Charlie - Very cold last night in SA, but woke up in the heat this morning. Complete calm apart from Alan as he wakes up and goes to the shower, and they say young people don't have manners! We have a great breakfast and I'm berated for being late.
We left for our first project Ithembalihle - drive on the main road for a couple of kilometres and then Debbie says its up here. It doesn't look to bad 30 seconds in and the Toyota Yaris (less power than a hair dryer) struggles it's way up whilst the words of the car rental ring in my ear "undercarriage damage is completely liable to the person renting the car". This road was made to claim the lives of such small vehicles. As we approach Ithembalihle you can see it well in the distance and Alan and I both described it as a beacon! its a bright blue and white building set against the sun scorched earth of Sankontshe Valley. We pull in and we are greeted by Thandiwe, Ithemablihle's founder. She shows us round and we discuss her circumstances - a truly remarkable woman of which you will have to visit our website or come to a talk to find out more. The children are not used to visitors let alone white people and hide in the shade and the house, they look once or twice and then run back inside once we catch eye contact. The place has a feeling that is of comfort and don't get me wrong its far from plush! They have a discarded oil drum which acts as the boiler and they use it to warm water for showers (which is standing in a bucket and washing yourself). One thing that sticks in my mind is the number of children Thandiwe has taken in already and the way in which she reacts to applause for what she has done - it goes beyond modesty its simply what she has done and that is all she feels no more and no less than what someone may do in her opinion. So much need and so hard to prioritise. The children have roughly 7 mattresses and less blankets - they all sleep on the floor in the same room from aged 3 to 17. After handing out some donations we say our goodbyes and head for lunch with some Rotary members. We then spent the afternoon at Lily of the Valley another organisation of which I have to say is amazing in what it has achieved and continues to do so.
Now its Alan's turn to give his take!
Firstly I have to say that it is now 10pm UK time and Charlie has gone to bed - these youngsters, no staying power!!
I don't want to be repetitive BUT all I can say is that Thandiwe is a remarkable woman - she gave up a good job as sales Manager with a good salary & company car, left her husband & 2 grown up sons to move to this area to help and support this community. The compound houses a building with 5 rooms, a small church/meeting room, a toilet block with no running water (although they do have a tap in the compound) and the shower room that Charlie has already described!!
This place is the hub of the community - the children are fed and IF there is anything left it is given to local community members who drop in to socialise in the hope that they MAY get some food. What a humbling experience to witness but if it wasn't for the efforts of Thandiwe things would be so much worse. In fine weather all the cooking is done outside on open fires in a "witches cauldron" - the children queue for their meal, no pushing or shoving, and some have to wait until one of the other kids has finished so that they can use a spoon or fork - some eat with their fingers and all the kids are made to wash their hands whilst in the food queue - just in case.
Did you know that 27,000 children, under the age of 5, die daily from poverty related diseases!!
Thandiwe has a clock in the kitchen which was not working - I put a spare battery from my camera case into the clock, set the time and walked out with it to show her - you would think she had won the lottery - so modest, so remarkable, so humble and despite everything so positive - for those of you that know me you won't be surprised to hear that I really want to help this lady.
I am a Rotarian and we met up with 3 Rotarians from 3 seperate local Clubs and we are hoping to be able to work with or with support from these guys - some of the projects they are involved in are amazing, the work they are doing in this area is inspirational - congratulations to you all.
Following the World Cup - pause for a moment and think - we are 25 miles from Durban - the new stadium is amazing, the infrastructure has been totally upgraded BUT at what cost? - just think what that money could have done for Thandiwe and thousands of others in the 25 mile radius.
It's goodnight from me & it's goodnight from him!!
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