Define Beautiful

Hello Everyone.

Part of the reason for this blog’s creation is my internship’s requirement to write a blog entry once every two weeks on specific predefined topics. While I have been writing on here fairly regularly I haven’t written any entries on these topics. So here is the first one. Topic: the definition of beautiful where you are. It has been challenging for me to narrow down how to define beauty here at Nkosi’s Haven as there is beauty in something as simple as making someone laugh or having a baby fall asleep in my arms but here goes.

What defines beauty for me here at Nkosi’s Haven is singing. On the evening of June 1st there was a memorial service held here to mark 10 years since the passing of Nkosi Johnson. The service featured several speeches, a bible reading and singing by the Soweto Gospel Choir, all the children of Nkosi’s Haven and several mums and caregivers. Every time I experience the children, mums or caregivers singing or dancing it amazes and captivates me. Prior to the service in the morning, with just Gail (the founder of Nkosi’s Haven) and those of us living here lit a candle in memory of Nkosi at 5:45am, the time he passed. As we walked into the room where there was a memorial set up for Nkosi the children sang one song that almost made me cry.

I expect that it is a fairly well known song but since I am not religious and most of the songs sung are gospel songs, this was the first time I remember hearing this song. It is so simple but so beautiful. One of our caregivers, Sarah, began by singing “We walk” and then everyone else answered with “in the light of God, the light, the light of God” and then the song continues from there, though that simple lyric made up the majority of the song. The swell of voices and collective passion was very powerful touched some deep part of my heart. As I write this and try to reflect on how much this song and moment affected me, I am having trouble expressing how I felt in that moment and I certainly don’t feel that this description is doing the beauty justice.

In comparison to my very privileged life many of these children lack the basics that I took for granted growing up - enough clothes that fit properly, two parents who are together, a room of my own, more toys than I could play with - yet many of them have such incredible talent for singing and dancing with little training. And to me this is beautiful. Of course there are also many times when the children are not nearly as perfect as I’ve presented them so far - they don’t say please and thank you nearly as much as they should, they hit each other, grab, and ignore your attempts at discipline. But overall there are many more beautiful moments here than ugly ones.