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End 2011 Report:
It feels like yesterday when I was writing my previous donor report. This year has been like the breeze on a sunny day. It came and now it’s gone again. The year has been fun. I made friends, improved my academics and the best thing is I was doing me the whole year. Having done all that I still feel like I haven't done enough, like there’s something I didn't do that I was supposed to do. I haven't done anything of sentimental value. Last year I volunteered at the local clinic where I live but this year I've been so caught up in getting good grades that I forgot about doing any volunteer work. This really saddens me but it’s not the end of the world, next year is another year.
My September report was great; I'm not saying it was brilliant, I'm just acknowledging the fact that I've improved a lot and I worked hard. I got above 60% for all my subjects. I'm really pleased with myself. It feels good to now say "I'm exhausted because I've been working hard.
I had this awesome idea. I wanted to start ‘bible and me’ sessions at my church where we showcase different forms of art, be it drama, music, poetry or maybe have a bible quiz. I'm afraid to suggest the idea because I'm afraid of failure. I'm afraid that everyone will shoot the idea, and I don't like being embarrassed. These sessions could benefit a lot of youngsters. It would give many confused kids like myself clarity on a lot of issues regarding God and church laws.
As a bonus many youngsters from outside the church would be attracted to attend these sessions. I would like these sessions to be successful and enriching. At church we had an interesting debate about how God makes us love the things of this world when according to the bible we are not even of this world. If I love writing about entertainment and am good at it, am I supposed to drop that and start writing about gospel even though I don't enjoy it? I'm not challenging God’s laws, I'm just curious. I also don't think some of the laws that my church implements are the laws of God, but those of his prophets. I think God gave me a beautiful and huge voice to talk about everything. My mom thinks God gave me this huge voice so that I can preach; she believes my voice is God’s gift to the world of ministries. I'm planning on doing amazing things with my voice, except singing of course because I can't sing. I'm also hoping to make millions by just using my voice like Oprah (laugh out loud) I'm serious.
YIPPIE! I've been accepted to do Physical Science and History next year. I hope we get a cool, laid-back history teacher just to get us in the mood. History isn't my cup of coffee. Part of me wishes I'd chosen accounting while part of me is glad I didn't. I love accounting and I'm good at it. I think we have the accounting gene in my family. History is going to be a breather, a breath of fresh air. I'm also doing pure mathematics, Physical Science and Life Sciences.
This year my September holidays were spent differently. Every September holiday is the same for me: I do the same thing, which is stay at home, eat and watch a lot of television. This year I went on a Pathfinder camp. Pathfinders are kids aged 14-20 and even older. We march and are taught life skills, like how to do first aid, sign language and other things. It was held in Kimberly at a military base. Our trip from Cape Town to Kimberly was great fun and a really good experience. All in all it was a great, interesting learning curve for me. I enjoyed it very much. My year has been 3 words: INTERESTING, EDUCATIONAL AND FABULOUS!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR IN ADVANCE. . . .
Peace and love. . . . . Nosphamandla Ndamane
Mid-2011 Report:
This year is moving at a very fast pace. I guess it is like they say "time flies when you are having fun". Its only mid year and I am already feeling the pressure, there is just so little time and so many things to do. Grade 9 is awesome, it’s different from grade 8 because we are no longer the babies but seniors in the junior departments. The work load is more complicated, its exhausting and time consuming this year. There is so much pressure to do well in my class and one has to be so competitive.
There is a milestone in my school this year as it is celebrating 85 years since it was established, so there are a lot of fun activities in my school. Representative council of Learners (RCL) elections, disappointments and laughter at the same time. The grade 9s have 2/3 representatives from each class ,there are 5 grades and nine classes.
The new president of the RCL was introduced to us and she was expected to make a speech informing us about the RCL plans for the school. What a founder’s day we had at Livingstone High School, first they gave us a treat of doughnuts and cool drinks and chips after that we had an assembly where past teachers were present and the present’s school governing body was present. A former teacher, Mr Simon Bandla recited a speech.
His speech was informative and most of the pupils enjoyed it so much. His speech was so uplifting and was really something to listen to. It was so educational to us scholars. Some other pupils read poems, some in Afrikaans and some in German. Stacy Malan read Aan frikaans poem, made no mistakes, and read it so beautifully and it was really so captivating. For me Mr Banda and Stacy were the high lights of the occasion. The Founders day was really so well prepared in 2011.
I have this love and hate relationship with my classmates. Sometimes they annoy me and make me angry. Sometimes I love them to bits, I love the fact that we are there for each other and help one another, the funny thing is we laugh together and fight together but the bottom line is we are like family in our class. I like the way my teacher relates to us when we joke and laugh in a civilised manner. I hate only when he scolds us for mistakes that we are not at fault with, or when we ask something and he bites our heads off so maybe it is the age thing. I cannot blame my teacher entirely as sometimes we talk a lot and this can offend any teacher.
I am confused about the subjects I want to do next year and the years to come because I know the choice I make will pave the way for what I will be doing at tertiary level. I would like to do Physical Science, History and Maths. I want to be the highest achiever in my school, it is not easy but I am striving to be there among those who are well known achievers. I call this year my make or break year as next year I will be deciding towards my matric. I have this new found love of music, I love to listen to radio and watch television but I do not allow it to take up my study time.
I make it my leisure time when I am taking a break from my books. It is so inspiring when I listen to the young DJ’s of Metro FM. I know it was not an easy road for them to make it at the prestigious radio station, they had to work hard. That inspires me to achieve all my goals. I have this classmate whose name is Joshua. He likes to assist me when I am stuck with something. We do compete and he always keeps me on my toes. I sometimes beat him in Natural Science.
I am happy as I know passing Natural Science did boost my marks and now I am focused and want to keep it there. I am also in love with acting. I sometimes search the internet for tips on already successful actors about how they get to be where they are right now. I made a bet with one of my classmates that 10 years from now I will open up an arts centre to be able to assist aspiring actors and artists.
Happiness is not a destination it’s a choice that one makes to be a successful person and an achiever. This year is about me discovering myself, my passion, it’s mostly about happiness. I credit this to God and the Kay Mason Foundation to make it possible for me access opportunities. It has been so awesome year this far thank you!
WHO I AM:
My name is Nosiphamandla Ndamane and I am twelve years old turning thirteen on the 10th of September. I am now in grade seven at St. Paul’s Primary School. I live with my mother, father, and two sisters in Philippi. Our house has two bedrooms, a kitchen and an outside area. I love my home regardless of its appearance; I am very proud of it, to me it is a place I can call home.
I am a God loving person - my church is Seven Days. In my church we have many activities such as the pathfinder club and an adventurers club. One of the things that I love doing is baking cakes, scones and muffins. I also love experimenting and learning new things and music.
I am the Head girl of my school; this is a great honor and privilege because I learn to lead and how to take responsibility for what I do.
One thing that I really lack is a sense of style and my friends are constantly reminding me about it. This worries me because I don’t know how I will ever find a husband if I keep on wearing outdated outfits. I like reading a lot, especially novels and thrillers, my favorite authors are Carolyn Keen and Lucy Daniels.
My goal for this year is to pass with good marks and get a full paid KMF scholarship so I could give my family the best life possible and be successful in life. I want to be a scientist so I could help to find a cure for incurable diseases such as HIV/AIDS. I pray to God that my parents live to see the day I graduate from university so that they can see that their hard-work in raising me has truly paid off.
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