I show my class the flag of Zimbabwe.
Hi. My name’s Takunda. I’m proud of my name. It means “Victory”. Ms. Christie-Blick, a visiting teacher at my school, says she thinks I’ll have many victories in my life. I hope she’s right.
My family moved here to South Africa from the country of Zimbabwe three years ago. Life was too hard there. Some days the teachers did not show up for school. Sometimes the shops had no food left to sell. Often the electricity would go out around the entire town. Life is better for us here in South Africa. Here’s a typical day in my life.
Me eating breakfast.
6:30 I wake up early each morning, wash up, and eat my Cornflakes. I hope all my friends will be at school today. I feel sad when they’re out sick. I think about how happy I am to be living in South Africa and going to a good school.
My mum waves good-bye as I head off for school.
7:20 I leave for school. I know my mum wants me to work hard and do well at school. I like it when she says, “Takunda, you’re very smart.” It makes all the hard work worth it.
My auntie gives my sister and me a ride in her car. My sister’s name is Tanaka. Her name means “Beautiful”. Other people think she’s beautiful, but to me she’s just my big sister who argues with me a lot. What makes me really happy is when she’s kind to me.
I like to learn new things at school.
8:00 School starts. I like school because it teaches me more than I already know. For instance, I learned an easier way to do division in maths. My favorite subject is English. I think reading, writing and speaking good English is important because people in so many different countries speak English. At home, I mostly speak English, and a little Shona, a Zimbabwean language.
I like visiting the school library.
I like to read. It’s actually quite fun. I like all kinds of stories, but especially mystery and scary stories. Right now I’m reading Alfie All Alone. It’s a good story about a girl who has to take care of her dog, Alfie, AND her new baby brother – not easy.
I like playing On On with my friends.
10:30 I like break time. I eat a snack and then play with my friends on the field. Sometimes we play On On. It’s fun and it’s actually good exercise. In some countries this game is called Tag. You’re It. By 11:00 we’re back at work learning about sand dune habitats.
14:00 The school day ends in early afternoon. Sometimes I stay late to sing in a choir, or to play volleyball or field hockey. My favorite is volleyball because you learn about your strengths, like how high you can jump to reach the ball.
Doing homework keeps me from getting bored.
15:30 Every day when I get home I do my homework straight away. It usually takes me half an hour. Sometimes I have school projects to work on, like a country report. I did my report on Zimbabwe. I like having homework. Otherwise I get bored.
I like riding my bike before dinner.
Sometimes I go for a bike ride before dinner.
I like to cook. Here I’m making S’mores.
18:00 My favorite dinner is Lasagna. My favorite dessert is a S’more. I make the S’more myself by putting a marshmallow between two biscuits and then microwaving them until the marshmallow is soft and gooey. Try it!
I love to read.
After dinner we have family time and watch a movie together. Sometimes I play computer games. I always spend some time reading.
Good night!
20:00 By bedtime I’m exhausted from my busy day. It always feels good to snuggle in with Sniffles, Damon, and Grand Bear. I think about my day, and think happy thoughts about traveling to faraway countries. Maybe one day I’ll get to go to America and visit Disney World!
Hi Takunda,
My name is Aidan. Why do you not use your time as PM and AM?
hi my name is caelan.Do you like your school?
Hi Takunda! It sounds like you have a really fun day in South Africa. I also like s'mores and reading like you.
Hi Takunda! I like how your name means victory. I also know how it feels to have an older sibling. I know because I have a brother in 6th grade.
What books do you like to read?
Hi Takunda! Your lifestyle is very interesting. Do you always wake up so early or do you sometimes sleep late? Do you have school five days a week or six or seven? What is your favorite breakfast to eat? What is your favorite subject other than English? Sorry about giving you so many questions.
How interesting, i love learning about peoples schedules in other countries
IT sounds just like a normal day with a exception of not playing "onon" and waking up so early I get up at eight.
Wow, you have a unique name! You start school earlier than us. It's neat that you play tag, but give it a different name. You use time differently than us- I think it's called "military time?"
I would love to life there it sounds like a fun life-style
Hi Takunda! Your life sounds very fun! I think it's very cool that your name means victory!! "But to me shes just my big sister who argues with me a lot." I agree! I have 2 little sisters who always annoys me! Are you in the same class as Chloe??
What is your favorite movie? Also, what kinds of things are you learning in social studies class. In my opinion, that is the best subject. Finally, do you play baseball or soccer? I think it's awesome that your name means Victory!
Wow your day seems really fun! By the way we have S'mores to! Exept we use gram crackers instead of biscuits.
Sounds like a fun, action packed day! Did you already know how to speak a little bit of English when you moved from Zimbabwe?
Cool report it must of been hard .What was your favorite book?
It must be cool knowing more than one language.
You really have an interesting day. Our school days are very similar. I think it is a really good that you did this.
Do you play any other sports besides volleyball and feild hockey?
What is your favorite computer game?
Wow! That sounds cool! I wish I lived in Sout Africa! We have a lot in common!
It sounds interesting that you came from Zimbabwe and that your name meens victory. Must have been exhausting in Zimbabwe, I wouldn't last a day there because I use the TV every day. It is also cool that your sisters name meens beautiful and I thought it was funny that you said that everyone thinks she's beautiful when you just think that she's your older sister who argues with you. I also argue a lot with my two brothers. I had never heard of Shona before. I like mystery and scary stories also. You know what I find cool, that in The United States the highest number on our clock goes up to 12:00, so in The United States there are no 14:00, 15:30, 18:00, or 20:00. I love playing volleyball myself, but I never heard of field hockey. I really don't like homework that much. I also like Lasagna. In New York S'mores are a bit different. It is usaully two gram crackers with marhmallow and chocolate , I like it microwaved also. I really like watching movies and reading also. I like that you dream about going to faraway countries because I love traveling myself. DisneyWorld is awsome, you'll love it. Nice talking to you Takunda.
You guys use military time?!?!
How do you play On On?