So, let's all come together here and figure out how I'm going to get Lona. I'm totally in denial at this point that she is not coming home with me. I'm just acting like she is...could blow up in my face someday (like July 20th) but for now it helps me cope :) I just love her to pieces. And what is really starting to bother me is to think about what her life will be like. I've avoided that thought for awhile, but the other day I visited another home for teenage girls. All the girls there have been raped and/or abused, or sold as wives to older men when they were 12 (really). And if Lona gets out of the system the odds are against her. If she stays in the system, then she's just in the system her whole life! Which creates problems of it's own. I just can't stand to think about what the future could hold for her. And while I could be all sunshine & roses and act like Lona's life will be different than anyone else's, the odds are against that. I really want to bring her to the states, and that's just not possible. I told Ivan, then I want to be like, her Aunty in the states or something. We can keep in touch and I will send whatever money she needs to go to school and have clothes and whatever else. I dunno. I know that's impossible too but you just feel like, I need to do something!!!!!!! Really bothers me.
And of course I feel that for all the kids, it's not a bright future for anyone. I mean, there's always possibilities, so I guess we can just collectively think positively but still. It just sucks.
So I guess I need to stop talking about Lona... :) I will see her tomorrow. hah We had a few new kids staying for a few days-- older kids who were being abused by their parents. Bruises were still there and everything. It's nuts. They speak some English but mostly Afrikaans. They thought it was hilarious that none of us could speak Afrikaans...so communication was fun today! haha
Well I guess that's all. Let's put our heads together shall we?
Oh wait, remember the emails & posts about Home of Hope trying to buy another house, and they're raising money? Ok, well, they still need money! Some of you had mentioned wanting to donate towards that so email me if you still want to (chelsbels_2000@yahoo.com ). But good news too, there is a very rich business man who has signed on for the house so they now have more time to raise the money!! And another business just donated 350,000 rand!! We're getting there. These people work so hard for these kids by the way. Home of Hope is run out of their house. They have 3 grown daughters of their own, adopted 2 kids, and are raising their 2 year old granddaughter. They quit their jobs to do Home of Hope. Recently, with the xenophobic attacks there have been some refugees in the area... Eleanor made 400 sandwiches to take to them! At night they drive around to see how many children and babies are out on the streets, and talk to them, and think about what else they can do for them. They have 3 houses right now (their own where I am with the babies, another for teenage girls, and another for the young kids) and each of them have been bought in faith that the money would come, and it has every time. Having another house would mean being able to help more children. Anyway, just a little background for you. It's looking up but there's a long ways to go :)
And of course I feel that for all the kids, it's not a bright future for anyone. I mean, there's always possibilities, so I guess we can just collectively think positively but still. It just sucks.
So I guess I need to stop talking about Lona... :) I will see her tomorrow. hah We had a few new kids staying for a few days-- older kids who were being abused by their parents. Bruises were still there and everything. It's nuts. They speak some English but mostly Afrikaans. They thought it was hilarious that none of us could speak Afrikaans...so communication was fun today! haha
Well I guess that's all. Let's put our heads together shall we?
Oh wait, remember the emails & posts about Home of Hope trying to buy another house, and they're raising money? Ok, well, they still need money! Some of you had mentioned wanting to donate towards that so email me if you still want to (chelsbels_2000@yahoo.com ). But good news too, there is a very rich business man who has signed on for the house so they now have more time to raise the money!! And another business just donated 350,000 rand!! We're getting there. These people work so hard for these kids by the way. Home of Hope is run out of their house. They have 3 grown daughters of their own, adopted 2 kids, and are raising their 2 year old granddaughter. They quit their jobs to do Home of Hope. Recently, with the xenophobic attacks there have been some refugees in the area... Eleanor made 400 sandwiches to take to them! At night they drive around to see how many children and babies are out on the streets, and talk to them, and think about what else they can do for them. They have 3 houses right now (their own where I am with the babies, another for teenage girls, and another for the young kids) and each of them have been bought in faith that the money would come, and it has every time. Having another house would mean being able to help more children. Anyway, just a little background for you. It's looking up but there's a long ways to go :)
