zodwa

Hello everyone!
So much to tell after the last post. I met the founder of Agape, Zodwa. After meeting Zodwa, I really understand what makes Agape such a special place and why the kids are so mindful. Zodwa sat three of us down and explained her philosophy that just giving a child food and clothes does not make them a good person, but her stress that each child is to respect themselves as well as others. That how they ask for love, attention, and food is just as important a step as getting/ finding those things. She really stresses the importance of teaching the children to be sensitive people. It all seems really basic and obvious, but I guess when working with kids in need you are so focused on what things they need that one becomes quick to just give without thinking of the whole process and the affect it has the on children. You can easily loose the bigger picture of what makes great kids, and thankfully Zodwa and her right hand person Pamela is there to make sure the children are truly well-rounded people. That as much as they need to move forward in life such as clothes, food, and education they also need the life skills to be kind, thankful, patient, and sensitive.
Zodwa's vision of Agape is what makes her children different and I am so grateful to be part of the Agape project. After visiting all the other projects, I believe that I choose the right project for me. Agape is hopeful and your interaction with the children are direct and the appreciation can be felt in returns through hugs and laughs. Besides, it freat to really see where the donated money is going. To have that connection, control in the decision making process, and to see actual improvments really makes a difference.
In the afternoon yesterday, we traveled to another project, Blue Roof that's created by Keep A Child Alive. The facilities are only partially done, but really well constructed. Blue Roof acts more like a HIV clinic and a community center. The clinic is currently working as well as their outreach programs going to schools and townships to give polio/ measel vacinations, but the rest is still in the works. It will have a strong impact on the community in the surrounding area. We got to speak to one of the volunteers and she said the outreach programs were the most fascinating and rewarding parts of her job. I still prefer Agape, but it was great to see Keep A Child Alive's presence in Durban. They had a poster w/ Alicia Keys, who heavily contributed to the construction of Blue Roof, and there in the poster picture w/ her were our kids. We had a blast figuring out who was who in the poster. We all felt really proud of them. I have a copy of the poster and will scanit when I am back for you all to see.
Gunter and Tessa also mentioned the documentary on Agape that was shown at the Tribeca fim festival won an award and that the AMCs in England picked up the rights to show the documentary in the theaters there. I have yet to see the documentary but I can't wait to.
Agape had some beyond amazing news yesterday....the facilities that are in complete desrepair and is really frustrating to see - is going to be in reconstruction sooner than what Be More had originally thought. Starting this week, the new architect is going to bring in his crew to begin a complete sweep. Supposedly, they will be replacing all the windows, putting in the ceilings, making new floors, replacing the poorly constructed doors, redoing the tiles on the damaged "new" roof, and putting in electricity. All the things that should have already been done before is finally going to move forward. Thank goodness. The architect thinks by the end of June the main community hall, kitchen, showers, and toilets should be completed. This will all make a huge difference in the children's lives considering they are currently living in such makeshift cramped living quarters. We all got really excited yesterday. I wish I could be here to see the end product.
We had a late meeting last night to decide where we are going to put our donations to use. With the money you have all given, what the kids really need is some outdoor lighting to be able to walk around the orphanage at night. The lighting will also provide more security for the kids and all the aunties on the grounds. At the moment, they are in the pitch dark walking to and from the toilets/ showers. Tomorrow in our 8am meeting, I will confirm with Tessa that my donation money can cover the complete costs. I personally hate walking in the dark so the idea of these kids not having light to walk to and from the toilet really upsets me. Any additional security is also a good thing for everyone there.
At the moment, the kids have a bucket in their room to go to the bathroom at night because it's not safe for them to walk to the toilets. The toilets are about 400 feet from their rooms. Little things like lighting really make a difference.
The only sad news, which isn't sad if they are happy and well, is that we haven't had the birthday party for the twins yet. It turned out that they went home for the weekend. But, Unati and Andishwa just haven't returned. They were suppose to come back on Monday, but it's now Wednesday and there has been no word or sight of them. I really hope they are good and that they do come back before I leave. But I am certain on their return they'll be really heartbroken for their father. At any age, let alone 5 years old - it never feels good to leave your parents. Selfishly, I would like to see them and say good-bye to them.
This leads into the hardest part that I've been struggling with...my time here is coming to an end. The time has been too short and there is so much more I wish I could do. At the same time, I am so grateful for even the short time I've been here. I am certain that the kids here have made more of an impact on me than I on them. They have to be used to volunteers coming in and out of their life. But upon my coming departure, it does feel really good to know that the hard work that we've all put into the kids and the orphanage is going to be picked up seamlessly by the next bunch of volunteers. This seamless transition is due in a large part to Tessa and Gunter, the Be More coordinators here in Durban. Their love and care for the kids and all of the other projects is the most geniune concern and attention. It's been really wonderful to work with them and get their insights/ suggestions on how to go about things here properly or just to understand why certain things occur.
I've been thinking a lot about the effects the kids/ agape have made on me and I just think they've made my heart bigger. It sounds so simple and maybe a little sacrine. But that's the only way I can really break it down for myself to understand. I will miss them greatly and it bothers me a lot when dealing with the reality that it is impossible to keep in touch w/ a 3 year old, who barely speaks Zulu let alone English. Saying thank you and giving them a hug seems so little compared to what they've given us all.
Since my time is really short and there will be several other good-byes in the next coming weeks - Sandra (ending her 4 weeks) and Diana (ending her 3 months) - I've decided my time spent with them will be having our Friday bubble bath extravaganza w/ the toddlers in the morning and then making some beaded bracelets. I discovered that making beaded jewerly is a big south african traditon so while I was in Capetown I found a bead store and proceed to buy a lot of beads. I thought it might be a nice little token for them to make and have. When I first left the bead store, I was really excited about the project idea and then I envisioned the mass choas occuring when the beads are placed out on the table. But with the help of the other volunteers, we have a "plan" in place...We'll see if the plan works. But no matter what it should be pretty fun and a little wild. The beads are small enough that if they eat them I am not that worried about it. A bead going up a nose might be another problem...but we'll cross this bridge when it and if it happens.
After the toddlers, the second round of older kids will come to the volunteer house on Friday to hang out, eat snacks, watch a movie, and if they want to make bracelets. I am sure we'll be pooped after the 40 kids, but we'll head out to dinner to hang out. My experience here has been as much with Agape as well as meeting these 4 really wonderful Dutch women. They have been really inclusive and it's been great to laugh w/ them when things happen.
Such as, Mbali - who's 4 and a true girl girl. In every sense of the word, she's a girl - it's truly genetic for her to be fancy and pretty. Today in class she cut out all of these pretty women pictures from the magazines and glued them down. When Sandra pointed to her pictures, Mbali proceeded to say, "It's me. It's me." If you could only see this little one sing and dance while swaying in her dress you'd laugh so hard. Anything with a sparkle catches her immediate attention.
I am not sure I'll be able to post again, but I will try. I think I am going to miss my tours that Sbonga gives me around the grounds. She likes to take me around to the tomato plants they are growing. I have absolutely no clue what she's chattering about, but it always ends with a laugh and a smile.
Thank you again for all your support. I'll see you all soon.
xo,
a

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