We leave for Capetown in a couple of hours. The scene in the picture is what we leave behind and then come back to in December. The rocky outcrop is known as Simon's Seat. Bit of a climb but the views from the top are stunning. In August the hillside is clothed in purple heather for three weeks, in spring a lovely light green. Shortly it will be brown before turning white in the wintry weather. You get a sense that Simon is casting a watchful eye over everything that goes on down here below!
On our very first visit to Capetown I was strolling around the city when a young woman approached me. She asked me for some money so that she could get some food to eat. I bristled at being confronted by a beggar. "I am not begging", she said, "I am hungry". In a moment I decided to get her some food to eat from a Kentucky chicken place across the street. "Could we go to the supermarket instead", she asked. "There are children at home". I agreed. In the next few minutes she led the way around the aisles. She selected a bag of rice, frozen chicken pieces, tins of beans, bread. She looked to me everytime she picked something up seeking a nod. We filled two bags. It came to about a tenner. We walked out holding one bag each and stopped at a junction. I left her with change to get on the white mini-bus that would take her back to Khayalitsha out by the airport. She hugged me and thanked me and left.
As I watched her disappear in to the crowd I wept quietly with the realization that I had just met a very beautiful and dignified person. Her name was Nisa. I will never see her again but in those few minutes we had together she changed my life. Forever. In the bible somewhere it says "be good to strangers, some of them are angels".
Wednesday 30 September 2009
Monday 21 September 2009
Getting used to the mechanics of the blogosphere
I have now managed to enable you to make a comment! I guess some of you have tried and given up. If so please try again. Just hit on "comments" at the bottom. You may be asked to do a word test. This is to prevent any kind of automated intrusion. Something learned today!
I have wondered how often to add a post. I'm thinking every few days, and perhaps more often when there is more to say. There will be little profiles of people we meet, restaurants we visit, some of the kids and the special people who work with them.
South Africa makes you hold very contrasting things in your head all at once. Karen and I struggled with this as we moved around - opulence alongside great need, fine food inside and hungry children outside. What is written here will reflect that rather than ignore it.
My next posting will be about someone called Nisa.
I have wondered how often to add a post. I'm thinking every few days, and perhaps more often when there is more to say. There will be little profiles of people we meet, restaurants we visit, some of the kids and the special people who work with them.
South Africa makes you hold very contrasting things in your head all at once. Karen and I struggled with this as we moved around - opulence alongside great need, fine food inside and hungry children outside. What is written here will reflect that rather than ignore it.
My next posting will be about someone called Nisa.
Saturday 19 September 2009
To begin with.
Well, I have started a blog and though I am not yet au fait with the mechanics, I will proceed! The purpose of doing this blogging thing is to allow people to keep abreast of our work with street kids projects in the Cape. But I am guessing it will develop a life of its own somehow. Who knows!
Karen and I set off for the Cape in a little over a week. Some are already familiar with our plans. Previous visits have enabled us to establish links with projects that help street kids. In March earlier this year we stayed for a month at the Salesian Institute in Capetown, a place where amazing work is done with scores of young people from schooling to clothing, from feeding to skill training. To learn more about this particular venture have a look at:
http://www.salesians.org.za/Communities.html#lansdowne
Yes, I know. The name looks a little formal, even forbidding. But you know what, the people there are so down to earth and full of warmth. It is a fun place where young people, many of whom have suffered appalling abuse, are loved and nurtured.
There are loads of projects looking after street kids in South Africa. We want to make links with those we can help and get some money to them. Some folk have already made generous donations. We have learned that people who really want to give are really concerned about where their gift will end up. We will make sure whatever is given gets to the place of need. More on that another time.
There are other good people taking part in this endeavour. In the coming weeks I will be penning some short profiles.
South Africa is a place of wonder and contrast. I hope Capewonders will reflect a little of its beauty and its mystery.
Karen and I set off for the Cape in a little over a week. Some are already familiar with our plans. Previous visits have enabled us to establish links with projects that help street kids. In March earlier this year we stayed for a month at the Salesian Institute in Capetown, a place where amazing work is done with scores of young people from schooling to clothing, from feeding to skill training. To learn more about this particular venture have a look at:
http://www.salesians.org.za/Communities.html#lansdowne
Yes, I know. The name looks a little formal, even forbidding. But you know what, the people there are so down to earth and full of warmth. It is a fun place where young people, many of whom have suffered appalling abuse, are loved and nurtured.
There are loads of projects looking after street kids in South Africa. We want to make links with those we can help and get some money to them. Some folk have already made generous donations. We have learned that people who really want to give are really concerned about where their gift will end up. We will make sure whatever is given gets to the place of need. More on that another time.
There are other good people taking part in this endeavour. In the coming weeks I will be penning some short profiles.
South Africa is a place of wonder and contrast. I hope Capewonders will reflect a little of its beauty and its mystery.
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