MBC kids

Oct 22 2013

Table Mountain

On one of our days off at the weekend a group of us thought it would be fun to go and see Table Mountain, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. We decided not to take the easy way out and get a cable car so hiked the whole way up to the top. At the start it didn´t seem to hard as there was a path made out of rocks which we just followed but as we got further along, the mountain slowly started to get steeper and steeper till eventually at one point we were on our hands and knees. This was probably due to the fact we were so tired as everyone else walking up it seemed to be fine. A few short breaks and some falls due to the loose rocks later the end was in sight. It was most impressive at the end as the gorge we were climbing had got very narrow and you couldn`t see anything past it so when we finally reached the top the views where spectacular. On one side you had the whole of Cape Town stretching out for miles, where you really got a sense of how big it was and on the other the ocean going all the way down to Cape Point. It was really breath taking. All of the main sights of Cape Town where visable, like the Lions Head to the football arena to Robben Island. It was a great photo opportunity.

After getting our energy back we headed straight to the café, were we ended up getting the best chocolate and cheese cake ever. Unfortunately the clouds started to make their way across the top so we had to get the cable car down before it got to windy. It was amazing to see as it looked like it was a table cloth forming over the mountain. It was a really exciting day and we would love to go again and even bring the boys from MBC with us, as they`d love the hike up and views from the top. A great day out in Cape Town.

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Hannah, Ireland and Charlotte, Sweden

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Oct 16 2013

Surf´s up!

We just have to tell you that the surfing yesterday was cool! The wind had picked up and there were some pretty awesome waves. Phila didn´t want to leave and he really impressed us with how much he had improved. After the kids had got changed some played a bit of soccer. It was a cool day and a great day for surfing!

Ellen and Erica, Sweden and Hannah, Ireland

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Oct 14 2013

Street Party at Langa

On Saturday we took the mbc crew to langa street party. We had never been there before so didnt know what to expect. Luca drove us all there and so many of the boys came that the bus was very packed. As soon as we arrived all the kids at langa went crazy as they were so excited to see all of us and the boys. They were jumping up on us giving us hugs and dancing. The girls loved to plait our hair and give us braids while the guys went to play football. It was a pretty intense game of football as both teams were very good but from all the practicing our boys had they won and were so happy with this. We bought them all crisps and drinks as they were very tired after all their football. Some of the boys had fun on the skate board and where showing off all their tricks to the others. It was a really fun day especially as we would never have had the opportunity go to it if it wasn’t for volunteering with the MBC. On the way home some of the boys fell asleep as they were so tired from that day and wouldn’t wake up at the end.

Ellen & Erica, Sweden and Hannah, Ireland

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Oct 8 2013

-Hiking friday 04/10/13

Hiking was the plan for today, and we didn´t notice that the weather was bad because of the kids’ happiness – they always make you feel better. Pol was the one who drove the bus today – he took us to a forest where the mountains were all around us (beautiful)! We really liked that place. The kids are always so excited and happy just to be around us and it was so nice to hike with the boys because you have much more time to talk to them. It was interesting to listen to what they had to say about everything. They told us about their families, cultures, what they believe in, what they like and dream about. It was a really nice time actually. We also learned a bit about hunting because one of the boys used to live in an area where they had to catch their own food. Good day!

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Oct 1 2013

Woop woop

Hello we have now spent two weeks here at Muizenberg beach club. We have gotten to know the boys better and we love being here “like the fishes in the sea”. When we first came here we were excited and nervous to work with the boys from another background than we have on the other side of the world (Sweden). Every experience we have had in these first two weeks is just feeling positive and it´s so fun. The boys spread joy when we are hanging out with them and they are fantastic. We have four weeks left here and we really look forward to getting to know the kids more and more.

If you thinking of becoming a volunteer but also want to have a good time of your life and learn to surf at the same time you should pack your bag and come, it´s amazing. Think of living by the sea at the best place in Cape Town and just hang out with people and experiencing other cultures and just live the life. It sounds good right?

Ellen and Erica, Sweden

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Sep 30 2013

MBC goes to the Two Oceans Aquarium

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Surprise for the MBC members last Friday! Direction the city-center and more precisely the Two Oceans Aquarium to enjoy and observe more than 3,000 marine animals such as sharks, fish, rays, turtles and penguins.

We arrived in town with “Welcome to the city baby !”, the day promised to be very fun!

I explored the aquarium with Asi and Sia who shared with me their taste for some animals, such as sharks, penguins and baboons …

Asi told me that he prefers to eat baboon, I don’t know if it’s a good idea that I try …

All the MBC members made this a day filled with fun and happiness.

Thanks to Lee-Ann Jacobs, who gifted tickets for all the MBC kids!

