Friday Afternoon, March 9
It would be hard to choose a highlight from our trip – but if we did – it would probably be this visit.
You can see the care centre’s website here: http://www.holyfamilycentre.fkraak.com/history.html
This woman was walking along the entrance driveway. She appeared to be eating a mango or other fruit.
After a short introduction in the reception area we met the children who were coming home from school – the reason we arrived in the middle of the afternoon.
It didn’t take long for Jesse to join the children his age who were on the trampoline.
This is a safe place for children who are orphaned, whose parents cannot or are not caring for them and those who are affected by HIV.
For privacy reasons, I tried to avoid taking photos that included their faces – at least close up.
Josh with two little ones.
Kristen, Kate and Jana with several girls. Children at risk are Jana’s heart, so this was a special day for her.
Jere and Kristen brought lots of hair bands and other hair decorations – which were quite popular.
Jared playing with two little ones.
Beautiful flower
Jared and Ian played with the soccer and playground balls that we brought along. The older children were arriving from school. I think the one in the foreground is carrying school items. They wear uniforms except on casual Friday.
Josh and Jere distributing more hair bands.
While the guys stayed in the playground, Kristen, Jana and I went to the nursery and preschool area. This is a newborn with her young mother – younger than Jana.
The baby was conceived due to a family rape.
The toddler and preschool playground. I could have stayed here for a day – or longer.
We heard some really sad stories on how these little ones came here – through social services.
The helpers needed a gogo (grandma) to hold this little one. I was delighted to do the honors.
Kate with a little one.
A school bus just arrived.
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Part 2 later today.
What a wonderful facility — the kids appear to be well cared for, with minimal resources! Is this a place that Kate knew of, or did Jana find it through her work? There’s something a little sad, though, about the last shot — all the kids waiting to see who got off the school bus!
This is Kate’s passion. When you stay with Phil and Kate, they give you a list of things that they enjoy showing to people. This home is one of them, and quickly became Jere and Kristen’s passion before we left on the trip.
I think a special person was on the bus – maybe an older sister, or someone who helped them.
Jere and Kristen’s family also seems to have embraced the passion for this home — Jana with her love for the children, but even the little boys seem to have enjoyed playing with the kids! What an experience. I’m glad to know the kids were looking for somebody they knew!
so heart-tugging ~