I turned my limitations to opportunities
The national lockdown really affected me. I could not go to school and be with my friends and worst of all… no rugby! Rugby is one of the many things that make me happy. I was so disappointed that I would not be able to play for at least 21 days.
The first 21 days of the lockdown were ok because everybody was adjusting. Soon the 21 days turned into months and with no training equipment, nothing to do and no rugby training session in sight, I felt despondent. But, I could not let the lockdown hold me back or dampen my spirit and so I decided to start my own training regime that will keep me mentally and physically fit. I put on my rugby togs and hit the backyard. I ran laps and added a few exercises I had learnt from our training sessions at school. Although the rugby sessions have not started at school, I feel fit and ready for the next season.
I also used this time to bond and get to know my family better. Tannie Amanda (housemother) and I spent time in the kitchen preparing and cooking for the family. I really enjoyed learning how to cook and now do it often. I appreciate and truly enjoyed the time I spent with oom Dennis (housefather). We built the shade area in front of our house – a great learning experience for me.
I never thought I would say this but, I also enjoyed the time I spent with my ‘brothers…’ they’re actually fun to hang out with.
This time was really precious to me. I took the limitations as opportunities. I learned new things and got better at what I already knew.
– Don 18, Beneficiary at House Mouton
“As the eldest son in the house, Don is our pride as houseparents. He’s helpful and a joy to be around. His ‘brothers’ look up to him and he’s inspired them to also want to be fit – they’ve joined his training sessions”, says housemother Amanda.
Beperkings tydens inperking bring geleenthede
Sjoe die nasionale grendeltyd was kwaai op my! Ek kon nie skool toe gaan of kuier by vriende nie en die ergste van alles… niks rugby nie! Rugby is een van ‘n klompie dinge wat my gelukkig maak. Ek was baie teleurgestel om vir 21 dae nie te kon speel nie.
Tog was die eerste 21 dae van grendeltyd nie te erg nie, want almal moes aanpas. Die dae het egter gou verander in maande met geen oefening, geen toerusting en niks om te doen nie. My moed was in my skoene. Maar ek wou nie dat grendeltyd my onderkry nie en het besluit om my eie oefenprogram te begin om myself geestelik en fisies fiks te hou. Ek het my rugbytogs aangetrek en die agterplaas betrek. Ek het al om die tuin gehardloop en dit afgewissel met oefeninge wat ek kon onthou uit ons oefensessies by die skool. Al is daar steeds nie rugby oefeninge by die skool nie, voel ek fiks en reg vir die volgende seisoen.
Ek het ook die tyd gebruik om my ‘familie’ in die huis beter te leer ken. Ek en tannie Amanda (huisma) het heelwat tyd in die kombuis deurgebring waar ons kos voorberei en gekook het vir die gesin. Ek het dit geniet om te leer kook en doen dit nou gereeld.
Die tyd saam met oom Dennis (huispa) was ‘n lekker ervaring. Ons het ‘n afdak opgerig voor die huis – ‘n goeie leerervaring vir my.
Ek het nooit gedink ek sal dit sê nie, maar ek het selfs die tyd wat ek saam met my ’broers’ spandeer het, geniet. Dis nogal lekker om saam met hulle uit te hang.
Hierdie tydperk was regtig kosbaar. Ek het die beperkinge verander in geleenthede. Ek het nuwe dinge geleer en beter geword met dit wat ek reeds kon doen.
– Don 18, Huis Mouton
“As die ouboet in die huis is Don ‘n vreugde en maak hy ons as huisouers baie trots. Hy is baie behulpsaam in die huis. Sy ‘broers’ kyk op na hom en hy het hulle geïnspireer om ook fiks te wil wees. Hulle het by sy oefensessies aangesluit,” vertel Amanda.
