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Hey here’s an article I wrote for the monthly Swaziland SoJournal. I had to write it up in about five minutes, so be understanding. I’m gonna blog more soon. Lots of Love!

Hello, my name is DuDuZile Mabuza. I live in Mashobeni South. I am twenty one years old. I am a girl. For those of you who have attended a preschool graduation recently, that introduction may be familiar. Like many preschools around the country, Mashobeni Apostolic Preschool held their graduation ceremony on World AIDS Day. In attendance were the little graduates’ parents and relatives, community members including the bucopho Babe Zwane, the children’s teacher Tholakele Mabuza, Administrative Officer of Peace Corps Swaziland Nicole Miller, our local Member of Parliament, and other friends. Shown here is a picture of Babe MP handing a diploma to a graduate. It was a joyous occasion, which began with the children doing the grand march down the church isle, then each child introduced him/herself in the format I just did. Introductions were followed by performances of various songs, poems, and Bible verses. Babe MP was the keynote speaker. He donated several chairs and some cash to the school. Then all the American guests were graciously presented with emaheya. Finally the best part, cake!!!
Tholakele, my sisi Felicity, and I had been working with the children for several months. Now was their time to shine. During their performance, we occasionally had to cover our ears because the kids were shouting into the microphone. Tholakele’s philosophy is that a child should be able to shout, to speak out, about what they think, feel, and what they’ve learned. She’s one of the best teachers I’ve ever met in Swaziland. Several of her students are OVCs, including one little boy who lost his mother only a week before the graduation. Tholi truly cares about each one of them and confessed to me that every year she worries about what might befall them in primary school. On that day, it was beautiful to see these kids, shouting out all the many things they’ve learned, with confidence. The type of confidence these little ones demonstrated is critical in developing the sense of self worth that will help them make decisions to protect themselves from HIV. I want to thank Tholakele for all her dedication, as well as Babe MP, Nicole, Erik, Tim, Deja, and everyone else who attended for making it a special day for the kids. Sgiyabonga kakhulu.