Rainbow Smiles

As the weeks past,  i watch from afar at the planning that goes into each of the differing projects. Some i have already been fortunate to be involved with, other i am still looking forward too. It has been nice to be slowly introduced to each of the projects, as i get used to life in South Africa. Feeling very settled now, i thought it about time to take a sneak peak at another wonderful project. Last friday, when i had regained my strength i helped Jess and Grace to plan some activities for Rainbow Smiles.

Over the past month i have heard the girls talking highly about Rainbow Smilies, and attending planning meetings each week. I have watched and wondered what it was all about. Rainbow Smiles is a support group for teens living with HIV and AIDS. The sessions are run weekly, by a key member of the community, who has experience with living with HIV, and two Thembacare nurses. These three are joined by various volunteers who come and go throughout the year. 

Rainbow Smiles is used to educate the children about HIV, and other health related topics,  provide support, and to teach life skills. Tailoring the life skills to suit the stage of their live, we talk about the importance of friendships, confidence, body image and respecting ones self and others. 

Since the girls have been helping with Rainbow Smiles, they have moved away slightly from a mainly  lesson based session, and are now combining a teaching and games. Rainbow Smiles attendance is voluntree,  therefore trying to entice a child to an 'extra lesson' after a day at school may be a deterring factor ( i know it would be for me at least), in saying that though the children seem to love the group.

Last friday we focused on our appearances, emphasizing the point that its whats on the inside that counts. We explained to the children the importance of loving and respecting ourselves and others, and that by working on ourselves from the inside out,  our beauty will show. We got the children to draw the person next to them, and then to write down some reasons and describing words, as to why they like them. Allowing them to write in English or Africans, at the end of the session we asked if anyone would like to share. The children who did, said some lovely things about one anther. All of the children at Rainbow Smiles are wonderful, and watching them interact and form new friendships is bliss. Being able to interact with them and be part of Rainbow Smiles, is an amazing feeling. 

As we endeavor to break down the divides that separate us, the language barrier continues to act as the main barrier. However this doesn't get in our way as we explain the games in the best way we know how. Last week we played the balloon game. Separating the children into two teams, we demonstrated how to play and then it was free for all as to who would win. Boys vs girls, as  ballons escape and fly around the room as each team endeavors to race the balloon back along the line, passing it without using their hands. 

After playing the balloon game, and drawing with each other we did some face painting before ending the session and driving home, to relax over the weekend. 

Saturday in Franschhoke

A week ago on Saturday, we bundled in the car to drive in convoy over the mountains to Franschhoke.

Driving out of wintery weather into summer again, we wondered around the Franschhoke markets. The stalls where filled with anything and everything from French and African food, crafts, art work, book and belts.

Towards the back of the market there was an African Choir singing and dancing. The African's know how to hit a note, and move to the beat. Everyone was so in time and rhythm, it was amazing to watch.

After the markets we walked around for a while to find some where for lunch. Eating out in African is often, if not alway cheaper than buying the food and cooking yourself. So i needn't have worried that i was going to have difficulty finding food to eat in Africa. We wondered down a little alley way and found ourselves eating at a place called 'The Salmonbar'. Having a fish meal made for a nice change as fresh fish is the only thing that i am finding super expensive and oober hard to find over here. (With the exception of Goat feta, which i went to buy, thankfully realising the price before i got to the check out, as it was R200.00, that is about $40.00). 

After lunch, dessert and coffee and paying R80.00/ $15.00, we decided it was wine time.  I wish i had great enthusiasm for telling this part, but unfortunately by this time i was feeling feverish and full of cold. We drove out of Franschhoke to a winery called 'Le Motte'. The winery so beautiful, underneath the mountains, surrounded by vines overlooking more mountains. We walked around for a while, able to peer through the big glass sheets at the wine being made, we got to explore amongst the wine barrels, before sitting down to taste 8 of the 18 wines- ranging in price from R125.00 - 800.00.

I only liked 2 of the 8 wines, one white and the other red. I  think, had i been well i would have enjoyed this part of the day a lot more. 

By 1700, it was time to drive back over the mountains, to party with the Germans. They have finally, after 6 + weeks hard work have finished building their eco house... as we drove home back over the mountains singing along to West Life, Spice Girls, S Club 7 and reliving the 90's we stopped suddenly to see a family of Baboons playing in the road. 

By the time we got home, i definitely wasn't feeling well, as i climbed into bed. This is where i stayed for 4 days, with a fever, a head that i though was going to explode, unable to eat, drink or speek. After being looked after by the girls, i was ordered to go to the doctors. I willingly went as by the 4th day i was worried myself. The doctor said i had pharyngitis, had done my kidneys some temporary harm and was a very poorly young lady. He sent me home with analgesia and antibiotics, and ordered me to spend another 3 days in bed. 

It was been a week now, and today for the first time since Saturday, i have eaten 3 meals, i can talk and i was out of bed doing things slowly around the village.

Feeling like myself again. 

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. 

Human Rights Day

On March 21st 1960, 69 people where killed by police when participating in a protest against the pass laws. The carnage made world headlines. Four days later the government banned black political organizations, many leaders were arrested or went into exile. During the Apartheid era there were human rights abuses by all sides; Human Rights Day is but one step to ensure that the people of South Africa are aware of their human rights and to ensure that such abuses never again occur.

