Eric Olverson

Costa blanca cycle day

Thu, 16 Apr 09 12:47:55 +0200

fjkljskljfkl

Win or lose....

Tue, 03 Mar 09 18:28:31 +0100

I want to thank everybody that has already voted in the writing competition. We were 155 votes behind the leader a fortnight ago. Now it is down to 60. If there are any more votes out there....?????
Could I just mention that I will have a webpage up and running,hopefully within the next three weeks (ericonhisbike.com),on which I hope to bore all and sundry with details of my training trips and,hopefully,updates on news from Thamsanqa.
I have been most fortunate this week in that I have had an interview with Costa Blanca News (to be followed by an article in the paper) and a radio interview with Hit FM. They will serve to generate interest,I hope,in the Tour and consequently Thamsanqa. On Thursday,I am invited to a Ladies' Luncheon to speak about Thamsanqa.And really,I just want to go out on my bike!
I shall be doing the Tour whether or not I win the writing contest; but winning might stop me from having to sell my RBS shares!
Best wishes,
Eric.

Tour d'Afrique writing contest

Sat, 14 Feb 09 07:15:18 +0100

I have found out from the organisers that a vote does not count unless a comment is left. They make no mention of this in their web site! At the moment, I am trailing the leader by 155 votes. That is a lot of comments, so if you know anyone that is willing to spend a couple of minutes...some might just like to say "push off"!
Thanks for your interest!
Eric.
PS Some friends have had difficlty finding how to vote; I should perhaps have mentioned that, once into the site, you first click on "Win a free trip" and then "View all submissions".

Moving on...

Fri, 23 Jan 09 18:45:47 +0100

I have registered to cycle in the 2010 Cairo-CapeTown race/expedition.It will be over 11000km.,over a period of 4 months,starting January 16. My intention is to raise funds. I am paying the full cost of the trip myself and all costs relating to the trip. There is, however, a chance I could get a 25% discount if I win a story competition run by the organisers of the cycle race, Tour d'Afrique. The winner is not neccesarily the one who has written the best story, but the one who gets the most votes!!This is where I implore you to pull out all the stops and get me votes,votes and more votes! Whether it be through email, facebook, family, friends and acquaintances.
The story has to be connected with a bike journey,so I have entered the only such one I have written, namely the one on the blog about going to Baviaanskloof Wilderness.
Voting is simple:
1Type in www.tourdafrique.com/contest
2 Click on "View all Submissions" and choose a story to vote on.
3 Click on "Vote for this article" button on the top right hand side of the page,or scroll to the very bottom of the story.
4 Click the rating you wish to give, enter a comment if you so wish, enter your email address and click "submit".

A word of warning:every time you look at one of the other stories they get a tenth of a vote,so please just concentrate on mine until the competition finishes in March.

I do hope you can spare some time to help me with this.
Best Wishes,
Eric.

Moving on...

Fri, 23 Jan 09 18:45:39 +0100

Conclusion

Sat, 03 Jan 09 11:59:45 +0100

Two thoughts,above all else,will remain with me: how mundane and self-created are the majority of the problems for us in the West;and the amount of work quietly being done by so many people to address the very real problems encountered by the majority of people in this world.
Over the Xmas. period, there were so many ways in which people of all colours were doing something for the needy.One such scheme had a rather unexpected twist. The church where Peter and Daphne,whose house I stayed in, are involved, were organising a meal for the week before Xmas. Parishioners bought the tickets,not for themselves but for down -and- outs off the street. Peter had arranged with a white man living on the street near him that he would pick him up at a certain time and he would bring him back to his street corner after the slap-up meal. When Peter duly arrived,the man got in.Peter explained to him how they would have to take a diversion as he wanted to pick up the housemothers from the orphanage in the township. The man refused to go into the township,he was too frightened! Rather than do that, he got out and never got his free meal. (It is a an unfortunate reality that non-blacks are scared stiff of going in there!)
I want to say how grateful I am to Be-More for giving me the opportunity to fulfill a long-held wish. I received every assistance,both before and during my stay, that I could have hoped for. The charity works on a tightly-run basis, but gives help to many needy projects.
Staying with Peter and Daphne was a revelation. I cannot think of any other couple who so selflessly arrange their working lives around supporting those less well off. I have learnt a tremendous amount from them, through our discussions and their example. They are inspirational. T
The dedication of my fellow volunters led to achieving many good things,working with imagination and courage.
The heroine of it all, with her daughter Louise working tirelessly in the background, is of course Tia Wessels. I will never forget the day when we trudged round the township all day to arrange documents for the worst-off. With only bread and butter for lunch,her feet swollen, fighting the sleep that tried to engulf her, she still had fire in her belly at the end of the day to fight the cause of the blind lady! As it rained, I noticed how the rust had worn holes in her car in the roof above her head. As long as people like her are around, others will be drawn in to help.
For myself,these 2 months have asked me a lot of questions, to which, as yet, I do not know the answers. I hope I have been able, in a small way, to give an insight into an unfolding tragedy, where people are working with their backs against the wall.
There were times, in the first month, when I found it quite difficult. Not being able to communicate well with the kids in a common language, not knowing how scarred the kids were, what they thought of us coming to their home or what the housemothers really thought about it, how best to help them...some of these issues arose from the fact that we were the first volunteers at the project. Future volunteers will benefit immensely from the work now being done. To begin with, my postive side had to drag screaming to the orphanage, the other side of me that was way out of it's comfort zone. I am p[leased that I was able to deal with that. The rewards are magnificent. To feel a young child opening up to you,clinging to you for comfort, whether the child has Aids,tubercolosis or whatever, is a wonderful feeling.
Knowing you were reading my blogs has been hugely encouraging; those of you who wrote reactions and emails of support have helped me more than you know.
Thamsanqa will continue to go from strength to strength. Anyone reading my blog that has sometimes thought of spending time at such a project,my advice would be: if you have the opportunity,do it.
Thank you again!
Best wishes,
Eric.

Photos,something concrete achieved!
1 Almost there.
2 Ready to plant.

On a high!

Wed, 31 Dec 08 16:34:20 +0100

As we inched up the rough,dirt road of the Sani Pass,I asked the driver/guide whether there were taxes in Lesotho.Oh yes,he replied,but they all have to be 4 wheel drive up here! A similar accent-induced misunderstanding occurred later,while in the Basotho (Lesotho) village. Having just photographed a shepherd neaxt to his pile of wood and stacked,dried dung,I enquired whether it was good-quality shit. No speak English,was the reply.Luckily,our guide was fluent in their language,Susutu.Ask him if it is good shit,I said.The answer came back: he does not wear a shirt!
Inside the rondavel hut,the Basuto woman had treated us to a taste of their local home-made beer and bread.In the centre of the hut,a round hearth was set into the floor.There, lay a pan of bread underneath a tray of embers.I have never tasted such delicious bread for decades and I kept it for tomorrow's lunch.
The woman is totally responsible for the interior of the hut.She makes the floor and plasters the wall. When the man wants to enter, he must first knock and ask permission. I asked if the woman had to knock and seek permission to exit,but no,she did not. (How fair is that then?).
This side of Lesotho, the east side, is very thinly populated.Mostly, you see shepherd-boys,in their teens, who, form an early age, are sent out to take the animals 60-70 kilometers for pasturing.They are away from the village for more than 6 months at a time,usually living in single, stone huts, guarded by their ferocious dogs.Their main clothing is a blanket,their main food is maize. Hardly time-share material.
The day before, a motley group of us had climbed in the Drakensberg mountains.They adjoin Leotho.Our guide was taking us to see the paintings of the Bushmen,or Sani.They inhabited this area from about 8000 years ago until about 1880.Viewing one very fine example of this fascinating art,painted onto a large overhanging rock,there were clear footprints made by a leopard that morning.
I was sleeping at the Sani Pass Lodge,in a dormitory.The first night I was in bed before 9,at which hour everybody is asked to keep as quiet as possible.Instead,down in the kitchen below, a group decided to start cooking. I tried for some time to ignore the loud voices and clanging of pans. My patience drained away,I asked them to keep the noise down. That will be difficult, said one. With a mouth like that,I suppose it would! At 5 next morning, they were cooking breakfast! I heard one girl ask the time. I shouted down,half past five! This group apart, I met lovely people, of all ages and backgrounds, offering good company.
Happy New Year!
Feliz Ano Nuevo!
Eric.

Photos
1 Sani Pass into Lesotho.
2 2 shepherd boys in Lesotho.
3 Home cooked bread to die for.
4 The lady who cooked the bread,outside her hut.
5 Man with the dung.
6 The dung.

