Jabulani Project

The day after the last two arrive, we head into Bobbi Bear in Amanzimtoti. We go to their centre first to meet the awesome Eurikka who co runs the Project. She talks with such power and conviction. we are all in bits in minutes. Bobbi Bear(please google it) deals with the babies of raped women and children who have been raped. Their work is phenomenal and, as always, undervalued. We meet two babies just abandoned and a very disabled little girl called Michaela who was left at the roadside to be run over. We struggle to hold it together as Eurikka take us through the work done here. They are without any financial support. We promise to help.
Then we move on to the Tree. The Tree of Empowerment! There about 60 men, women and children sit patiently. They look so forlorn. Most are victims of abuse. All are living in abject poverty but they sing..somewhat mournfully I feel. Wmped but welcoming flat in Umbilo in the city. They give us beautiful food and we savour the experience. These rather run down Apartment blocks with their endless stairwells are common in inner Durban. Once more people are friendly, although one of Mandy's friends says "so many white people, Mandy". A e distribute cabbages and potatoes and a few clothes and toys. we sing together. They pray. we are moved but hugely impressed. next we go to the Mother of Peace centre in rural Illovo to hear about the support work done on a Saturday for up to 100 children from the rural area. We promise to be there every Saturday to help.
We finish by visiting a new Tree. We leave in silence, reflecting on the enormity of what we have just experienced.
We wake up early, eager to get out to Illovo. Our drivers want to help. They have been so moved and Lucky and emmanuel come with us. Lucky brings his beautiful little girl, Essani. he will paint a mural. When we get there only half the children are there as the others are running a marathon! the JGHS young people are wonderful. we give out food, play and hug. we promise to be back each week. the workers are so pleased.
We must raise money for this breathtaking Project.
On the Sunday Emmanuel and his girlfriend Mandy invite us for a meal. they live in a cramped but welcoming flat. They cook us beautiful food.We savour the experience of sitting here in inner Durban. There are lots of these rather run down, cramped apartment blocks in the city. We are once more welcomed by everyone who lives there, although one guy said"so many white people, Mandy". It was light hearted and funny. Suddenly we hear shouting and screaming and realise there is trouble. A thief has been cornered in one of the flats and a crowd gathers outside it. We hurry past but see that he is being held and that a hot iron is close to his face, with steam being released next to his face. We scurry on, shocked. But when the poor steal from the poor, they will find their own way of dealing with it. The police certainly don't care.
Tomorrow everyone has their first day in their placements. We go to bed anxious and excited.