Monday 25th - Siyathuthuka

The day started very early for the male members of the team with a seven o'clock  discussion based meeting centred on the first few verses of Genesis. The ladies were allowed a lie in.
We were then treated to some magnificent singing when the team along with a team from Germany and all of the Hands volunteers met together for prayers and worship.

Following a late breakfast we readied ourselves for our trip to the community of Siyathuthuka.
Some of us were feeling anxious, but were soon put at ease when we were launched into the life of the care centre by helping out with watering the salad crop in the vegetable plot.

Soon the pre-school children realised that they had some new playmates and made the most of the willing volunteers; balancing on tyres, throwing and catching and kicking tennis balls. This left the care workers to concentrate on cooking the meal for the older children, when they returned from school.

Gradually the numbers increased as first of all the younger school children and then the high school pupils arrived at the centre. Suddenly there were over seventy children who joined in with adhoc activities whilst waiting to be fed.

Today's meal consisted of a kind of cassoulet made from mixed beans and yam. Like growing children every where the plates were soon empty. We thoroughly enjoyed our small portions and were reminded of scout camp with the layer of dried beans that still clung to the sides of the pot, when all had been served.

Sadly we then had to leave to journey back to the Hands centre to reflect on the day.

Blogged by Chris and Clive.