Beached Up

Sun, 21 Dec 08 11:59:01 +0100

The lifesaver was clearly bemused. He was seated under a canopy, his state-of-the-art jet-skis in readiness alongside him. Right beside him, coincidentally, there was an area of about 12 sq .metres pegged out with umbrellas. In the middle, sat a table with 24 hats. By the table, an Englishman wearing an Australian hat, sat waiting. Curiosity overcame him. ‘’What are you going to do here, man?’’ In answer, the kids started to appear through the sand dunes.
They were not stigmatised as poor orphans by wearing shorts and shirts. In their new swimwear, they were as smart as anyone else. They ran to the water excitedly, picking up wet sand to throw like snowballs , with unerring accuracy- I know,I got two full in the face in rapid succession!
For the younger ones, this would be their first experience of the beach. They all had a marvellous day. When they crowded into the minibus at about 5 pm., they had no energy left!
This week has seen a lot happen. Half the children have been taken to the dentist for their first time, we have held another clothes sale and enabled over 40 households ,involving over 100 children, to get food parcels. At last, we have seen the concrete wall erected around the garden area at Julia’s . I will not be here to get the plants started, but it is good to see that soon it will happen. Two local business men who attend the same church as Peter and Daphne, want to get involved. As a start, they have offered to erect cupboards/shelves in all three houses.
In our meetings with Tia, we have tossed a lot of ideas about. As a result, future volunteers will be more effective and have better engagement.
For myself, I had hoped to finish with the kids’ Xmas.party.This would have left me with a few days to go into Lesotho ,before moving on to Johannesburg for my flight on the 29th.But the girls with whom I am getting a lift, have to leave early on Xmas.Day. So I will be saying my last goodbyes to the kids on Monday/ Tuesday.
It might be for the better that way. I want to slip away quietly, without a fuss.To my mind ,the kids are better without regular, emotional upheavals as each volunteer leaves. In fairness, I am in a minority of one in thinking this way!
This will most likely be my last blog before Xmas.,before leaving Thamsanqa. As you breathe a sigh of relief, please accept my very best wishes for a wonderful Xmas.!
A mis amigos espanoles, lo siento que no he podido escribir en Castellano tambien.
Feliz Navidad!
Eric.

Note on Lesotho.
Called the Roof of Africa,it is the only country in the world that is entirely above 1000m. Not even Nepal can claim that.It is very backward indeed,and not easily accessible.
Itinerary.
25th. Travel 10 hours by car to Sani Pass Backpackers’ Lodge.
26th. Day tour/hike to see Bushmans’ paintings.                                                     27    4x4 through Sani Pass to experience Sani way of life..
28     Self hiking.
Full board, and lodging in dormitory, plus 2 tours = 60 pounds.
29   6am Underberg Express to Pietermaritzberg.
       10am Intercape to Johannesburg
       20.30 Etihad Airways to Abi Dhabi-Manchester.
30 Thown off plane.

Photos.
1 Waiting for the party.
2 Zolani;no words needed
3 Andiswa (5)
4 Sinazo (5)
5 Hungry mouths .
6 Children,the same everywhere.
7 Bonke (1).
8 Andiswa quickly got braver.
9 Thamsanqa family.
10 Bye!

Addendum

Wed, 17 Dec 08 05:23:09 +0100

A young woman,whose documents we sorted out this week,was bringing up her children on her own.Her husband died of Aids and she has it also.Yet her youngest child is not HIV positive.The new drugs available to protect the child in child birth were administered.Some good news to start the day!
Eric.

Addressing some issues.

Tue, 16 Dec 08 21:55:18 +0100

The sinking sands of racial imbalances are incredilbly difficult to address, as Europeans themselves well know! So perhaps we should be cautious about denigrating the efforts of this still young democracy of South Africa. Undoubtedly, there have been mistakes made since the change from the apartheid governments to black government. On taking power, it was natural to try to reverse the process of reducing the black. In retrospect, the only agenda should have been to educate the black population and lift it out of poverty asap. When the child support grant was introduced, (now higher, at R250 a month=17 pounds a month) it was too little to do much good. But it had the unbelievable effect of encouraging black women to have babies. The grant was insufficient to feed a baby properly, but to somebody with no income, it must have seemed better to share their hunger with a child, rather than starve alone.
Free condoms and free abortions are readily available, but sex education is difficult. It is not the practice amongst the black population to speak openly about such issues. It could be that the government could learn some lessons from the Uganda experience. The government there, instead of going it alone, has engaged the whole of society, and is bringing down the incidence of Aids.
Central to everything here is education. There are two stories, with this connection, I would like to tell you about.
The first concerns one of the older girls. She is very bright, very motivated and talented with a very pleasant demeanour. A white couple here have agreed to pick up all the costs relating to her education, university included, in the hope of her realising her potential. She could be a future leading light in her community. Though you might argue the money would be better spent spreading it more widely. What do you think?
The other case relates to the oldest lad in the orphanage,17 years old. This lad lost all his immediate family, was abused by a man who took him in, and then started into bad ways himself. He had never been to school. Once Tia took him into the orphanage, in 2006,he started school .Now that he is bigger, an aunt who lives in another township, encourages him to go there during the school holidays. Common to many such situations, he is now seen as somebody who can be a helper. This week, he had left the orphanage to go to these relatives, without telling his housemother. In law, he is a ward of court, in the care of Thamsanqa. Tia, as his social worker, is responsible for him. She accepts he may want, and should be allowed, to see his family from time to time. But it must be agreed with the housemother, so she knows where he is.
I drove Tia and Maureen over to New Brighton, an old township, 20 minutes away. We parked outside the shanty. Straightaway, we could here the raucous laughter from inside. Entry was through a rear door, accessed through a small passage, which separated it from the adjacent shack. From there also there was the unwelcoming cackle of drink-induced merriment. We stood out like priests in a brothel. Tia knocked on the door. A youth invited us in. She moved a leg forward, but, as her eyes got a glimpse of inside, retracted it. With a no-nonsense approach, she told them she wanted to see Zola (a false name for the boy).They said he was not there. She said we would wait for the aunt. When the aunt came, there were strong words, in Xhosa, between Maureen and the aunt. The aunt did not want to let Zola go. When Tia got the translation from Maureen, she waded in. No way were we leaving without Zola. Nor would she permit him to stay in a house that she was using as a shabeen (a place where alcohol is bought and drunk). Only when the aunt protested that she had another house, which she pointed out, where she lived, and used this one solely for the drinking, did Tia consent to him visiting for a week after Xmas.
Later, I asked her why she was so strict with Zola, when he will have to leave the orphanage at 18 anyway. She explained that because Zola started school late, he still has two years left before matriculation .In such cases, the government allows an orphan to stay in an orphanage till age 21,with continuing, free education.
Ideally, Tia would like to acquire another building, where orphans that have to leave at 18, could stay till they got on their feet.
While I have been helping Tia with this and the paperwork for food parcels, the other volunteers have been doing some tremendous work. They have started the process of getting all the kids to a dentist, motivated the kids at Maureen’s to help clearing all the old wood and rubbish in the yard, and got them making their own Xmas. decorations. They have used the simplest of materials, look so good, and the kids have enjoyed it so much. (The sale of their Xmas. cards at the church the other night, realised about 22 pounds).
Before I fall asleep at the computer, and before you drop of your chair, I would like to make just one further remark. There is a lot of goodwill here and there are a lot of charities doing tremendous work in very trying circumstances. But the mistrust and ignorance, embedded in the national conscience during the apartheid years, are indelible marks.95% of whites here have never been in a township. One big Afikaaner I was speaking to ,looked at me blankly when I explained where we worked. He would never go in, it was ‘’super, super dangerous’’, he said. You never do see whites there.
The beautiful tapestry of this county has been despoiled by the mildews of misunderstanding and mismanagement. Determined will, exercised with patient tolerance, is essential for the salvage operation.
Tomorrow we take the kids for a day at the beach. It will be a marvellous day, I am sure, and I look forward to telling you about it!
Best wishes,
Eric.

Addressing some issues.

Tue, 16 Dec 08 21:55:06 +0100

Correction

Tue, 16 Dec 08 11:22:47 +0100

I made a mistake in my blog!Instead of Tia trying to get 50 businesses to sign up for donating 10 pounds each per week,it should read per month!
Sorry for that.
Back soon,Best wishes,
Eric.

