Mary Waters High School was the next destination on our schedule. Today the trio rallied together Thandie, Tristan and myself, ready to tackle the next delivery. By now, the delivery process was comfortable. We had gone through two schools handing out a total of 227 SD cards.
We met the matric learners in the courtyard sitting in a bowl surrounded by a grandstand of walkways and classrooms. The ground was cracked to the slabs of concrete that made up the floor. An old and rusted basketball hoop stood at the end of the courtyard like a bird in a tree looking down on us. There was tension in the air instead of excitement. My comfort zone evaporated. This is what it was all about. Growth. Not only for the students but also for me.
Thandie always took charge of the crowd of learners commandingly, making sure to project her voice enough to suit the acoustics of the courtyard. “MOLWENIII, can everyone hear me?” The students hushed immediate as Thandie began laying out the instructions as she had done for the last two deliveries. My comfort had grown by reminding myself that we were here on a mission. The cards were the focal point. Would they suit the students? Would the content be accessible? We planned well, and I hoped the cards would empower these students.
Inevitably the excitement grew once again piggybacked by the calling of names. Anticipation
would build within the students and give way to smiles when called upon. It had become a highlight of the delivery to study the reactions of the students.
Soon all the matrics had cards. A buzz invaded the courtyard as students chatted between
themselves over the mechanics of the SD cards in their hands. Finally, my acclimatised comfort zone returned to me as I took to the from of the crowd for the customary group picture.
Everyone shuffled to offer their best pose as I knelt to take the shot.
Driving out of the school, I knew I had left with personal growth, but it was never about me. Instead, it was about the matric students and their constantly changing puzzles. Our trio could only hope that the SD card puzzle piece would have space for as many students as possible.
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