Tuesday 23 June 2009

PARIS

Our final day at Sinethemba went well...we dropped our gospel choices and asked Micheal to lead on guitar and get the kids warmed up with some of their favourite chants. I was then asked to speak and without preparation spoke to the group for at least ten minutes - may sound difficult but when you're speaking from the heart at the end of such a powerful two weeks it comes easy...

The farewells were painful but we've established links with Sinethemba that we will maintain through the coming years.

And we've been travelling ever since then !

What travels back to England with us: ( this least is not exhaustive but is intended to give a flavour of how the Knysna Township has impacted upon each of us )

We will never holiday on a sunbed again

Empty suitcases

Children the world over are the same: However, many children across the globe are exposed to chronic levels of deprivation

Lesley will never complain of not having enough pairs of shoes again

Townships may look dirty and depressing...but they are home to a community spirit and people with a zest for life and an appreciation of the simple things

A renewed ability to care and be kind to our neighbours

Gary will smile even when he feels grumpy

That a smile bridges cultural differences

Hena will never complain of being hungry again

Football brings people together

We love our Mums

Those with nothing share what little they have: Those with too much do not share enough

Drugs are destroying too many childrens lives

Discipline and structure is central to life in the Township

Africa's children have a greater awareness of HIV than England's adults

The children of the Knysna Township can play football better in bare feet than Burnley's children can in Adidas Predadtors

Some people choose to be beautiful; some do not

Sinethemba - "We have hope"


See you all soon now....

The crew

ps: Rushaard and Cheslyn, two of Sinethemba's finest, have made the South African Squad for the 'Homeless World Cup' in Milan this Autumn. They will need boots.......please.

Sunday 21 June 2009

Good morning all. And Happy Fathers Day to Pops (Abba) and Da :-)

Yesterday was our day of rest...we tripped out to Plettenberg Bay and spent the day lazing on the beach. The breakers roared out of the blue Indian Ocean and tumbled on to the rich yellow sands. The surfers were out in force and altogether a fine day relaxing in the sun...we ate, read (Hena-The Tempest, Shakespeare; Les-A Place called Here, Alhern; Gary-Fiesta, Hemingway) and reflected on an incredible fortnight. Good stuff! And the Hot Chocolate early evening wasn't bad either...

Today's all about packing and planning. My packing has yet to be started but Hena and Lesley tell me they are leaving with empty cases as have chosen to give most of their belongings away in the township. The planning bit will be done over our 'Farewell Meal' at Cafe Mario's on the Knysna Waterfront - we have been asked to lead the sessions at Sinethemba tomorrow and to date we have Devotion sorted with renditions of Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready" and "Kumbahya" and Hena doing more Sylheti Bangla traditional dances and also playing gigantic hopscotch in the main hall...but lots to do yet!

We may not be able to update here now until late intoTuesday (Paris?) as we are up early for work tomorrow and then have a 3pm pick-up straight to George airport for the start of our journey home.

...that final post will hopefully tell of what we have each gained from South Africa; and how those experiences have impacted on our lives....

Enjoy your Sundays...

Lesley, Gary and Hena

ps: new photos :-)

Friday 19 June 2009

Sinethemba closed today due to staff shortages...a real shame.

But the sun is shining and the temperature must be approaching 30 degrees !

The three of us breakfasted in downtown Knsyna and then parted for the day.

Hena and Lesley are currently on a horseback safari and have been promised the opportunity of seeing everything from giraffes to cats...so they'll tell of their adventures at some point I'm sure...

I have just returned from a run down to Thesen Island where I sat in the sun and read. Thesen Island is a gated community of very rich South Africans all living in huge houses with private marinas. Although an aesthetically pleasing place I am far happier spending my days in the township which is but a mile or so away. I'll leave you to make any judgements and comparisons here. .

OK; enjoy the day...and once again many thanks to you all for your continued support.

Gary, Lesley and Hena

Thursday 18 June 2009

Cunjani ? Ndiaphila ?

Another Sinethemba day, and another sunny day; so another good day :=)

The day started with Devotion, led by Hena today with a prayer and a chorus of 'Che Caro'. Nice one Hena ! Appreciated by all.

Today saw what was, for us, one of the highlights of the trip. We visited the local children's home that currently accomodates 22 children. We chatted to Eva, the Manager, who was a beautiful human being. The children there are from 3 months through to 18 years and cared for in only three bedrooms. We discussed all aspects of care with her across what was quite a lengthy visit. We spent time with one dejected looking baby who warmed to Hena's hugs and I asked her to "grow strong, smile and please be happy": She had only been at the home two weeks.