Highs and Lows

Fri, 12 Dec 08 08:49:06 +0100

Last Saturday,we set our pitch outside Florence’s to sell the donated clothing and shoes.We had sorted the items into 3 price categories,R5,R10 and R20 (R15=1pound=1.15 euros).Soon we had to reduce everthing to between R1-R5.One very old lady picked up a pair of old,but warm,slippers;she said pointedly-but without looking me in the eye,as if she was ashamed of herself-I have no money!It kind of pulls the rug from underneath you when you are looking for a good haggle!A young teenager,having just paid R5 for a quality worsted jacket,was parading around,clearly feeling ``the man’’.But it must have been 3 sizes too big for him!A good number of people went away with clothing at prices they could just afford,others had fun trying clothes on.Two thirds of our wares were sold.We took R520.This,to you ,will sound pathetic.In terms of the work we all put in,it was.Nevertheless,Tia was happy.Cash is hard to come by,and she is in desperate need.It is more than the child support grants for 2 children for 1 month!
She had also arranged a carol-singing service for Sunday evening,to raise funds.This was sponsored by the Christmas Shop,an amazing shop.It opens for just the one month before Xmas.To walk around is to be in Wonderland.A wind band,the one that plays for all S.African cricket internationals,,gave their services for free and set up outside the mall.Tia arranged for all the children to be taxied in.When we arrived,they had been allowed to walk through the shop,eyes agog,and were very excited.Some of them went on the dais and sang the first 2 carols.Who are we,just short-term helpers;but we felt so proud of them!As the main carol singing progressed,the children tried to join in.Thembeka(14) was sat next to me,and I commented on the silvery white Xmas.trees.I explained to her how the ground was all white in England right now. Snow?she asked.No,I said,white with frost.Ah,she said,it only snows on Xmas.Day then!At the end of the service,nobody seemed in a hurry to leave.Five of the eldest girls went back up and gave a final song.I think they surprised themselves at their own audacity and the thrill it gave them.Each of the children received a candle to light.Tamara came up to me and complained that her 2 weeks were not going to be enough.She would not be ready to leave these kids.Moments later,I noticed Limmargien comforting her as the tears flowed.
I have not found words to adequately describe the energy and warmth of this evening.Suffice to say,I would have given up a lot rather than miss this evening -even the whale trip!
Monday brought us back down to earth.Our day was due to start with a meeting with Tia,to plan our raid on the government vouchers.If only it were so simple!Sassa,the government dep’t,quite rightly,wants proofs and documentation.As so many of the parents and grandparents have either died or disappeared,the first hurdle can be to obtain birth certificates for the kids.These have then to be triplicated and certified at the post office.Only 10 families can apply each day through any one agency (i.e. in this case Tia),and they need a typed letter beforehand,indicating which families will be applying.Given that we also need to arrange with the various black volunteers to take us to the various houses,in order to fill in the forms etc.,you can perhaps visualise the tortoise-like speed of our raid!
But before we could get started,there was a call from a very upset Maureen.Akhona(17)was having a fit of temper,throwing things around.There was a simple enough reason,not one I would have thought of ,however.3 of the children at Maureen’s are her own.As they are not orphans,she receives no support grant and has to pay school fees.With no income,she pays out of the grants she receives for the others.But her children have received their reports,Akhona has not.The school principal told her she could not have it as school fees had not been paid.Akhona,wrongly,is blaming Maureen,when actually the principal is absolutely incorrect.
We all drove over to Maureen’s.The euphoria of last night had vanished.It was as though it had never happened.Akhona had blockaded herself inside the bedroom and refused to come out to talk to Tia..Trying to amuse the kids was plain hard.Also a concern,Xolela,whose father,mother and brother died of Aids,and who usually is full of energy,was lying down all afternoon; smiling as ever,but no energy at all.Even last night, he had not looked sharp.This was the hardest day so far.
We had to split up the following day.The girls went to Florence’s.I have not mentioned yet,but she was diagnosed as having AIDS,last week.Her husband had died of AIDS.Having just started the treatment,she is very poorly.So the girls helped the children with the cleaning and washing.
I went to Julia’s to met Tia there.Members of 3 of the 87 were waiting for us.We arranged all the documentation,took them to the gov’t offices and back.One of them was a skeleton of a lad,but could speak some English.While out of work,he was involving himself in the 16 day campaign against abuse against women that is currently being held around the country.He is a musician and earns himself some meals by playing music or helping kids with their music.Today,he was anxious to get back,as he was the MC of a drama/music day in the community hall,free to all the youngsters roundabout.He agreed to meet up with Sphiewe and Simphiewe,to help them with their music.
The rest of the day,we called at more of the 87 houses.Three of the black volunteers,those responsible for these houses, came with us .It felt more like a delegation.Two of them came in my car.One of them was the biggest mama I have ever seen.The sun was eclipsed as she eased herself into the back seat.As I set off,I thought I had a flat tyre,and when I made the first stop, the exhaust scraped the ground!
Some of the homes we visited showed extreme poverty:tiny shacks,with unrendered,block walls dividing the area,the roof area open.At one such place,there were no adults,all dead.No income of any kind.At another,a blind woman lives with her niece.(The child’s mother died of Aids,the father stabbed to death.)Again no income at all.They were not in.A boy told us that the 8 year old niece had been caught stealing a bar of chocolate in the Spar,and the store was insisting on R200 to release her.The blind woman had gone to the store.After visiting more houses,we called back to see her.She now turned up,a little stressed.All afternoon,she had been going round the area,trying to obtain R200,to no avail.I felt incensed;I could see Tia was boiling with anger also.These are people who have no cushiona t all,no state benefits,just nothing.How do they survive?Then her child is being held to ransm for R200.We charged down to the Spar,and confronted the store manager in his office.The girl was now gone.The police had just been to take her home.She had been 5 hours,held in that office,given nothing to eat.The store manager apologised profusely and assured us that disciplinary action would be taken against the staff responsible.Tia had struggled to contain herself,but succeeded enough to get over all the right messages.She had had another tough day.Going round the houses,she actually dropped off to sleep for a second or two.To sort out the documentation for these people is hard enough;she is also dealing with their other problems,She arranges for children to go to school,starts applications for foster care grants and so on.

Mxolisi (pronounced kolisi,the m being sounded with a little click that we cannot do!)

I have mentioned before about our concerns regarding his attitude.At the carol service,I was sat just behind him,and he was happy to follow the music with my help;there was,I felt,some meeting of minds,The next day,I took Maureen with her three children,of whom Nxolisi is one ,to the school, for their reports.They had all passed,So they all bore wide grins.Later,I had to go to the Post Office to copy some certificates,so I took him along for the drive.I gave him a rand for passing and he was chuffed.The most special moment occurred Monday afternoon,when we were playing with the kids in the yard.Mxolisi and Yonela were practicing their acrobatics on two old mattresses.They wanted to backwards somersault from my shoulders.Unfortunately,I gave too much of a push and little Yonela could barely stop himself after the somersault.Something hurt him in the process.There was little in his face to betray his feelings,yet his eyes welled up with tears,and they started rolling down his cheeks.Nxolisi,showing surprising warmth and maturity,put his arms around him,spoke consolingly, and then tried to make him laugh.Soon they were both at it again!

Yesterday,the girls did marvellous work.They went to all three homes,fixing them all up with swimwear,ready for next Wednesday.Then they stayed at Julia’s,showing the kids how to make some beautiful cards.Hilda had brought plain cards from Holland,with various embellishments to stick on.The kids are able to make up the cards themselves,each one different,and they look just wonderful.They will sell them at the church,and Peter and Daphne will take some to their church to sell.This really could be a cottage industry for them,and provide a lot of amusement.
Meanwhile,I got the nine people,whose documents we sorted out yesterday,over to the gov’t. offices.There were a few blips.One lady was told she was lacking a birth certificate for one of her children.I took her back home and waited some while in the car outside.She did not speak English,but had obviously not been able to find it.Taking her back,I could see that she was constantly wiping her eyes,clearly thinking she would not be able to get a food parcel. At the offices,I suggested that they write down the birth date of the child,and let her sign it.Apparently,there had been some misunderstanding,which was highlighted once the birth date was written down.To see the happiness on this woman’s face really brightened the day.
I have to say,I am impressed by the resilience of these people,their ability to laugh at themselves,and their situation.The blind lady did it,in the midst of her little crisis.The big mama did it ,as the other woman in my car, poked fun at her enormity.A certain balance is maintained.

Sorry for being so long-winded!If you have reached so far,you should receive a pat on the back!!

Bast wishes,
Eric.

Photos.
1 Tia,on her 72nd.birthday.
2,3,4 On stage at the carol service.
5 Yonela doing his somersault.

