Wow what a day...

Today has felt so unbelievably long, as it was filled with so many different experiences. So i recommend a cup of tea as you sit down to read, because this is ging to be a lengthy blog post.

After a hot day filled with sea salt and sand yesterday,  i will admit i was in need of  shower. Hoever watching 'Beauty and the Beast' last night, took priority. So as I woke this morning with beach hair, i excitedly gathered my wash things. Heading to the shower picking up a fresh non sandy towel. As my excitement grew I organised my self around the bathroom, jumped in the shower.... and was was very suddenly bought back down to earth, when i discovered the water was off- again.

Interestingly enough today is 'World Water Day.' A day which  internationally focuses attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. A month ago our water system was 'upgraded', so we had clear drinkable water. Unfortunately this is yet to happen. The 'upgrade' has meant that somedays the water is less brown than others, is now intermittent and still not drinkable. We complain, when we cant shower, or the water goes off, but at least when we turn our taps we usually get water- whatever colour it may be.

Once i had made my beach hair look presentable, Heather and I set off at 0800 to Somerset West. After driving around the bock for 15mins or so, we decided to pull over to look at the map for the millionth time. To our relief, there it was - staring us right in the face. The building we had been looking for and had driven past 5 times and not seen. Thankfully we were not running late, as we had factored in, that we would more than likely get lost along the way. We where welcomed by the Bosom Buddy team, another branch of the Thembalitsha Foundation, who we would be spending our morning with.

Buddies, began as a vision to provide new mothers, with a few post birth essentials. The vision has grown dramatically, and Bosom Buddies now provide new mothers with a nappy bag which is filled with baby supplies that are often take for granted, hut over here  are not easily accessible. The hand crafted nappy bags contains baby cloths, a cozy blanket, and other baby and mother essentials. Bosom Buddies currently service two local maternity hospitals whilst also running ante-natal and breast feeding classes, support groups and counselling for those who've experienced a still birth. In a place where new life is not always something that is celebrated, and women often go into hospital alone, Bosom Buddies ensures that no baby goes home without being adequately clothed, that each mother feels that their community cares and the birth is recognised and celebrated.

So today, loaded with gift bags, we went  into the hospital and talked to women who had just given birth and those who where just about too. We met 8 new babies born in the last week by C section, and last night as natural delivery. All of whom where heading home today. We talked to the women for a while, held a few babies, gave them their gift bags and wished them well with prayer. The women talked to us openly about their experience, and what support they had waiting for them at home. 

 

Nobom and Imitha, only 6 hours old and off home to his family today, who are looking forward to the first grandson.

On the way home, after talking about the lack of wild life we have seen since being in Africa, Heather shouts "Monkeys..." as a family of Baboons cross the N2 heading back into Grabouw. Overwhelmed with excitement, i pull over off the motor way and like true tourists we begin to take photos. 

After lunch, and a swift sort through the children's toys (the next job being to sort them all out), I drove the combi to sports at 'far away farm' / Vergelen. This farm is a relatively new project and has been running for a month now, so i am fortunate to have the chance to spend an afternoon a week getting to know the children. Sports at the farm is different to sports in the townships, well the sport is the same but the environment is contrasting. 

The Grabouw area is renowned for growing apples- hence why 'Appletiser' is made in Grabouw (the next time you by a can or a bottel, look where its made- Appletiser rd, Grabouw). Anyway, one of the reasons the farm is well off in comparison to the townships is to do with their apples. The apples grown in this area are sold at Waitrose ( a UK supermarket), and for every apple sold a percentage is given back into the farm in which it is grown. The Mr Waitrose man is  doing such a good job, helping a small farming community in Grabouw. The people at Vergelen live in such a pictures part of the country in little cottages, the children have a school to go to, and running water. 

With only a few kids turning up to sports yesterday, we combined the boys and girls in a game of football. It was a great afternoon, amongst the dramas of cheating and first aid, as one of the girls sliced open her foot. I jumped into nurse mode, using the opportunity to teach her some wound care tips. 

At the end of the session, we sit around in a circle and teach the children a life skill. This week we reflected on last weeks lesson, helping others. Without our trusty translator and sports mentor, we found ourselves a bit stuck. We attempted to explain that there would be no sports for 2 weeks now as children are all on holidays now. This lead nicely, although slowly into the story of easter. Explaining that Easter is much more than eating to much chocolate eggs and having a break from school. Slowly but surly the reason behind Easter came out as the children began the discussion. Ending in prayer we wished everyone a Happy Easter, before driving back along the dusty roads back into town. 

Successful day all round i'd say.