We departed, exchanging email addresses and telephone numbers with Eva and already have ideas for ongoing links with her and the home. We were moved to making donations, on behalf of us and you all.

Next stop was yesterdays Creche where we led a nursery rhyme session and Lesley was engulfed by children as she gave out sweets and lollipops.

More township soccer and lazing in the sun dominated the afternoon...Lesley has proven her inability to play God's game (Sean she needs lessons!) but Hena proved invaluable saving and scoring goals with all parts of her anatomy! And Elgin tells me I have been sent as a blessing to South Africa to be the new national goalkeeper (must be a poor side!)

Before leaving Hena was teaching Josie and the kids 'Five Stones'...an African/ Asian game which proved a real hit here. And Lesley made great strides forward with two reserved teenage girls at Sinethemba who, due to past experiences, are proving difficult to reach. I just hope we are here long enough for her to 'make that difference'.

We are currently in our friendly Internet Cafe drinking coffee and editing this Blog. And this evening we are out with Josh (our new bestest mate who leaves tomorrow) and a few others for a meal at 'The Oystercatcher'. So life is indeed good....

We fly home Tuesday and each of us will travel with mixed feelings. We so miss you all and yet will be leaving behind many new friends and a very special country...

Soon now...

Lesley, Hena and Gary

ps: see all photos of todays experiences...

Wednesday 17 June 2009 - 2

Yesterday was our animal day! Elephant riding, cat watching (and cheetah stroking!) and monkey (Josh!) spotting. Most of the game reserves are elsewhere in South Africa so we were at sanctuarys and the like but still had a fine day. We also ate many South African speciality foods for lunch, none of which we can remember the names of!

Sinethemba was bathed in sun again today. The usual agenda was interspersed with Hena and Lesley going out to meet a local gang of older teenagers within the township. They also visited a creche caring for fifty pre-school children from local family groups and then went to get a reference from a high school to allow Rushaad to play in this weekends soccer trials. The school initially refused but Les and Hena's persuasive manner finally broke down the South African walls of bureaucracy. He's playing!

Finally they introduced ECM's five outcomes to the filing structure in place at the centre.

I taught numeracy/ literacy to a class of Sinethemba's finest. Bevan, my star pupil :-) cannot manage either discipline and at eleven years has not attended school. My efforts didn't advance him any but he has the most engaging smile, dances like George Sampson and plays football like Mese...which will he find most useful as a child in the township?!

Fat cakes for lunch - flour, yeast, salt and water deep fried! Basically doughnuts without the sugar...

The afternoon was filled with a HIV Awareness Class based around a game of soccer that had to be seen to be believed! Afterwards a question and answer session saw children as young as nine asking Elgin about issues ranging from abstention from sex to HIV tests: the cultural norm in South Africa but so far removed from what we might do in England.

We continue to enjoy each day...and thanks once more for your comments and mails.

Best wishes

Hena, Gary and Lesley

Devotion ( so join in with this repeating chant in English and Xhosa )

For the days of our lives

For the days of our lives

For the days of our lives

Oh yes I thank you Lord for the days of my life

Baba siyaku bonba

Baba siyaku bonga

Baba siyaku bonga

Tsukwine zoku phila kwam

We are together

We are family

We are here for one another

Wednesday 17 June 2009

Quick early morning post from Sinethemba to let you know all's well.

Elephants and other animals yesterday....thrilling and good to see another side of Africa. But we missed Sinethemba....more later..

Full programme today and Lez and Hena getting stuck in already.

Chatting to Elgin; some of the lads have got trials for the South African soccer squad for the Youth Homelessness World Cup in Cape Town across this weekend. The tournament is played in Milan this September. I am desperately trying to get a seat on the bus for what will be a tough weekend for them - leaving the township at 5am at Friday morning for an eight hour mini bus journey and then straight into the trials - how can that trip enable them to demonstrate their undoubted talents ??

Will edit this post later and update providing more information on yesterday, today, and the rest of the week but just to let you all know all's well...

Gary, Hena and Lesley

Monday 15 June 2009

Busy day at Sinethemba again. The day began with Devotion which was more subdued than usual as Micheal has bust a string on his guitar! What followed was a visit by the Child Welfare Group who came to talk to the kids in Afrikaans about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (which South Africa adopted in 1995 - was that about the time Nelson Mandela rose to power?). The kids were amazing and asked very relevant questions about Domestic Violence, teenage pregnancy and the rights of the father etc.... all in Afrikaans again but Crystal translated for us.