Food for thought.
Tia has been trying to get 50 local businesses to donate 10 pounds (12 euros) a month.Times are very hard here and so far she has drawn a complete blank.It is not easy for anyone to commit like that,So I have been thinking of other ways in which perhaps it could be done.
1 Churches:would your church like to become a sponsor?Ten pounds is very lttle for a congregation and could provide an interest with feedback from the orphanage.
2 Any group of people,society or social circle,where perhaps each person put in a small amount.
3 Schools:children readily understand the problems of other children.They would get a lot of satisfaction from funding activities,learn in the process and hopefully have a 2-way interchange of news.
4 U3A If you are a member could you ask if they would consider sponsorship.

I hope you do not mind my suggestions and nothing may come of it.But anyone that wants to talk about it ,if they wish,can always email me at eric_olverson@yahoo.co.uk

Diary

Sat, 06 Dec 08 06:38:05 +0100

Monday
We have 2 new volunteers this week;Hilda has worked for 22 years in a kindergarden and has been out here to an orphanage before (Agape).Tamara is a professional photographer.For 2 weeks ,she will be building up portfolios of each child for a charity called Photos for Orphans.Back in Holland,schoolchildren will assemble the photos into albums.Each orphan will then receive their individual album of shots of themselves.Without any personal mementoes at all,these are treasured and help to give back some of the self-esteem that has been drained out of them by their traumas.
Tuesday.
H.andT. joined us to go to Julia’s.Firstly,there were the usual hugs and twirls,and some football.Then each child settled down to make a card for Tia’s birthday,all except Nxolisi (12).The informal atmosphere allows ourselves and the kids to intermingle and move around loosely.This leads to many interesting situations.Sinazo,who last week looked on whileYonela (7) and his sister,Ntanbizanele (11),completed the 4 small jigsaws,now sat with Hilda and completed 2 herself.Nxolisi,who has worried and perplexed us with his arrogance,unwillingness to do anything and general unpredictability,really came round today.Martijn had spent some time with him and Yonela-they share great acrobatical ability-and then Noxlisi finally allowed Tamara to photogragh him.He wanted me to take him for a spin in the car.I said I would if he first made a card for Tia.At first he would not,but then agreed so long as I helped him.Nobody else but Yonela was allowed in the room.Carefully, he edged the card.He wanted me to write it.What do you want to write,I asked.’’Auntie Tia,I love you with all my heart’’,he said.I wrote it on a piece of paper and he copied it.He got his spin in the car,even though he mischieviously tried to get me lost!Today,Masixole was 17.He is a very quiet boy,,affected by his past.He seems much loved by all of them.So after everyone had some of the cake and pop that we had bought,they all enthusiastically joined in ,in singing Happy Birthday to him.
Wednesday.
At 11.30,we left for Florence’s.It takes about half an hour to drive to the township.On the way,the road runs along the oceanside for a stretch.I always glance over in the hope of seeing a whale.Everybody seems to have seen them already!.Well today,I spotted one,not far out.(Martijn joked that I could go home now!)
The first thing I noticed at Florence’s was that they had extended the vegetable garden,sowing some carrots.The girls were busy cleaning and tidying.We went to pick up the others, who were waiting at Maureen’s and,somehow,all crowded into the small room to start on the pancakes.The well-controlled eagerrness was only briefly loosened when there was a sudden rush on the crisps.Gone in a twinkle!It was becoming obvious that this was proving to be an emotional day for M.andM.These kids have become truly a part of their lives.They will never be forgotten.For each of the 3 homes,they had made a collage of photos,which they all pressed forward to see,chuckling with glee.The eldest from each home read out a card from their family,thanking M.andM. for what they have done for hem and stressing how they would be missed.It was touching;amusing too,as they gainfully overcame their embarrassment.Here were 3 families,not all related by blood,but just as strongly bonded by circumstance.Two to three years ago,they were all part of a group of 32 ,living in a single,small room,in a slum,with just one mattress.At 2am.,on a cold morning,the owner of the room,drunk at the time,kicked them out onto the street.That is when Tia heard about them.She came out of retirement,vowing to see to their welfare.So it was natural that today,a day before her 72nd birthday,these kids wanted to show their love for her.All the cards they have been making ,were given to her, and the eldest 3 again spoke up.A special moment indeed.
Then for the jellies and cakes and outside for games!We tried to hold a competition between the three families,a mixture of egg (stone) and spoon and a sack race.Flagrant cheating brought great delight! After the race,I noticed Sinazo,who always seems to be looking on wistfully,stood alone.I went over and she held me tight.Then she broke off.and grabbed a sack.She wanted me to help her to have a go.It was so pleasant ro hear hear her giggling as I bounced her thin frame along in the voluminous sack,with Yonela,always such a willing chappie,competing with us.Each of us will have had many,such special moments today.More importantly,there were 24 kids who had had an afternoon to remember.
Thursday
While M.andM. went to Florence’s ,Tamara ,Hilda and I went to Maureen’s.As soon as we entered,the younger ones came running to us with open arms.It is a dilemma,at times,where to draw the line,in that some are at an age when they want to appear more adult.Little Yonela amused me the other day.I gave him a handshake,for fun.Afterwards,I spied him doing the same with the other volunteers !I was so glad to see both Spiewe (13) and Simpiewe (14) there today.We couldn’t play football in the rain,but they love playing Fingerboard,which we had brought with us.Later,they upturned 2 small tables,to use as drums,and they sang some rap.They would like to practice their singingand then play it back on a cassette.I shall lok for a microphone for them this week.Luxolo (4) was very clingy today.He just wanted to be held and held and held.this was the first day for T.and H. at Maureen’s,but they amused the younger ones for hours and practiced learning skills with them.
When we got home,there to meet us was our final,new volunteer,Lammargien,She is a team leader,working with people that have behavioural problems.I am going to be working with a bunch of professionals next week!

Ndoqa
En route to the township,I had noticed a rough tent/shelter on waste ground.So this week,when we had with us in the car,Simpiewe,a delightful young Xhosa man,who will take over the 4th,house when it is ready,I took the opportunity to ask him what it was.He explained that all the young men in the township,being all of the Xhosa tribe,had to subject themselves to this at the age of 18,in order to become men,and be treated as men.Two weeks prior,and for one week after,they only sip liquids,in order to thicken their blood.Then they are roughly circumcised.Painted in white clay,with only a white blanket for protection,the said individual bears (in the sense of carries) his affected parts to the ‘’bush’ for one month.Somebody takes food,but throws it from afar.If they cannot catch it,tough!Be a man!
I asked Simpiewe what happens to an 18 yr. old who chooses not to go with through with it?To reply,he used the example of a man who so chose,and went off to Johannesburg.Now back,he was pushing for an 18 yr.old relation to succumb to the knife.He was told he would also need to,which he did.(I do not know whether force was used).The man was 75 years old!
What a relief that I do not have to wait 16 years fearing this outcome!

Friday.
Today was a free day as tomorrow we will be holding the clothes sale.As it was also the last day for Martijn,Marloes and Marco,5 of us paid for a boat trip to spot whales and dolphins.As we sped out of the harbour,the sea was calm,the light exquisite.Soon we were seeing gannets and cormorants.I have never seen the sea look like it did this day.It moved with a mercury-like motion,reluctant to move,the colour a translucent blue.It looked unnatural.Something was spotted!As we drew near,small penguins,looking no bigger than gannets in the water,became the first of many we were to see.Moving on,all eyes were glued for the unmistakeable bulk of a whale.Well-known marine enthusiast,Lloyd Edwards,our skipper for the day,was up above,scanning the sea.``Over to starboard. I think we have ourselves one!’’Approaching carefully, we were all awestruck by the sight of 2 females with their 2 month old calves.Huge humpbacks!Cutting the engine to a minimum,we could hear their blasts of air before diving,the whooshing of water displaced by their huge shapes.15-20 times we were treated to the sight of that gigantic tail, slapping the air.The only other noise,that of cameras taking shot after shot.4 cameras took about 600 shots!For an hour,we followed their movements,before reluctantly pulling away to hop to the island colony of African penguins.There are 20,000 on a steeply sided rock.These are very small penguins,no more than 2 kilo.The boat was able to get right in,metres away from them.They watched us in serried ranks,like spectators on football terraces.Heading back,clouds had formed.The sea had turned grey.The show was over.What a spectacle it had been!
This was always,ultimately,going to be a sad day.Tomorrow we lose three fellow volunteers,three friends.Too easily,we could see and sense the inner turmoil they were feeling, anticipating their imminemt departure.Hopefully,they can find relief in knowing the tremendous good they have done,which will continue.They will be missed.
To them,and to you,
Best wishes,
Eric.

