Foreign student touches local lives
After being rejected by their own families, the children at Thembelihle are encouraged by the fact that a stranger from another country has made the effort to befriend them.
The arrival of Felix Schreiter, at the Thembelihle Children’s Shelter has led to bonds to friendship that defy differences in race, culture and nationality.
The education student travelled to Newcastle from Germany roughly a month ago, as a participant in a six-month special programme offered by the Methodist Church organisation.
“Felix has been a source of great excitement for the boys at Thembelihle, who feel encouraged to know that even though many of them have been rejected by their own families, there is a young man from another country who has taken an interest in befriending them and helping them,” said Ruth Lovelock, who spoke on behalf of Thembelihle.
Felix explained that he came to South Africa because he was curious about how life was different outside of Germany, and wished to learn skills from the teaching methods he was exposed to in Newcastle, that he could apply in Germany.
“I stayed with the boys at the Thembelihle Shelter and it was beautiful. We spent our time playing soccer, searching for golf balls and helping prepare the meals,” said Felix.
Mrs Lovelock added, “Once Felix has worked with us for six months, there won’t be any classroom situation in Germany that he won’t be able to handle. The journey to South Africa was a step of faith that Felix took through his church to make a difference in the lives of others and to learn from them. Since he has been here, the children have taken to him like a duck to water. Even though he has only been here a few weeks, I can see that he has already formed strong bonds with the children at the shelter that will last a lifetime.”
