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.