Photos
1 Outside Florence''s.
2 Yonela,Simpiewe,Nantambi,Bonke.
3 Fingerboard with Spiewe and Luxolo.
4 Luxolo just held and held on...
5 Clothes sale.
6 Approaching the humpbacks.
7 Getting nearer.

Breakthrough and breakdown.

Tue, 02 Dec 08 08:05:55 +0100

On Friday morning,we had our weekly meeting with Tia.She was sporting a relaxed smile.But she wouldn't spill the beans till we had made her a coffee.Then she told us of an incredible breakthrough:the previous night she had attended a meeting called by the government department.Nothing was expected out of it,but you never know.It turned out that there was money left in the annual budget of the department,that was available till the end of the financial year;any family in need could collect vouchers for a total of 3 separate food parcels (before March next year)and money for school clothes.Imagine what this will mean for many people without a certainty of food!
So we shall be running a taxi service for people to pick up their vouchers!Also,some of them wil need ferrying to the shop for school clothes.This applies,not only to the 87 families ''on the books'',but to whoever else in the township who needs help.Tia can hardly beleive it,it is unprecedented.At least over Xmas. everyone should be OK!
Also this week,we have to sort through donated clothing and prepare any clothes,unsuitable or unneccessary for our own orphans,for a sale we will hold at Florence's next Saturday.
Martijn and Marloes leave for the Netherlands on Saturday.They are planning a party for all 24 of the kids,Wednesday afternoon.They will cook Dutch pancakes,while we will bring fruit,savouries,cakes and cordials.Hopefully,we can arrange some music and games.
Another breakthrough this week has been with the vegetable garden.We cleared away all the rubbish at the back of the hedge-I have never seen so many cockroaches-and cut the hedge down.Actually,it isn't a hedge but a line of trees showing regrowth.Luckily.we got hold of a chainsaw and cut them down to soil level.But to dig them out would take a week of hard slog,I think.So,a machine looks to be a neccessity..I got a company down,to quote on the walling,conditional on us taking out the roots.I did not expect a cheap quote when they arrived in a latest model,BMW 4x4.How ridiculous it appeared in the township.The price was just as ridiculous.But Tia announced on Friday that the firm who built the wall around Florence's house could do it in 2 weeks time and take out the roots,for a reasonable cost.With the money Martijn and Marloes has,and a donation I have been promised,we will have enough to go most of the way along the back border and put gates on for the vegetable area.Later,when we can afford to continue the wall right round,we will move these gates to the front,for use as entry gates.It might sound a small thing,but for a family of orphans to feel secure,and have their own supply of fresh vegetables,with the interest this will engender in them,it constitutes an important step.
So it was in good spirits that I set off after the meeting,for an interesting weekend.Last week i drove to Steyterville,which is on one edge of the Baviaanskloof Wilderness.This weekend I wanted to enter the Reserve from the other side.Recently,UNESCO classified the area as a World Heritage Site.Apart from great natural beauty,there is a wealth of flora and fauna,much of it endemic.A narrow valley separates 2 mountain ranges.Black rhino,cape buffalo,leopard and many more can all be found here.
I reserved dinner,bed and breakfast (R450 per night,about 30 pounds)at
the Baviaanskloof Lodge,at the entance to the most interesting part of the area,some 135 km. from here.At 12 noon,Martijn kindly transported my bike and I about 40 km.up the freeway to start my ride.Hills rolled out in front of me,a lively green colour,full of promise,leading to the dark mountains beyond.My backpack was weighing me down a bit,so after 20km. I was glad to to stop for a cold drink at a farm stall,a sort of roadside cafe that they do well here.The generally have a good product range and create a pioneer feel,blending traditional art and craftwork nicelyThe first small town was Hankey.Mainly black people milled around in what felt like a festive spirit.Friday is pay day,so that perhaps explains why.But it was on arrival at the next small place,Patensie,that I really started to enjoy it.Here the soil was rich,dark red,alluvial earth,irrigated by the Kouga River.Citrus orchards are organised into neat parcels,protected by lines of high trees.Other vegetables and tobacco are also grown.Here you find large enterprises,very well planned and clearly prospering.Some of the houses and gardens were eyecatching.Very generous borders had been left along the roadsides,where a variety of trees and bushes had been planted.Even along field edges,jacarandas were laden with full bloom,an intense lilac.Bouganvilleas abounded,shooting spurs skyward whilst arching their stems downwards to display their profusion of bloom.Permiscuous plumbago emraced everything around,then smothered it.The valley was narowing quite quickly now,the river curling round to join the road before entering the Wilderness side by side.The tarmac ended,a stone/dirt track continued on.Only 20km.to go.After a further 2 km.,at the same time as I glimpsed a fish eagle atop a rock in the river,I felt an increase in pressure bumping up through my seat....a flat tyre!Being well organised,i had no repair kit or pump.At the same moment,I noticed movement in the bush around me.Then I saw and heard the baboons,chattering and whooping with laughter,it seemed. Nothing for it but to start walking.My luck was in however, as quite soon a van stoppd for me.Brian,Jacky and her mother were coming from P.E. to camp the weekend in the Reserve.Although they were going to a campsite nearby,they insisted on driving me all the way to the lodge.Brian asked what I was doing in P.E.I explained about the orphans and how shocking I found it.His reply was that, for him,it was a case of ''That is how it is'',since he had been brought up with it.I was wondering whether to comment on how you can get desensitised to awful situations,when he carried on to mention that his sister ran an orphanage for 0-4 year olds.She never has more than 20 and always finds homes for them.This taught me a valuable lesson -never prejudge or underestimate.
''Brother'' or ''Man'' is frequently used in conversation here;Peter calls every black woman ''Mama'',out of respect;and there in the lodge,Norman,my host,always addressed his wife as ''Auntie''!.Anyway,I had arranged with Auntie to have my breakfast ready for 7.This allowed me to walk the short trail from the lodge up to a viewpoint,near a 3000 year old cycad (no misprint),to see the rising sun flood the valley with a blinding brightness and early warmth.After the descent,I sorted out my bike,had a good breakfast and was on my way soon after 8.My route would take me through the most exhilarating section of the Wilderness,comprising a long steep climb,followed by an equally long descent,no more than 25 km. all told.What I had not realised was how bad this track would be;it is enough to slow a 4x4 down to a wretched crawl.Even so early,the heat was insufferable.Going up the final climb to the plateau at the top of the pass,I had to walk the bike.My 3 small bottles of water were nearly finished and I could not see the Hikers Hut where I had been told there was a fountain.The thicket was disappearing to be replaced by fymbos and grass.Large proteas dazzled with their brilliance and complexity.Descending was horrendous.My brakes struggled to hold the bike and the track was truly a disaster.Further down,I met an oncoming vehicle that stopped and asked if I was OK.They gave me water and asked if I wanted a lift back.I was so concerned about getting back again that I accepted,even to putting my bike on top and climbing on the back.But clearly it was not going to work.As he said,I would be shaken off in the first 100 metres.I told him thanks,but decided to see it through.Further along,another 4x4 came up behind me.They also gave me water and said they would meet me at Rooihoep,my destination,it was not far away now.Not long later,a police van drew up.They also were heading for Rooihoep,and after that would be going back to Patensie.Would i like a lift back?Well....yes please!!!
What is at Rooihoep?A sweeping bend in the river,pure white sand beaches either side,still waters to swim in.By the time I had enjoyed a swim and climbed the bank,the police inspector and (lady)police constable had a barbecue almost ready,to which I was invited!Why try to be organised when things like this just happen?On the crawl back, in their van,I learnt quite a lot from this couple.Being brought up in the area,they knew the wildlife and where to look.We saw roebuck,bushbuck impala and hartebeeste.On the outward journey,I had only seen a kingfisher and a lizard!It was nearly 4.30 by the time they dropped me off.Only after they left did I realise I had left my helmet in the van.I got cleaned up,had 2 cups of tea,and then Auntie put Premiership football on the TV for me while I waited for supper.It was about 6pm when my police friends turned up with the helmet!They must have driven back to Patensie,after a tiring drive,seen my helmet and turned round to do a 90km.round trip,half of it dirt road,just to return my helmet.Unbelievable!!
As I had to be back on Sunday night,and I wanted to cycle all the way,I got Auntie to have breakfast ready for 5.15.These first few hours were gorgeous,cool and quiet.I soon got my first glimpse of the yellow oriole,and many other smaller birds,all attracted by the languid waters of the river.As I neared the end of the dirt track,just ahead of me,my friends,the baboons,were crosing the road.They were surprised.Nor did they laugh this time,as I bore down on them!
By 9,I was at Patensie,just in time to catch my police friends before they went on duty.I was able to give them a small present in person.
After that,I made good time and got home for 3.
Best wishes,
Eric.
Photos.
1 on the plateau,Baviaanskloof
2 by the river,Rooidhoep
3 at Florence's
4 cheeky but likeable neighbour at Forence's
5 Claire,teaching at Maureen's
6 almost halfway there,the Baviaanskloof mountains in the background

Lax security; lacks welcome.

