon enough pieces of paper were shoved at me with cries of "draw a butterfly!" "Draw a flower!" "Draw a crocodile!" I found it difficult to keep up with the requests and at the same time work on keeping the paper on the table (not the floor), and pick up coloured pencils, etc. But it was fun to do some art with them! The children worked on colouring in my pictures, and tracing over my lines. It was sweet to see them so enthusiastic and inspired (at least I hope they were!).

After time was up for art we headed outside, some of the children played hockey while others sat on the stage painting their nails and talking. Nidhi, Lucie and I played a few clapping games and then chatted with the kids.
Time flew bye after this, and before I knew it the manager of Shangilia was calling us all up for a goodbye. He mentioned the performance on Saturday, and reminded us that he expects us all to be there to support the children. Naturally, I am planning to go.

Yesterday was a rather challenging, but fun day nonetheless. I feel like even though the process may be painful, doing things like taking charge of a classroom single-handedly are helping me become a more well rounded person. I am developing my lacking leadership qualities, and I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and put myself out there.
I feel like taking charge helped me connect with the kids more, I know a lot of them better now than I did last visit. I think they may even look up to me a little.