Muzungus at Olga's School

I am still trying to understand and deal with this Muzungu thing-- being white. Many organizations come to Africa and give items: schools, funds, etc. So in Africa believe white people are rich and either want to give them money or should give them money, or it's okay to charge more because they have money. This is a bit difficult as some believe the Church is a Muzungu Church and therefore full of money to give away.
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This is not true. The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches Faith and Repentance or turning from wrong doing. It teaches integrity, work ethic, honesty, obedience to the commandments, living with joy, loving others, service, provident living-- living within your means, budgeting, being resourceful. If these principles are followed, a better quality of life will ensue. But handing out money leads to sloth, laziness, and an entitlement attitude which are wrong. So we have to be careful of people who want to join the church in the belief that they will get stuff.
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Muzungus are also treated with a great deal of respect, even deference. Doors are opened, things carried, there is just a feeling that these are special people. Of course we are not special people and I sometimes ask myself, am I humble enough? Am I letting other people's attitudes toward me determine who I am? At times I feel like I am very much like all the people around me. Our hearts are the same. But clearly we are not similar looking.
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This respect for Muzungus also carries responsibility. When we go someplace, it adds value to that place. When we visit someone at work, it gives them credibility and added respect. And sometimes when we go to visit someone, I wonder if we are not paraded around like a prize cow. We were not thinking of that when we decided to visit Olga's school. She just started it and we'd been hearing how it was going. The landlord promised to plaster the walls, cement the floor, put in doors and windows... but at this point, school was starting in what they had.
So we went to see her and the children. They are so cute! And Olga is such a good teacher. She loves the children. These are children from the slums. They will get school uniforms, but the parents must manage to buy them. below is a video of Olga and the children doing "Rain, rain go away." And I think "Twinkle Twinkle little star." The children did not know English when they started school a week and a half ago.

I love how Sister Olga rewards the children with this rhyme about what a good child they are. Notice the dancing of the little girl as they are telling her what a good job she did writing her "c"s on the blackboard. "Thank you. Thank you. A very good girl..." Notice how all the children join in to thank her. Also. The last things she says is "Sound" and the sound of the letter C.

I did the song "Head Shoulders, Knees and Toes" with the children. The man at the booth next to the school came to watch me. He said, "Many more children will come to the school tomorrow!" because a muzungu was there.