This distribution was organised by Mabel ... she and Joel loaded up the KasVan one Tuesday on a very cold day in June, and delivered blankets and other warm items to more than 220 children in two day care centres in the Orange Farm area. Along with the Thahameso Distribution, Joel and Wandi visited Injabulo ECD (Early Childhood Development) Centre.
The name "Orange Farm" was one of the first really massive informal settlement areas to form alongside the N1 Freeway between Johannesburg and southerly parts of SA such as the Free State and provinces of the Cape. It was a hotbed of political unrest and caused terror to strike the heart of motorists in those "bad old days"! Nobody in their right mind would dare to travel in the hours of darkness along that freeway for fear of finding bricks and huge pieces of concrete strewn across the road to either slow drivers down, or cause them to stop, or even have an accident ... at which point people would leap out of the bushes and attack. Many were the incidents of robberies at gunpoint ... and much worse.
But now, while it is still poverty-ridden, the area is dotted with day care centres and is a hive of activity - and one of our most prolific areas of distribution.
THAHAMESO PHOTOGRAPHS :
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Thank you for this report. It is good to see the children in a brick daycare and especially all wrapped up in their blankets. The blankets always bring so much cheerful colour!
oh dear sad lack of toys - I guess that June there was still a shortage....
I did actually buy 4 knitted elephants who are waiting at my mother for transport - she wants a few more squares so the parcel is over 1 kg before sending it!
Please do, Susanne.....your 'scrappy teddies' are always so delightful......and individual. :))
For every 35 squares (i.e. blanket) it is nice to be able to pair it with a toy....the children love them. :))
Good thinking, Susanne......I notice one child doesn't have her thumb through the holes at all and has just pulled them down over her hands and quite a ways onto her wrists.
It truly is a double edged sword Susan. My heart aches for these little ones then I tighten my shoelaces, take a deep breath and start making more squares, or a hat or a doll....just like you do. They're so precious. I am totally in awe of the women who care for these children day to day. What earthbound angels they are to do so.
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