Fiona
It's hard to express how much I loved my time in South Africa, it was the most amazing three months of my life. It was horrible having to leave such a wonderful place, a sadness only soothed by the thought that I will definitely be back there. Durban is a home away from home now and I know that I have a South African family there to return to whenever I have the chance. It is such a beautiful place with so many friendly, caring, inspirational people, though it is also filled with such horrible hardship and corruption that was hard to face sometimes.
One of my favourite memories is the day we first met Benjamin. He was at SISCO for the first time after being on the streets for a few months and he was such a happy boy. We talked to him for such a long time about his life at home and what life was like on the streets. He told us about his position on the soccer team, what he had liked to do at school and then about how he had had his shoes stolen on the streets but had held onto the laces and kept them tied around his ankles so that no-one could take them. They were all he had left. He was so full of energy and really willing to chat to us. He told us that he didn't need glue like the other boys did. It gave us such hope when Abdul talked about taking him home and getting his life back on track. Benjamin’s journey was hard and it had some really low points. One day I found particularly difficult was when he had glue on him and told us that he couldn't go a night without it anymore. I was so happy when he was back home and doing well. Benjamin's case is such a good success story of SISCO's. Seeing SISCO grow and change so much while we were there and being able to be a part of that has given us such a great connection with them and all the staff and kids.
It was such an honour to be able to work alongside Jackie, founder of Bobbi Bear, every Saturday morning. She and her team are such inspirational people. Just working with the Bobbi Bear kids once a week could be so emotionally difficult, her team have devoted their lives to it.
It was also really nice to reconnect with the schools and be able to do classes with them and with the learners at Mangosuthu, even if it was quite a challenge! Despite our placement at Umthombo not working out, we made some great friends there. It was great to hang out with the boys in life space who were making real progress towards getting off the streets and into a new life.
I really hope the Jabulani project grows and flourishes, so many lives will be changed for the better in the future if we keep working at it. It was such a pleasure to be part of setting up and nurturing links that will hopefully continue for years to come. Thank you so much to everyone who supported us. It was reassuring to know that we weren't alone in the struggle.
Now that I am home I miss the blaring music 24/7, the strangers in the taxis who would talk to you as if you were good friends and, of course, the hot weather! Most of all I miss the friends we made there and the sense of community in the places we worked and visited. I never stop thinking about South Africa, I can't wait to go back.
It's hard to express how much I loved my time in South Africa, it was the most amazing three months of my life. It was horrible having to leave such a wonderful place, a sadness only soothed by the thought that I will definitely be back there. Durban is a home away from home now and I know that I have a South African family there to return to whenever I have the chance. It is such a beautiful place with so many friendly, caring, inspirational people, though it is also filled with such horrible hardship and corruption that was hard to face sometimes.
One of my favourite memories is the day we first met Benjamin. He was at SISCO for the first time after being on the streets for a few months and he was such a happy boy. We talked to him for such a long time about his life at home and what life was like on the streets. He told us about his position on the soccer team, what he had liked to do at school and then about how he had had his shoes stolen on the streets but had held onto the laces and kept them tied around his ankles so that no-one could take them. They were all he had left. He was so full of energy and really willing to chat to us. He told us that he didn't need glue like the other boys did. It gave us such hope when Abdul talked about taking him home and getting his life back on track. Benjamin’s journey was hard and it had some really low points. One day I found particularly difficult was when he had glue on him and told us that he couldn't go a night without it anymore. I was so happy when he was back home and doing well. Benjamin's case is such a good success story of SISCO's. Seeing SISCO grow and change so much while we were there and being able to be a part of that has given us such a great connection with them and all the staff and kids.
It was such an honour to be able to work alongside Jackie, founder of Bobbi Bear, every Saturday morning. She and her team are such inspirational people. Just working with the Bobbi Bear kids once a week could be so emotionally difficult, her team have devoted their lives to it.
It was also really nice to reconnect with the schools and be able to do classes with them and with the learners at Mangosuthu, even if it was quite a challenge! Despite our placement at Umthombo not working out, we made some great friends there. It was great to hang out with the boys in life space who were making real progress towards getting off the streets and into a new life.
I really hope the Jabulani project grows and flourishes, so many lives will be changed for the better in the future if we keep working at it. It was such a pleasure to be part of setting up and nurturing links that will hopefully continue for years to come. Thank you so much to everyone who supported us. It was reassuring to know that we weren't alone in the struggle.
Now that I am home I miss the blaring music 24/7, the strangers in the taxis who would talk to you as if you were good friends and, of course, the hot weather! Most of all I miss the friends we made there and the sense of community in the places we worked and visited. I never stop thinking about South Africa, I can't wait to go back.
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