Mixed start

For my time here in P.E. I am lucky to be staying in the home of a wonderful S.African couple,along with other volunteers.They are a passionate,caring couple,especially as regards the orphans.
There are four of us working at Thamsanqa.This orphanage is set in an immense black township,similar to Soweto.It consists of three houses,not far from each other.In each house there is a housemother caring for 6-7 kids,whom she has legally fostered.The children are close to each other,like close brothers and sistersBut each has a different history;various deprivations and sexual abuses are common backgrounds.They live on the breadline,at best,but at least have a family and the chance to go to school.Our job is to help them with their schooling,give them love and attention and help to improve their surroundings.
Before going there this morning,we had to load my phone and get money from the ATM  Alas,I left my wallet,with my money and card inside,and it went missing.I find it hard to express how stupid I felt.Anyway,we went into the township and first had a quick look into each house.One ofthe housemothers was in bed,ill.The second was watching telly while the third was not about.So we decided to eat our packed lunches.God,I was ready for it!Then I realised I had left it behind....
Our main aim at the moment is to create a veg garden by one of the houses.Not only will this be of interest,we hope, for the kids,but will provide food they cannot afford.So we chatted about how to go about it and tomorrow we will buy a pick-axe!
As the older kids came back from school,we played games with some of the kids and helped them to learn to read.Generally,the kids are very warm,open  and friendly.One or two seem to be troubled .

I have to thank my fellow volunteers for helping me through this first day.The scale of the problem here can be overwhelming at first;there are 80,000 orphans in this province alone.We can only chip away as best we can.

But it will help if I can keep my wits about me tomorrow!

I should mention that my  wallet was returned!

Best wishes,Eric.

picture 1  My hosts' home
           2  One of the 3 homes of Thamsanqa
           3  In the township
           4  2 of the orphans
           5  The future veg garden