I am home now and I realise I did not finish my story about my time in South Africa.
I returned from my wonderful trip to Ntuthuko's on the 10th April and panicked that I only had 10days left.
Welcomed Jane back at Isaac's new apartment. She is remarkable. She returns as if she has known SA all her life and plunges in to training. She and Isaac make a formidable team. I am so grateful they are part of this Project.
Next day we go to say goodbye to Place of Safety. The girls are awesome and immediately engage with the adults and babies. Everyone is glad to see them. Two babies have moved on so we are happy but one little one has died. Life is so tenuous here.
I asked Jenn if she would come with me to Mangosuthu University which is nearby. I had an excellent meeting with Professor Lana about EICL business and then met Makhosi Buthelezi, an agricultural scientist. She is willing to support Dloko and Zwelibanzi in developing their gardens. I am so pleased with the outcome of these unplanned meetings.
Jenn and I decide to go to Dloko with Jean and Stembiso. Jean is doing extraordinary work for one of her Edinburgh students on bilingualism. She is taping lessons to analyse the use of English and Zulu. Impressive and hugely demanding work. Dloko welcomes me back so warmly and they sing for Jenn. I love this school. Velo the Depute Head is so committed and passionate.
We head back to the city and Jenn and I go to Umthombo for the Street Kids Talent Show. Today is International Street Kids Day. First we rush for something to eat with Mbutho, our "bodyguard"... the Point is so unsafe.Then we rush back and I realise I am on the judging panel. I am thrilled but a bit nervous. The show is amazing. These beautiful, tragic children are incredible (I have run out of synonyms for words like this to describe what we see), the dancing and the rap especially. It is an inspiring joyful afternoon, culminating as always in dancing and singing. Seeing the children smile is fantastic but also so poignant.
Next day I have a traning session in Ridge Park College. Tilli, the Principal, had invited me after the presentation I did for the Central Durban Principals. The session was on Ethos Building. I introduced the staff to Appreciative Enquiry and we looked at the school using criteria which define an effective school. The staff were mostly Indian with a few white teachers and one or two Zulus. The session went very well. The school is successful and well resourced and seems to serve Indian and Zulu kids, including some from Umlazi. I think I will have a lasting relationship. Tilli is a very impressive Principal.
Then we head down to Sisco. Jean has come up with an idea to create the Sisco Family tree. We take the five medics who are here on placement. They are so keen to see more.
When we first arrive at Sisco there is hardly anyone there. Our hearts sink. So often arrangements have failed since we have been in SA. So often Bantu time lets us down. But soon Russell and Mjoli round up some young people and the activity is a fantastic success. It is constantly surprising how young men of 20 years are happy to take part in activities that seemed geared to chidren. The medics, a tremendous bunch of guys, make paper aeroplanes which rain down on us from the balconies and the tree emerges as a powerful symbol for the place. What a fantastic experience, once more. Thank you Jean and Jenn for coming and for your ideas and comradeship.
Saturday brings our farewell to Bobbi Bear and we head out to Illovo full of trepidation. As we approach the tree I see lots of children and Jackie milling about. We park with our Khumbi blasting out House music and pour out to the usual lovely welcome.
Lucky and Siza are with us and Lucky (diver) and Siyanda are there too. We do bootcamp training with the football boys, then we all dance to the pumping rhythms from the Khumbi. I give a donation to Jackie from the JGHS students and she rushes off to buy the children a treat..some KFC. I am holding precious Michaela and although I feel that my heart is aching I look around in sheer awe at what these people from Bobbi Bear do.
A four day old baby is there, having been found in a bag in a toilet. A three or four year old boy is there with his brother and parents. He has been sodomised. The list of atrocities done to these children is beyond words. And yet they smile, thankful for the little food they get every week. They now meet under the "tree" since they have no premises. Jack and Erika who are the cornerstones of this awe inspiring organisation are the most overwhelming "angels of mercy" I have ever met. We leave in tears as I hand little Michaela back. Will she be alive when I return next year? We will never stop working for these people.
We need a break so we have a quiet weekend, saying goodbye to the beach and revisting various haunts from the school trip. The Beach Hotel staff wave to us and we are welcomed back to Havanna Grill.
On Tuesday I go to Zwelibanzi to discuss the future relationship with the Jabulani Project. Jenn takes notes, Isaac speaks on behalf of the ex-students and Jean records another lesson. We have a good meeting with Khubs and Maseko. We express our disappointment that we haven't been "used" as we had hoped. This is such a special place for Gillespies. Why am I fearful about the leadership commitment. Success may have led to complacency!
I then rush down to Dloko to do a staff training session. Enveloped by the warmth of the welcome, I complete a very successful session. They feel so much more open to ideas. Zwelibanzi was once more like this. I need to work with Neil on how to rekindle the spark in ZHS. The children remain wonderful. Of course there is food. "Where are the girls?" Then I am showered with gifts. The whole school sings. I present the John Byrne certificates and I leave promising to see them next year. I love coming here. They are so full of hope.
On the morning of my penultimate day we all go to Assembly in Zwelibanzi to present the John Byrne Certificates and to say goodbye. The "love" is still there. The girls are desperate to go to Dloko to make up for not being there yesterday. We are so glad we did. We had a farewell full of joy. We will return
I will write about my Farewell Party and my leaving when I am strong enough. I also need a few days to put my thoughts together about this phenomenal experience.
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