Already at the 1/2 way point

I can't believe I am already 1/2 way through my trip! The time is just flying by.

Yesterday after placement a small group of us volunteered to help do some gardening for a really neat organization called The Caring Network. This organization empowers individuals with the skills to care for the vulnerable and ill, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS through the provision of training, capacity building, networking and community action.

They provide individuals from previously disadvantaged communities, particularly those who are unemployed, with training in life skills and healthcare. These caregivers are then sent out into the community to support those that are vulnerable and ill. They provide home health care AND fresh vegetables and herbs and medicinal plants. In 2009 there were 5 care givers in the Khayelitsha Township (this is the township I currently work in), who served roughly 180 clients per month and completed approximately 17,368 home visits. They care givers are supervised by a full-time nursing coordinator.

Our group went over to help do some weeding in one of the vegetable gardens. The whole place was wonderful. It was warm, inviting and relaxing. Okay...so the weeding part wasn't relaxing...but the surrounding area. They have a cute little court yard that is used for resting and tea time.

While the weeding wasn't exactly fun...especially with this pulled muscle or whatever I did to my back and it was one of the hottest afternoons....the people that work there are wonderful and I worked with some of my friends from our homebase but above everthing else, it's nice to be a part of something like this. A part of giving back. I left hot, dirty, tired, but mostly rewarded and fulfilled. It was a good day.

That was followed by a hot shower, a small rest and we were off for Mexican food and Margarita's that was only a short cab ride to the next town. It was a going away dinner, of sorts, for two of the girls that have been here for 6 weeks and are leaving tomorrow.

Sickness is still running through the house....stomach flu and strep throat. So far I have managed to remain healthy. I just keep pumping the vitamins and Airborn!

Today at the creche went okay. I floated between rooms to take care of my two boys. Morgan again wet thru, when trying to help get Chumani settled in the classroom. The other teachers didn't know about it, as they don't pay much attention to him, so he was just sitting in wet britches. So when I was changing his nappie, I had a little chat with the manager. We'll see what changes are to come next week.

I'm very excited for Monday! CCS has opened another program site in South Africa. It's a little town called Robertson, about 90 minutes from Cape Town in a rural farming community. It's actually located in one South Africa's most attractive Cape Wineland Towns. I've been told it's a very charming and rural setting. I actually considered Robertson when I decided to return to South Africa, but decided to come back to Cape Town. The Director is going for meetings or something and I had mentioned that I would really like an opportunity to check it out, and she said I was more than welcome to come along and she would "fetch me" early Monday morning, as long as I cleared it with my Program Mgr here. I let my placement know I probably wouldn't be there Monday and cleared it with my Program Mgr....so I'm heading to Robertson Monday! I can't wait! It's supposed to be a friendly, close-knit community where the remnants of slavery and colonial feudal systems continue to impact the lives of the farm workers, and great divides continue to exist between farm owner and farm worker.

Well, I am grateful for the weekend to get some rest. The couple days will do my back good, as i won't have to lift my boys for a couple of days! Hopefully I'll be good as new on Tuesday.

Well...I'm going to call it a night.

Take good care.