What a busy couple of days we have had! On Tuesday we made our routine trip to the local Whittlesea Spar to purchase the groceries for our little friends in Sada. And after our trunk was filled with a bountiful selection of bread, milk, juice and apples, we then loaded up an armful of shovels and hoes to start our ground breaking for the winter crop gardens in Sada. Yes! There are even more Positive Changes happening as the season begins to change. When we called Vuyiswa on Sunday evening to let her know we would be stopping by on Tuesday with the groceries as well as many willing hands to begin the work for the gardens, she was almost shocked with disbelief. She was not expecting all this goodness in one go.
We are pleased to report that TPCP saw its second visitors/helpers to the Sada Safety Homes; my brother, Luke and his wife, Michelle. They have both supported us from the beginning and have been a great encouragement to all, and as soon as they arrived in South Africa, they told us that TPCP was at the top of their list. They were true to their word and displayed great character as they humbled themselves in front of the children and the task at hand – planting a garden.
The preparation of the garden at the first Safety Home was a true test for us all. At midday, the African sun was showing its true colors and the work had only just begun. But it only took 7 people with 7 shovels a good couple of hours to complete the task. Our brows were sweaty and some of our hands were blistered, but it was all worth it. Especially when Anga, Musa and Samson arrived home from school and received the biggest surprise of their day to see us working in their backyard. We were all treated to soda and cookies from Vuyiswa, which we shared on the living room floor with the boys. What a treat! And, of course, the little guys hung all over Arron, like little monkeys on a tree! After telling the boys that we would “see you tomorrow”, they grinned from ear to ear and let us be on our way without much fuss. As opposed to our last two visits, where we have said goodbye to 3 sad and tearful faces, begging Vuyiswa to let them go home with us. Those are the hard days – the days when we truly wish we could take them all home.
By Thursday, the gardens have all been prepared and planted and both homes are fully supplied with their winter crop (Onion, Cabbage, Beetroot and Spinach). The work (for us) in the last two days was actually cut short due to a few extra hands to help. We were so pleased to find out that Vuyiswa actually wanted us to leave most of the planting for her and the children to finish once they returned home from school. She is trying her best to teach the children and equip them with the knowledge of how to prepare, plant and take care of their own garden. What powerful knowledge that will be to these little guys when they grow up! We were also told, that the entire garden at Gertrude’s house had been prepared by the eldest boy of the home, Fabio (12). What a guy!
Gardens are growing, children are smiling, bellies are full and hearts are warm – the work progresses and the change still continues. Be a part of this continuing change, support us with a donation now!
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Posted By: Lauren on March 24, 2011