Giggles and smiles that go on for miles

90 Day Catch Up

Going back to TLC was a dream come true. 3 months of playing, singing and loving these children.
I couldn't be happier.
This time I thought I would surprise my Children, the Managers and Staff so I told them all I would be there on the 20th May but my plan was to arrive on the 2nd.
Flights booked, accommodation sorted and a exciting journey layed ahead.
My Mum and Auntie dropped my at the airport and I was off on my 11 hour flight back to sunny Johannesburg. I arrived in South Africa around 9 am and sorted transport to a friends house so that I could suprise my babies in the morning.

On the 4th of may I arrived at TLC at 6:30 am and made my way to preschool to wait for my babies. The most nervous wait of my life. Butterflies filled my stomach - Will they remember me? Will they be happy or confused? Will it be the same as before?
They normally walk down to preschool at 8am but this day felt like hours of waiting trying to keep hidden from any adults or children who walked past.

Hearing their little voices scream as they walked down to preschool was magical, something I missed whilst in the UK.
The first child to come round the corner was my baby Girl. We had a very special bond, She went wherever I did during my previous trips and she called me "her Anna." I stepped out of where I was hiding and she came running towards me! All of my children came running towards me!
They remembered me! I was so happy and excited, tears flowed down my face as their teacher walked towards me with arms wide open. I felt peaceful knowing I was back with my family, my kids and in the place I felt happiest.




I then went on to surprise all of the people who had helped me through my previous trips in the managers meeting. Lets just say they weren't expecting me to turn up to that! They loved me like one of their own, I always had someone I could talk to and they would help without any questions.
These are the people I call my South African Family.


My ninety days flew by, I helped out wherever I was needed, played with my kiddies and took them out on adventures- things that kids get to do on a weekly basis but things our kids do very rarely. This includes going to the mall, trampoline park, getting a takeaway, picking and buying new clothes and going to the Zoo.

One of my best memories of this trip was getting to stand in to do Den buddy's whilst another volunteer was sick. This meant three nights with my babies! They had been asking for weeks since I arrived if I could stay in their room again as this is what I used to do on my other trips. But I would tell them that other volunteers are really good at looking after them too and they would have so much fun with them. However, I was over the moon when the manager came to ask if I could help out, so I went and collected some of my clothes and came back ready for my few nights with them. Three afternoons, nights and mornings full of puzzles, walks, adventures, yummy snacks and hot chocolate as it was cold!! These 3 nights reminded me why I chose to stay at TLC in the first place.
Looking in to those sweet innocent eyes as I prayed and kissed them goodnight, I remembered my first few days at TLC. How scared I really was, meeting new people and looking after children I had only just met! These children let me into their lives, I may have been the adult in many situations but they sure have taught me a lot, not only about each other but about myself too.
I will always remember all the memories we've made, trust we've built between each other and how although I'm nowhere near perfect they still love me just as much as I love them.💕