So the gala was fun. There were people in tuxes and women in dresses looking like they could have just come from prom. Upon arrival we were given champagne, and then waited for our 4 course meal to start. First was salad, although types of salads I've never seen before. Then we waited about 30-45 minutes and the meal came. The choices were fish, chicken, and beef. I chose the chicken and it was very good! Then we waited some more, and finally dessert came, the choice was cheesecake or creme brulee (I had cheesecake). All the food was good, and the Apple Martini's were amazing! I always get those back home and I had the best Appletini I've ever had, here! It actually tasted like an apple, and even had an apple slice in it. Wonderful. At the beginning of the evening Richard gave a welcoming speech and then the host for the night took over--who is the host of Survivor South Africa! Which, wasn't that exciting since we didn't know who he was or anything, but it was exciting because he's a celebrity here and everyone else knew him :) Later on Eleanor gave a little speech too. She spoke about the kids. Stephanie and I were in tears of course because we actually know the kids. I'm hoping the rich people there with gobs of money were touched, but who knows. They also showed a video with some of the kids, and stating what all Home of Hope does for the community, with a girl singing "Who's Going to Stop the Rain." She was amazing! And the song was beautiful. After this there was a live auction-- they were auctioning of jet getaways, safari's, diamond earrings-- really awesome items. It was so fun to watch these rich people actually bid on things and the whole bit. Also, all the while, there was live music and dancing-- some jazz, and some modern stuff. It was pretty cool. It also raised a lot of money-- about 300,000 rand ($39,000!) Which is amazing, but they still need to raise 650,000 rand ($83,000) for the new house. (So if anyone wants to donate, or organize a fundraiser, or get their church involved or something like that, please let me know). What I learned was that the new place is actually 2 houses on one lot. So all the kids at the farm, and all the kids at the house I'm working in will all move there. There's also more room to house more children I believe. The house we're in right now is rented. In August they have to be out, and the owner is tearing it down to build condos. Luckily, as I had posted before, a wealthy businessman has secured the house for them by giving them 3 months interest free loan, but he needs to be paid...which is where the money needed comes into play.
As I was watching it also kinda pissed me off that they have to go through this big event and woo all these rich people to take care of kids who need it...it's just something people should be doing anyway, but these people have to be put on you know?
So, enough about the gala. Not much else going on for the moment. Just been working. Our little boy with the trachea tube in was supposed to have a doctor's appointment yesterday to see if he can have it out, but apparently some social worker (not one in our house) didn't do what she needed to do to permit the doctor visit, so we're right where we were. Which sucks. Poor kid. Speaking of, I also found out some info about his older sister whom I've mentioned. Apparently, when she was still with their mother, one night her mom came home and she was sitting outside on the front steps. Because her mom had wanted her to be inside, she threw scalding hot water on her and beat her. You can still see the scars on her legs from the water.
The other day I was sitting at work visiting with one of the women who works there full time, Tiny, and she said to me, "You're good with the kids. You're better than the others, they know nothing." I take this as a huge compliment! haha The women who work there (Tiny, Gloria, and Athlena) don't speak to us much because English isn't their first language (They speak Xhosa-pronounced Kosa--and some Afrikaans). They do great in English, but you know sometimes it's a struggle. Plus, they are so busy cleaning and taking care of everything else that makes the house run smoothly. I also value what she said because I'm sure they are thinking we are all stupid and have probably dealt with some really crazy questions, as they watch hundreds of volunteers come in and out of there. For example-- I was packing diaper bags the other day for all the kids because they were painting the nursery so all the kids were leaving with temporary foster parents or social workers for a couple days. On the list was something called "Baby Grows" for one of our kids. It was on the list for our kid who has to have a thickener added to his bottles, so I thought maybe that is what she meant. I looked to Tiny (she was helping me) and said, "Aren't we out of that?" and pointed to the cabinet where the thickener is. She just started laughing at me. I'm like what??! She leads me to the laundry room where she gets out a onesie!!!!!! We were dying laughing. I said..we don't call these "baby grows!" (which I'm thinking could be a brand name?!) Either way, it was funny, and an opportunity for her to think I'm a total moron. Oh well.
