We had a chance to spend time with the students of the Bophelong Special School Wednesday morning. This school is in the North West province in Mafikeng where we are located. It allows kids ages 6 to 18 with intellectual disabilities in the surrounding area to attend school.  This was a visit on a personal level — it was not part of our project here, it was not an IBM thing, but rather it was the group of us wanting to get to know the area that is hosting us and give back to its people.

We divided into groups and provided world map coloring sheets and a pack of crayons for every child (thanks Savi!) as a way of introducing the 10 countries we represented.  We taught them to say Hello in all of our languages, and played lots and lots of outside games.  Musical chairs was a big hit!  We had cookies and sweets, passed out stickers, donated school supplies and soccer balls. And of course, I passed out the nearly 200 friendship bracelets that all of your kids made for me! They LOVED the bracelets and even the educators, staff and our North West University friends took a bracelet.  I cannot thank you enough for making  and donating the bracelets.

The children were sweet, curious, beautiful and full of life! It was a wonderful morning that neither side will forget.

The IBM team ready to go — matching CSC shirts compliments of Paola and photo courtesy of Wouter

Paola and Savi showing their countries to the kids

Learning “Namaste” and showing off the bracelets

Donating supplies to the principal of the Bophelong school

Out front of the hotel waiting for the bus to pick us up

#ibmcsc