“Be like Nelson: Nice, Exercise, Listen and Learn, Small things, Optimism, Never give up,” Andrew Russell, the guest speaker for VUSA Academy’s Mandela Day, repeated. Hundreds of curious eyes stared up at Andrew as he explained the significance of each term, one of which stuck with me in particular. “Small things,” he said to the kids filling the classroom, “are the key to happiness.” I could see the children’s brows raise skeptically with every word, but I knew that Andrew’s message rang true, especially of the kids from Langa we had been working with for the past three weeks. Langa, a township in Cape Town, is home to incredible people who are passionate about what they do and who they do it for, whether that be running a welcoming café, holding language lessons, creating beautiful art, or teaching a group of twelve Duke student-athletes the ins and outs of rugby. The sentiment of “doing the small things” is certainly not lost on this community, and I am beyond grateful to have had the chance to learn from them. As a result, my time in South Africa was marked by small things. If given the opportunity, I could talk endlessly about the impact this program and the people we worked alongside left on me, but for now, I will share two moments that filled me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
The sentiment of “doing the small things” is certainly not lost on this community, and I am beyond grateful to have had the chance to learn from them.
We spent most of our mornings at Early Childhood Development Centers (ECDs) where we taught lessons and played games with three different groups of children in Langa. On our first day with the kids, I met a group of young boys who asked for my name. I said, “Vaya,” and immediately heard a chorus of “Fire. Hi, Fire on the mountain.” Admittedly, I may not have enunciated enough when sharing my name, but I tucked this new nickname and one-minute interaction into my memory. The next day, I walked into the first ECD and was greeted by two little boys pointing their fingers at me saying, “Fire on the mountain!” While I don’t know the significance of the phrase “fire on the mountain,” I do know that being recognized by these boys showed me just how quickly meaningful connections can be made. Though this exchange may seem insignificant to some, these boys left their mark on my heart with a simple salutation I received each day for the remainder of our time there.
On our last afternoon with the kids, we found ourselves inside for the sports programming, which unfortunately happened often due to rainy weather. Cheering and shouting filled the classroom as Jeremy and Yannis conducted a math competition between the Tornadoes and Manchester City. I sat on a bench surrounded by familiar faces, supporting Manchester City to the best of my ability. One unfamiliar face peered around my shoulder as the next question, 16*3, was asked. She and I watched while one member of each team silently calculated the answer, hoping to reach the correct number before the other to score a point. “Forty-eight,” she whispered. She was shy and would not quite look me in the eye, but when I asked if she wanted to go to the front of the classroom to participate, she hesitated before shaking her head, “No.” I nodded and faced the front of the classroom just as Jeremy announced the next problem. For the next ten minutes, I could hear her working out the questions under her breath, getting the answer right every time. Eventually, after much convincing, she made her way to the front of the classroom. I noticed how her teammates encouraged her, chanting her name. Although she did not win the point for Manchester City, I saw the smile spread across her face as she marched back up the stairs to sit next to me. She told me she felt brave and proud of herself for trying something new. She came out of her shell, going up to answer questions two more times that day without any persuasion on my part, and that meant everything.
Smaller acts, no matter what they are, are worth their weight in gold. While neither of the moments I shared involved grand gestures, they carried immense significance.
Smaller acts, no matter what they are, are worth their weight in gold. While neither of the moments I shared involved grand gestures, they carried immense significance. Without realizing it, these kids allowed me to be a part of their lives, if only for that moment, that minute. The joy and growth experienced in these interactions serve as a poignant reminder that true impact often stems from the smallest of gestures. Thank you to the Langa community for leaving an indelible impression on my heart, for shaping my understanding of what it means to truly connect with others, and for reminding me of the incredible value found in the little things. I will carry your kindness with me wherever I go and hope to touch the lives of others as you have touched mine.