Tue, 25 Nov 08 21:48:56 +0100

Well,by 6am last Saturday,my 2 security guards had not turned up.(I later found out it was because of the heavy wind!)So I took the 5 hour ride myself,heading down the ocean road,which is very scenic.Heading back,there was a black boy,perhaps 10-11 years old,on the other side of the road,astrde a bike that seemed a size too big for him.I looked across at him,to shout hello,and I heard the faintest of voices-almost a plaintive whisper-plead''can you help me please?''I crossed the road and immediately realised that his foot had slipped off the pedal and his leg was firmly lodged between the frame and the pedal.On returning home,I mentioned the incident to Peter.His comment was that no white person would have dreamed pf stopping for a black like that;the lad would perhaps still be there hours later.
Such incidents can make you question your own values.It is perhaps strange that I feel the urge to acknowledge a black person in situations where I wouldn't acknowledge a white.In the same way,I am tempted to give a lift to blacks even though I never do so to whites.I do not want a black to feel ignored for the sole reason he is black.It is not a guilt feeling,rather a fear of being guilty.
Marco left me his rented car to use this week while he is away.(If you are reading this,Marco,I have been caught by a speed camera.Don't let me forget to sort out with you!)So Sunday morning,I set off at 5.45 to drive the 160km.to Steyterville.It isnt a place of note,has no claim to fame,just anonymous.But it is inland and non-touristy!The empty road stretched into infinity,always hills on the horizon but never actually crossing them.On arrival,I received a pleasant surprise.The main street,the only street,was lined with jacarandas in full bloom,mocking the barren aspect of the environs,while the island down the middle was awash with bouganvilleas of all shades.The Royal Hotel caught my eye;it's verandah looked down the street and it had a cared-for demeanour.Judy,the grandmother,welcomed me in and soon I was tucking into an omelette with coffee.I asked about hiking trails and she proposed I follow the trail on their nearby property....by the time I finished my breakfast,she would have Richard,her black helper,come round with the bakkie (pick-up truck)to take me to the start of the trail.She insisted I took her no.to ring her when I was ready for a lift back.
As I set off on the trail,the wild herbs tested my nostrils with their subtle perfume.Soon I saw a young kudu ,and then another.Iwas climbing now,and enjoying the hike.My mind started wandering.Suddenly,there was a very angry grunt just ahead of me,accompanied by heavy running,which stopped just as quickly.I was amazed at how my hairs stood on end!My hand groped for a stone,in case.I held onto it for so.me time.(Even a caveman would come better equipped!)There was utter silence,apart from the bird-song.One chirpy individual seemed to be singing''I'm so pretty!'' But then again,it could have been ''you're so stupid!''Who cares!The path took me higher and higher affording me panoramic views of the almost biblical landscape.
On the return loop,I wasn't watching the path ahead and almost bumped into a fellow hiker,in the form of a large turtle.He looked cautious,but not frightened.By the time I arrived back at the Royal Hotel,I had been out 3 hours and it was lunchtime.They allowed me to take a shower,with fresh soap,shampoo and towel,before tucking in to a chicken salad and a pot of tea.Cost,R44(3pounds or 3euros60.I would dearly liked to have driven on into the spectacular wilderness ahead,But the roads are not suitable for a car.I hope to rent a motor bike and do it another weekend.
The people,Afrikaaners,at the hotel had been so helpful and courteous.All the Afrikaaners I have met so far have been the same.There are some,like Tia,who are positively striving to help the black community.For many others,perhaps the situation has numbed their feelings,they do not see it for what it is.Just as when you are tiring while reading in bed;you see and read the words but they do not register.Now,driving back into P.E.seeing the graveyards of inhabited shacks alongside modern suburbia,I feel wounded at the sight of it,knowing at first-hand the deprivation it represents.Many years will pass before this is a comfortable place to live.

At 10am Monday morning,we were supposed to have a meeting with Tia and the 3 housemothers.Florence,alas,has been taken to hospital and is on a drip.We met at 11.Arrangements were made for us to start the process of visiting the 87 homes highlighted in the reports.We need to formalise the details of the occupants,so that the correct help is sought and actioned.
In the afternoon,Marloes and Claire went to the clinic for the results of tests done on the 2 young girls.(I made a mistake in a previous blog due to so much happening on that day.The kids were denied an AIDS test,due to a formality,but were x rayed for tubercolosis.)Happily they are clear of that.Meanwhile,Martijn and I helped Tia to plough through the 87 reports made by the black volunteers.Since it will take time to adequately help these kids properly,we mustquickly prioritise those homes where food is needed most.If a child is the subject of a child support grant (10 pounds,11euros50 per month),it is not a priority.There is so little money available-or, so far for it to be spread,whichever way you choose to look at it-terrible cases are not necessarily priority cases.We have 87 cases to sort out now.There will probably be thousands more yet to come.That is just in one township,one among many in P.E. alone.Reading these reports was not light reading.
Although Tia wants to expand the orphanage,trying to address immediate needs on this scale sucks the flimsy finances dry.One big advantage the black community does have is it’s ability to share,completely selflessly.If there is only one piece of bread for 13 people,they all get a bite.This is so relevant when you think that the unemployment rate in Motherwell is 70 per cent.But AIDS is a tidal wave,swamping these communities.We can only hope to mitigate the long-term effects.
Schooling is one of the first things to go when poverty or illness hits a household.All the kids in the orphanage do go to school,but,in the main,are well behind due to their previous background.Hopefully they will continue to their 12th. Grade.Only 2 per cent of the blacks jn the township do that.The AIDS virus sets off a cycle of effects that,like a bouncy ball,goes on and on…
Today we made a start visiting the 87 homes.Clearly,Tia had given us ‘’easy’’ cases to start with.Maureen and I visited a home where the grandmother was looking after her 3 grandchildren.The mother (her eldest daughter) died in July with AIDS.The father,while sleeping,had been cremated in his shack,due to a cooking accident.,a few years ago.The grandmother was 56,but looked 80.She is diabetic,has a heart condition and is going blind.She seemed a lovely lady and spoke English quite well.the house was very clean,actually quite nice.Beetroot and cabbage were growing in a little plot by the front door.Her main concern was for her 18 year old grandson.She badly wanted him to go to college,but there was no money at all.As scarce as jobs.I asked what they ate;
Breakfast:porridge,eaten dry,or with milk if they had it.
Lunch:normally nothing.
Supper:rice,cabbage and maize meal.

This rarely varied as it was the cheapest way to eat for them.
Their income comprises her disability grant of R940 and one child support grant of R150 per month,which equals about 1pound10pence,or 1euro 25 per day for four of them.About half of that goes on groceries,the rest on a crèche (and lunch)for the youngest,electricity and service charges and school fees.Food is a bit cheaper here but this seems impossible.But they manage somehow.
After these visits we drove round to Julia’s house.When we entered,everyone carried on with what they were doing,ignoring us.someone turned some music up very loud.In previous blogs,I have described how it usually takes a little time for some of the children to thaw.This was the Artic chill.We sat,uncomfortably,juggling our options.Then a little girl came over,touched me and ran back into a bedroom chuckling.a little boy appeared.I brought out a book containing 4 jigsaws I had bought and they were interested.Soon three of them were engrossed.Martijn and Marloes got the Twister game out and the older ones were soon entwined.Masixole,the older boy,cleared away the rubbish that has lain round the back for so long.Claire arrived after taking a child to hospital.She occupied three youngsters with a reading and counting book.The atmosphere had changed completely.As we left,Julia and all the kids came out and waved bye.That is the first time while I have been here that thishas happened.It had been a tough afternoon,but rewarding in the end!
Best wishes,
Eric.
PS If you disagree with anything I say,please say so.My experience is very limited,perhaps a lot less than some of your own.I trust my facts are correct,but you may not share my views.
Photos.
1 One to one with Cynthia.
2 Evening drive at Schotia.(Last week)
3 Lion feasting on warthog. (Last week).
4 Hiking near Steyterville,last weekend.
5 Fellow hiker.
6 Yonela,doing a jigsaw.

