Stories of hope!

I'm afraid that as time goes on, we're getting worse and worse about posting blogs regularly!  It's not that there isn't much to write about, because every day is a new adventure!  One does start to feel more and more removed from "life at home" though, and as things don't feel "new" to us here anymore, it's easy to forget that those at home may be interested in our daily happenings.

 

Here are some highlights from the past 2 weeks:

 

1)  There's one old Gogo from the valley we live in that has become a friend of mine and visits me here at the office once a week.  She is raising her grandchildren, and first came to the outreach farm because her 11 month old grandson had the worst case of scabies imaginable.  Scabies is a nasty skin rash caused by tiny fleas that borough under the skin.  It's extremely contagious, but mostly spreads to individuals who's immune system is compromised.  This baby boy had oozing sores all over his face and body and could hardly see.  It's evident he's HIV positive just because of the severity of his condition.  I  was able to give the Gogo some medication for the little guy, as well as some rice and chicken food (to keep the family chickens fed), some vitamins, and some warm clothes for the kids.  I've treated the baby for several weeks now, and over the visits, have come to enjoy chatting and visiting with this strong woman.  I'm always happy to see her walking down the street toward the office with a big smile, the baby strapped to her back, and another grandchild or two walking along side.  Her spirit is beautiful, and her courage is amazing!

 

2)  Our monthly team meeting took place this week.  This is a meeting of the 12 or 13 outreach project staff that work for GGA in various capacities.  Some are Zulu and live in the valleys, and some of us are international volunteers.  It's always so cool to hear the dreams and plans of each of these people, and to learn from each other as we talk about the challenges of our roles.  I've never before rubbed shoulders with so unique and diverse a group of people.  What a neat thing when people of different nations come together out of the love and compassion for South Africa.  In spite of the frustrations with management and disorganization here, these meetings keep us focused on the good things that are happening in this organization. 

For example, the agricultural projects are growing in amazing ways under the leadership of Claudia, our German volunteer.  She's currently working with over 70 farmers in the area to help them prepare their fields, increase the yield of their crops, and access government helps.  She is also mentoring Wesley, a young Zulu guy who's become a good friend of ours.  Wesley has a real passion for agriculture, and has built great relationships with the farmers.  Wesley and Claudia are also introducing a "clay pot" gardening system for several large communal gardens in the area.  This is an innovative system for drought-resistant gardening that I will be trying in Alberta!  Many people believe that South Africa must return to its agricultural roots in order to rebuild, since farming and gardening keeps men and women at home and keeps them from leaving their families to find work.  It seems one of the best ways to combat hunger, poverty, and the breakdown of the Zulu family structure.

 

3)  Dan led a great parent meeting at the main preschool this week!  A parent committee was elected, and there was a real positive feeling of excitement and ownership among the parents.  To Dan's credit, this school has come a long way in the past 6 months toward becoming an independent and community-run preschool.  Instead of looking to GGA for help and hand-outs, the parents are beginning to catch the vision of making this preschool something that unites and strengthens the community.  As this school becomes established and independent, more existing schools can be helped.  If I may brag, Dan's done a great job in this community in the last 6 months, and the people love and respect him.  Not bad for a white Canadian boy who's never run a preschool...in Africa!  Of course, he would tell you that it's not been his doing, but rather the hard work of the teachers and parents as well as God's blessing on this project.  I think it's all of those factors combined!

 

4)  The girls and I recently had the opportunity to hand out some donations of baby clothes at several local clinics.  Talk about two-tiered health care!  When I had strep throat here some months ago, I visited a city clinic much like our walk-in clinics at home.  I waited about 10 minutes, saw a kind, efficient, doctor, picked up my prescription, and went home.  This is what happens if you can afford to pay the R120 ($24 Canadian) that it costs to see a doctor. 

If you have no money, you can receive "free" health care at one of the clinics in the valleys.  The ones we visited were run down buildings without proper roofs.  They have benches outside where 50-100 people wait all day in the broiling sun to see a nurse.  The doctors only visit once each week.  These people looked sick!  One tiny new-born baby was burning with fever and had a very rapid pulse and respirations.  She seemed near death.  Another child had a severely burned face.  There was an atmosphere of general chaos and despair.  I think this is the most helpless I've felt here in SA.  We gave out warm winter clothes and blankets to the babies, but walked away feeling the questioning stares of those we couldn't help.

 

5)  About 2 weeks ago, Dan and I were able to get away BY OURSELVES for a wonderful weekend at the coast!  Our dear friends here at the Outreach farm had offered to look after the girls and give us some precious alone time to rest, relax, and plan for the future.  The girls had a great time, and so did we!  We stayed at a lovely B&B at Imanzimtoti Beach, went for walks, slept in, and went out for a 4 hour dinner one night...unheard of!  One of the challenges of this trip has been the fact that we are never separated from the kids.  They cannot just "go out to play", and have no peers to keep them entertained.  So, we have become their teachers, friends, confidants, and playmates.  They in turn have had to learn to keep adult company almost 100% of the time.  I will always look back on these months as a precious gift of togetherness as a family.  BUT, a whole weekend just for the two of us sure was nice!!  ;-)

 

We're heading into another busy week.  All of the preschool supplies we've ordered will arrive this week, and we will level the ground for the playground and paint the school.  This is also the week of the "Comrades Marathon" which is an 87km, world-famous marathon between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.  One of GGA's biggest funders is heavily involved in the marathon, and each year they want us to gather the 220 children that they sponsor in the valleys and take them to watch the marathon.  And guess who gets to plan that event this year?  Aren't I the lucky one!  So, how do you efficiently find the RIGHT 220 kids out of thousands, board them on 4 busses at 6am, and feed and entertain them all day while they watch the marathon?  I'll let you know after Friday!

One of our dear friends who lives here at the farm, Baba Elliot, is running in the Comrades this year!!  This is a 58 year-old Zulu grandpa who gets up between 3 and 3:30am every morning to run about 25 km, then is on the job by 7:30 and does hard physical farm labor all day long.  He is in incredible physical condition without ever having seen the inside of a gym in his life!  He is so proud of his new Nikes that he got recently (purchased for him by GGA), and is pumped to run on Friday.  May God be with him!  Although, I told him yesterday that I'm not sure who I feel more sorry for: him running 87km, or me on the side of the road for 7 hours with 220 kids!

Have a great week everyone!

Cathy