Day 3 - Oshoek

Day 3 - Oshoek

The day dawned bright and early and following breakfast cooked by the boys on the veranda, the girls all headed to Ladies’ prayer. This session was held in the peace and calm of the sunlit chapel, and was lead by Agnes. Our prayer and focus was on women; it is women’s month in South Africa. She described her view on arriving at the hub as one filled with loved and cared for flowers- we are all flowers, made strong and nourished in God’s love. Agnes guided us through a reflection on the origins and the biblical strength of women, and used Titus 2: 1-8 as a source of instruction, with the prevailing message as one of integrity and inclusivity of women in the world. Having shared praise points and prayer requests, we closed in a time of prayer. 

We then set off with Angelle to Oshoek. This was a four hour journey, broken by an unpredictable soundtrack, and we arrived right on time at the Oshoek Service Centre to quickly take things out of the bus and head up to Sthobela B care point. 

We were greeted with a warm welcome from the care workers, lead by the wonderful Ma Esther and Ma Annie. Their welcome was infectious and their passion for their children was amazing. This week is an important week for the care point; this week, they have welcomed 25 new children to the care point and today was the second day for catering for 82 children. This growth is fantastic, and very important for this rural community. 

After introductions and a quick name game, we were split into two groups. Three members of the team remained at the Care Point to support and worship with the care workers, and four of us went on Holy Home Visits (these are an important part of the relationship vision of Hands at Work and enable the flourishing of children in vulnerable communities). 

Lucy and Alice the First (P) went on a Holy Home Visit to Gogo Mary and Baba John, a short walk away, heading to the yellow house on the hill. On our journey we talked to Esther about the home we were going to. The grandparents were caring for 4 grandsons and the care workers were concerned that the eldest boy had stopped coming to the Care Point and they were trying to understand why, and if it was because he felt too old for the activities they wanted to understand what they could do to encourage him to attend. Upon arriving at the yellow house we were greeted by 7 dogs and then as we waited Baba John came out to see us. After some conversation we were invited in to the house where we discussed with Baba more about the concerns the care workers had . A long conversation continued , Baba John spoke about how this boy was at an age where he knew best in so many things ...he was reassured this was common back in the UK by Lucy. Baba spoke about how he was concerned the eldest boy was potentially also taking a place at the Care Point that another more vulnerable child could use; and was very grateful that the care workers had picked up on the boy not attending and thanked them for their concern. We were about to pray and then leave when Gogo Mary arrived and a discussion took place explaining the concern. It was suggested she came back to the Care Point to see if the boy arrived off the school bus so it could all be discussed. We prayed altogether and then left the house and returned to the Care Point with Gogo Mary, the school bus arrived but unfortunately the eldest boy was not onboard so probably got off a bit earlier and therefore avoiding the need to socialise with anyone. We feel blessed that we had the opportunity to go on this Holy home visit . 

Meanwhile, Alice the Second (S) and Sophie went on a Holy Home Visit to the small holding of Gogo Miranda. Here Miranda lives with her husband, two daughters and three grandchildren. All three grandchildren are part of the new intake of children into the Care Point, two boys of 9 and 13, and their little cousin, a girl of 20 months. The boys have started to attend the Care Point as the school bus drops them nearby, but the little girl has not been brought yet. This was a concern for the care workers with us and in their conversations tried to address this. They’re also hopeful that in bringing their children to the Care Point, that both of Gogo Miranda’s daughters will attend the Care Point as care workers, even if only for a few days a week. This is problematic at the moment as Gogo Miranda has recently lost her job, as has her husband, so there is a need for members of the family to search for work. However, in their local area, work is somewhat limited and hard to come by. These issues facing this family at the moment are where the need and vulnerability for the support and encouragement of this family. 

Following these Holy Home visits, the group was back together at the Care Point, caring and playing with the younger children who do not attend school. On the arrival of the majority of children from the school bus, we played with the children, and also taught and shared in dancing ‘Shine’. This was really popular and enjoyed by children and adults alike... so continued all afternoon with a range of songs from Holiday Club!  Everyone shared in worship songs and prayer before food was served by Sophie, Clarrie and Alice the Second- rice, beans and beetroot. Whilst eating alongside the children at the Care Point, there was an opportunity to learn more about the older members of the Care Point family, sharing in school days and their hopes and dreams.

As children began to leave, some quickly after eating given the rural area and the need to be home in the light, we continued to play and hear the stories of a range of children. The youngest children were left and these were under the care of the Care Workers, and as they left, we too made our back to the Service Centre. 

Returning with the team and with some of the longer term supporters from Hands, we enjoyed a meal together of pap and chicken, and debriefed about the days’ stories, communities and children. 

It has been a busy first day in community, and has been a fab introduction to community life and the vision and work of Care Points to Lucy and Sophie.

It’s now time for an early night as we prepare to climb a mountain to Houtbos tomorrow!