Sam trying to process her experiences here

I realize I haven't written in a while but I think it's because so much has been happening and I'm still not quite sure how to process it all. 

At work I have been really bonding and getting to know the kids so closely which is good but also kind of depressing because then when I get briefed on their cases and home lives my heart breaks. 

One first grade boy who runs up to me every single day has experienced such horrific violence and I don't know how he can come to school every day with his bright and adorable smile.

 This is the link to part of his story, it's public and on the Internet so I figured I could share to give you guys an idea of what ALL of these kids go through.

This is 1 out of over 700 stories of the kids at Christel House and it's just the beginning of what goes on in their lives. It gives me so much perspective on life and makes me realize how truly lucky I am for my upbringing. 

I also feel very fortunate that a lot of these kids are so warm and loving to me. I was given probably 20 birthday cards on my birthday and probably 200 hugs! It's going to be so hard leaving these kids. 

My sister and cousin were here last week and it was an amazing time! I'm glad that I got to show them so much of Cape Town! I was also happy with their reactions of coming to Christel House and the township tour because they were blown away just as I hoped they would be. They told me that in that short time they saw the poverty and issues just shouting out at them they were given a lot of perspective as well. 

Yesterday Molly and I went to Mannenberg for our dance class but unfortunately and sadly right when we got there they sent us home because of gang violence that has been occurring. The day before a child had been caught in the crossfire of gang guns and is now paralyzed. I was literally in shock after this afternoon because we have been told about these realities but this time I experienced it. I was also so sad because the kids that have been coming to the dance class have been loving it and thriving from it and I was sad that now we have to wait another week to see them and dance! One of my students at school who has a lot of emotional issues because of his home life comes to the dance class and each day at school he tells me how excited he is for class and right when we were sent home my heart broke for him because when leaving Christel House I said "see you later!!" and there was such excitement. 

I think through all of what has happened especially with the kids at school I am just gaining so much perspective on how people around the world live and realizing how these young, Innocent, precious kids live just blows my mind.