Once a month the Pastors Salina head about twenty minutes down the road to do some outreach and feeding at a rural school. After a bit of off-roading we arrived at this school of 900 students. The principal had mentioned to us that they did not have any water for a few months, but that’s mostly sorted out. My word. I can’t even imagine! When we didn’t have water for a few days I was going crazy, and that was with only four children!

Being a rural school, it is really full of children who are in the heart of the consequences and tragedy of the Aids epidemic.

It was an interesting experience, I guess the classic “Africa” that I’ve not really experienced yet. Funny, that its been down the road all this time! I feel so isolated here.

The 900 students sat in the sun for abour three hours while people sang and Pastor spoke. Wow, what kids. I was so hungry and hot, and I’m a very tough person!! The kids got up and performed songs and dances, and it was lovely.

A group of Indian-South Africans came and with incredible speed and efficiency, fed all 900 students. I love that visiting South Africa is a bit like visiting England, Africa and India all at the same time, as I sat in the hot sun and ate my curry. I also get to say things like, “rubbish”, “crumpets” and stuff like that.

I was a bit suprised that after it was all done, no one really wanted to spend any time with the kids. I was even a bit ticked that most people spent their energy telling the kids to go away, and chasing them off. Given, there were a lot of children and they were quite wild and a bit intimidating, espcecially some of the older boys. Lots of these kids lack authority figures in their lives and it shows. The teachers on yard duty carried sticks. That was also a bit alarming!

There was a language barrier. Most of them only spoke Zulu, but a few of the older kids knew a few words in English. I stepped out of my comfort zone and started chatting to some of the girls, making almost comical efforts to talk to them. \They wanted to know if I was Siya’s Mom, and I had a hard time explaining to them.

It was so nice though, to try and chat for a few minutes.

I took a lot of video, and a few photos. Mostly video though cause the singing and dancing was beautiful.

Joanna Salina and the team.

Trying to make some friends. Turns out it was quite easy.

Siyabonga has been raised in a very different life. It was interesting for him to see this part of his world, although a bit difficult for him since he can’t speak Zulu. I’m really hoping he learns soon.

This is for Keith. Pastor asked me to take this photo, and chose this location specifically. Let’s just say, I’m surrounded by some real characters, and although I love them, I look forward to being around some people I can actually relate to.

This was supposed to be a photo of my friend and I, who is holding my hand. However, we were mobbed in the 10 seconds it took for the photo to be taken. Photos were quite popular.

Well. I must say I enjoyed meeting these lovely children, and seeing a bit more of South Africa. But, it was depressing to feed these children one meal and leave. Knowing what some of these children were going home to.