When Apartheid ended and the African National Congress under Nelson Mandela came into power in South Africa in 1994, the national holidays were changed to days that would be meaningful to all South Africans.

So today, the four of us girls we celebrated Human Rights Day, by wondering the markets. Practicing our bartering skills, in which i think i did quite well, as i confidently told the stall owner i would have the necklace made out of watermelon seeds and nuts shells for 10R. We have been told the trick to bartering is to 1. be confidant, 2. start by halving what they ask for and 3 if all else fails start walking away.

Once we had wondered from the car to the beach, checking out the different stalls along the way. We began to relax on the beach and enjoy our picnic and a mid afternoon swim for myself and Grace. The water was lovely and warm although we thought it rather rocky. Before we realised we could stand up on the rock, if we could stop ourselves from being knocked over by the waves,  only to see that we are the only ones in the sea who are swimming over a  big sunken concert pier. 

Admittedly, it was not until we tuned into the radio on the car drive home, that we knew why we had a bank holiday today. As we followed a detour through more townships/ squatter camps that we normally bypass, my eyes where open once again to living conditions.

We also talked about the events of the past week. With more riots in Grabouw, making headline news over here.  On monday the N2 (the main road into Grabouw) was barricaded off by police, at both the Cape Town and Grabouw end. As protesters marched the streets fighting to be heard, in want of better, non-over crowed class rooms and schools for their children. 

Two weeks ago in the last riots, it was reported that two of the class rooms from the black school where burnt down. When we drove past a few days later we saw the damage that had been done, with burnt out classrooms and smashed windows. Closing the school until the start of next term- a month in total. 

Mondays events resulted in what the papers reported,’ resembled a civil war’ as the black and coloured communities turned on one another, with brutal beatings and rock throwing. Again it was reported that classrooms where burnt and its store rooms trashed, this time at the coloured school.

Here at the Village of Hope, we are on a hill to the side of all the townships, if you walk into the woods on the property, you can see the reason you are here , whet we care her and why 250 other volunteers have come. We have come to help and spread hope. 

Whole Hearted

WholeHearted are a worship band, who are all about Loving God, Loving People and Reaching the World. They are a group of friends who came together to use their music as a way to communicate the cries and needs of the poor and oppressed and we believe that the church must be the answer to all injustice. 

WholeHearted are the supporting band for Thembalitsha organisation. We heard them play at 'Tea with the Queen'.

and then again in church on sunday we watched the music video.


This video was filmed in Iraq one of the townships, in which we teach life skills and sports each week. The video was created to raise awareness of Thembalitsha and its work with the people of Grabouw, who represent a world waiting for hope.

Please watch and pray: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6csl0iA0mE

Sports Saturday

Last saturday the 17th March, approximately 180 children from 6 of the local townships (Iraq, Waterworks, Hilside, Siteview, Rooidakka and Remhoogte) gathered at the country club in Grabouw for sports saturday. 

There were 6 teams playing football in under 13’s, 4 teams for over 13’s and 4 netball teams, one of which was a combined Rooidakka/ Remhoogte team. 

Each of the 13 teams did amazingly, as they put into practice the football and netball skills they had been taught over the past 20 or so weeks.  It was a close tournament, with only a few points separating out the teams. 

We where lucky to have the help of the Germans, who took time out of their busy day building a house to come and be team leaders. Along with a handful of Dutch P.E students, who also took on a team leader roles. Whilst a few of the older boys from the Townships along with Grace, Lance, Travis and Tim refereed the games. As Heather ran the scores to me for recording and I watched he games follow on nicely. 

After a hectic wednesday, thursday and part of friday of planning the day and making the match draw, ensuring that each team played each other. I was grateful that the day ran smoothly, and now have a new found respect for my Athletic and Cross Country coach and  sports coaches in general, as it is hard work doing a sports draw, whatever sport it is for. 

Once all the games had been played, we had prize giving. Each team was awarded with astroids: really yummy chocolates that i cant believe they haven't made it to the UK or NZ yet. The winning teams where awarded with sports strips. The final prizes where for the players of the day. It was a hard decision, as all the children had played well and shown good sports man ship. However in the end the three children, one form each groups was choses for the consideration to other players, treating others as they wish to be treated themselves.

We use the opportunity we have at sports each week, to teach the children life skills. It is hard sometimes to know if they understand what we are trying to say in the variety of different English accents we all have. However this past week we used the concept of defending and attacking to portray the lifeskill of protecting yourself from harm and danger. Explaining it in this way appeared to benefit each of the children and helped them to work together on the field, as a team. The importance of team work came through strongly when counting up the points, the combined Rooidakka/ Remhoogte netball team took out first place.  

Tea with the Queen

With our designer home made hats and dressed in Jess's cloths, 8 of us ladys headed over to Stellenbosch to have tea with the Queen. Not quiet the queen of England, but the Queen/ Head teacher of Gracelands primary school.The Morning tea was held as a fundraiser for the pre-school, which is one of the Thembalitsha projects.

We where greeted with bubbles too enjoy a sophisticated morning tea, accompanied and entertained by beautiful music, guest speakers and the children; who preformed at the end of the morning.

The venu, (restaurant/hotel/vineyard) also supports the pre-school by donating a percentage of the revenue made from, 'The Giving Room' (a room in the hotel) to the pre-school.

 Before leaving to pick up the kids from school, we had a walk around the pre-school. Seeing the children happily playing in their play ground. Knowing that the children where getting the best start in life.