Change of plans

The last few weeks have been busy, but great. So far, I haven't had a dull moment here. I seem to be busier than I was even at home. I'll give you a brief run down of what I've been up to. I have been spending Monday's and Wednesday's helping with the creche (preschool) which is in the same community as the clinic I help in. The creche has about 50 children mostly 5 and 6 year olds, but also a few babies and toddlers. We have been working on curriculum and training the local teachers. Explaining the importance of boiling baby bottles, etc. My role is also to check in on any health concerns that the teachers have for the kids. Mostly, I just refer to the clinic anything I am worried about and write letters to the parents to take their child to the clinic if there is a concern. It has taken awhile to figure out what I am doing, but hopefully I will be more helpful in the few months I am here before going to Malawi. The creche is closing for a month next week and then we will start up again with many new kids. We just had graduation for the kids that will go to primary school last Saturday and it was a great success. The kids were so cute singing songs and doing a nativity play.


On Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, I volunteer in the clinic in whatever they ask me to do. Usually I am assisting the nurses there, but also help in the pharmacy. As I have written before, learning tons.

I am occasionally at the babies home doing child care for them. Currently, they have around 12 kids.

Always lots of church activities going on. We had a night of carols on Sunday and I was part of a puppet video that we created. It has been great to be so involved in the church. Next year, they are starting bible training on Tuesday nights and I'm planning to take this class. Made lots of good friends that I am sure will be life-long over facebook and hopefully in person at some point.

My plans have changed slightly. I am now staying in South Africa until mid-March. The nurse at the babies home wants to go with me to Malawi and stay for a month. She is only able to go in March so we will go there together. This is really an answer to prayer because I was very nervous about journeying to Malawi on my own even though I hear it is very safe. The 10 hour bus ride will be much nicer with a friend. May (the nurse) was born in Zimbabwe and has been to Malawi before so it is more comforting for me. I will still spend 4 months in Malawi taking me into mid-July. I'm not sure now that visiting Kenya is going to work out so then I will either meet people to travel with in this area of Africa or return to SA for a short time before flying home mid-August. I'm looking forward to my dear friend, Kim, arriving in a few weeks. She is currently teaching in Kenya and visiting for Christmas. We are planning to travel with other friends to the Wild Coast, the Eastern coastal area of South Africa. Can't wait!! Miss you all and wish you many Christmas blessings.



By the way, you may feel sorry for me as I had KFC for Thanksgiving. :-<

The creche kids in front of their newly painted wall

They are so cute, they put their stuffed animals and dolls on their backs to carry them as they see their moms and all the women in their community do.

More cute creche kids

New friends: Tumi(South African), me, Derek (South African), Susie (American), and Milson (Brazilian) at a wedding of a couple in the church.