Normal 0 April 29, 2009 – April 30, 2009
I really hope people are reading this blog. If not it is a good reminder of what we did on this adventure – so either way I guess we win!
Today was an emotional and difficult day. We visited with the Hermanus Rainbow Trust – a wonderful organization that provides help to people in many different ways. Our escort for the day was Vivienne Owen – Chairperson and a coworker (and Rotarian Audrey Leggett.
First we visited a pre-primary school in Zwelihle and Masizakhe Educate Centre. These programs are focused on the needs of preschool age children. If you do not pay attention to these children they are behind when they go to a proper school by several years – so preschool is very important in this area. We also visited Masizakhe Educare Center. The need at the Grade R Pre-primary School is a roof for a hexagon shaped building at the site.
We met with people at the Khanya Educate Center where the children sang beautifully for us. African voices have a harmony that is so very beautiful – the kids are striking in appearance and the staff very dedicated.
We visited a Geriatric Center – it is a day care for adults and they are offered a meal, TV and a chance to socialize. I gave each of the older people and the staff necklaces – they appreciated it very much.
We then traveled to the Gansbaai Clinic where we met with a nursing coordinator who is an amazing woman. She took us to a home of a woman that is dying from TB – we met her family and a neighbor that was stabbed and shredded by her husband from her pubic area to her throat. This was a year ago. They were able to save her and believe it or not she intends to go back to her husband when he gets out of prison.
We traveled then to the home of a man dying of cancer – we have to remember this is a medical clinic and the people we met are the people they deal with every day and with limited resources.
We then traveled to a dump where people including children were “mining” for plastic, glass and other things of value in the dump. It was very depressing and sad to see people rummaging for food.
We drove through squatter camps and visited homes – one where a woman was a seamstress. The attitude of the people in these camps and homes is remarkable – they seem – for the most part – to be positive and appreciate of even small gestures of kindness.
We visited Zewelihle Red Cross Orphans and Vulnerable Children project where the children once again sang for us. Again the voices are amazing. I made a video that I will figure out how to play later.
I moved into the home of Des and Lillian Collins – what wonderful and gracious people! We had dinner with Tony and his wife – the PDG from this area. It was a great dinner prepared by Des and Lillian. I slept like a baby after this great dinner.
April 30, 2009
Today we visited two projects Overstrand Learning Academy – this is a great school with whites and blacks attending. They only have 12 students in each class (at most) and give a good deal of individual attention. The headmaster was a wonderful woman and spent the whole morning with us. Several of the team visited individual classes that were being taught.
We then visited HIK Abalone Farm. They produce 5 million abalone at this facility each year. It takes 3 – 5 years to produce one abalone. Most of their product is shipped to Japan or China. The owner wants desperately to develop a relationship with the USA and is working towards that goal.
We spent two hours at this center and then the team had a quick beer before going to the respective homes to prepare to present at the Rotary Meeting of Hermanus this evening.
We will move in the morning – to a new town – and new friends. We are back on the hunt again after our one and a half day break.
Do not worry family and friends about the swine or Mexican flu. We are all in good shape and no symptoms. Only one person (that we know of) has symptoms in South Africa. We are all healthy and having a great time.
I will write again in a few days. Until then …………………………………..
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