Eloïse, Reunion Island

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Sep 25 2013

Asi’s Birthday 19/09/13

Today was the Asi’s birthday so obviously we had to celebrate!

The weather was very bad so we started to watch a surf movie (Step into Liquid) about surfers worldwide, which the boys loved. After a while we suprised Asi and the guys with a cake which made them very happy. The (MBC supporter) Lee-ann Jacobs popped in and brought the boys some gift bags with various goodies, it made the boys’ day! It was so cool to see how thankful the kids were. They were ecstatic :)

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Erica Säterli, Swedish volunteer

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Sep 25 2013

Heritage day (National braai day)

It was Heritage Day and the boys were off from school so they came to spend the day with us at the beach club.

We started the day by going out and surfing in the wonderful sunny day. When we felt satisfied and all surfed well we returned to the office and get dressed.

While we were prepared the braai, the boys played outside with skate boards, some of them fixed ​​their surfboards andothers just took it easy to listen to music and dancing. We had a nice time.

When the braai was ready so we all ate together and drank soda. We all had a really good braai day.

My friend and I are from Sweden and we have no Heritage day, so now we know what it means, and we also tested the African sausages (boerewors) and ginger beer. But we did not like it so much but lucky that the boys did it anyway!

Ellen, Swedish volunteer

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Sep 10 2013

Endless South Africa

MuizenbergBeachClub_VolunteerThis walk along the Tokai forest to celebrate the beginning of spring had something special. A sunny and warm day, with no wind ! A perfect friday afternoon to meet the kids and enjoy our trip in the nature.

While Paul and Ant were teaching kids about plants and trees, a professional photographer from Spain called Gemma took pictures of all of us. She was surprised about all the energy that the kids could generate. Welcome to the MBC Gemma !

I was walking further with Phila who’s the oldest member.  I realized that this guy is gonna miss me a lot. A brilliant student, always smiling. We use to do extra surf on the week-end because he loves that, and me too. As he needs a job, we wrote a CV to apply for the Cape Town Nature Reserve. Good Luck dude I want to see you working when I’ll be back :)

I saw them running everywhere in this land, taking pictures, playing with volunteers. All of them enjoyed their day and I was glad of this situation. Few months ago, some kids were completely different… I worked hard on the education and respect of volunteers, which is not a easy task. I taught them the importance of listening, waiting, supporting and showing respect towards each other.

These past months with MBC I have built a strong relationship between me and these kids. I know all of them, their story, their hobbies, and their dreams.

Because this special day was my last one, I had to organize something really cool ! After the trip, we went to the oldest shop in Muizenberg to eat chips rolls, drink soda and enjoy our last time together. I can’t remember how many times I heard  “PLEASE BEN I DON’T WANT YOU TO LEAVE…” Check how cute is that :)

After all, I gave a personal surfboard with all the equipment to Asi, an amazing and good person who has been involved with MBC for 1 year. This guy is a real hunter! From Eastern South Africa, he grew up in the wild with his family and his 13 year old, he can build tools to catch all animals you need to feed your family. What about me ? I can’t even catch my own dog ^^ I want him to become a good surfer as well as he is good in hunting :)

Anyway, this kid showed me the way it is in the wild in Africa, and Phila taught me how it is important to be happy in life. To be honnest all kid brought me something..  So thank you about that !

The most important thing is to keep in mind that the Muizenberg Beach Club is more than a NGO. It makes you happy in life, and good in your thinking. I met amazing kids and volunteers, shared my time with them, and I just realized how this 5 months with the MBC was exceptional.

Thank you everyone, now I have to make a plan to come back, again.

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Sep 10 2013

Hitting Home – my last day in Africa

“Legends don’t die… they evolve” – The Wolverine 

waden+wolverineIt was the end of the second star chart at MBC and with the competition being so tight that Ant had to buy more stars 4 of the boys enjoyed their winnings. Returning champions Asi and Phila enjoyed their second trip to the cinema while for Godfrey and Wayden it was a whole new experience.

And it was a whole new experience for me too. Growing up fairly comfortably in the UK in a world of Orange Wednesdays and weekend trips with my parents, the cinema was always a fun afternoon but I went to enjoy the movie. For the boys every part of the evening bought its own enjoyment. Wayden made it his personal mission to ue Ant’s entire phone memory by having a photo taken in front of every movie poster, whilst for me the best bit was seeing Godfrey’s face as the “Universal Pictures” music blared in. That one image of pure joy, albeit mixed with a shade of fear, was one of my stand out moments in South Africa. It was a perfect reminder that some things that I have taken for granted all my life are not available to the MBC members and that even the smallest things can have a big impact. A fitting way to end my time in Africa once again I would like to thank MBC for truly making it the trip of a life time.

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