The children in South Africa have gone back to school to start their new school year, although it feels very much like last year. But their results are out and they have moved up into their new classes. Friends are greeted enthusiastically – at a distance, the new books have been bought and covered and the children seem ready to take on whatever this year brings.
At Iona Mercy Convent Primary School in Pretoria, Bonolo, after all the happy greetings, moaned, “I’m still not happy wearing a mask, but I’ll get used to it day by day. Hopefully corona will go far away and disappear over the edge of the earth.”
The grade six class teachers encouraged the eleven year old girls to think about the “lockdown” period. (South Africa is out of hard lockdown and is now in level 3, which still has many restrictions but there is a bit more freedom). Some of the girls were reluctant at first, but soon they were sharing their stories. Some said they had used the time to practise cooking and baking. Others had spent their time finding out about current topics such as gender-based violence. They even attended on-line lectures. Others preferred to learn new dances and to get more practice on their skateboards.
A large number of the girls said that they had got to know their families better. Dimpho realised that her parents had also enjoyed the time the family was together, because her father did not want to go back to work when the hard lockdown was lifted. In her words: “…he didn’t even wanna go to work, we legit (sic) forced him to go.”
Phile has double vision which she finds difficult to live with. “But I’ve had more time to do my eye exercises and I’m managing better.” That was when she wasn’t watching movies, eating snacks and playing cards.
One of the girls, Bathabile, had a life-changing experience. “On the 1st of December, God blessed my family with a new baby girl. She spent 10 days in ICU before coming home. On the same day my mom tested positive for COVID-19 and was sent to hospital. I had to care for my new sister. It was hard taking care of a new-born baby – and could that baby cry! I learned a lot very quickly. When my mom came out of the hospital I had to take care of her too. This was a very challenging experience because I’ve never had to take care of a sick person before. My mom finally healed and she took over looking after my sister. I learned so many new things and I’m so grateful that I didn’t lose either of them.”
Isabel has the last word: “Life is priceless. We should try to cherish each moment we have”.
The Mercy girls will face this year with courage and take whatever the year offers them.
Colleen Wilkinson rsm
South African Province
