Jabulani Project

Alex

Dean and Gillian, the two Scottish friends I had met a month ago came back. They have been travelling around SA but loved their time in Durban. They had been hugely impressed by their "Umlazi tour" and had bonded with Emmanuel and Siza. They want to sponsor Siza which is marvellous.
Today I went with Isaac, Emma and Fiona to Umthombo. They were so creative and worked with the street kids in a really skillful manner, getting full involvement in the games they ran. They were very comfortable although the situation is testing. The kids obviously like and respect them.
We then went on to Sissco, another street kids Project, discovered by Isaac. The philosophies of the three Projects we have been involved with are so different. Umthombo favours street work and group work in a city context with its safe house providing overnight accomodation. The emphasis in Icare is rehab. through the Amanzimtoti facility and Sissco, although on the streets believes more in working at the source of the problem e.g Kwamashu. These are broad generalisations because all three provide varied support programmes but clearly there is no one definitive approach.
I was much impressed by both Umthombo and Sissco today. We shall continue to support both. I found being on the streets with Sissco very moving. On Monday we are going on the streets with them to help the kids get ID. So many of them have none making them a target for the police.
I was also so thrilled to meet Sihle again at Umthombo. He is a real success. He is starting his surfing school at Happy Hippo. He is clean, full of converstion and so eager. I remember him when he was very different. Well done to him and Umthombo.