Jabulani Project

Alex

Now that the JGHS students and staff are here, I am very conscious of my new role. I would love to be with them but I respect Neil's position and know I have to get the right balance between being with my Gillespies "friends" and letting go. We join the group for the Beach Party which as always goes very well. I don't go into the schools so that Neil is seen clearly as the leader. Transitions can be painful. I hope the staff and students understand my reasons for not being there and don't think I don't care!
We have a wonderful party at Max's. The FP's and the current students get on so well. So many mlungus in Umlazi at one time...a first! It was Valentine's night, which is big in SA. Very appropriate for such a joyful evening of ubuntu! We have all exchanged cards and gifts. Normally i find this "event"can overcommercialised embarrassment but it is rather lovely here.
We are made so welcome. Are Zulus the friendliest people on earth?
The students are loving their placements in Place of Safety. In fact they are running the orphanage while the staff are on training. They are so brave and so committed. They have even mastered the Khumbis and travel in and out of Umlazi on their own, much to the amazement of the locals.
The Umthombo group feel a little underutilized and and decide to limit their time there. They also go out to Umlazi. What a wonderful group of young people.
On Thursday I go into the schools to judge the John Byrne SA Awards. Marie and a teacher from each scool make up the panel with me. Unfortunately Nathi Mbele misses his plane from Cape Town. The Award is a stunning success. Thank you Andrew Paterson. Thank you Nikhil, Rory and Jordan. John you would be proud of the entries. It is so difficult to choose the winners. The style of entries is markedly different in the two schools but all are very moving. As expected the stimulus is interpreted very differently here. In Edinburgh the participants used the religious theme as a an opportunity for a wide range of contemporary interpretations. Here all entries see the stimulus in its religious context and as you might expect in such a religious country their responses are almost all deeply spiritual. I'll post examples later.
This is a truly visionary Award. The money will open University doors for these children Many of them are orphans. It seems to them unbelievable that anyone from another country should care so much. This type of "Aid" is life changing and ethical. There are lessons to be learned.