Does anyone remember that show with Bill Cosby- Kids say the darndest things? Basically Mr. J-E-L-L-O himself asks kids questions and they answer; no filter at all.

Well I feel like I could start my own South African edition.

Conversation during tutoring yesterday with Gamotso, (pronounced Ha-mote-so) a 10 year old boy who is a ball of endless energy.

Gamotso: “Zach can I please go outside?”

Me: “Why do you need to go outside Gamotso? If you’d sit still for 5 minutes you might actually get something done.”

Gamotso: (In a high pitched frantic voice) “I have to make a fart! I have to make a fart!”

Me: (With the whole class now laughing) “By all means please go outside. GO, GO, GO!”

A few minutes later, after Gamotso comes back inside.

Me: (Whispered) “Gamotso, thank you for going outside like a gentlemen.  But gentlemen don’t announce to the entire world they have to ‘make a fart!’  And next time you don’t have to ask, you can just go outside.”

A few minutes later, Gamotso sprints toward the door.

Me: “Where are you going now?!”

Gamotso: (At the top of his lungs) “Taking a poop!” At which point he stopped, bent over, put his clinched hand by his butt, and flicked his fingers repeatedly to make a sign of a terd exploding out of his body.  Oh, no he didn’t- Oh, yes he did!

Me: (Shaking head and laughing) “I think the lesson was completely lost on him.”

And that is just one daily episode in the life of Zach working with the children at Ithemba.