Settled in

Fri, 21 Nov 08 15:27:49 +0100

I had not properly realised that we are really the first proper volunteers at Thamsanqa,so when Tia told us that we are the best so far,it was not much of a compliment!Because it is a new experience for the orphanage (having volunteers)as well as for ourselves,we are having to put in a framework,not just for ourselves,but for those who will follow.Not knowing the names, ages and backgrounds of the kids, is a little daunting at first.Some of the older ones have a reasonable command of English,whereas the youngest know very little,if at all.They speak Xhosa between themselves,a language with many clicking sounds,which we sound ridiculous trying to copy.
For that reason,Marloes has made a file with photographs and details of all the children,whilst Martijn has made good notes about our daily routines,how time can be usefully spent,for the benefit of future volunteers.We will meet up with the 3 housemothers (fostermothers) and Tia,all together on Monday,and get a more formal understanding of our individual roles,how we can best work together to best effect.This might all sound very theoretical,but it will be of immense value,especially in the long-term.

Claire and Marloes took the two young girls to the clinic for Aids testing this week.They proudly showed us from where the blood was taken on their skinny arms.Now we have to wait 3 weeks for the results.If they come back positive,antiretroviral drugs wil be available.(I know little on this subject,so I am learning.)
Clothes and toys ,that have been donated,needed sorting.Many of the toys were broken and some of the clothes ripped or badly stained;so they had to be thrown out.
In the garden,Martijn and I were disappointed.We had arranged with a man nearby in the township,that he would leave his trailer for us to fill with the stones.When we went on Wednesday morning,there was no trailer.He said he had taken a look at the stones and calculated there would be too many loads.''They looked threatening'',he said!So we moved them round to the front of the building,out of the way;Peter will get people from his church,or use some other means,to get rid of them.We hope to get a firm price for erecting a concrete fence this week.There are not the funds, as yet,to take a fence all round the property,so we will aim to fence only the garden area for now.Martijn and Marloes believe they have just enough left over from their donations to cover it.All we need to do,meanwhile,is dig out the hedge where the fence will go.
There had been some upset during this last week,for the kids at Florence's.So instead of doing any work with them,we played games all afternoon with them.Starting with Twister,which they asked for,we proceeded to cricket,English and French,frisbie,hopscotch and more.By now we had spilled out of the garden and into the street,an area that,in England,would be called a village green!Other small kids joined in while their parents looked on and older boys hung around.They showed us a simple game that they play,called stretch.Just using 3 sticks set a little apart from each other,everybody takes turns to jump over each stick with one leap between each stick.Gradually,the distance between the sticks is lengthened and people start dropping out.

On Tuesday evening,straight from the orphanage,we drove for half an hour to the Schotia Game Reserve for an evening ''drive''.This is a small reserve but with plenty of game.All eight of us clambered into the landrover and soon got our first sight of the lions.The dominant male had killed a warthog.Later we were able to see it feasting,from only a few metres away.Over the 4 hours,we saw rhinos,hippos,various antelopes,crocodile,giraffe,zebra and more.Before leaving, we had a barbecued meal in the tradional hut,including warthog!Driving home,I realised that I had forgotten about Thamsanqa for the few hours we were away.That,I believe,is very important for all the volunteers to do.Otherwise,it would be too difficult.

In the week ahead,we are going to meet the 25 black volunteers that Tia has working in the communities.Their job is to identify children at risk.For instance,one youngster lost his parents through Aids.He went to live with his grandparents.The grandmother died of Aids and now the grandfather has gone in to hospital,to die of Aids also.This lad would probably end up on the street.By identifying cases like this,Tia can hope to get them registered as orphans,and find some way of getting them into somewhere safe.There are 87 such youngsters in this area.So this week we will split up in the mornings,each of us going with one of these black volunteers to get their details and get them registered.

But before then,I have tomorrow to go cycling!Peter is unhappy about me going on my own,so he has arranged for 2 security guards,both very keen cyclists,to come round at 5am.to go with me!One is black and the other is coloured and,of course,I am white.We shall look a nice mixed bag!!

Have a good weekend!
Best wishes,
Eric.

Photos to follow.

Rock in the garden,Rock in the church!

Sun, 16 Nov 08 15:18:41 +0100

The taxi strike was postponed.So Martijn and I picked up the hired pneumatic hammer,and headed for the township.It proved useless.The fuses would not allow us to use it.But we managed,with our picks,to eventually get the rocks out.
In the afternoon,we went to Florence's house,where Claire and Marloos were already doing work with the kids.It is so noticeable that when you first enter,the kids hold back that little bit,even though the youngest might come for a hug.Gradually they open up.To end the afternoon,we opened up a new game of Twister that we had bought.They had great fun with it;so much so,that they suggested a competition of Twister between the houses.When it was time to go,the 3 oldest girls began singing and dancing.The strength and clarity coming from these small bodies was sublime.They moved effortlessly,without any embarassment.Then they asked us to sing....time to go!
On Fridays we have a meeting with Tia,to discuss any probems,discuss financing and generally plan ahead.Without her work,these kids would have no home,no future.The model she has created-that of setting up homes of a family size,rather than a large institution-works well.She overlooks no detail of the health and wellbeing of the children in her care,always fighting a battle against bureaucracy and insufficient funds .
Another of the projects in which Be-More is involved is Ithemba.44 physically/mentally handicapped children are housed there.One of the volunteers that works there,and stays here, is Marco.He himself suffered from a stroke that left him partially disabled.But he is devoting a few months to helping these kids.As some people pass by the fence-blacks and whites-they shout out rude names to the kids.The full-time carers are doing a job only;it is only from the volunteers that these children receive affection and attention.So it is very important that the work continues.However,when the kids reach 18,they have to leave.There are about 1000 on the waiting list in this area.When resources are slight,the weakest always suffer the most.
Sunday.
We drove to the township and picked up the kids on the way to church.I hadn't realised that the kids were going into Sunday school,while we attended the service. This was to be an experience.I knew we were in for the long haul when I saw toilets in the chuch!The music blasted out.The pastor was shouting into his micropone like an enraged Bishop Tutu!The congregation were yelling out the words and gyrating...this was a full-bodied,release of adrenalin,arms swaying in the air (and that was just me!!),it was like the roar of the Kop when Gerard has scored a goal.Then,the noise slowly changed to a more sombre mood.Two women had gone to the front to join the pastor and his assistants.What started with the pastor laying his hands on their heads,then became the pastor moving the first woman about while holding her neck,shouting ''Satan,come out'',over and over again.Then ''Fire,fire,fire''.The congregation immediately took up the call,shaking their arms in the air.The woman started shouting and screaming,before eventually reaching up to God-I think that is what happened.The same happened to the other woman.
There was some Bible reading,more singing and exhorting,during which some members were wiping their eyes,or were almost overcome with fervour.Small pieces of bread and thimbles of grape-juice were passed round.All at the same time, we partook.The music continued ,soothing but loud,matching the wisdoms crooned out by the pastor.
As the service ended,you knew that this was the source of inspiration for the 90% of the townspeople that go to church each week.As for the pastor..if I was him,I would take a large whisky and go to bed for a week.What a performance,non-stop for 2 hours!
I think I might have other things to do next Sunday....
Best wishes,
Eric.

Photos
1 Marco
2 Daphne-our hostess
3 In the church
4 Peter-rare picture of our host-you never catch him relaxing!