We collared the Child Welfare worker (who used to work in Slough with the elderly!) afterwards and asked her about the new piece of children's legislation currently going through the South African parliament. She described it as ground-breaking stuff and said that it would improve the lives of the kids in the townships if only South Africa had 66,000 social workers - currently it has but 12,000. Tempting eh !?

Long conversations with the kids today who we are now privileged to call our friends. They tell of amazing experiences within incredible lives. We have so many stories to tell; some tragic, others of a culture so far removed from our greedy existence in England.

There was a white child there today. Elgin told us he has been raised by a coloured family and lives in the township. Unfortunately Hena heard the black kids mocking his white skin but she cut the bullies short - with classic Team Teach and E&D stuff !! Lez made a stack of greetings cards with the group - these are sold to raise much needed funds for Sinethemba; we'll bring a fistful each home of course. Lez was also propositioned by a 14 year old Xhosa! He said "Empty your pockets please because I think you've stolen my heart!" And I was compared favourably to Hans Fonk.... that's your homework :-)

New photos include a typical Township haircut; Shopdirect.com shirts; Hena's adopted baby at the laundry; and a monkey infestation at the house!

We woke to sunshine again today. The weather's been glorious for a South African winter. We share our accomodation with other volunteers who work around Knysna; hardly the most comfortable but that's not why we're here is it? But finding a 3 inch scorpion in the bath led to an unsettled night!!

Wednesday we have trips planned to the local children's home, a school, and Lez and Hena are on a home visit to a assess a child at risk. I'm running a numeracy class because I admitted to being able to explain how to divide! (Tomorrow we've been invited to see Elephants, Cheetahs etc... we'll tell you of this too and post photos.... but we'll miss Sinethemba).

Game ( so play along please)

Flies, fly clap clap clap

Flies, fly clap clap clap

Dogs, bark clap clap clap

Cats, miaow clap clap clap

Fish, swim clap clap clap

Trees, walk and if you clapped here then do a forfeit !

Thanks for your ongoing support; Heni, Lez and Gaza xxx

Sunday 14 June 2009 PHOTOS

If 'new' photos do not appear on the home page, please click on the 'photo' tab at the top of the Blog page

Thanks Hena, Lesley and Gary

Sunday 14 June 2009

Good morning all....today is our day of rest and we are wandering into downtown Knysna to take in a coffee and see the Waterfront.

Yesterday was another amazing day. We joined the kids in the township and marched with them to the 'Lovelife Centre' to take part in a football tournament. They had made up the banners they carried aloft on the march the day before and, as you can see from the photos, they focussed on eradicating child abuse in Knysna. The kids chanted and sung for the couple of kilometres they walked and they encouraged us to join in. On arrival at the tournament the dancing continuted - Hena being the star dancer; they adore her Bangla dance !!

Then speeches - we were honoured to have the Police of Chief there and he spoke to the kids of Nelson Mandela's 'destiny in your own hands' speech and of Hector Peterson who was the first youth to take a bullet in the Soweto uprising in '76 - he was a wonderful orator and it was such stirring stuff.

The football was good too - the 'player of the tournament' and 'man of the final' were each awarded a Burnley shirt and the 'Wembley Play Off Final' banner was draped proudly behind them - see photos Sean/ Kim etc... The kids loved the shirts - and we were presented with cerificates for all the efforts we've made and donations we've given to date - Julie, you can have mine to display at Shop Direct.com; this time from Knysna to Burnley :-) Everyone then tucked into rice and veg before heading home.....

I almost forgot ! Friday night Lez and Heni tripped out with other volunteers and locals to see downtown Knysna at night - they have stories to tell there but most I've decided to censor for publication here !

Tomorrow the centre receives a visit from 'Knysna Child Welfare' to help support those kids in real need.... Also tomorrow sees the 'launch' of the new Child Care Procedure for this area of South Africa and possibly some home visits for us.


Many many thanks for your comments over the last few days.....we really do miss you all...and so wish you were here to share these special moments....being allowed to share in part of someone's life is such a privilege and almost all these kids have opened up there lives to us....and for those who struggle, Lesley and Hena's smiles go a long way to lifting their spirits.

Dance ( along please ! )

Che caro,
Che che caro,
Che caro,
Che che caro,
My hands are high,
My knees are low,
And this is how I cheetah..... !

Lez, Gaza and Heni xxx

Friday 12 June 2009 - 2

A day dominated by curry and bubbles ! Watching 25 kids saying the curry was wonderful whilst wafting their mouths due to the heat of the spices was a joy. And the bubbles - bought in Burnley and bringing pleasure in Knsyna; amazing ! ( see photos )

Despite the relationships we are forging with these wonderful kids we know now that two weeks will not be long enough to fully understand the complex cultures co-existing here - Black, Coloured, White, Zulu, Xhosa etc...... And we won't make that significant difference we intended. But raising smiles and working to further the mission statement of Sinethemba and encouraging these kids who have nothing to believe that one day they can break free of township life is more than enough to inspire us each day.

