J-sek to Parys!
Subsequent to my dramatic, yet dignified, fall into a manhole in the small township of Munsieville, I have just returned to J-sek from a refreshingly different experience that was 'Outward Bound' in Venterskroon, a camping site on the edge of South Africa's fashion mecca, Parys. My December leave days began with a drive to a wonderfully secluded area for the 'Get-Away-From-Jozi' crew, which I'm certain everyone I know at least aspires to belong to! All thanks to the Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP)...Rodney* in particular, who coordinated an orientation/leadership camp for the newest 'class of 2011', expected to begin quality high school education at arguably some of the best schools Africa has ever seen.
These 'kids' (average age = 13) are great! Smart-assess, with lots to contribute to society, in terms of brain-power...the ability to think on their feet, their well-pondered responses to adult enquiries, their weighted opinions on any subject matter ranging from Harry Potter to NASA's next space shuttle launch. If I didn't know any better I'd say they were constantly and consistantly 'keeping up appearances'...or maybe in this case 'interview-drawn impressions and expectations therefrom'!
So what did I take away from this experience? A few underlying, but equally fundamental lessons regarding child-rearing and bearing...a wake up call to the reality that is 'responsibily'! I was deeply struck by these teens' varying personalities, yet all the result of similar influences. This alerted me to the value of effective/well-directed parenting upon the all important outcome variables that essentially shape this child! I met some individuals who reminded me of the shallow and ignorant teenager I once was. I reflected upon the thought processes that led me to this point, and with that, reaffirmed my 'decision' to not have children!...NOT until I am comfortable with the idea of having a mini-me!
Children are indeed the future that is so desperately calling to be considered when making plans to have them...take time to know dis!
*not necessarily his real name!
These 'kids' (average age = 13) are great! Smart-assess, with lots to contribute to society, in terms of brain-power...the ability to think on their feet, their well-pondered responses to adult enquiries, their weighted opinions on any subject matter ranging from Harry Potter to NASA's next space shuttle launch. If I didn't know any better I'd say they were constantly and consistantly 'keeping up appearances'...or maybe in this case 'interview-drawn impressions and expectations therefrom'!
So what did I take away from this experience? A few underlying, but equally fundamental lessons regarding child-rearing and bearing...a wake up call to the reality that is 'responsibily'! I was deeply struck by these teens' varying personalities, yet all the result of similar influences. This alerted me to the value of effective/well-directed parenting upon the all important outcome variables that essentially shape this child! I met some individuals who reminded me of the shallow and ignorant teenager I once was. I reflected upon the thought processes that led me to this point, and with that, reaffirmed my 'decision' to not have children!...NOT until I am comfortable with the idea of having a mini-me!
Children are indeed the future that is so desperately calling to be considered when making plans to have them...take time to know dis!
*not necessarily his real name!
posted by desbo043 at Friday, December 15, 2006
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home