Up very bright and early this morning and writing these retrospectively, otherwise it would have been a complete mess. We today have visited all the projects which we have made a commitment to and the ones we want to create a further relationship with. We are visiting with some other potential funders from the UK. The first project we visited was Hillcrest Aids Centre a truly incredible project empowering the community and supporting those infected and affected by Aids. They have a craft centre creating beadwork, sewing and a plant nursery. They have hospice which can care for up to 21 patients and no one is ever turned away. They have a centre where people can be tested and counselled and the environment is wonderful and extremely caring.
After a visit to their craft shop we make our way to Ridge City. Jake the founder sat with us and we had a further discussion and then he went and showed us round - we presented them with a cheque for R5000 and are sure that we will raise the money they need to get the electricity machine which will benefit 17,000 people in their local community.
After this we then went up to Sithembakuye. Russell who was busy with about 10 kids then showed us round and introduced everyone to each other. Again we presented them with a cheque for the support of their Granny feeding programme. Whilst there we met Jon from Lions Roar who has secured funding to maintain the children’s home. With this we then hope in the future that we can slowly help Russell and Sithembakuye to become self sufficient with an enterprise programme.
Next and at this stage I was concerned whether Alan could keep up with the pace! We visited Dawn Lappan founder of 1000 Hills Community Helpers. Again what a project they had fed near on 1400 people today and seen almost 170 people in their free clinic. Dawn is an inspirational woman and by her nature makes you feel you are the most important person in the room and that you would have been friends for ever. After another visit to a craft room and some bracelets latter we moved onto Georgedale.
During our visit we were honoured to meet the local Councillor. He represents 44,000 people and he asked us if we would visit a house that houses a 13 year old and 19 year old girlf which is falling down. The 13 year old girl Nomvula, had a pair of school shoes which were completely ruined so we had bought a new pair and taken them to her.
Lastly we visited Ithembalihle, when we arrived the sun was setting. They were busy feeding the children and the cold was starting to bite. .....
Alan’s in the Chair now – as Charlie has just said it was late in the afternoon BUT I wasn’t cold (these youngsters!!) We were really pleased that the 6 chickens we had presented the project with were all fit and well and they had produced their first 2 eggs for Thandiwe’s community - may not seem a big deal but it could be the start of helping them supplement their food programme.
We’ve had a very long but also very rewarding day - revisiting the projects where we know we can make a real difference and help them move forward is a really good way to finish the visit.
Went out for a final meal with some friends – hardly seems possible that our trip is coming to an end BUT we have visited a total of 19 projects (from small fledgling groups with scope to grow and develop to well established benchmark organisations), we have met some amazing people, we have seen firsthand the devastating effect of HIV/Aids and general poverty, we have been shown round by Rotarians and community/project leaders all of whom have given freely of their time in very busy schedules to promote the (wait for it Charlie) phenomenal work that is being undertaken in this area and it never ceases to amaze me that despite all this the people are so proud and happy.
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