As we (the Spencers) begin to settle in our new life back in Charleston, South Carolina – we continue to miss Africa, and most especially, the children. This heartache only encourages us more to raise awareness and support for the children of Sada. The need has not left those desperate villages, and our fight for them will never end. The Positive Change continues and will remain.
The Food Program continues to run, thanks to the generous help from a group of wonderful people we have left behind in South Africa; Xolisile, Mr Finn (at our local Spar) and the Vehorns. We continue to receive positive reports from all that the children are happy and healthy and that life continues as normal in Sada.
Our biggest fear for the kids was the adjustment the children would have to go through after we left, as they would be missing out in our routine weekly visit. Those visits remained a huge highlight in our week while we were in Africa; it was something we truly looked forward to. And we often felt the same reaction from the children; it was something for them to look forward to in an otherwise lonely or familiar day – a touch of love or a little ray of happiness. More than once it was expressed from either Vuyiswa or Gertrude that the children longed for those special visits. You can’t quite describe in words the feeling you get when a child, who has no relation to you, gains happiness in such immensity from you. It meant the world to all of us. So, clearly, we had a challenge facing us.
Two weeks ago, Luke and Michelle Vehorn e-mailed us (at random) and shared with us that they wanted to volunteer one day out of their week – to give up their personal time – and share it with the children. It seems miracles really do happen! We are so grateful to the Vehorns for this incredible gesture. We have already received reports that the children have reacted in a very positive way to the Vehorns – in other words… they’re in love with them! They seem to have happily settled into the hearts of Luke and Michelle. I can say with great confidence, it is near to impossible not to fall in love with such beautiful little people. Luke and Michelle have had a number of visits already, each visit falling on a Wednesday, and the reports from those visits seem to be just as life altering for them as they were for us. Last week the children were treated to soccer balls and marbles (the latest craze amongst the kids in the village) along with a ride in the truck. There was nothing but smiles and laughs.
Once again, we are so grateful to have such special people near to these children who have volunteered to make such a difference in their lives by share their time and affection.
If you would like to get on board and “feel the love”… please click here.
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Posted By: Lauren on October 10, 2011