I guess that's all for now... hope you all enjoyed your 4th! No celebration here, the Americans in the house were a little bummed yesterday. I work tomorrow and then am off for a couple days. Wish me sunny weather so I can finally get to Table Mountain. Next week I'm going to stay at "Vicky's B&B" (the smallest B&B in South Africa), and volunteer at "Gloria's Kindergarten" one day. Those were the places in the heart of the township that I wrote about awhile back. I'm a little nervous to be staying in the township, and seeing what meal is prepared for me too! Plus, last time I was there, I was upstairs looking out the window and there was a teenager on the street below looking up at me making a gun with his hand... a little unnerving... but Ursula keeps telling me, "You're very safe there darling." Megan (house mom) has told me, "Just don't go wandering around!! No walking the streets!!" Hadn't planned on it! It's only one night and I just really want the experience since my whole trip I've been living in luxury. And Vicky is so well respected that people don't mess with her or her visitors. And on top of that, everyone has really said that there's nothing to worry about, just use common sense. I'm sure once I'm dropped at Vicky's I won't be leaving, unless to see Beauty across the street. Which by the way, did I ever mention that it's just dirt lanes in some places in the township , not even wide enough for 2 cars... rambling now...
Seeya!
As I was watching it also kinda pissed me off that they have to go through this big event and woo all these rich people to take care of kids who need it...it's just something people should be doing anyway, but these people have to be put on you know?
So, enough about the gala. Not much else going on for the moment. Just been working. Our little boy with the trachea tube in was supposed to have a doctor's appointment yesterday to see if he can have it out, but apparently some social worker (not one in our house) didn't do what she needed to do to permit the doctor visit, so we're right where we were. Which sucks. Poor kid. Speaking of, I also found out some info about his older sister whom I've mentioned. Apparently, when she was still with their mother, one night her mom came home and she was sitting outside on the front steps. Because her mom had wanted her to be inside, she threw scalding hot water on her and beat her. You can still see the scars on her legs from the water.
The other day I was sitting at work visiting with one of the women who works there full time, Tiny, and she said to me, "You're good with the kids. You're better than the others, they know nothing." I take this as a huge compliment! haha The women who work there (Tiny, Gloria, and Athlena) don't speak to us much because English isn't their first language (They speak Xhosa-pronounced Kosa--and some Afrikaans). They do great in English, but you know sometimes it's a struggle. Plus, they are so busy cleaning and taking care of everything else that makes the house run smoothly. I also value what she said because I'm sure they are thinking we are all stupid and have probably dealt with some really crazy questions, as they watch hundreds of volunteers come in and out of there. For example-- I was packing diaper bags the other day for all the kids because they were painting the nursery so all the kids were leaving with temporary foster parents or social workers for a couple days. On the list was something called "Baby Grows" for one of our kids. It was on the list for our kid who has to have a thickener added to his bottles, so I thought maybe that is what she meant. I looked to Tiny (she was helping me) and said, "Aren't we out of that?" and pointed to the cabinet where the thickener is. She just started laughing at me. I'm like what??! She leads me to the laundry room where she gets out a onesie!!!!!! We were dying laughing. I said..we don't call these "baby grows!" (which I'm thinking could be a brand name?!) Either way, it was funny, and an opportunity for her to think I'm a total moron. Oh well.
I guess that's all for now... hope you all enjoyed your 4th! No celebration here, the Americans in the house were a little bummed yesterday. I work tomorrow and then am off for a couple days. Wish me sunny weather so I can finally get to Table Mountain. Next week I'm going to stay at "Vicky's B&B" (the smallest B&B in South Africa), and volunteer at "Gloria's Kindergarten" one day. Those were the places in the heart of the township that I wrote about awhile back. I'm a little nervous to be staying in the township, and seeing what meal is prepared for me too! Plus, last time I was there, I was upstairs looking out the window and there was a teenager on the street below looking up at me making a gun with his hand... a little unnerving... but Ursula keeps telling me, "You're very safe there darling." Megan (house mom) has told me, "Just don't go wandering around!! No walking the streets!!" Hadn't planned on it! It's only one night and I just really want the experience since my whole trip I've been living in luxury. And Vicky is so well respected that people don't mess with her or her visitors. And on top of that, everyone has really said that there's nothing to worry about, just use common sense. I'm sure once I'm dropped at Vicky's I won't be leaving, unless to see Beauty across the street. Which by the way, did I ever mention that it's just dirt lanes in some places in the township , not even wide enough for 2 cars... rambling now...
Seeya!
**The pics are at the gala, the first with Richard, Eleanor & Stephanie, the second is us with the Survivor guy (Mark Bayly).
