My dominant thought is that several of the core beliefs of my life have been confirmed:

1. We are more alike than we are different.
2. When we focus on assets and similarities rather than deficits and differences, answers to our questions come quicker and bring with them more joy.
3. Singing with children is always a good time no matter where you are in the world.
4. There’s always more to do than I have the time or energy to do. But my own song reminds me that my hands “…may be small, but they do what they can.” And so I breathe and smile.

 
I certainly want to go back someday and continue the work and the play. Whether I go back, or I pave the way for others to go and do their own good, is yet to be seen. A relationship has begun that needs to be nurtured in order to grow. It feels like an even exchange- one gives as much as one receives. Hearing my songs sung in Zulu and Sotho humbled me to the core. Someone halfway ‘round the world listened to one of my CDs and sang one of my songs today. Here in the USA I’m telling someone how my heart was touched and my life was changed. “I’m part of One World. I’m part of a Family. I’m part of One World. One World for me.”

David Kisor, June 23, 2009

David Kisor delivered penny whistles and harmonicas, purchased by children from Children Inc. and members of the New Thought Unity Center, to the Open the Gates elementary school in Mamelodi, South Africa. After the camera was off the principal of the school and played both instruments, demonstrating skill and musicality. The administration will find a way to distribute the 190 instruments among the 1,200 students there. There is always more need than means.

David also sang with grade school children in the school courtyard. Each grade level assembled and sang for twenty minutes. This is the first time they had heard the song but were nonetheless very involved.

The children of Mamelodi, South Africa surely aren’t shy. These boys took the first line of the song I Can Do It and made it into their own chant. The exuberance of youth is universal.

David Kisor was able to spend some time in a Mamelodi preschool, or creche as they’re called.  The children gathered in the main “room” of the preschool to sing songs- it was a large tent with holes in it over a dirt floor.  When David asked if he could sing with the children, the teacher hesitated before asking him to wait. The children had just finished their large muscle activities and needed to settle into their table manipulatives for fine motor development.  Even in South Africa, with no walls and a dirt floor, preschools and children thrive on routine!

David sang about the importance of attachment to caring adults while also helping children learning their numbers.  This was the first time they had sung the song, and both the children and the teachers were excited to participate. As you can see they pick up on things very quickly. African children have intelligence, enthusiasm, love of learning, and courage. What is lacking is often oppertunity and means.