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APOLOGIES, DUE TO TECHNICAL ISSUES, RONDA WAS NOT ABLE TO POST THIS REPORT DIRECTLY!

In June we visited a small Day Centre in Finetown – the Good Hope Day Care Centre and found it easily with the large sign outside!

It was unusually warm (almost stuffy and airless) inside the corrugated iron shelter that day although there was a distinct chill in the air outside.  We bundled the group of children in their blankets and beanies and handed out the lovely toys you have sent us.  We also gave the principal warm tops for the children and asked her to kindly size them correctly for each of the children.  It is not fair to subject these little ones to undressing in the cold and trying on of new tops while they shiver and shake, so we prefer to request that the teachers choose an appropriate top for each child to take home.  It is amazingly difficult to differentiate between the boys and girls, too, and we do not wish to offend by getting things wrong! 

Ronda and Wandi wrapping the children in love!

This group of three little girls were just delightful and loved smiling for the camera!

When we arrived, there was a group of children fast asleep on the bed which was pushed up against the side of the shack.  It absolutely amazes me that these children will just sleep peacefully anywhere they feel safe and that no amount of noise and excitement around them wakes them up.  We did not put the blankets over the children because it was warm indoors, but made sure to place a blanket next to each child as a surprise for them when they woke up.

Lovely colourful blankets for these sleeping children to discover.

One idea we thought very clever was the attachment of old, flattened cardboard boxes to the corrugated iron walls, which serves two purposes … not only insulation against the cold (and perhaps heat in summer ?) but also as a “colouring-in wall.”  It constantly amazes us to see how these ladies “make do” with what is to hand, and how they think on their feet on behalf of their little charges.  They achieve so much on a spirit of gratitude, alone – what an example!

Look at the scribble wall in the background.

At each distribution we try to spend some time with the children.  It is fascinating just watching them and what it is that draws their attention.  Here are three photos all expressing such different emotions.

From left to right:  this little boy was fascinated by the box of food we brought along and digging through it kept him entertained for the duration of our stay; the principal had this tiny tot strapped to her back for most of the time we were there – she seemed rather overwhelmed and lastly, this little boy just stared and stared at his toy – one can only imagine what he was thinking.

Update on the postal strike in South Africa

I have very little to report.  The strike is still on the go and we are not receiving any mail via the Post Office.  The Union did put another offer on the table which is being considered, but for all intense purpose it would seem that the South African Post Office has gone bankrupt and that other solutions to our postal service delivery will need to be found.  We continue with the operational support on the ground and are getting in piles of blankets each week which is wonderful.  We are also using this lull in operational activity to promote KAS in South Africa and to put in motion some new initiatives we are looking at.  We continue to pray for a speedy resolution to this situation.  Thanks as always for your thoughts, prayers and ongoing support. 

EXTRA NEWS REGARDING THE GOOD HOPE DAY CENTRE

They received help from JAM Internationl!