CDC Casual day

What a brilliant day! What we thought would be a chilled day at the crèche for casual day turned out to be so much more than that. We decided that we would do something at the crèche for Casual Day. Casual day holds a very special place in my heart as last year for Casual Day we were at a drug rehab centre and we had such a great day dressing up and enjoying the day singing dancing and showing off everyone’s talents in our talent show. This year, I just knew we had to do something! We decided on a photobooth where the children could dress up, have their photos taken and the principal offered to bring snacks and juice. Not knowing what to expect on this day, everyone just “came to the party” and we had such a great day! The principal is one of the most amazing people I have ever met, the love and care that she has for those children and her gratitude towards us is so great. This Casual Day thing is basically an awareness day and day of support for those with disabilities. And how on earth were we to explain this to these children, who they themselves have disabilities? How were we to explain that today was a day for them where people are celebrating those with disabilities and that even though they may be disabled, that they need to know that they are just “differently abled’, and not “disabled”. Chanelle came up with a beautiful idea of reading a story about a duck who was different to the rest, he could not walk, eat by himself or fly. And this story spoke of how his friends and family did everything they could to help him, by making assistive devices for this little duck so that he could learn to do some things by himself. It was such a beautiful story and I think it was perfect for this day as we explained how special this duck was even though he was not like the rest. I feel it was well received by some of the children, those who could concentrate for the duration of the story, they even answered questions afterwards. It was a beautiful site to see, these children sitting together listening to this story. Thereafter, we did the photobooth. And what fun it was! The principal was incredible and dressed up soem of the children with funky clothes and make up and we had tons of props and colours and fun items to wear. The children loved it as they all posed for their photos and came running to see what the photo looked like. Everyone was involved, the teachers, the differently abled children, the principal, the students and the students’ supervisor. We then played a game of bean bag races and settled down to the a meal. This meal came as a surprise to the students as Nthombi had offered to get snacks and juice but she went all out. She got hot dogs, nik naks and juice for all the children and a beautifully prepared meal of Shisanyama (braaied meat), rolls and a tomato and onion mix as well as coke and fanta. It was so unexpected, which made it so special. I love that in our profession, we get to come across people that will surprise us. Whether it be in good ways or bad ways, but bottom line is, we will never just be those ordinary professionsals, we are exposed to so much and today we were surprised by the generosity of this crèche, and at the same time, for the absolute gratitude and appreciation of us. It worked both ways, and in my eyes, that is what community is. working together with the community, for the community. Coming together as outsiders, invited into this circle of trust that is community, and working together for the greater good of the people that are inside that community. Today was one of my favourite days, sharing in laughter happiness and a beautiful meal. Today felt like community. In church, they always speak of community,a nd how we should all be a community of Christians inviting those who don’t believe inside this community, and even though today was not about church/Christianity, I have never felt community like I did today. A community of peace, love and acceptance between students, the differently abled and a passionate principal and our supervisor.