Weekend off and Start of week

Tue, 11 Nov 08 20:34:27 +0100

We arrived last Friday night at Storms River Mouth.Luckily, there was one log cabin available,on the edge of the ocean.Five of us paid 36 pounds each for 2 nights.The cliffs could be seen for miles in each direction,the only sound,that of the ocean.
First thing Saturday morning,we were off to the ziplines:8 different sets of cables,the longest over 200 metres,stretched over he gorge,allowing us to zip along at good speeds.It was good fun.Later we all walked some of the trails nearby.When the others decided to chill out at the cabin,I had to do the Waterfall Walk.This meanders up and down the cliffs,over boulders and scree,eventually bringing you to a point where you look up the cliffs to see water spewing over the edge of a defile,to then bound down the sheer,rock faces into the stillest of ponds.From there,it pours down through the rocks into the ocean below.Sat on the rocks,you hear the gushing of the waterfall,the bubbling through the rocks,and the roar of the ocean,all at the same time..like an orchestra,preparing to play.It was hard to pull myself away,but it was getting late.Returning to the cabin,I only stopped once,when I came upon a family of dassies camped out on the boulders,lazing in the last of the lingering light
That night,playing cards-the Dutch game of Toepen-it was clear that no one was certain about doing the bungie jump on Sunday morning,except myself.I was definitely not doing it.Even at breakfast the next day,the debate continued,even though we were due to be there at 10 a.m.!Richard decided against it,but Martijn,Marloes and Mariska were (sort of) up for it.The jump is the highest in the world,about 216metres above the gorge.From a cafe viewpoint,Richard and I could see the bridge.Just the sight of it gave me a queasy feelng.I felt tremendous admiration-and a little envy-as they each took their turn with no signs of panic.Only the screams of the girls as they dropped gave the game away.
Monday.
The days are getting very warm.So Martijn and I started early on the vegetable garden and made good progress.We had arranged to meet Claire and Marloes at Maureen's house,one of the 3 houses that form the orphanage.Not yet knowing the kids' names and ages,I canot say I felt comfortable going.It is a home,not a school,and I still feel a little like an intruder.Today there were 15 children there,as those from Julia's house were also there.We were soon playing with the kids,football,skipping and general play.Always they seem so relaxed with each other and with us.Each time a photo was taken,which they love,.
everyone crowded around to see it.
.Then,for the last hour and a half,we tried to do some homework or exercises with them.At 4pm we are supposed to leave.The younger ones like a hug;you sense you are providing something they need,or ,at least, appreciate.
Tuesday.
Our day started with a puncture.Then,when we arrived at Julia,s house,some cattle (they roam around the township)were passing through.This morning we came across great slabs of rock that we couldn't break.So we have ordered a pneumatic hammer for tomorrow.There will be a vegetable garden!
The afternoon was spent again at Maureen's.Marloes and Claire were already there when we arrived and had most of the children involved in
making posters of the alphabet and sticking them neatly on the wall.I got talking to Spiewe,a lad of 13.he likes to sing,particularly rap or hip-hop.So I got him and 12 year old Xolela to sing some rap and then some older Xhosa songs.(Xolela lost his 6 year old brother two years ago He died of Aids.The orphanage is named after him.We really hope Xolela is clear;he is so bright,cheerful and enthusiastic.)At 3.30 the kids had some bread and one slice of luncheon meat.This was the first food they had eaten since breakfast.Food is not taken for granted.I know Peter,with whom we stay,sends flour down to the orphanage so that they can make their own bread.But he has had times when he has received a call from one of the houses,to say they were completely without food.
Just before 4pm.,three of the older girls were preparing to go to the church.They practice gospel singing every day,and of course sing at church on Sunday morning. They gave us a rendition before going.

There is talk that there will be a taxi strike on Wednesday/Thurday.We really hope not as we will not be able to go to the orphanage.Striking taxi-drivers are likely to shoot at anyone they think is acting as a taxi.Two weeks ago,some of the volunteers were transporting kids from Ithemba,a centre for handicapped kids.A strike was on and the kids were shot at.
Even more so if the strike takes place,we want to go to the church wih the children this Sunday.They will enjoy having us there and,for us,their singing is delightful.

Best wishes,
Eric.

Photos.
1 Our cabin at Storms River Mouth
2 Ziplining
3 The pool at the bottom of the waterfall
4 Maureen,one of the housemothers
5 Nontombi, Thandiwe, Philisiwe, Luxolo, Yonela, Andiswa
6 Nontombi, Ntombizanele, Xolela
7 Nontombi, Ntombizanele, girl out the neighbourhood, Yonela, Philisiwe
8 Martijn prepares to do the bungee jump
9 The bridge
10 Sunset at Storms River Mouth
11 A dassie
12 They are not really all my children
13 Nothing changes
14 Hi-tech teaching methods
15 Martijn butts in on my photo of Thembeka:she likes to sing gospel music
16 Spiewe:he likes to sing....and play football!(But not at the same time!)

Take your pick!

Fri, 07 Nov 08 12:49:47 +0100

We have had a bit of a breakthrough!The Rotary Club have someone who wants to donate an amount to a project.As I have mentioned before,Thamsanqa is an orphanage consisting of 3 separate homes,each with a housemother.Clair,one of the volunteers,is submitting proposals ,today ,of our immediate needs for these homes:
1 To make the veg. garden at Julia's home and erect fencing around it.Cows and goat roam freely through the township and the veg. would not last long.
2 Chairs for 2 of the homes,so the chilren can all sit down to do their homework.
3 Cupboards for each home,so that they do not need to keep their clothes in a pile on the floor.
4 Fill the gap in funding for the fourth home.
The 4 of us working on the Thamsanqa project,Martijn,Marloes,Clair and myself,met with Tia this morning.She is the wonderful woman,now in her
70s.,who set up his orphanage and runs it.She is busy conducting courses to train the housemothers,give the children life skills and involve the wider community.
Yesterday,Martijn and I started the veg patch with our newly acquired picks.The ground is like hard rock,with boulders embedded in the earth.Progress was very slow,but we will get there.In the afternoon,along with Marloes,we went to Florence's home,There we practiced reading,writing and colouring with the kids.They are a delightful bunch.The home seems to hum with contentment.Of course,we do not see everything,there do arise problems that can be distressing,as has happened this morning.In another township,where the unemployment is 75%,gangs are a problem and the area unsafe for people like ourselves.In general,weekends in the townships start Friday midday .Drinking begins and violence can be common,mainly of a domestic nature.But we are told to finish Friday midday for that reason.
So it is that we are heading,this afternoon,to Tsitsikamma,where the Storms River thunders into the Indian Ocean.There are forests of giant Yellowwood and deep gorges with waterfalls.Five of us will make the 2 hour drive.There we will trek;but,I know,high on the list of the others,is to do the bungee jump-the highest in the world-and the 2 hour zipline tour.I will NOT be doing the bungee!I may do the ziplining,but as the longest is over 200 metres,suspended over waterfalls and deep gorges,it will depend on whether I can contol the shaking!
Have a good weekend!
Eric.

Photos
1 Martijn and Marloes with the kids in Florence's house.
2 Workmen erecting a fence around Florence's house.

PS In 2005 there were an estimated 1million orphans in S.Africa.By 2010there could be 2.5 million.

Mixed start

Tue, 04 Nov 08 20:38:28 +0100

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

Kicking heels

Sat, 01 Nov 08 15:20:00 +0100

It was 1 am this morning when I finally arrived at the house in Camps Bay-a suburb of Cape Town-where I have rooms for the next 3 nights.The area is pretty though it is rather offputting to see all the houses bearing signs saying "armed response"! In town there are a lot of blacks wearing official jackets emblazoned with "Public Safety".One such guy,looking likean accident on legs,started to cross the road,so I followed him and nearly got run over.They obviously do not command respect!!My experience,little that is,is that the blacks are disarmingly cheerful and helpful.It is a shame that the underlying tensions give the society a semblance of wearing an ill-fitting straight-jacket.Perhaps,over the next 2 months my view will change.
I haven't seen any whales yet-of the marine kind anyway.Only a few seals.It seems I am a bit late for the best time to see them.My noble intention was to climb the Table Mountain tomorrow.(I wasn't going to be put off by the white shopkeeper this morning who told me to take a stick;I don't need one,I said.Not for the climbing,he replied ominously).The yachts start coming in tomorrow on their global journey in the Volvo Yacht Race.I thought I might get a good view from up the mountain.But I have been warned that the weather could be too bad tomorrow.
Best wishes,
Eric.

Prepared

Tue, 28 Oct 08 12:26:53 +0100

Thank you for reading me blog!I just wanted to remind you that, on Friday,I leave for Cape Town.My intention was to drive from there, for 2 days,to arrive in Port Elizabeth on the 3rd.,the day I start "work".But,as I do not have a credit card,only a debit,I have been unable to hire a car.So I shall spend 2 days whale -watching,Table Mountain-climbing in C.T.,energise my batteries and fly up to P.E.on the 3rd.
Normally I travel really light, but this time I am fully armed with the most modern weaponry:I am taking my 2nd.hand mobile and my NEW Canon camera.So I will be shooting everywhere and,God willing,stick some wonderfully focussed shots to my blogs!
Best wishes!
Eric.

Crunch time!

Wed, 08 Oct 08 13:52:18 +0200

In 3 weeks time I will be leaving to help out at an orphanage in South Africa ,calledThamsanqa.It consists of three different houses,each with 6-8 children,ranging from 10 months to 18 years.During my 2 months there,I hope to be able to interact with the children and give them support and encouragement;but,who knows, maybe it will be me needing encouragement from them!!Their first language,in the main,will be Africaans,which was never on my school syllabus,so there may lie the first challenge.
During my stay,I will endeavour to keep updating the blogs.I do hope that I can give you an interesting insight into the lives of these children and how ouside help can be used successfully.