Football Tournament and march through the township promoting Child Protection tomorrow....

Thanks for your many messages and emails...so wish you could all be here....

And to end.....

Devotion:

Higher
Lower
Faster
Slower
Deeper
To the left
To the right
Praise the name of the Lord......

Hena, Lesley and Gary

Friday 12 June 2009

Another quick morning mail. Many thanks for comments :-)

Amazing experiences yesterday; toured township - so so desperate. Into to procedures/mission, danced with kids at 'Devotion', Hena and me played football with them - manic, and all instruction in Afrikaans - but I scored!, Hena dancin with kids, Lez trying to play pool........these kids have NOTHING but still smile big smiles.

We bought 25lb of chicken, sack of spuds, spices etc.. and we will 'take over' the kitchen today and cook everyone a chicken curry. Food paid for by you Shelina...many many thanks.

Sean, Burnley shirts will be prizes for best behaved kids at football tournament promoting child protection tomorrow.

Julie, we are wearing 'Burnley Shop Direct.com' gear with pride :-)

Will work to upload photos after work today.

Love to all...

Soon...

Gaza, Heni and Lez

Thursday 11 June 2009

Fun and games for rest of journey - will update - but all went well.

Early morning here...am eating porridge...Hena and Lez STILL getting ready...other volunteers left..sat with Sharon ( project organiser ) on her computer. Views from here amazing across palms and towards Knsyna bay. And it's warm.

So many cultural differences/ extremes to tell you of on a future post.

BUT suddenly things have got serious. Induction from Sharon yesterday spoke of rape, abuse, beatings, kids with NOTHING, varying thresholds, NO qual SW support, desperation......travelling up to Township soon - anxious but confident of our skills.

Must dash...

Take care all...

Gaza, Heni and Lez

Tuesday 9 June 2009

Wow! Crazy day! Set travelling at 10.00; its now 20.21 and we're only in Paris! Actually we're at Charles de Gaulle airport awaiting a 23.30 departure for J'burg. As much as we like French airport food we don't ever want to see another baguette!

Excess baggage at Manchester Airport was a joke. We had to re-pack every piece of hold and hand luggage, working to stuff the contents of crates into personal luggage to take them to the max 20k and 8k respectively as excess charge was exorbatent-20 pounds per kilo.

Chatted to some nice people along the way; and of course they all know our names as they're blazoned across our chests! Funniest moment so far-Lez insisting to a French customs officer that Burnley are in the First Division whilst he calmly tried to put her straight and explain they were now in the Premiership! (And her feet smell!)

We are sat in a deserted departure lounge overlooking a runway. Lez is laid across 4 seats sleeping off her days excessive food intake, Heni is quiet (for the first time today!) writing her journal and I'm administrating this thing. Hope all's well back home. Love and miss yous to our special people-you know who you are ;-)

Gaza, Heni and Lez

Monday 8 June 2009 COMMENTS

Still here !! :-) We fly tomorrow and today is all about last minute prep.

OK; by way of instruction:

Thanks for all your emails and COMMENTS. Despite enjoying the emails, comments are easier for us to manage and you also get your name on the Blog! So, to post a comment, look for the 'Post a Comment' sausage in the bottom right hand corner of each posting (below 'Bookmark'). OK, got it? Click on that and comments made on that post will be revealed, plus a 'Post a Comment' box. Write your comment there, select your profile as Name/ URL and put yer name, ignoring the URL reference. Then simply 'Post your Comment' and finally, follow the coding instructions that appear. Voila!!!

Dead excited!! And a little apprehensive.... Miss you all... See you in Africa..

Gary, Hena and Lesley

Friday 5 June 2009

On Tuesday 9 June we fly out to Knysna to work with 'street kids' in the local township. This project has been ten months in the planning and to open this BLOG we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all who have assisted so far...from our corporate sponsors down to those who have purchased a £1 raffle ticket. Thanks!

Knysna lies on South Africa's Garden Coast between Cape Town and Port Elisabeth. We will work in the township there with project management provided by Travellers Worldwide. Between the three of us we possess a range of skills in the social care field but beyond that we have a tested ability to make caring FUN for both the carers and the cared for!

Logon every now and then eh...we will work to post both text and photos daily.

...so watch out South Africa; here we come !!!

Soon....

Gary

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