After three days in South Africa, I was finally making my way to a rural village. I had camped in the Bush the night before with local Shangaan people; probably the most adventurist thing I had done at that point in my life. I was ready to have some fun.

On the drive up to Kruger National Park, I stopped in the Shalati village in the Mnisi community.  My interest in the kids who attend the Ntshuxeko primary school brought me to this community. The majority of working families of this village is employed in the Kruger area as rangers or lodge staff and sends their children to the Ntshuxeko primary school for safe daycare.

What I loved most about this preschool is it takes care of over 80 children under the age of five regardless of parent’s ability to pay; providing two meals a day and educational enrichment activities. All of this is done with the support of generous donations. I loved playing with the kids; they bring an abundance of high energy and big smiles.  From piggy back rides to playing on the swing set, I had a blast! And for a moment, I stopped and realized a valuable lesson; it doesn’t take a lot to be genuinely happy and the spirit of Africa shines through the children.

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