(origineel bericht op be-more.nl)
Unforgettable christmas! - Week 3 Umthombo
Week 3: Christmas was at our door.
We had already a great Christmas braai with all the staff behind us.
But now it was time for the children to experience the 2011 christmas festivities.
Unfortunately not too much was arranged by Umthombo themselves so it fell on our shoulders.
Here is where your first donation money has gone too.
Martijn and me had both put down about 300 rand (25 pounds or 30 euros).
We wanted to take the kids to the ice rink.
We found it quiet funny to take them to a cold place for christmas, as it should be.
Imagine it to be about 32 degrees outside at the moment haha.
We planned to take about 10 kids with us. All these kids would be rewarded for going back home and getting their diplomas.
Unfortunately in the south african tradition this did not go according to plan.
We could only get 3 kids as the rest had already left for different local parties.
To the remaining 3 we proposed the ice skating but they explained to be too scared.
We decided to alter the plan again. We decided to take them to the movies.
We gave them the chance to choose their own movie. Like a choir they all voiced ‘Mission Impossible’. That made it easy.
So I walked to the counter. I put up my nicest face and asked the lady for a total of 9 tickets.
I added that we work for Umthombo and if she could possible add a little discount for us.
She had to ask the manager. ‘Ofcourse’ the manager voiced over the phone. BAM half of the ticket price taken off. Thanks Suncoast!
This meant we had more money left over to treat the boys on food. KFC and Debonairs pizza where quickly chosen.
After our lunch we headed to the cinema, a quick photo was made before entry. After the movie the boys had to go back home as was agreed.
From all of us and kids we would like to thank you for this amazing day!
The kids had a great day and thoroughly enjoyed themselves!
I have seen them again this week (week 7) and they all went to school again!
Week 3 also brought me the longest aftercare case so far. A 13 hour trip!
A total of 5 kids had to be brought home. Of of these kids is M. Some of you might remember him from my earlier weblog.
All these kids where ready to go home and had voiced this to us too.
M. was the one who lived the furthest out of durban, 4 hours.
Because we where with so many, me and Djuun + 2 kids had to sit in the back of the bakkie(pick up truck).
Luckily we where all prepared and brought our antisun lotion.
Try to imagine sitting in the back of a pick up truck racing with 140 over the highway. Really amazing experience!
It was amazing to re-unite M. and the other kids with their families.
Its unbelievable to hear the stories. M. his family thought he was dead. They are too poor too search for him.
Just before we left him again. M. came out smiling holding his new little sister. A great sight. Recognision we are doing well.
The rest of the kids went the same, part from one. We where on our way to the last kid his home when we quickly stopped to get a car charger.
We left him in the car for about 5 minutes. When we came back he was gone… He had decided to run.
We think he was too scared to see his parents again together with us. We therefore think he walked the last 2 or 3 kilometers himself.
We searched for him for 30 minutes but to no avail.
Unfortunately week 3 also brought some negatives.
Both my phone and mp3 are stolen inside Umthombo. I bought another one which got stolen at the cinema…
This brought me back to the ground and made me realise again that I am working with street children.
I’ll finish on a positive note.
Week 3 brought my first sun tan.
I am officially closer to the south african ‘tan’.
Siyabonga!