My Experience

Following on from the Thatched Grass Harvesting project, and also arranged by Sandra Rubins, this was the next project I visited.

My guide at the rangers camp, during the grass harvesting, Darest Amos found me a spot at Hippo Pools campsite on the Khwai River. He introduced me to local customs such as the use of the bluebush as a toothbrush & a contraceptive! The first I tried, the second I will take his word for! We then went into the village and to the school.

There, I met Phetso Masaya, one of the teachers, who explained that before the centre was established, young children would often spend their days simply following their mothers around the village, with little access to structured early learning.

Phetso gave me a tour of the classrooms, kitchen, and resting room — all thoughtfully designed with colourful, engaging learning materials. The resting room in particular stood out: warm, inviting, and filled with mattresses, blankets, and Minion cushions! — a space clearly created with care and love.

After lunch, I joined the children in the playground, where they played happily on the swings, slide, and see-saw — a simple but powerful reminder of the importance of safe spaces for children to learn and grow.