It was wonderful to hear from all of you last week after posting my first report for June and I am pleased that you all enjoyed hearing what we get up to in South Africa.
Last Thursday, John delivered a mountain of post and although we had four volunteers helping to unpack, we were left with many unopened parcels and decided to have two opening days this week to try and catch up. We are determined to open all the mail in the same week we receive it. So, we opened mail yesterday and let’s hope that today we are able to get through what is still left and what was delivered today.
This week I wanted to share with you the stories of some very courageous children.
On Monday, Wendy, Abegail, Erin, Sarah (Wendy’s daughter) and I went to visit Hotel Hope. It is always such a treat to visit Oliver and his team who were very grateful for the nappies, baby blankets and clothes you have contributed. The toddlers were all at play school which meant we got to spend time with the babies. They currently have 18 children at Hotel Hope and two of the toddlers will be joining their new adoptive parents in the first week of July. Oliver is amazing with the children and you can see how much they all mean to him. The children adore him too and he is blessed with hugs and kisses from them all the time. It must be heart-breaking for him when they leave, but as he says, it is what he prays for – a family for each child.
It was at Hotel Hope that we were told the first story I want to share with you. Bundled in a pretty pink blanket, fast asleep in a cot in the corner of the nursery was a precious one week old baby girl. This baby girl’s mother is a child herself, a very brave 13 year old girl who was raped by her uncle at her own mother’s funeral, but who was brave enough to give birth to this beautiful baby girl and offer her a happy life through adoption. How brave is she, having to make such responsible choices at a tender age? Thank you Hotel Hope, you have given both these children hope for the future. A big thank you needs to go to Ruth for her wise and gentle counselling to so many of our school girls who find themselves in trouble.
On Tuesday, Seble (a volunteer from Ethiopia), Wendy and I met up with Tuki, an old friend of KAS, and we went to the Thinavhuyo Day Care Centre in Thembelihle in Lenasia. Seble travelled up front with me and Wendy travelled in the back of the truck – she looked rather comfortable don’t you think?
Thinavhuyo is a large Day Care Centre caring for 140 children. When we arrived at the Centre, we were greeted by the children singing the South African national anthem and other songs they had been taught. Last year we distributed to the first 70 children at Thinavhuyo (babies and toddlers) and on Tuesday it was a celebration of your love and ours for the 70+ pre-schoolers. Each of these children received a warm top and beanie as well as a pair of socks and a toy. There is always great excitement when we hand out the toys and this photo shows the children holding their gifts.
Thanks to those of you have contributed via the online shop, we were also able to leave apples, bread, jam, pasta and soup mixes for the children to have for lunch.
After the distribution, we spent some time in one of the classrooms watching the children drawing and learning to read. It is wonderful to see how eager they are to learn and how dedicated their teachers are despite the limited resources they have. The picture books and stationery that you send us come in so handy.
While we were there, Tuki pointed out the children who are being raised by their siblings who are only in their teens, some of them as young as14 years old. This situation is described as a “child-headed family” and is a common occurrence in South Africa, another example of a group of very courageous children. How many young teenagers do you know who could raise a family of two or three young children? We made sure that we sent larger jerseys, beanies and extra food home for these children too.
Otherwise this week we also packaged two large boxes that will go to “The Baby House” in Durban and have been in touch with a number of people regarding upcoming distributions. Michelle of “The Lonely Road” project just collected 50 blankets, 200 beanies and a supply of blanket packs to be stitched up. Lindi and Wandi will take more blanket packs back to Soweto today to be sewn together by the gogos at Chiawelo.
And to end this week, a few photos of the children at Thinavhuyo.
Replies
Ronda thank you so much for bringing the SA experience to life. Sad and wonderful at the same time. I wish we could do more for those children taking care of children. Between you and Pam's updates we feel as if we have been there too ! We are so lucky to contribute to a charity that cares about us.
To those people who see your own work in pics it makes my day I always rush off to check out what you have made.
Thank you so much for your weekly reports. They are extra precious, because we know how busy you and your team are. You are such an inspiration to all of us.
Dearest Ronda (and Wendy and Erin and all of you helping Ronda!)
I feel so incredibly blessed to be part of KAS! The stories are heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. It is hard to imagine the challenges these children face, but it is such a blessing that KAS is able to reach out to them and show them they are loved and cared about. I agree with everything that my friends have so eloquently said already....and I also feel that by having this day to day knowledge, it gives us more passion and emphasis to reach out to others and recruit even more to our cause! To be able to discuss what is happening with these children., with such detail regarding their day to day lives, I believe it will help us spread the word even further!
Thank you again Ronda for taking the time to share this with us.....please DO take good care of yourself!!
Love and blessings to you all!
Mary Anne
Thank you so much Ronda for sharing the stories of these courageous children of South Africa. Long may we all be able tocontinue to support them and let them know that they are loved and cared for.
Thank you team South Africa for your tireless efforts in getting our 'goodies' out to the children. we love and appreciate you heaps. :))
Oh My Goodness! In the bottom Compilation of pictues, the 4th one from the left, my Brown Sheep Vest (Made from the donated Dragon Fired and my China Wool). LOVE IT!!!!
That is terrific Jana! Such a great feeling!
I was glad I actually pulled it out of the UFO Bag and finished it. :D
And to the left of your vest is a dubious child wearing a rainbow beanie that I made.
I continue to be amazed at how the knitters and crocheters from around the world have responded to your call for 8" squares! I love that one person in one family had one idea that has touched so many lives. The square makers are blessed to be able to help children keep warm in a land far away from their own, the people who sew the squares together, the people who open the packages, who separate them into blankets packs, who deliver them to children in need along with a hug and an apple! The children are blessed to know that so many people in the world truly DO care about them and are doing what they can to help provide for them in their own ways. We may not be able to provide for every child in every way, but KAS certainly makes a step in the right direction! KAS is a blessing to so very many, and for this we are all thankful to you Ronda. Bless your very large heart!
It is a marvellous thing, Susan, indeed - that a seed planted by one can grow into an enormous, beautiful tree of love, touching thousands !!
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