Week One

So now I've been at Hands base a whole week, I'm trying to proccess everything that we've seen and done.

This is not an easy task.

From the photos that I'm going to be putting on Facebook and have posted here already, you might be forgiven for thinking that we're simply hanging out and seeing the sights. The truth however is that we're constantly surrounded by contrast. We have beautiful scenary all around us and some of the most amazing views, and we've spent a lot of time together, getting to know one another and settling in. However, what I've not been able to explain or process or really even know where to start with is the time that we've spent with the Hands communities, community care workers and with the Children that they serve.
Again, just like last year I have been challened by both the scale and the awful reality of the social problems that face the orphaned children, widows and the communities in general of the communities that Hands at Work are involved with.

As we start a new week I'm looking forward to meeting more of the Children and Care Workers in the communities and learning their stories. How they got to be here, what are their lives like day to day and what challenges they face.

I feel like I'm seeing a lot, and trying to actually take it all in, but being a bit overwhelmed by it.
It makes me realise again how much of a bubble we live in at home and it challenges me to think again about how on earth I can reconcile life here and life at home.

So now we’ve been at Hands base in South Africa (near White River) for a few days now and it’s really beginning to feel like home.

 

 

To give you guys some insight into my new world, we are staying in the Hands village. There are 7 other volunteers on my intake. We have a couple of Australians, three Canadians, another Brit and a token American… It’s a lot of fun. J

 

Our first week involves spending time together, doing training with other Hands Volunteers (who have been here longer) and going into the communities.

 

Yesterday (our first official day) we went into a community called Clau Clau, which was about 45mins drive from the Hands base. We had an overview of the way that Hands are structured, which was really helpful as we found out about how the Community Based Organisation’s (CBOs) tie in with the Service Centres (SCs) and the Regional Support Teams (RSTs).

After this we went into the community and met some of the kids that they support. When the children arrived we played ball games with them and chatted to them to find out more about their lives.

 

Today I was really excited to be heading back to a community that we visited last year and was close to many of our hearts.

We went to Welverdine where we went out with the community care workers to visit the children in their homes. It was amazing to see the community a year on and to see all of the care workers again. In this particular community there are only 9 care workers and they feed around 100 children EVERY day (Monday to Friday).

While we were out walking, we were caught in a massive downpour – after a short walk in it, we were absolutely soaked to the skin and walking along in the middle of the mini-rivers that had formed instantly. We ended up sheltering in someone’s house while we waited for the rain to subside (photos will follow!). Ahh storms in Africa are fun. :)

After we made it back we had a great time (albeit brief) with the children – Although I didn’t get to see any of the ones that I met last year – hopefully I’ll see them next time.

Just a quick update.
So It's been so nice staying in Joburg. I've had some amazing times of relaxing with some great friends and I've been so blessed by the things that I've already seen and done here.

Without going too deep - I've also been sharply reminded why the work that Hands do (and how they do it) is so important. Its so important that in the work that we do that we facilitate change that is lasting.

I am encouraged though to see changes happening in the lives of those who we've met and seeing now how far they have come. Change is often gradual and can be frustratingly slow, but the differences it can make in those lives can be staggering.

I remember the bible verse from Galatians 6 v 9: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."


:) Check out some of the photos from the last couple of days... Don't be too jealous now. :)

Today's the day..

So here it is. After months of preparing and waiting, I arrived in Jo'burg this morning. :)
In some ways its a strange feeling - I've been waiting for this to feel real for so long, and now it's here it feels very real indeed.
Personally, its been a crazy time over the last few weeks while I've been packing up my life as I've known it and saying goodbye to friends and family (who I shall miss terribly), but it's also exciting. I know that this year is going to be challenging, heart-wrenching and amazing, all at the same time.

I've been going over the trip from last year with Hands and remembering the amazing people that we met in the communities and at the Hands base. I'm really looking forward to going back and seeing everyone and seeing how the projects have developed.

Here are a few photos from last year - check them out.

As for what now - I'm spending a few days in Jo'burg with friends before heading up to Hands at Work on Friday morning where I will meet the other volunteers on my intake - I'm stoked.

So as I'm sorting my life out I thought I'd better make time for a quick post.

This week has been filled with amazing blessings of all kinds, as well as a wonderful time with lots of family and friends. Needless to say... I'm still not yet ready. :)

I'm almost packed and I have everything else (almost) in order, but I think it's going to be a bit frantic till I actually leave in the morning.

Anyways, for those wondering what I'm going to be doing, check it out and see. I've managed to upload a bit of video from last year.

My trip is different in many respects from the March 2012 trip as I'm not going out as part of a church team, instead I'm a long term volunteer as part of an intake of volunteers for Hands.

The clock is ticking and I have to dash, but I'll update you all as soon as I can.

Much love.
Dave