Blog 01/03/17
Maisy & Alex write about the team's final full day in Africa
The Wolgarston team at their second base - Mercy Air |
This morning we went to a banana
plant farm. Whilst we were there, we took care of the few children that were at
the mobile clinic. This was because their parents work out on the banana fields
everyday and also as they are so young that they need supervision. Although
some of the kids at the place we went to didn’t look happy to be playing with
us at the start, by the end they were laughing and playing with us. At the
banana farm, the workers will get payed R100 (£6.25) for working for 9 hours,
however some will work for 10. They get a half an hour break and lunch and most
of them even live on the farm, but the living conditions aren’t the best. There
weren’t many children at the clinic and they were very overwhelmed to see us.
With some friendly gestures and big smiles, we were able to make them laugh and
play.
Joe doing the braii by torchlight |
At the end of the day were able to enjoy a BBQ ( Called a Braii in South Africa) and talk about our visit and what it has meant to us and the people we have met.
As we raised £1,800 to be able to
come to South Africa, we learnt that £150 of that will provide three essential
services (food, education and healthcare) to one child for 10 months in the
community called Siyathuthuka, this is amazingly just £15 pounds a month. This
was exciting news for all of us as we thought of a certain child that we had
bonded with and knew that we had made an impact to their lives. We will now
know that when we leave we will have hopefully changed a child’s life and this
will give us the encouragement to continue to help others that are less
fortunate than we are.
The team on their way to Johannesburg for their flight home...One of the best views from a service station anywhere |
This visit has been a real eye opener
to all of us and has changed the way we see the world. We will leave knowing
the stories we have been told and hold them dear to our heart. The whole team
is looking forward to going home but we will miss South Africa greatly. It has
been an incredible experience and we are very privileged for the opportunity
and to have shown what difference we can make to the less fortunate.
To make donations to the work of Hands at Work in Africa in Siyathuthuka where our Link for Life team has visited,
please go to: https://my.give.net/LinkforLife_Siyathuthuka
This will go towards feeding a child and improving their life for good. Thank you.
This will go towards feeding a child and improving their life for good. Thank you.