School Daze

Although today was the third time I have visited schools in the Shongweni community, it was still an emotional event. Here is a picture of the children-968 attend this school-with the principal speaking to them. We were sitting on a stage while they sang to us, each primary class seperately. All the principal had to do was raise his hand and you could hear a pin drop, silence. Out of the sea of faces we were able to pick out some of the children of our homes and they also found us. At the end of the program and while we were exiting, here the children came to give us hugs and shake our hands and thank us for coming. Overwhelming cannot describe the feeling. We took several bags of school supplies that we had brought with us and gave them to the principal. I believe there are 15 classes and you can imagine then how many are in a class and as I related in other emails that in most cases they sit 3 to a desk. Some of our team decided to walk to the church through the many paths that wind past the homes while the rest of us headed back to work. There are now 36 homes that have been built and these are housing 165 orphaned children.

Today was finish the block work and start on the roof. We had to carry another 100 blocks up the hill and then all the roof rafters. It doesn't matter--male or female--everyone is doing their share. Today was a little warmer-28C-but with a slight breeze.

We have made a decision to build a soccer field where Margaret's old house is and will be torn down. It will be necessary to solicit donations for the cost of the grading, fencing and soccer goals, but it will be a wonderful place for the children. We will be working to make this happen when we return.

We have had many children join us for activities after school everyday and already some of them have a favorite book that they want to look at or read again. The books and the temporary library that we have assembled has been a hit. Thanks to all who donated the wonderful selection of books. Although they come in the afternoon and play with the toys or use the books, everything gets turned in before they leave so it will be there the next day.

Tomorrow is dedication day for Margaret's house and she is anxious to move in. Also we will be winding up the sewing lessons and already there are several ladies that will be able to carry on the teaching and be able to produce some item that they can sell. Today the people of the community brought their handmade items to the job site at lunch so that we could purchase what we liked.

Thank you all for your kind responses to this blog and remember although we are here but a short time, the need continues every day. You cannot drive down the roads here without the children waving to you and always with a smile. We will leave here with those and many more memories and have shed many tears of joy and know that we have also left a memory with them of the white people that came from America to help them build up their community.

Contributed by Ken Ondrejko