Contrast again and again

Last weekend, was the last weekend, Ashlyn, Lauren, Jess and I spent together. Saving the best for last, as we drove to Franchhoek: ‘The French Corner’. Nestled in the valley is the beautiful little village. Full of boutiques, a village market in the hall, French bistros, quaint cafes and wineries for miles. 

We shopped- window shopped anyway as funds are dwindling.

We ate - at a French Bistro, easily fooling ourselves that we where in Paris

We drank- at a lovely winery. Vrede en Lust. Over looking the grape vines, we tasted different wines. Tried to retain the information about how the wines where made so we could pretend we learnt something.   

And....

We ate and drank some more- going to chocolate cafe to top the day off before driving home. 

Monday arrived like it does every week, struggling to get out of bed, reaching for a strong cup of coffee. To then be once again, blown away by the contrast between lifestyles in South Africa. Hit with the harsh reality of what is life for a large population of Grabouw. A s the four of us girls, went to help with the delivering of food parcel for Saphlie Sonke. 

Each month Saphlie Sonke, (another NGO who work in Grabouw) deliver food parcels to people in the most need. The poorest of the poor, people who are unable to work due to ill health or disability and are waiting for their grant/ financial support request to be processed. A grant that will give then give or take R2000 / $300 a month. Processing can take up to 3 months, once the papers are signed. In the mean time Saphlie Sonke provides monthly food parcels. Packed full of tinned foods, rice, samp, mealie meal, cooking oil, stock, vegetables, soup mixes, and a variety of other cooking necessities.

We drove round the townships, walked though the squatter camps, looking for the homes on our lists. We where welcomed into their homes, we talked and assess their living situations. We handed out blankets to families who had very few.  As winter has now set in, and is taking hold. A middle age man, living alone, in a shack - the smallest i’ve seen, assured us he had enough blankets, as he showed us his sheet.... and a deflated rubber boat. We gave him blankets, the rest of what we had. We handed over his food parcel, and asked if their was anything he was short of... ‘a sauce pan’, and a few other things. 

How do you cook without a saucepan? or even without paraffin/ a stove?

Saphlie Sonke will try and provide what they can for those in need, from the donations they receive, but for now we can pray.

Happy Hearts

I am now nearing the end of my time at the Village of Hope, and it is a bitter sweet feeling. Whilst i am excited to embark on the next part of the adventure, I am struggling with the truth, that i am to leave a place that has given me a new outlook on life and a place i feel so at home. 

In a community where HIV, AID's and TB are spreading and access to medication and health care is a never ending struggle, where tragedies happen with no report and where people burn whatever that can find to stay warm at night. In a place where now winter has set in, the winds scream and rain pours through thin corrugated iron roofs. Joy shines though the sadness and heartache. 

A place where seemingly simple gestures and acts, make all the difference. A cup of coffee and cake, may be a guilty pleasure on a cold miserable day some. But for those who have to wonder where their next meal is coming from, this is a blessing. 

It was easy to fall into a routine. To go from day to day, doing what needs to be done. The school run daily, the unit food shop weekly, and the monthly ARV clinic appointments. Spending time in the community of Grabouw, getting to know people from all walks of life and children who long to be loved. Some days i felt disheartened, like nothing was ever enough, wanting to solve the troubles of the world in a day. But looking back, reflecting on the past 4 months, i am filed with inspiring, heart warming, tear provoking stories of happiness and hope. 

A fortnight ago a team from ‘In Focus’ Church in Augusta, visited. They set to work painting the children’s unit with a fresh coat of paint. Who knew the excitement that would follow as the children's faces beamed with excitement, as they ran their hands over the new walls. In attempt to keep the children's unit free from children as much as possible during the week, we all prayed for good weather. Our prayers where answered and we were blessed with a week of sunshine, outings and excursions. Which where as much fun for the house mums as for the children. 

To make bath time fun and educational, bathroom words had previously been painted onto the walls in English, Africans and Xhosa. With the new coat of paint, a new theme was born. I spent Thursday and Friday creating an ‘Under the Sea/ Nemo themed bathroom. With children running in and out of the bathroom, watching intensely as i painted away, and sat admiringly when it was finished. I can only assume it was a success. As staff coming on for the next shift where led into the bathroom to “ Look what Katia did."

A few months ago, i was struggling to understand how i felt about life in South Africa. How some people have so much, and others so little. I was talking to one of the house mums, and she surprised that myself and the other volunteers got upset. She thought we where always happy because we where always smiling, flitting off on weekends to explore the country. The country that is one their doorstep, but out of arms reach. She told me not to feel guilty as guilt doesn't help anyone or anything, to always be grateful for what we have, and to start everyday with a smile. 

‘One day at a time: This is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.’